Lee Auto Disk Powder Measure and Black Powder

[Wagon Box Willy]

Howdy pards,

I currently use the Lee Perfect Powder measure with my single stage Lee press and I'm considering upgrading presses to the Lee Load Master progressive in order to speed up my reloading.

I pretty sure with the Lee Perfect Powder measure Lee recommends not using it for BP but reading here I know lots of folks do...so I did.  Lee also says not to use the Auto Disk measure with BP and I'm wondering if it is also as safe as using the Perfect Powder measure.

I had considered the Classic Turret press but the price is close to the same and the Classic still has 4 lever throws per cartridge and I'd like to reduce that.  I've looked at all the videos on the Load Master and it looks like something I can handle mechanically.

I want to purchase it this week so I can take advantage of Midway's $20 off $200 discount (basically free shipping).

Comments?

Thanks
 -Willy

[Tequila Jim]

I have used a Pro 1000 for a lot of years, just recently bought the 4 station turret press. I use the auto disc to load  BP.
Had to get the double disc setup for the 45colt cartridges. Workd for me, your milage may very. Regards, TJ

[Wagon Box Willy]

Thanks Jim,

Why the turret press over the Load Master (5 station version of the Pro 1000 I think)?  How does the speed compare?

-Willy

[Dick Dastardly]

I've been using the auto disk powder measure on my LEE Pro 1000 progressive press and it works great.  Only problem I've encountered with it has been that the bead chain has broken a couple of times.  I went to the hardware store and bought some more bead chain and it hasn't broken since.  I also put a softer spring on the chain.

One thing to expect is that a little powder will get around the disk and drop on the shell holder.  Keep that clean and watch your primer feed.  If the primer feed gets dirty it really won't work right.  I think that's the case for all primer feeds on progressive presses.  They work great clean but balk when dirty.

Good luck,

DD-DLoS

[Wagon Box Willy]

Thanks Dick,

   -Willy

[Abilene]

I use the Lee Auto-disk for BP on a 4-hole Lee Turret.  I leave it attached to the .38/.357 toolhead and only use it for those calibers, and I use the adjustable charge bar.  I don't think that charge bar would throw enough for a .45 unless you use 2 pulls (auto-index is disabled on mine), but I just use dippers for all my other calibers.  I like the Turret because of the 5-second caliber change 

[Tequila Jim]

Dick Dastardly, think bungee cord instead of chain.  There was a blurb on the SASS wire a while back bout using bungee cord
instead of the chain. Will PM you. Regards TJ

[Jefro]

I use the Lee Auto-disk for BP on a 4-hole Lee Turret.  I leave it attached to the .38/.357 toolhead and only use it for those calibers, and I use the adjustable charge bar.  I don't think that charge bar would throw enough for a .45 unless you use 2 pulls (auto-index is disabled on mine), but I just use dippers for all my other calibers.  I like the Turret because of the 5-second caliber change 

I started with a Lee Classic Turret with the Pro Auto Disk , works great for BP and that other powder I use Hornady LNL now. For .45 or 44/40 I used the double disk kit. Good Luck

Jefro 

[Tequila Jim]

Willy, pretty much have dedicated the Pro 1000 for 45Colt.  I prime off the press so I set it up to drop powder on the first station,
seat bullet on second station, factory crim on station three. The bulk of my loading is 45 Colt.  Got the 4 hole turret for outher
calibers. I know nothing about the Loadmaster. Regards, TJ

[Montana Slim]

I've been using that measure for loading BP cartridges for about 15 years.
Also use the double disk kit & have one hopper dedicated for the DD Kit, one for single disk use.

Regards,
Slim

[Wagon Box Willy]

Thanks All,

  -Willy

[Wagon Box Willy]

I set up the Lee Load Master progressive press this morning and it works well.  I have the Auto Disk measure set up with the double disk kit to drop 24 g of fffg which is my backyard practice load.  To accomplish the loading I pull the shell off the loader at the bullet seating stage and use my Perfect Powder measure to drop CoW to fill up the case, then I place a bullet on the shell and return it to the press.

Compared to my single stage press this is lightning fast.

  -Willy

[Tequila Jim]

I think most of this crowd would tell you to have the COW for breakfast and fill that case with BP.
Sounds like you got everything under control, Have fun and make smoke. Regards, TJ

[Wagon Box Willy]

I think most of this crowd would tell you to have the COW for breakfast and fill that case with BP.
Sounds like you got everything under control, Have fun and make smoke. Regards, TJ

This load is great for a couple of hundred rounds of back yard shooting at a time and is easy on my knuckles

  -Willy