I only load for .223 and was wondering if these things are OK to use. I would be weighing every 5th round or so on a scale to insure consistency. Right now I only load about 20 or so at a time and weigh every one. Does it matter if you use extruded or ball powder?
LEE Perfect Powder Measure
- Thread starter KDX
- Start date
With ball powder, mine leaks out the side. If I tighten it so that the leak goes away, I can hardly use it.
The Lee manual says a small leak is normal.
I still use it & it is accurate but when I finish I have a fair bit of fine powder under it which does not please me. When I find a better measure I will replace the Lee.
The Lee manual says a small leak is normal.
I still use it & it is accurate but when I finish I have a fair bit of fine powder under it which does not please me. When I find a better measure I will replace the Lee.
My Lee measure is a total PITA with ball powder too. However, it's superb with extruded powders, so I now use an RCBS with ball and the Lee with extruded. This is the best of all possible worlds afaic.
I've heard that there's a fix for the Lee gum-up trick, but nothing I've tried works. Hell, I even re-read the instruction sheet. No kidding!
I've heard that there's a fix for the Lee gum-up trick, but nothing I've tried works. Hell, I even re-read the instruction sheet. No kidding!
- Location
- Calgary, AB
I used to have one, and was a piece of sh**t. Leaked, and flimsy. Don't waste your money. A better buy would be Hornady or RCBS.
I use mine on a regular basis for loading .223 and .22-250 with extruded powders. For target loads I set the powder measure to throw a charge just shy of full and trickle the last .1 - .2 grains. For Varmint loads I will play with the setting until I can get 3 repeatable amounts in a row then I go to town loading up cases stopping to measure one or two every now and again.
The key to the Lee measure is to throw the "lever" the same way everytime. If you vary your technique you will get different loads. I usually make a positive "hit" on the up stroke where as a friend of mine uses the tip up and tap method. As long as you do it the same everytime your loads should be within .1 grains.
The key to the Lee measure is to throw the "lever" the same way everytime. If you vary your technique you will get different loads. I usually make a positive "hit" on the up stroke where as a friend of mine uses the tip up and tap method. As long as you do it the same everytime your loads should be within .1 grains.
What's the proceedure for re-alligning the drum? It sounds like that's where I'm missing the boat.
For accuracy, ease of dumping and generally super smooth dispensing with extruded powders I agree the Lee Perfect measure is exactly that. Perfect.
Rod B
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
My Lee measure is a total PITA with ball powder too. However, it's superb with extruded powders, so I now use an RCBS with ball and the Lee with extruded. This is the best of all possible worlds afaic.
I've heard that there's a fix for the Lee gum-up trick, but nothing I've tried works. Hell, I even re-read the instruction sheet. No kidding!
I have had the same experience.
The PPM is ok with extruded powder but for flake & ball powder I use the RCBS UniFlo.
Allright, might had not explain right...
When I said re-align, I meant make sure when retighting the screw the chamfer part on the left side is centered. Mine was leaking because it was off-center.
Hope that help
Cheers
Gaetoune
When I said re-align, I meant make sure when retighting the screw the chamfer part on the left side is centered. Mine was leaking because it was off-center.
Hope that help
Cheers
Gaetoune
Allright, might had not explain right...
When I said re-align, I meant make sure when retighting the screw the chamfer part on the left side is centered. Mine was leaking because it was off-center.
Hope that help
Cheers
Gaetoune
Thanks Gaetoune, that does help. It's a fussy little devil and I have no idea how it got out of whack in the first place, but it seems fine now.
Hi-Standard
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Republic of Newfoundland
I use my Lee all the time. Works great most of the time. I've never had a leak. I find ball powders flow beautifully, however large extruded and flake powder sometimes get a little, dare I say it flakey Like the previous poster said, with the Lee it's how you operate the handle. You must swing the handle consistently each time. With me it's up down and 3 taps with my finger on the powder measure, however I still measure most charges just to be on the safe side.
Like the previous poster said, with the Lee it's how you operate the handle. You must swing the handle consistently each time. With me it's up down and 3 taps with my finger on the powder measure, however I still measure most charges just to be on the safe side.
- Location
- Edmonton, AB
I use mine for handgun loading. I was finding it wasn't very consistent at all with Varget, but with ball powders, it runs like a charm. I think I spill more powder than it leaks, so that's a non issue for me.
