Alternative to Lee Auto Powder Drum?

[jb1023]

I have a Lee Auto Powder Drum that i use for loading pistol. My issue is the powder I use, W231, is a flake powder and it seems to leak out of the drum seams. I also have a Lee Auto Disk and that thing is a mess with any powder but really bad with flake powder so it has not been used much. Anyone have any alternatives to a press mounted charging system that works well with flake powder?

 

[ranger3]

Not that I'm aware of, but it's better than the auto disk

 

[F Class John]

Not sure of your exact problem but the way those are made it’s a plastic cone inside. Because it’s plastic there’s occasional imperfections which allow for odd space no matter how small to be created. If you go to your local auto parts store and ask for valve seating compound you can take the drum apart and put a small amount of the compound in there and work it back and forth them clean it up. It’s basically very fine sandpaper in grease form and it’ll help work out any imperfections and form a solid seal that may solve your problem. Many of us who use the lee system for the auto-trickler system use this trick to help improve function.

 

[jb1023]

Not sure of your exact problem but the way those are made it’s a plastic cone inside. Because it’s plastic there’s occasional imperfections which allow for odd space no matter how small to be created. If you go to your local auto parts store and ask for valve seating compound you can take the drum apart and put a small amount of the compound in there and work it back and forth them clean it up. It’s basically very fine sandpaper in grease form and it’ll help work out any imperfections and form a solid seal that may solve your problem. Many of us who use the lee system for the auto-trickler system use this trick to help improve function.

I will definitely give this a go. Thank you for the suggestion.

 

[jb1023]

Not that I'm aware of, but it's better than the auto disk

That is no joke. The disk is not too horrible with spherical powders but almost unusable with flake, and likely small ball, powders.

 

[SSL]

You might consider replacing the disks with the Lee micrometer adjustable plate on your auto-disk setup. I use mine with Bullseye and Unique powders (as well as spherical powders) without a hitch. Not familiar with 231, but still might help you. Allows better weight precision than disks can hope to get.

 

[SEM]

+1 ^ what SSL said

 

[jb1023]

You might consider replacing the disks with the Lee micrometer adjustable plate on your auto-disk setup. I use mine with Bullseye and Unique powders (as well as spherical powders) without a hitch. Not familiar with 231, but still might help you. Allows better weight precision than disks can hope to get.

I've never used Bullseye or Unique, are either/both flake powders?

 

[SSL]

I've never used Bullseye or Unique, are either/both flake powders?

Small flake, but yes. I was surprised at your problem since I have had far more problems with spherical powders leaking from Lee drum or disk measures than with flake. With the micro-adjustable insert I can use the powders listed as well as CFE Pistol, 296 and 2400 without issues. The insert is also far superior as to setting precise weights rather than relying on cavity charts and disks which are seldom accurate. I use the adjustable on my press setups (Pro 1000 and Loadmasters) for .38 Special, .44 Magnum , .45 ACP and .45 Colt and wouldn't be without them.