Suggestions for a Black Powder Measure for Reloading?

Cemetery · November 30, 2009, 07:56:30 PM

Hey Everybody,

I'm putting together my reloading tools, and I have the Lee 4 Stage Turrent Press, and was wondering what would be suggested to use to get black powder from the Goex can, into the cases.

Is there anything I might be able to mount onto the Press, or would it be a separate station?

Thanks.

john boy · November 30, 2009, 08:38:09 PM

If you had purchased the Deluxe version of the 4 Holer, it comes with this ...
Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259634721.5401=/html/catalog/powhan1.html

Montana Slim · November 30, 2009, 08:43:55 PM

I use the autodisk measure with and without the double-disk kit for semi-progressive loading of pistol cartridges on the Lee Turret press and the Lyman model 55 (standard model) for big-bore cartridge loading.

Regards,
Slim

Cemetery · November 30, 2009, 09:24:07 PM

Quote from: john boy on November 30, 2009, 08:38:09 PM
If you had purchased the Deluxe version of the 4 Holer, it comes with this ...
Lee Auto-Disk Powder Measure
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259634721.5401=/html/catalog/powhan1.html

I did get the deluxe package, and that Powder Measure on the left is what came with it. But it seems that the grain counts are too low for black powder, at least with the auto disks that came with it.

Pony Racer · November 30, 2009, 09:34:48 PM

I have an old Dillon 450 converted to a 550 but i hand dump my bp loads with the lee dippers for pistol and rifle

I do the same for my shotgun loads with an old shotgun shell reloader and a set of hand tools.

PR

litl rooster · November 30, 2009, 10:35:14 PM

Quote from: john boy on November 30, 2009, 08:38:09 PM

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi/catalog/browse.cgi?1259634721.5401=/html/catalog/powhan1.html

Part 90100 on that link will be well worth the money you spend on it.

Quote from: Pony Racer on November 30, 2009, 09:34:48 PM
I have an old Dillon 450 converted to a 550 but i hand dump my bp loads with the lee dippers for pistol and rifle

I do the same for my shotgun loads with an old shotgun shell reloader and a set of hand tools.

PR

fourfingersofdeath · December 01, 2009, 04:02:58 AM

What is the max black powder charge that can be thrown with the double disk set up?

Noz · December 01, 2009, 08:28:47 AM

Quote from: Cemetery on November 30, 2009, 09:24:07 PM
I did get the deluxe package, and that Powder Measure on the left is what came with it. But it seems that the grain counts are too low for black powder, at least with the auto disks that came with it.

I use the Auto disc measure and just hit it twice. Since I load 44-40, the expander barely touches the case to get the expansion I want so the double pump does not hurt the case. Divide your desired load by two, go to the Lee capacity chart and select the hole in the disc that most closely resembles your desired load.

Ranch 13 · December 01, 2009, 09:21:16 AM

Can a Lee perfect measure be fitted to that? As bad as the disc measure slobbers powder,I can't imagine the mess that's going to be on top of everything trying to slide black thru the thing. $:-\$

Tascosa Joe · December 01, 2009, 12:37:50 PM

I use both a Hornaday and a Lyman 55 with my BP loading. Either will work on the turret press. The Lyman 55 gives a more presice measurement. The Hornady works on my RCBS 2000 progressive.

Tequila Jim · December 01, 2009, 04:37:53 PM

Cemetery, are you using Lee dies? TJ

Cemetery · December 01, 2009, 06:28:06 PM

Quote from: Tequila Jim on December 01, 2009, 04:37:53 PM
Cemetery, are you using Lee dies? TJ

Haven't gotten around to getting dies yet. I'm planning on going with RCBS Dies for 44.40. Heard to stay away from Lee 44.40 dies.

Also will be doing .38spl in black too. I want to get the exact same dies as a shooting partners uses when he loads the black for me, just don't know what dies he uses.

Sir Charles deMouton-Black · December 01, 2009, 06:47:15 PM

Nothing much wrong with LEE dies. In fact, their .44-40 die dimensions are pretty darn close to perfect.

One exception! One of my Old Vaqueros, with a 55 prefix SN, was chambered so tightly that I had to have a few thou' ground off the base of the sizer.

Jefro · December 01, 2009, 07:52:14 PM

Quote from: fourfingersofdeath on December 01, 2009, 04:02:58 AM
What is the max black powder charge that can be thrown with the double disk set up?

The largest is 1.57+1.57= 3.04cc., would be the max charge. For the 4/40 I've used two 1.02 (2.04cc) for good compression. I started with two .95, but it barley had any compression. A 1.02 + .95 makes a good load, just make sure the big one is on the bottom. For the .38 I use the 1.18cc, I've compounded and polished the hole to throw 1.9+.

Jefro

Tequila Jim · December 01, 2009, 08:17:26 PM

Cemetery, the auto disc powder measure screws right into the Lee powder through expander die. I use the
double disc on my pro 1000 but Nozs suggestion of double tapping the single disc twics sounds dooable, and
would work on the turret press. Regads, TJ

fourfingersofdeath · December 04, 2009, 04:23:46 PM

Cemetry, a lot of shooters have a bit of a cringe when it comes to Lee products, but I have found them to be excellent products. The only trouble that I had was some were too short to function through the Dillon press I owned some years ago, but current production ones are longer apparently.

I have lots of both RCBS and Lee and several of virtually every other brand. RCBS are generally my last choice because of price, but also because of the annoying screwdriver adjustable centre stems. Virtually impossible to adjust with your fingers and a PITA to strip and clean as they have to be unscrewed through the bottom of the die. I sometimes buy them second hand, but generally, teh new Lees are as cheap as second hand RCBS and others.

The only non Lee dies I have bought new in the last few decades is a Redding set for the Swiss rifle I have as apparently they are the only one with the correct dimensions (there are two chamber dimensions and Redding is the only one on the parade ground in step for the Swiss rifle I have, a 31 I think it is from memory).

The Lee powder through die saves one operation all by itself. Neck expands and then you dump the powder straight through the die, easy peasy.

They are all good quality, but some have features some us like or dislike, no big deal. I currently use Hornady for the 44/40 as that was all that was in the shop when I needed a set. I had a Lee set before that, but the guy I sold the rifle too wanted the dies as well. I wasn't aware of any problems with them, they worked fine.

The RCBS cowboy dies have a bigger neck expander for cast apparently, but they cost big time. Not a problem really as they will serve you and those that come after you, so teh cost will soon be forgotten.

Driftwood Johnson · December 06, 2009, 08:48:23 AM

Howdy

I have the Lyman Black Powder measure mounted on one of my Hornady progressive presses. I do not have the linkage hooked up, I have to remember to flip the rotor for every charge. The Hornady press is great because I have the BP measure mounted in one of the L&L collets, and I can pop it off and pop the regular smokeless measure back on in a jiffy.

Over time I have bought several of the regular Lyman 55 powder measures for cheap at white elephant tables. The rotor mechanism is the same as on the BP measure. I keep several of the rotor mechanisms set to my standard charges for 45 Colt/44-40, 45 Schofiled, and 45-70. I just pop in the rotor I need for the cartridge I am loading. Saves resetting the measure every time.

Dick Dastardly · December 06, 2009, 09:50:22 AM

fwiw, I use the LEE auto disk with the two disk adapter on my progressive and the LEE Perfect measure on my turret press. Both are set up for thru the die powder drop. I get good loads and the units are trouble free. The only problem I've ever had was with some GOEX FFFg that had clumps in it. I dumped the powder back in the can and shook it up to break up the clumps and dumped it back. No more problem.

The LEE through the die expander is a real asset to BP loaders.

DD-DLoS

Paladin UK · December 06, 2009, 01:20:59 PM

FWIW...

Like DD I use the LEE dbl disk dropper fer my BP Rifle loading `n` I can honestly say I aint (Yet) encountered a problem with LEE products It maybe `cause when I started reloading over 25yrs ago I used a LEE single stage press and that served so well I could see no reason to change. My pard Ned swears by his Dillon.

Its good that different pards like different set ups Makes the world go round!!

Paladin (Whats gettin excited over Xmas

) UK

fourfingersofdeath · December 07, 2009, 06:26:11 AM

I have always joked that when loading handgun cases, if it don't go in a Lee auto disk, it don't go. They are good and foolproof. My first one (about 1981) developed a burr on the slide after a few years, I polished it off and the unit is still in use and has been trouble free ever since. I have 3-4 Lee1000s and I must have another 3-4 Auto Disks. I know it is pretty slack, but until Trailboss came around, I have never ever checked weighed a charge thrown by one of these. I do a visual check on the level and leave it at that. With the Trailboss I didn't have any infor, so I had to weight each drop until I found what I was looking for.

As far as handguns go, the Lee Auto Disk would have to be the best tool I ever owned. A lot of people don't like em and that's ok, I'll buy em cheap and use them till I die and they throw me on the compost heap (I'd like to be some use when I'm gone).

Four Fingers.