Smith & Wesson Forum

Go Back   Smith & Wesson Forum > Ammunition-Gunsmithing > Reloading
o

Notices

Reloading All Reloading Topics Go Here


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-05-2011, 12:39 PM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,063
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,464 Times in 6,787 Posts
Default Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure

With the recent thread on 38 spl and Unique and the problems some have with Unique metering correctly I did a little test.

Just a FYI, not a comparision to other makes and models which no doubt are heavier duty,cost more, probably better and of course a nicer color.

.38 spcl/158gr SWC/Unique--What's the real maximum standard load?

I didn't need to as I used the Lee PP measure for a long time before switching over to the disc system. I even bought an extra PP measure to keep them set for specific weights.

Many folks have stated that the Lee is junk because it's not expensive. The Midway reviews indicate a lot of folks buy them and seem to think they are OK.
Lee Perfect Powder Measure - MidwayUSA

I have run many different powders through it and never had a problem or leak and it is pretty darn accurate for what it is.

I just dropped 10 test loads with it set at 5.0 grs as confirmed by a Dillion (Ohaus) beam balance.

All where 5.0 grs except for 2 that where 5.1 and one that was 5.2.

Total 50.4/10= 5.04grs

So for a powder that has pretty large particle size and is difficult to meter I think the Lee did a OK job.

Some may not be able to tolerate a .2 variance in 10 loads. For reference that's about 20 individual flakes of powder.

With finer powders it is spot on from my previous use of it.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-05-2011, 12:49 PM
gregintenn gregintenn is offline
Member
Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure  
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Lafayette, Tennessee
Posts: 6,926
Likes: 6,833
Liked 8,936 Times in 2,910 Posts
Default

Mine works great with any powder I've put in it.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-05-2011, 01:16 PM
Jellybean Jellybean is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,698
Likes: 6
Liked 351 Times in 243 Posts
Default

Quote:
Many folks have stated that the Lee is junk because it's not expensive.
I read that same statement on another forum yesterday, along with "other brands are more expensive because of the name stamped on them".

Lees' stuff isn't junk because of their price, their price is a result of their quality.

Now back to your post. Every volumetric powder meter works off the same principal regardless of what it is made of or how much quality control is used. Accuracy depends on repeatability. If you use the same technique constantly throughout the entire process you should get consistent results wether you are using a plastic spoon or a top of the line meter.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-05-2011, 01:43 PM
Rule3's Avatar
Rule3 Rule3 is offline
Member
Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 22,063
Likes: 10,777
Liked 15,464 Times in 6,787 Posts
Default

Price does not always equate to quality either good or bad.

But again, this is not about something being better or worse than any other, only that this particular measure works well enough with Unique for most handgun loads.
__________________
Still Running Against the Wind
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-05-2011, 02:06 PM
aquagear aquagear is offline
Member
Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure  
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Sparks NV.
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default

Unique has always been a tough powder to meter because of the large flake size. I have been using lee equipment for years, never been disappointed, while it is not as pretty or fancy as some of the heavy cast iron stuff it has served me well. With coarse powders like Unique it helps to keep the hopper level consistent,
I always through several test charges to settle things in, if you through the handle the same way every time you can get consistent results.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-05-2011, 03:36 PM
Sully Sully is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Ohio
Posts: 210
Likes: 6
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by OCD1 View Post
Some may not be able to tolerate a .2 variance in 10 loads. For reference that's about 20 individual flakes of powder.

With finer powders it is spot on from my previous use of it.
If someone is loading and cant handle a .2 variance then they need to be dropping LESS that the load requires...and then trickling just enough to bring the load right up on the mark.

Thats what I feel is needed to be done when Im loading a "max" charge. That way I cant go over any amount
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-05-2011, 03:44 PM
GyMac GyMac is offline
US Veteran
Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure  
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: SW Washington
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 616
Liked 288 Times in 168 Posts
Default

I've been more than satisfied with the Lee Pro Auto Disk. I've been using one since the '80's and never have had a problem. I currently own three. I use it mainly for HP-38/Win 231 and Unique.

Chris
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-05-2011, 05:21 PM
GypsmJim GypsmJim is offline
Member
Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure Unique powder VS the Lee Perfect Powder Measure  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 22
Liked 5,547 Times in 1,940 Posts
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by aquagear View Post
I have been using lee equipment for years, never been disappointed, while it is not as pretty or fancy as some of the heavy cast iron stuff it has served me well.
My equipment consists of Lee, Hornady, Herters, RCBS and CH. If I have a problem with any equipment I buy (whether it be loading equipment, auto parts, guns, refrigerators or TVs) if I have trouble getting it fixed or it breaks the second time, I don't go back for the third time.

I started in this hobby with a $9.99 Lee Loader and had a problem with it. Lee replaced it free of charge. That was 40 years ago and haven't had a problem since then. They have never let me down.

I'll debate the comment about "pretty". Last year I redid my loading bench and upgraded my mancave. I repainted all my ugly green RCBS stuff and everything else to color match the pretty Lee red.
Reply With Quote
The Following User Likes This Post:
Reply

Tags
hornady, rcbs, smith-wessonforum.com

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
New Life for Lee Perfect Powder Measure tappedandtagged Reloading 20 12-28-2012 08:26 PM
LEE PERFECT POWDER MEASURE INCONSISTENT Geo9547 Reloading 25 10-06-2012 04:57 PM
RCBS Little Dandy Powder Measure and Unique Powder Cyrano Reloading 10 04-03-2011 11:41 PM
Lee Perfect Powder Measure ancient-one Reloading 30 12-14-2009 03:45 AM
Lee Perfect Powder Measure gregintenn Reloading 2 05-04-2009 04:43 PM

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
smith-wessonforum.com tested by Norton Internet Security smith-wessonforum.com tested by McAfee Internet Security

All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:46 AM.


Smith-WessonForum.com is not affiliated with Smith & Wesson Holding Corporation (NASDAQ Global Select: SWHC)