Lee Perfect Powder Measure

[bsekf]

Question for the guys using Lee Powder measure. I understand how it works with the "wiper". If a grain of powder catches in the wiper, it will throw about 1/2 grain heavy. There is adjustment via a screw on the barrel. Can I adjust the "catching" out of it? Or is it just the norm with a $12 powder measure?

Bill

 

[Lefty Trigger]

You really need their "brass" version to make the best of the design. I'm using the auto trickler system but also using the Lee powder measure to drop bulk charges, but mine is still stand mounted and controlled by me flipping the lever. Mine will only "catch" about one time in 20 or so drops and its more like a "snag" than a catch. Best powder measure I ever used for long chunky stick powder.

 

[GuitarmanNick]

I recently acquired some very fine powder and noticed a lot of it leaking from the measure as the lever was being flipped.

Well, that just will not do and tightening the screw will not fix the problem!

Took both of mine apart and used some JBs Bore paste to coat the mating surfaces. Put 'em back together and worked them for a while occasionally tightening the tension screw. My older measure took very little time and the new one required about 15 minutes. Once they were operating very smoothly, took 'em apart for a good cleaning with a final alcohol wipe on all of the parts. After reassembly, the fine powder can be used with almost no loss.

May still catch with stick powders sometimes, but a big improvement in it's general operation, IMO.

If you examine the mating surfaces of your measure, you will find there are gaps which allow some powders to accumulate in them which can affect operational smoothness and accuracy. One molded in piece actually sits below the surface and creates a channel that allows powder to be lost while cycling the measure. This is also likely the cause of the catching with stick powders. After the procedure described above removes the rough edges the problem is less likely to occur.

When using this $15 measure, a small investment of time will give performance that rivals a more expensive tool. Molded plastic will never be produced to the tolerances of machined brass. Both of mine now operate better than ever. Charges are very consistent and never vary by more than .1 grain. The finer the powder, the more consistent the charge. Since doing this, I cannot recall having any issues with it catching, but admittedly have not used any stick powders recently. CFE223 is more of a flat, disk type powder and is the largest I have used since this modification to the measures. It was binding a little when throwing charges before, but not any more.

When adjusting the tension screw that holds things together, you should not exceed 4 pounds of pressure to throw the lever.

 

[Catfur]

Molded plastic will never be produced to the tolerances of machined brass.

Not disagreeing with anything in else in your post, but modern manufacturers will tell you that they can produce precision molded plastics (in certain varieties) to much higher tolerances than they can make machined metals in. Probably aren't going to get those precision made, engineering plastics in a $12 powder measure though.

 

[Old Tanker]

I get a snag every now and again, but I throw every charge low and trickle up. When I first got the measure, I wiped it down with a dryer sheet and ran a full hopper of powder through it. I can now consistently throw accurate charges with all my calibers, no issues. Keep in mind, I am a low volume, noncompetitive shooter. I just like my loads to make smaller holes than factory.