Do you use lee auto disk? - The Firearms Forum

44stevenson · 02-13-2011, 08:35 PM

Does anyone use lee auto disks? I've got some but it doesn't seem like a reliable powder measuring method. For example a load I was loading showed 6.0 starting grains and 6.6 maximum and the recipe said use a .66 disk, but I had to use a .71 disk just to get 6.1 grains.

cycloneman · 02-13-2011, 08:43 PM

I check with a scale as you are doing and i find that i have to make adjustments also.

ALso make sure your scale is calabrated right.

Texxut · 02-13-2011, 09:42 PM

The auto disk chart really only gives you a starting point, expect to have to adjust one way or another. Some times it's right on, but don't assume it, always check.

jdon72 · 02-14-2011, 01:47 AM

Yes...the disks are on the low side of things. It would be nice if they are more accurate...but they error on the side of caution.

J

RandyP · 02-14-2011, 06:28 AM

I mostly use the adjustable charge bar these days but found the disks to throw very consistent charges. Ther variances in powder density make the adjustable simpler to fine tune, but either method works well for me.

Warith · 02-14-2011, 01:42 PM

I always have to messure the autodisk charge. It has always undercharged from what I wanted or the book said it would throw for a charge.

I need to get me one of those adjustable charge bars.

RandyP · 02-14-2011, 02:27 PM

Best $8 you'll ever spend IMHO.

https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/...g/powhan1.html

or from Midway USA - $10

http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#lee..._1-2-4_8-16-32

Olympus · 02-14-2011, 03:20 PM

I use them on my Loadmaster and it throws every consistent charges.

tim.sr · 02-14-2011, 03:34 PM

adjustable charge bar Best $8 I ever spend!

al45lc · 02-14-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim.sr

adjustable charge bar Best $8 I ever spend!

+1!

RustyFN · 02-14-2011, 04:09 PM

I have been using a pro auto disk measure for five years and it throws the powders I use all day long very consistant.

warnerwh · 02-15-2011, 07:44 AM

I load very accurate ammo with the Auto Disk. I also like the fact that the hole cannot change size and is exact every time. My main (medium) loads are with Unique powder which so many complain about not metering well. All of my revolvers can shoot at worst 1.5" groups at 25 yards. That is my minimum acceptable accuracy. The Auto Disk throws consistent charges unless something is wrong with the unit.

Boogieman · 02-18-2011, 09:02 PM

I use lee's pro auto disc on turret press. It will throw charges +/- .01 gr. with any powder I've tried. The discs do throw less than the chart calls for. I keep a note book with the actual weights. It's still good to check them on a scale but the notes give you a starting point

Oneida Steve · 02-19-2011, 05:23 PM

I've used a Lee Auto Disk for over 20 years. Yes, it does throw a lighter charge than listed on the chart. This does not bother me at all. I weigh the charge and adjust accordingly. Usually "one hole bigger" is just about right for handgun calibers.

jdon's correct..... Lee errors on the side of caution.

noylj · 02-21-2011, 02:51 PM

Here is the Excel file I use to keep track of the actual charge weights I have gotten and the expected charge weights. It is in test (tab delimited) format. Should be able to copy and paste into any spreadsheet program.

streetglide45 · 12-16-2011, 09:29 PM

I have used the Lee Auto Disk for about a year now. I started using it on a Lyman turret press. I bought the Lee 1000 press that comes with the Auto Disk. It works with a chain attached to the carrier.

The first one I used worked with a spring to shuttle the disk back to its home position. The system that comes with the Lee 1000 press and uses the chain does not always return fully to the home position. I ran 50 powder loads tonight with the chain pull Auto disk and had 3 of the 50 with no or almost no powder and variation in the rest of the throws. I ran another 50 with the spring return system and had no issues.

I had found 3 out another batch of 50 I loaded about two months ago with the same problem. I was at the range and the bullets got stuck in the barrel. After the second one got stuck, I stopped shooting these rounds. This prompted me to start taking a good look at my powder system.

I would not recommend using the chain pull system on the Lee 1000 press. I would recommend using the spring return system.

RandyP · 12-17-2011, 09:26 AM

I have found my Lee disks on my Pro powder dispenser to provide very good consistency of charge dropped. There is a difference between saying that and saying the Lee disk chart is accurate. I never rely on just some printed chart (actually I have never looked up a powder throw on the chart -lol ) - I pick a size and weigh what it is delivering. I then adjust a size up or down until I get the throw I want.

In truth I only use Win 231/HP-38 and spent some time weighing the powder throw for a dozen different hole sizes to create my own 'chart' that I taped to the wall in my reloading room. That way I can just use the disk hole size MY chart shows.....though I will still check weigh as I go.

DixieLandMan · 12-19-2011, 10:30 AM

I used the disk number that Lee suggested on their chart and found it was less than the min charge. I just kept using larger numbers until I found one that worked. I think for my Unique in 9mm, Lee suggested the .61 disk. Had to use the .71 disk to get the correct amount of powder but I weighed every load to make sure.

02-13-2011, 08:35 PM	#1
44stevenson V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 60	Do you use lee auto disk? Does anyone use lee auto disks? I've got some but it doesn't seem like a reliable powder measuring method. For example a load I was loading showed 6.0 starting grains and 6.6 maximum and the recipe said use a .66 disk, but I had to use a .71 disk just to get 6.1 grains. -->

02-13-2011, 08:43 PM	#2
cycloneman Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Louisiana Posts: 7,401	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I check with a scale as you are doing and i find that i have to make adjustments also. ALso make sure your scale is calabrated right. __________________ Who are you going to serve today? Last edited by cycloneman; 02-13-2011 at 08:45 PM..

02-13-2011, 09:42 PM	#3
Texxut V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Utah Posts: 264	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? The auto disk chart really only gives you a starting point, expect to have to adjust one way or another. Some times it's right on, but don't assume it, always check.

02-14-2011, 01:47 AM	#4
jdon72 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 340	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? Yes...the disks are on the low side of things. It would be nice if they are more accurate...but they error on the side of caution. J

02-14-2011, 06:28 AM	#5
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I mostly use the adjustable charge bar these days but found the disks to throw very consistent charges. Ther variances in powder density make the adjustable simpler to fine tune, but either method works well for me. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

02-14-2011, 01:42 PM	#6
Warith V.I.P. Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Belton, Mo Posts: 287	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I always have to messure the autodisk charge. It has always undercharged from what I wanted or the book said it would throw for a charge. I need to get me one of those adjustable charge bars.

02-14-2011, 02:27 PM	#7
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? Best $8 you'll ever spend IMHO. https://factorysales.com/html/xcart/...g/powhan1.html or from Midway USA - $10 http://www.midwayusa.com/Search/#lee..._1-2-4_8-16-32 __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP

02-14-2011, 03:20 PM	#8
Olympus V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 83	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I use them on my Loadmaster and it throws every consistent charges.

02-14-2011, 03:34 PM	#9
tim.sr V.I.P. Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: MI. Posts: 290	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? adjustable charge bar Best $8 I ever spend! __________________ Tim.Sr U.S.ARMY VET.

02-14-2011, 04:09 PM	#11
RustyFN Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: West Virginia Posts: 592	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I have been using a pro auto disk measure for five years and it throws the powders I use all day long very consistant.

02-15-2011, 07:44 AM	#12
warnerwh Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 7	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I load very accurate ammo with the Auto Disk. I also like the fact that the hole cannot change size and is exact every time. My main (medium) loads are with Unique powder which so many complain about not metering well. All of my revolvers can shoot at worst 1.5" groups at 25 yards. That is my minimum acceptable accuracy. The Auto Disk throws consistent charges unless something is wrong with the unit.

02-18-2011, 09:02 PM	#13
Boogieman Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 28	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I use lee's pro auto disc on turret press. It will throw charges +/- .01 gr. with any powder I've tried. The discs do throw less than the chart calls for. I keep a note book with the actual weights. It's still good to check them on a scale but the notes give you a starting point

02-19-2011, 05:23 PM	#14
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I've used a Lee Auto Disk for over 20 years. Yes, it does throw a lighter charge than listed on the chart. This does not bother me at all. I weigh the charge and adjust accordingly. Usually "one hole bigger" is just about right for handgun calibers. jdon's correct..... Lee errors on the side of caution.

12-16-2011, 09:29 PM	#16
streetglide45 Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 5	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I have used the Lee Auto Disk for about a year now. I started using it on a Lyman turret press. I bought the Lee 1000 press that comes with the Auto Disk. It works with a chain attached to the carrier. The first one I used worked with a spring to shuttle the disk back to its home position. The system that comes with the Lee 1000 press and uses the chain does not always return fully to the home position. I ran 50 powder loads tonight with the chain pull Auto disk and had 3 of the 50 with no or almost no powder and variation in the rest of the throws. I ran another 50 with the spring return system and had no issues. I had found 3 out another batch of 50 I loaded about two months ago with the same problem. I was at the range and the bullets got stuck in the barrel. After the second one got stuck, I stopped shooting these rounds. This prompted me to start taking a good look at my powder system. I would not recommend using the chain pull system on the Lee 1000 press. I would recommend using the spring return system. Last edited by streetglide45; 12-16-2011 at 09:31 PM.. Reason: typo

12-17-2011, 09:26 AM	#17
RandyP V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 430	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I have found my Lee disks on my Pro powder dispenser to provide very good consistency of charge dropped. There is a difference between saying that and saying the Lee disk chart is accurate. I never rely on just some printed chart (actually I have never looked up a powder throw on the chart -lol ) - I pick a size and weigh what it is delivering. I then adjust a size up or down until I get the throw I want. In truth I only use Win 231/HP-38 and spent some time weighing the powder throw for a dozen different hole sizes to create my own 'chart' that I taped to the wall in my reloading room. That way I can just use the disk hole size MY chart shows.....though I will still check weigh as I go. __________________ Lee Anniversary and Lee Classic 4-Hole Turret, presently reloading .380, 7.62 Nagant (32-20), 9mm and 45ACP Last edited by RandyP; 12-17-2011 at 09:27 AM..

12-19-2011, 10:30 AM	#18
DixieLandMan Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Alabama Posts: 606	Re: Do you use lee auto disk? I used the disk number that Lee suggested on their chart and found it was less than the min charge. I just kept using larger numbers until I found one that worked. I think for my Unique in 9mm, Lee suggested the .61 disk. Had to use the .71 disk to get the correct amount of powder but I weighed every load to make sure.