I bought a Lee Deluxe Turret Press and their combination of disks (including the Micro disk) for their powder measure doesn't allow for a series of loads (Win 231 for .38 WC) like 2.9, 3.0,3.1, 3.2. There's a hole in the sequence:it wont make 3.0 and 3.1. Is their "adjustable charge bar" the answer here? Also, how accurate are these disks? A footnote on the Micro Disk instructions says the hole measure can be 16% off and still be considered w/in industry standards. 16% is lots more than the difference between .1 and .2 of a measure. If that's the case how useful are they?

Plenty good for pistol if you stay away from max loads.

Are you going by the Lee chart, because the amount in the chart is an approximation. What you actually get can only be determined by weighing a sample of dropped charges.

Depending on the powder, I find that rod shaped powder do not meter well in the autodisk. It is best used for ball or disk powders. I would work up my loads with the scale and then find the disk or micrometer setting to achieve the closest to that load. In my experience the lee chart over estimates the load to allow for error to a light charge rather than too heavy.

Thanks, guys. I'll let the scales be my guide.

I have only started using the Auto Disk myself. The reason for that is I started with a single stage and then went to a Dillon progressive and then went to the Lee 4 hole Turret press. I had my Lyman #55 powder drop riding around on the turret for a while then got the riser and Auto Disk. It works fine as far as that goes and speeds up the process over the Lyman. When setting up the disk though I always weigh the powder it drops. Then I do a test after dropping 8 to 10 as well. Not a conglomerate or total for 8 to 10 but a single after 8 or 10. If it has changed for some reason I drop 10 or so more and see what I get.

I also purchased the adjustable powder bar for being able to duplicate loads developed on the previously mentioned equipment. It is able to be positioned in between what the disks will drop.

I don't have the double disk attachment but it may be added later.


Just some observations!

I use the discs and the charge bar. The problem with both is that you are trying to measure weight by using a unit that measures by volume. Normally powder drops will vary a tenth of a grain or two either way from a desired powder drop from cartridge to cartridge. Three tenths happens, and of course some powders meter better than others. What OKF says about avoiding max loads is very prudent advise, particularly with fast powders that tend to have drastic pressure spikes once a max charge is exceeded. With some recipes I would avoid minimum charges as well, otherwise you might sqib out. I generally avoid recipes that only specify one powder charge without a minimum or maximum charge. When using a new recipe I drop a charge lighter than the minimum then use a trickeler to get the charge up to the proper weight for the minimum, the in between, and max loads, working up in five equal increments. Once I determine what the minimum and max loads are that my gun will allow (either a max charge per the recipe, or the gun tells me pressure is getting excessive), I set the chargebar, or disc to drop a charge that averages at least .3 gr. from a minimum or maximum load. If I want to be closer than that I weigh each charge in order to avoid an over, or undercharge.

IMO the Lee Auto disc is fine for making range ammo fairly quickly, and I have no intention of replacing mine any time soon. For Hunting, self defense, or serious target ammo, some other system should be used, or each charge individually weighed IMO.

The adjustable charge bar is very nice.

Especially when workin up loads. It allows weight changes without having to take anything apart and in any increment you want

Ran into the same issue, purchased the Micro disk and carefully enlarged the .27 VMD hole with a sharp tapered reamer. It now drops 3.0gn of 231 very consistently.

I ran one of these (turrent with auto disk) for 10 years. ( Two machines for over 5 of those years).
First off, the disk measures VOLUME and charge tables are in weight/grains. The auto disk system is prone to deviations from : powder height in resivior, humidity, sticky/leaking disks and of course, powder batch, etc. Even with the micro disk, you'll still have these deltas. Don't get me wrong, pick a disk somewhere 20% under the max, watch your process closely, and it will make plenty of safe and reasonably consistant ammo. However, you won't know exactly how many grains you are throwing as the tables can /often are off by a couple of tenths in pistol caliber loads.
However, DO buy a (used/$10 ebay) scale and check all your starting loads and every 20 or so throughout the process. It only takes a minute but it's well worth it for performance and safety. ( Under charged loads can cause sqibs that can cause BIG problems if you fire into one.) p.s. IF you know that you want a 3.9 gr load and the holes jump from 3.7-4.0, you can ream a hole but I found results mixed with that due to surface finish in the hole walls.


p.s. I still have my notes around (somewhere) from years of reloading on my Lee's, I can tell you what mine were throwing for a certain disk size in W231, Bullseye, RedDot or Clays if you PM me.
hth

Lee recommends to reduce by 10% if you don't double check the disk with a scale. They also recommend you run a pound of powder through it first to ensure a consistant volume is delivered.

I use the Lee Adjustable Charge Bar and have found that if just before I charge the case I tap the side of the powder dispenser twice, I get consistent drops, plus or minus 1/10th of a grain. This is with Unique and AA #5. As previously mentioned in other posts, the Lee tables are on the light side, you have to work up to the setting that gives you the desired weight.

Stang, dumb question maybe but are you tapping just before you dispense the charge or while doing it and the lever handle is held down?

keppelj, the density of a powder can vary from different powder lots. This is acceptable as we set our measure by the _weight_ it throws. This is why the Lee charts are so conservative and this is also why you should use a scale to confirm the weight of the powder, especially after you open a new can. This problem is _not _ unique to the Lee products.

I too use a Lee disk measure with my Classic turret. I find the double disk kit is helpful as the different combinations of disks give more intermediate options.

I haven't purchased the adjustable charge bar because I like how quick it is to set up the measure after you know the combination of fixed cavities required for a load you like.

Pat, the charge bar can be adjusted to the exact setting used before for a given load. It has a dial/knob thingy that reads like a micrometer.