Inaccurate Lee powder measure

[Clo]

I'm using a Lee auto-drum powder measure with a Lee Classic Turret. I already produced many batches of ammo. But I'm having problems with Lee 357 dies especially. I can't have a consistent powder charge and sometimes it varies as much as 40% less than the intended charge. When I turn the die in it gets better but then it opens too much the case and so the bullet is too loose. When I set the die to the correct case opening I can't dispense enough powder at all as the case does not raise the lever to the point where it totally rotates the drum.

Any tips? Ah, I use the necessary riser

 

[JEFFPPC]

Mass production has limitations.

 

[JMayo]

I used the disk powder measure loaning pistol.

 

[hpshooter]

I'm using a Lee auto-drum powder measure with a Lee Classic Turret. I already produced many batches of ammo. But I'm having problems with Lee 357 dies especially. I can't have a consistent powder charge and sometimes it varies as much as 40% less than the intended charge. When I turn the die in it gets better but then it opens too much the case and so the bullet is too loose. When I set the die to the correct case opening I can't dispense enough powder at all as the case does not raise the lever to the point where it totally rotates the drum.

Any tips? Ah, I use the necessary riser

View attachment 1365589

A long distance guess. Set up the die so it forms the case to the dimensions you want on the case and full movement of the drum on the measure. Then, adjust the powder charge with the adjustment on the measure to give you the charge you want. The drum has to move its full travel each time to be consistent.

 

[Clo]

Set up the die so it forms the case to the dimensions you want on the case and full movement of the drum on the measure.

That is exactly what I can't do. It is set it to the case dimension and erratic powder charge or set it to open too much the case and more or less correct powder charge.

 

[Ernest T]

I had that issue, when I raised the case, it wouldn't raise the lever all the way on the powder charge. This video talks about fixing it.

 

[Clo]

I had that issue, when I raised the case, it wouldn't raise the lever all the way on the powder charge. This video talks about fixing it.

I wached it all but it does not show the fix. I was thinking about changing the gear engagement as the video showed first but then retracted. So what was the fix?

 

[Clo]

I did the first (only) fix shown in the above video and it is now much better but still not perfect. It consists in using the second notch in the central gear:

 

[Ernest T]

That was the fix in the video, getting the gears lined up so it'd raise all the way. It fixed my issue, now the case raises the lever up to about 70 degrees. That should be enough to get repeatable loads out of the charge.

 

[Beiruty]

While working on your LEE powder thrower, polish the inside of it. That should reduce any leakage
Flake powder is like a nightmare for powder throwers. fine ball powders are the best for this LEE thrower

 

[tommeboy]

Are you sure you have the right expander in the die? I have 4 of these dispensers and all work like they are supposed to. Every cal. has a specific expander you have to use. I also make special ones for when I use cast bullets as they use a larger diameter bullet. You have either the wrong expander or it just is not adjusted right.

 

[Clo]

Are you sure you have the right expander in the die? I have 4 of these dispensers and all work like they are supposed to. Every cal. has a specific expander you have to use. I also make special ones for when I use cast bullets as they use a larger diameter bullet. You have either the wrong expander or it just is not adjusted right.

I have measured it and it is within Lee specifications. Also it works for the 38 case but not for the 357. And the most surprising is that changing the central gear angle as in the picture above makes it almost perfect. I exchanged some info with the Lee support but they could not point anything wrong with it.

 

[Ernest T]

Are you sure you have the right expander in the die? I have 4 of these dispensers and all work like they are supposed to. Every cal. has a specific expander you have to use. I also make special ones for when I use cast bullets as they use a larger diameter bullet. You have either the wrong expander or it just is not adjusted right.

The 38 special can be used for the .357, you just have to back out the die two turns to compensate for the case length differences. My lee powder charges are very accurate, they just leak the smaller powders and I've not been able to completely stop them.

 

[tommeboy]

I have the Lee 38/357 powder through expander set up on the same powder dispenser you have. I have taken it apart to clean it several times. The gears line up like they are supposed to.

If that bullet falls all the way into the case like is shown in your video you do not have the right expander in the die.

Take it apart and show a picture of the expander that is in the die. It seems it is going too deep into the case. No matter how much you flair the case with it, it should not be able to go so deep it lets the bullet fall through the case. And you are using a sized case to set up the die right?

 

[big5ifty]

... When I turn the die in it gets better but then it opens too much the case and so the bullet is too loose. When I set the die to the correct case opening I can't dispense enough powder at all as the case does not raise the lever to the point where it totally rotates the drum.

Sounds like you have an expander mouth insert in the powder drop die ?

If so, replace it with the Lee Short Charging die, it does not expand the case mouth.

Short Charging Die.

That used to be the Lee Universal Charging Die, part 90273.

You should only be expanding the mouth for cast bullets, metal jackets do not need the mouth expanded at all.

Without worrying about how much the mouth is expanding, you are then able to set the die so you get full travel to actuate the measure correctly.

 

[74Shooter]

Do you have a riser between the Auto Drum and the powder thru expander die, if so make sure the you have not installed the powder die into the riser. Next remove the auto drum from the die, adjust the die to your desired case flare, re-install the auto drum, turn the auto drum about halfway into the powder thru die, place your flared case in the shell holder, operate the turret handle and observe the drum cycle, if you need more movement of the drum turn the drum in one turn at a time until full drum cycle is obtained, then lock the auto drum in place with the knurled knob on the drum.

 

[tommeboy]

Sounds like you have an expander mouth insert in the powder drop die ?

If so, replace it with the Lee Short Charging die, it does not expand the case mouth.

Short Charging Die.

That used to be the Lee Universal Charging Die, part 90273.

You should only be expanding the mouth for cast bullets, metal jackets do not need the mouth expanded at all.

Without worrying about how much the mouth is expanding, you are then able to set the die so you get full travel to actuate the measure correctly.

Ahhhhh, yes you do for pistol bullets. Does not matter if they are lead or jacketed, you have to flair the mouth. And for Lee dies, the expander is the powder die. Thats why they call it a powder through expanding die.