Lyman 55 and IMR 700-X

[roadcarver]

When I initially bought my Lee Pro autodisk powder measure, I was getting variances / inconsistencies with powder drops. The loads for my setup were 4.7gr of IMR 700-X.

I have since returned the Lee Pro autodisk to Amazon and got the Lyman at a great deal.

When I initially tried to use the Lyman, I was getting wild variances with the load. There are times It would give me accurate 4.7 grs and at times have variances of .2 to .3 gr (+/-). I was at the point of getting frustrated as I did an hour of powder drops thinking it would start to become consistent.

Combinations that I tried:

1. I tried using the knocker (4x), with rotor handle up -> Usually the powder drops were on the + side
2. I tried pulling rotor slightly down and up again and finally pulling it down to dispense -> I found that the powder measure was binding, and was still inconsistent.
3. I tried pulling the rotor down and up once -> found the drops to be a little on the light side
4. I tried pulling the rotor down, activate the knocker 4 times and push the rotor up -> very consistent

#4 appears to be the most consistent way of dropping the charge with IMR 700-X. I was only getting a variance of -0.1 gr with this method.

BTW, my Lyman is installed in my Lee Classic Turret using the autodisk riser + Perfect adapter from gun guides.

Anyone else have any tips to share when using the IMR 700-X and Lyman 55?

 

[ALMAR]

Strap something that vibrates to the dispenser....I'll let you decide what , I use a small aquarium pump. I read somewhere that some added a spoonful of graphite powder in their 700x bottle and mixed it a lot...not a fan of adding stuff to the powder personally, but apparently it did not affect FPS.

 

[Ganderite]

Some throwers won't handle flake powders at all. The Lyman 55 does, and I have one dedicated to that task.

I use it less and less,as my flake powders run out and get replaced. Titegroup is a good replacement for 700X.

 

[roadcarver]

The reason that I bought the Lyman was that it was good at handling all kinds of powder. What is the method that you use to dispense flake powder? Do you just throw the lever down and up in a consistent manner? Do you use the knocker at all?

I have a few pounds of Titegroup that I'll be using once my 1lb bottle of 700X is all used up.

Some throwers won't handle flake powders at all. The Lyman 55 does, and I have one dedicated to that task.

I use it less and less,as my flake powders run out and get replaced. Titegroup is a good replacement for 700X.

 

[Spawn-Inc]

The reason that I bought the Lyman was that it was good at handling all kinds of powder. What is the method that you use to dispense flake powder? Do you just throw the lever down and up in a consistent manner? Do you use the knocker at all?

I have a few pounds of Titegroup that I'll be using once my 1lb bottle of 700X is all used up.

I use a rcbs uniflow and when I'm dealing with flake (not very much) or stick powders I use the handle to tap a more consistent throw. With some powders if I only tap once vs 3 or 4 times there has been as much as 3 gr difference. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[roadcarver]

Makes sense. I did that as well. Before I threw down the handle to dispense, I would pull the handle slightly down and up to fill the drum, and full down to throw. I notice that in doing this though, I notice some binding. I guess some flakes are being cut.

I use a rcbs uniflow and when I'm dealing with flake (not very much) or stick powders I use the handle to tap a more consistent throw. With some powders if I only tap once vs 3 or 4 times there has been as much as 3 gr difference. Hopefully that makes sense.

 

[jethunter]

If you can get 700X powder to meter within .1 gr consistently then you are doing well. The flake powders can be a challenge and especially IMR700. I can get the Lee Auto Disk Pro to throw the flake powders quite well above 5 gr, but below 4 gr is hit and miss on every powder measure I have used.

 

[Spawn-Inc]

Makes sense. I did that as well. Before I threw down the handle to dispense, I would pull the handle slightly down and up to fill the drum, and full down to throw. I notice that in doing this though, I notice some binding. I guess some flakes are being cut.

The same happens on mine with large grain powders, trailboss especially.

 

[Armored Metal]

In my limited experience with 700x, I found it mesured best in my (discontinued) Hornady pistol powder mesure. Trying to get an accurate drop from the Lee powder mesure was proving almost impossible.

But I don't think there was anything wrong with your Lee auto disc mesure. I think the problem is with 700x. It's a good powder that has given me great results in .45ACP and .38spl but it's a pain in the butt to mesure.

 

[roadcarver]

I agree that there was nothing wrong with the measure. Perhaps one day, I may buy a second power thrower as the Lee made it convenient when making rounds quite quick on a Turret.

In my limited experience with 700x, I found it mesured best in my (discontinued) Hornady pistol powder mesure. Trying to get an accurate drop from the Lee powder mesure was proving almost impossible.

But I don't think there was anything wrong with your Lee auto disc mesure. I think the problem is with 700x. It's a good powder that has given me great results in .45ACP and .38spl but it's a pain in the butt to mesure.