Lee Turret Press - Accuracy - The Firearms Forum

slimboy · 10-19-2008, 06:41 PM

Hi I am new to reloading and have just purchased the Lee Turret Press Kit.
Problem is i am using the auto disk powder charger that was included in the kit and i cannot get it to load consistent powder charges. I am loading Hogdon Varget Powder and get up to a 1 grain difference on the lee beam scales.
Can anybody offer any advice? BTW I am loading 30 grain loads

LDBennett · 10-20-2008, 07:37 AM

A common problem with throwing charges from a powder measure is consistency. It is helped immensely by powder choice. If you use a powder with smaller grains it often ends up metering better. Varget has pretty small grains but there are powders with smaller grains.

All Lee equipment is usually innovative (almost to a fault like their string pull trim tool!!!!) but flawed in their materials selection (plastic?). Dump the Lee autodisk powder measure.

Buy anyone of the nicely made powder measures from RCBS or Hornady or Lyman or Redding. Most can be set up to deliver the powder accurately measured through the die at one of the stations of the turret press or on the edge of the bench for block powder delivery (a batch of cartridges setupright in a block and moved under the powder measure one at a time).

Lee stuff is inexpensive but often flawed. Graduate to better choice of powder measure. You won't be sorry. You might also consider a digital scale, as well, as it increases the speed of powder measurement by a large factor.

LDBennett

slimboy · 10-20-2008, 09:14 AM

Thank you for the informative reply. I will have a look at the powder measures that you mention.
At least i now know that i can get an accurate powder measure.
cheers

RustyFN · 10-20-2008, 05:41 PM

I also think powder selection has a lot to do with it. I have been loading on a Lee classic turret for two years and use ball powders without a problem. I don't have any experience with the powder you are using. I can load Titegroup all day long and never be off more than .1. I also load 223 using W748 and H335 with the same results. If you want to use a different powder measure on your turret you can use a CAPD with a RCBS Uniflow fairly easy. This link should explain it very good. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=248967

Rusty

thomas44 · 10-20-2008, 09:25 PM

I love my Lee Turret press. Used to have an auto-disk powder measure (USED TO) That stupid thing kept sticking on me ! I'd end up with cases that didn't even get a charge ! Threw it in the trash, got a Redding BR-3 and never looked back !! Adds a step to my process, but I'll take that over an unreliable powder charge any day.

Oneida Steve · 10-21-2008, 06:44 PM

I have used the Lee auto-disk powder measure for years. The one and true thing I've found is that regardless of powder type, the chart that Lee gives you is always OVER the real charge.

If Lee says hole .66 is 5.5 grs, it will really be 5.1 grains. I've never found a consistancy problem - the measure throws the same 5.1 grs over and over.

I use a powder scale to weigh the powder and adjust accordingly. No problem.

RustyFN · 10-21-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oneida Steve

If Lee says hole .66 is 5.5 grs, it will really be 5.1 grains. I've never found a consistancy problem - the measure throws the same 5.1 grs over and over.

I use a powder scale to weigh the powder and adjust accordingly. No problem.

That has also been my experience.
Rusty

slimboy · 10-22-2008, 04:39 PM

Thank you everyone.
I wondered if the powder could be a problem but I have come to the conclusion that the lee autodisk measure is the real problem.
I have viewed the article referred to by Rusty FN and i think this is a good solution.
All I have to do now is locate these bits in the UK!
Thanks again. I am so pleased I found this helpful forum.

10-19-2008, 06:41 PM	#1
slimboy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4	Lee Turret Press - Accuracy Hi I am new to reloading and have just purchased the Lee Turret Press Kit. Problem is i am using the auto disk powder charger that was included in the kit and i cannot get it to load consistent powder charges. I am loading Hogdon Varget Powder and get up to a 1 grain difference on the lee beam scales. Can anybody offer any advice? BTW I am loading 30 grain loads -->

10-20-2008, 07:37 AM	#2
LDBennett Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Hesperia, CA Posts: 5,718	Re: Lee Turret Press - Accuracy A common problem with throwing charges from a powder measure is consistency. It is helped immensely by powder choice. If you use a powder with smaller grains it often ends up metering better. Varget has pretty small grains but there are powders with smaller grains. All Lee equipment is usually innovative (almost to a fault like their string pull trim tool!!!!) but flawed in their materials selection (plastic?). Dump the Lee autodisk powder measure. Buy anyone of the nicely made powder measures from RCBS or Hornady or Lyman or Redding. Most can be set up to deliver the powder accurately measured through the die at one of the stations of the turret press or on the edge of the bench for block powder delivery (a batch of cartridges setupright in a block and moved under the powder measure one at a time). Lee stuff is inexpensive but often flawed. Graduate to better choice of powder measure. You won't be sorry. You might also consider a digital scale, as well, as it increases the speed of powder measurement by a large factor. LDBennett

10-20-2008, 09:14 AM	#3
slimboy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Lee Turret Press - Accuracy Thank you for the informative reply. I will have a look at the powder measures that you mention. At least i now know that i can get an accurate powder measure. cheers

10-20-2008, 05:41 PM	#4
RustyFN Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West Virginia Posts: 592	Re: Lee Turret Press - Accuracy I also think powder selection has a lot to do with it. I have been loading on a Lee classic turret for two years and use ball powders without a problem. I don't have any experience with the powder you are using. I can load Titegroup all day long and never be off more than .1. I also load 223 using W748 and H335 with the same results. If you want to use a different powder measure on your turret you can use a CAPD with a RCBS Uniflow fairly easy. This link should explain it very good. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=248967 Rusty

10-20-2008, 09:25 PM	#5
thomas44 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 577	Re: Lee Turret Press - Accuracy I love my Lee Turret press. Used to have an auto-disk powder measure (USED TO) That stupid thing kept sticking on me ! I'd end up with cases that didn't even get a charge ! Threw it in the trash, got a Redding BR-3 and never looked back !! Adds a step to my process, but I'll take that over an unreliable powder charge any day. __________________ Change...it's all you'll have left in your pocket by 2013.

10-21-2008, 06:44 PM	#6
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Lee Turret Press - Accuracy I have used the Lee auto-disk powder measure for years. The one and true thing I've found is that regardless of powder type, the chart that Lee gives you is always OVER the real charge. If Lee says hole .66 is 5.5 grs, it will really be 5.1 grains. I've never found a consistancy problem - the measure throws the same 5.1 grs over and over. I use a powder scale to weigh the powder and adjust accordingly. No problem.

10-22-2008, 04:39 PM	#8
slimboy Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 4	Re: Lee Turret Press - Accuracy Thank you everyone. I wondered if the powder could be a problem but I have come to the conclusion that the lee autodisk measure is the real problem. I have viewed the article referred to by Rusty FN and i think this is a good solution. All I have to do now is locate these bits in the UK! Thanks again. I am so pleased I found this helpful forum.