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7/24/2008 7:12:58 PM EDT
Anyone use a Lee Autodisc to meter powder with .45 ACP?  Was wondering which brand of powder measures consistently with this setup.  Am using Hodgdon Titegroup, but I am not getting consistent measurement with the discs or the micrometer.  Any guidance would be appreciated.  Thanks, John.
7/24/2008 8:03:15 PM EDT
[#1]
I have been using Titegroup in my Lee Master press for 9 years and it meters within .1 gr. I also use micrometer. Check that the powder is not hanging up in the drop tube or die due to oil or static. I have my presses grounded to my brass water pipe. If there is powder hanging on the side of your press powder container, you may have static. Make sure to clean your die and powder meter with minerial spirits. I use a dry lube in my dies. When I store my press I spray my presses with WD40, I only lube with oil the moving parts that do not come in contact with any part of the round, but that's IMHO.

Mike  
7/24/2008 9:43:43 PM EDT
[#2]
I use an ordinary pencil and scrub all areas where powder contacts.  Works well in killing static on the disks itself.
7/24/2008 10:22:34 PM EDT
[#3]
I use a LEE disc measure as it came equipped on my LEE M1000.......I use the three machines to load only pistol calibers and I don't usually mess with settings or powder drop weights.  I just like to crank out ammo.....same ammo......all the time.  OK......maybe not exactly same.......the bullet suppliers change (but, the profile and weight stays the same).  It's only plinking ammo anyway.

OK.....so, getting back to powder.  I like BE and W231.  They are consistent for ME.  Plus, I got a lot of those powders.  So, I don't feel a desire to mess around with trying different powders.


Aloha, Mark
7/25/2008 7:07:24 AM EDT
[#4]
I get consistent results with Hodgdon Universal using the Auto-Disk. Make sure that the screws that hold the bin on are tight but be careful not to strip the holes out. If the bin comes loose, even slightly, it can cause the charge to vary. I have mine set up for 5.2gr (for .40 and .45) and it only varies +- 0.1 gr. Like others have said, make sure everything is clean, oil free and static free.
7/25/2008 7:07:34 AM EDT
[#5]

Quoted:
I use a LEE disc measure as it came equipped on my LEE M1000.......I use the three machines to load only pistol calibers and I don't usually mess with settings or powder drop weights.  I just like to crank out ammo.....same ammo......all the time.  OK......maybe not exactly same.......the bullet suppliers change (but, the profile and weight stays the same).  It's only plinking ammo anyway.

OK.....so, getting back to powder.  I like BE and W231.  They are consistent for ME.  Plus, I got a lot of those powders.  So, I don't feel a desire to mess around with trying different powders.


Aloha, Mark


Could you tell me what charge/powder/disc combination that you are using?  Unfortunately, with the discs and titegroup, the charge is either too small or too big.  Thats why I went to the micrometer, but am having consistency problems with it.
7/25/2008 1:36:43 PM EDT
[#6]
I could but.........YOU should measure your drops (use your scale) to be sure, what you're getting.

IIRC LEE has a chart for the disc.  It'll be close.  But, I wouldn't trust it.  Again, use your scale.  


Powder cavity tolerances

The powder manufacturers allow themselves a 16% tolerance in the density of their powder, from lot to lot. We have to calibrate our chart to show the high side of that tolerance, so you should never get more than what the chart indicates, but you will sometimes get less. Believe the scale. If your measure consistently throws less than what the chart indicates, try going up to the next larger cavity. If the powder measure throws more than what the chart indicates, please let us know!


Taken from LEE's site.

www.leeprecision.com/cgi/faq/index.cgi  

TRUST but, VERIFY.
_______________________________________________

IF you're looking for load data........I recommend the book.
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That being said......since, it's currently on the bench.........

For .38 Special (CowBoy ammo), I use 3.4 gr. BE, 125 gr. LRNFP cast bullets, Federal Primers in whatever mfn's case.

Aloha, Mark

PS.........SORRY....you were looking for .45ACP data.  200 gr. cast LSWC, 4.0 gr. BE, Federal primers, in whatever mfn's case.

But, good news.....here is the disk chart.........

www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/AD2302.pdf
8/6/2008 1:00:42 PM EDT
[#7]
I use the Auto Disk on Pro 1000 with W231, Power Pistol and H110. It works better after it has been coated a little bit with powder residue.

Double disk kit, adjustable bar and micro-disk are optional. I use the double disk for rifle. But if I can get close with a single disk, I stick with it. That's why I have 4.6, 5.0, 5.3gr of W231 loads for 45ACP 230gr and 200gr. ;)

4.6gr is difficult to see in a .45ACP case. 5.3gr isn't much easier. I buddy of mine likes the IMR pistol powders 700X and 800 because they fill the various pistol cases more.

Ball Powder and short cut powders are easier to measure. I couldn't get IMR 4350 to work with Lee PPM. Too long I guess.

Highly reccommended you double check your loads with a scale. I don't trust the Lee charts. They get you close. I tend to trickle my max loads unless I am very comfortable with all the variables.
8/6/2008 9:23:04 PM EDT
[#8]
I use IMR 770X in mine with absolutely no issues, meter with just one disk and every measure is right on the money.
8/7/2008 1:17:24 PM EDT
[#9]
I have no issues with my Autodisk Pro and Power Pistol.   I love it!   It also works just fine with H110 and a milsurp pull-down powder similar to H110.
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