First Failure - First Success - The Firearms Forum

Over The Hill · 12-21-2009, 11:34 AM

Just got my Lee Delux Turret reloader and I'm loading 9MM Lugar for use in a Beretta 92FS. Following Lee's instructions, I should use 5.3 Gr of Unique with a 115 Gr bullet and minimum length of 1.12in. Further, they say that the Lee .5 dipper or the number 53 hole in the Auto Disk Powder measure will provide the correct load. Well, I measured the weight of the dipper (full but not packed down) and the Auto Disk device to be about 4.5 Gr. I tried this in a couple of bullets. They auto loaded well when fired "behind" an American Eagle round but when fired they would not cycle the gun into another American Eagle round. In other words, I sandwiched my reloaded bullet between factory loads. The reloads sounded and felt weak. Bullet length 1.15.

So I loaded a couple of rounds at a measured weight of 5.3 Gr and the bullets fired normally. Alliant says to use 6.3 Gr of Unique for a 115 Gr bullet so I felt safe with my 5.3gr of powder.

Question #1 is does anybody have a similar experience with the Lee dipper and Auto Disk load relative to amount of powder being dispensed?

Question #2 - I want to increase the hole size on the Auto Disk load to whatever size gets me about 5.3 Gr of powder. Will I blow myself up with this approach?

Any other tips or suggestions for safety's sake? New to reloading so I know just enough to be dangerous.

res45 · 12-21-2009, 01:34 PM

1. Lee dipper weight by volume not by grains although you are measure in grains on your scale what you dipper is doing each time,you have to dip the powder and swipe the powder off level on the top the same way each time to get a similar and consistent charge.

2. Get the Lee Double Disk Kit http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/powhan1.html

RandyP · 12-21-2009, 01:54 PM

I upgraded to the Lee adjustable charge bar and have not looked back. Turn the dial till the throw weighs what you want and start making ammo.

The Lee dippers make charted weight only for specific density powders. Same for the holes on the charge disks. Usually you have to go up a size dipper or next hole size up with different powders. I think Lee made them that way as a safety to prevent customers from overcharging regardless of powder used if they use the supplied dipper.

mikld · 12-21-2009, 04:27 PM

All the loads from Lee dippers I have used weighed light. I usually use the dippers to get close to my intended load, and trickle up, measuring each load.

warnerwh · 12-23-2009, 11:12 PM

The holes in the Auto Disks are light also. I commonly go up 2 sizes or more than what's listed to get the amount of powder I need.

TheGunClinger · 12-24-2009, 05:50 AM

I have found on my Lee Auto disks and the adjustable charge rarely provide what the Lee manual says. For example if say I want 5.7 gr of Bullseye or a 200gr FMJ .45 acp it will tell me to use the .61 disk or use .61 in volume. It will almost never deliver that load. I have to try different disk and or readjust the incrementle charge and weigh each throw. Usually I have to go larger. When I get the 5.7 I desire, I will do 5-10 more just to make sure it is a consistant 5.7. I weigh with a digitital scale . It does this with many other powders as well. But alls well that ends well. Kinda what makes this fun. Just check check and recheck.

Over The Hill · 12-24-2009, 12:30 PM

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I have a lot of experimentation ahead of me to get this right. But as one of you said, that's what makes this fun! I have a lot to learn.

jim brady · 12-24-2009, 09:53 PM

I also use Unique in my 92FS. My favorite practice load is almost identical to what your Lee guide calls for - I load 5.2 grains Unique with 115 FMJ bullets, and 5.5 grains with JHP bullets. My Beretta has never had a failure of any kind with this load (I've shot thousands of rounds thru it). I also use the same FMJ load in a WW1 Luger and a WW2 P-38 because they are not too abuseive in power level for the older guns.

I've been told by other shooters that Unique is a 'dirty' powder. Could be - I've used it for so long and in so many pistol calibers that I'm just used to it and don't know any better!

Good luck getting your powder measurer system worked up. Sounds to me like you are on the right track. I just retired my old RCBS Uniflow system for the new Lyman DPS-3, but I still have a really old Lyman No.55 on stand-by.

12-21-2009, 01:54 PM	#3
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: First Failure - First Success I upgraded to the Lee adjustable charge bar and have not looked back. Turn the dial till the throw weighs what you want and start making ammo. The Lee dippers make charted weight only for specific density powders. Same for the holes on the charge disks. Usually you have to go up a size dipper or next hole size up with different powders. I think Lee made them that way as a safety to prevent customers from overcharging regardless of powder used if they use the supplied dipper. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP Last edited by RandyP; 12-21-2009 at 01:55 PM..

12-21-2009, 04:27 PM	#4
mikld Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 573	Re: First Failure - First Success All the loads from Lee dippers I have used weighed light. I usually use the dippers to get close to my intended load, and trickle up, measuring each load. __________________ My Anchor is holding fast.

12-23-2009, 11:12 PM	#5
warnerwh Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7	Re: First Failure - First Success The holes in the Auto Disks are light also. I commonly go up 2 sizes or more than what's listed to get the amount of powder I need.

12-24-2009, 05:50 AM	#6
TheGunClinger Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: SW Florida Contributor Posts: 2,382	Re: First Failure - First Success I have found on my Lee Auto disks and the adjustable charge rarely provide what the Lee manual says. For example if say I want 5.7 gr of Bullseye or a 200gr FMJ .45 acp it will tell me to use the .61 disk or use .61 in volume. It will almost never deliver that load. I have to try different disk and or readjust the incrementle charge and weigh each throw. Usually I have to go larger. When I get the 5.7 I desire, I will do 5-10 more just to make sure it is a consistant 5.7. I weigh with a digitital scale . It does this with many other powders as well. But alls well that ends well. Kinda what makes this fun. Just check check and recheck. __________________ New England Patriots Rule Next year.

12-24-2009, 12:30 PM	#7
Over The Hill Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 25	Re: First Failure - First Success Thanks everyone for the replies. I think I have a lot of experimentation ahead of me to get this right. But as one of you said, that's what makes this fun! I have a lot to learn.

12-21-2009, 11:34 AM	#1
Over The Hill Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 25	First Failure - First Success Just got my Lee Delux Turret reloader and I'm loading 9MM Lugar for use in a Beretta 92FS. Following Lee's instructions, I should use 5.3 Gr of Unique with a 115 Gr bullet and minimum length of 1.12in. Further, they say that the Lee .5 dipper or the number 53 hole in the Auto Disk Powder measure will provide the correct load. Well, I measured the weight of the dipper (full but not packed down) and the Auto Disk device to be about 4.5 Gr. I tried this in a couple of bullets. They auto loaded well when fired "behind" an American Eagle round but when fired they would not cycle the gun into another American Eagle round. In other words, I sandwiched my reloaded bullet between factory loads. The reloads sounded and felt weak. Bullet length 1.15. So I loaded a couple of rounds at a measured weight of 5.3 Gr and the bullets fired normally. Alliant says to use 6.3 Gr of Unique for a 115 Gr bullet so I felt safe with my 5.3gr of powder. Question #1 is does anybody have a similar experience with the Lee dipper and Auto Disk load relative to amount of powder being dispensed? Question #2 - I want to increase the hole size on the Auto Disk load to whatever size gets me about 5.3 Gr of powder. Will I blow myself up with this approach? Any other tips or suggestions for safety's sake? New to reloading so I know just enough to be dangerous. -->

12-21-2009, 01:34 PM	#2
res45 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 182	Re: First Failure - First Success 1. Lee dipper weight by volume not by grains although you are measure in grains on your scale what you dipper is doing each time,you have to dip the powder and swipe the powder off level on the top the same way each time to get a similar and consistent charge. 2. Get the Lee Double Disk Kit http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/powhan1.html Last edited by res45; 12-21-2009 at 01:35 PM..

12-24-2009, 09:53 PM	#8
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: First Failure - First Success I also use Unique in my 92FS. My favorite practice load is almost identical to what your Lee guide calls for - I load 5.2 grains Unique with 115 FMJ bullets, and 5.5 grains with JHP bullets. My Beretta has never had a failure of any kind with this load (I've shot thousands of rounds thru it). I also use the same FMJ load in a WW1 Luger and a WW2 P-38 because they are not too abuseive in power level for the older guns. I've been told by other shooters that Unique is a 'dirty' powder. Could be - I've used it for so long and in so many pistol calibers that I'm just used to it and don't know any better! Good luck getting your powder measurer system worked up. Sounds to me like you are on the right track. I just retired my old RCBS Uniflow system for the new Lyman DPS-3, but I still have a really old Lyman No.55 on stand-by.