First time user of a brand-new Lee Classic turret press here. I have determined that for a 9MM 115-grain lead bullet, I need to use a No. 46 disk. The problem is when I use this disk, I only get 4.0 grains when I am expecting a 4.3 minimum load. When I switch to disk No. 49, I'm getting 4.2 when I should be getting a 4.6 load or something. Of course I am using an unreliable, cheap made-in-China digital scale that mostly gives out single digit readings, while I'm awaiting delivery of a Lee Safety Powder mechanical scale.

Is there a way to adjust the Lee disk loads to within tenths of a grain? So if No. 46 gives 4.0 and No. 49 gives 4.4, how do I fine-tune the actual load from the hopper to be able to hit 4.2 grains?

I've gone to the Lee precision website and I have combed YouTube but haven't found the answer yet. I would appreciate some help.

Thanks,

Fil

With the autodisk youll find that youll have to go up one hole size to get close to what you desire in charge weight, it varies with different powders. You may or may not get to the exact thenth of a grain, after awhile youll find it doesnt matter. Do yourself a bigfavor and dont go cheap on a powder scale.

As already posted, the cavity is usually overstated a bit. Remember it works not by weight but by volume.

It's by far my favorite pistol measure. I own 5 or 6 of them. Affordable enough that I leave them setup for my most common loads.

If you enjoy tweaking, the adjustable charge bar is an affordable option that works great.

__________________
GOA
USA Shooting Supporter

What powder are you using i find some dont meter as well out of mine some are dead on. if i let the powder settle for a bit in the measure i get what im looking for

I'm using IMR X800, not really by choice but only because it was the only available powder I could find in northern VA gun supply stores whose shelves were virtually empty. I hope the powder and primer shortages end soon because I just barely got started and I'm running out of reloading supplies so soon.

I found the X800 to consist of black flakes that tend to stick to most surfaces. Does anyone know of a battery operated mini vacuum cleaner to suck up powder residues all over my reloading table and equipment?

The dics are simply volume measurements which will vary on the powder, lot number, humidity etc.

Basically you get what you get. The listed values, just like the dippers are approximate based on when Lee tested them.

No there is no way to adjust them. You can't fine tune them. There is something on the web that some folks drilled a hole and installed a screw to turn in and out, Do not know if it works.

You need to use trial and error and move up or down depending on the powder. Use the one that is closest to what you want without going over the max or under the min.

For rifle you can use the double disc system.

The adjustable powder bar will only work with some powders and I find it more trouble than it's worth but you can try it.

__________________
Still Running Against the Wind

I have found the discs to be extremely accurate when using ball powders such as W231 or Universal. Even between these two similarly grained powders though there can be as much as .5 grains difference between them when dispensed through the same size disc hole. Luckily for me I bought a generous supply of Universal before everything got so crazy. I have one of the adjustable powder bars and it does work and is also very accurate. However, I generaly only use it when working up a load. When I find a load I like I will usually just pick a disc that throws the closest weight to what I'm wanting. Since I load more for accuracy then max velocity my loads tend not to be near the maximum and this system works well for me. When using either of the mentioned powders the discs are blazingly accurate and consistant.

As others noted, they tend to throw lighter loads than shown in the chart that came with the disks. Use a decent scale and determine the average weight of your throws and then use the size closest to the weight you want (but stay under max). Another option is to use the 2 disk setup to get more weight increments; that and the adjustable charge bar inexpensive ways to increase the versatility of the Pro-Auto.

Short answer: If you want to get .1 grains increments, you bought the wrong measure in the powder disk. But as already noted, for most pistol loadings, .1 grain accuracy is not needed. Half grain changes in powder weight (if safe) will not show on the target within 15 yards shooting at defensive targets as used in USPSA and IDPA.

__________________
Science plus Art

Filibogado@ I also have the turret with the powder disc. You must cycle the press fully to get a consistent drop. If you leave it in one position & short stroke the handle you won't get where you need to be. Put the case in & crank it through all the stations & I bet you'll find you get much closer to the desired charge. All the previous posts are correct. Some powders will never give you what you want in the disc.

BW

I have that measure & thought about getting the extra set of disks for double use but got the adjustable charge bar as that is about the same price as the disks & have liked it so far - only used ball or flake powder so far

__________________
Steve

You have to spend money on electronic scales to get a good one and this one doesn't sound good at all. You can get a Lee beam scale for $25 that works great. Don't reload until you get a scale you can trust. Getting the right charge is the most critical part of reloading safely.

The spreadsheet that comes with the Autodisc is only an approximation to get you in the ballpark.

1. Get a good scale if you don't already have one.

2. Get the adjustable charge bar. If you want to use it for really light loads you'll need to make a mod. It's on the internet. NOTE: If you're looking for exactly 5gr of Bullseye or 14gr of 2400, there are no disc cavities for those.

3. You can get another set of discs and ream a cavity for your pet load if you like.

If the measuring companies are going to list a load, it HAS to be safe as it comes from the measure and they are justifiably conservative about the amount of powder they say a particular measure throws. I find that when I check what's on the chart against what is coming from the Lee dippers on a scale, it's usually about a full dipper size too light when you get into the larger size dippers and not as much in the smaller sizes but still noticeably less than the chart. Man, ya just gotta have a decent scale to know what you are really doing.

Read the first sentence at the top of the chart. The chart is an approximation. Can you imagine ANY measure being spot on accurate with that many powders and that many hole selections?
I have never used either of the powders you mention but with HP38 the PAD is so consistent it is almost boring.
As others have said, use the hole that actually drops closest to your desired weight. Or get one(or more) of the adjustable charge bars.
With either the disk or the ACB make sure the hole in the bottom of the hopper is directly over the opening in the disk/ACB when the hole is filling. And, the hole in the disk/ACB is directly over the drop tube when the powder is being dispensed. This is controlled by screwing the die in or out.
I have/had a Lyman 55, RCBS, Hornady, and Ohaus Duo-measure. The PAD is by far the easiest to set up and most consistent of them.

The Lee disks almost always throw different than what is written in the directions. Try this--
Weigh .3 grains and then weigh .2 grains compare the two. Now weigh .1 grain. IMHO there is not enough difference to worry about. Get as close as you can and test fire your loads and adjust accordingly. A good scale is a must. Good luck and be safe.

I have and use several of the Lee Pro Auto disk powder dispensers. As others have said the individual disk holes will never throw exactly what the tables show. Usually they are within three or four tenths of a grain of what the tables show. If you must have an exact charge get an adjustable charge bar made for the Pro Auto Disk. You can also get a extra set of disks and ream one of the holes out to throw an exact charge, however you will find out that changing lot numbers of powders can also change that. Like several have said get a good accurate scale otherwise you will never know exactly what weight of powder you are throwing. In connection with that also get yourself a set of scale weight checks (both RCBS and Lyman make sets of scale check weights), that is the only way to know for sure how accurate your powder scale is.

Concur with all said. Disks almost always throw light as compared to the charts. I think Lee's lawyers have a hand in the publishing . That said, they throw what they throw. Keep your hopper near full and let the powder settle for 10-15 cycles of the press before weighing& loading. Once everything settles, the disk system works very well with most pistol powders.
As mentioned above, there are ways to get exactly the load you want. One of my favorites is to keep an extra set of disks on hand. If I find a certain hole is throwing a tenth or two lighter than I want for a favorite load, I just open the hole a touch with a jewelers file. Works great and allows me to get and keep(!) exactly the charge I need. To keep them separate from the unmodified disks,, I just mark their outside edge with a "+"using an engraving tool.

hth

__________________
Dave

Hi Guys,

It is not 100% the same topic, but I made this excel sheet a few years ago. Now I translate it in english and hope you find it acceptable.
Enjoy.

http://sdrv.ms/1027bsN

P.S.: It is a Lee calculator. You can chose the powder and the weight. The result is a possible disk combination.

Like said above, the chart that comes with the Auto-Disk is an approximation and will get you close. Unfortunately you are using 800-X which is probably one of the worst, if not the worst metering handgun powder on the market. It meters like cornflakes, not powder lol.

The Double-Disk kit will give you much more exact weight options but I have found the single disk kit will work well enough. You may not be able to hit the minimum charge weight exactly and be slightly higher but you won't be at the top charge weight either. With 800-X and other powder that meter poorly I suggest tapping the side of the hopper before you throw each charge. That will help fill the cavity and possible aid in getting the numbers you're looking for.

__________________
Freedom is never free!!
SWCA #3437