Lee Auto-drum or another Lee Auto-disc

1

1sailor

Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2011
Messages
1,953
Reaction score
1,855
Location
South Oregon Coast
My Lee Pro Auto-disk is starting to get worn out. Over the years I've had it apart a few times to clean it and smooth out rubbing surfaces like the charging arm etc. It's still working but I can see where things are going and it'll be time for a new powder measure soon. I was going to get another Auto-disk but have also been looking at the Auto-drum measure. It looks like the biggest advantage to the auto-drum is the ability to dial in a specific charge rather than using the discs and settling for a weight that's close to what I want. I tried one of the charge bars on my auto-disk but could never get it to throw consistent charges. If there are any members who have used both, what's your opinion regarding these two measures when compared to each other. I tried doing a search but pulled up nothing (not sure why that was).
 
Register to hide this ad
The Auto-drum is brilliant. It is more consistent than my Hornady LnL, and replacement drums are dirt cheap. One limitation is you have to use Lee expansion dies, but I don't mind that.

I absolutely love the auto drum.
 
Last edited:
How about adding the Lee Adjustable Charge Bar to the Pro Auto Disk? I like mine so much I bought three of them, at only $10/each. I find them very exacting and repeatable. I can dial in one specific charge and leave it. When I want to change charges, I just swap out the charge bar. :D


Adj Charge Bar - Lee Precision
p-307.jpg
 
I also could never get the Lee charge bar to work well. As for the auto drum it works great on most powders and especially well when trowing small amounts of fine powder, like 2g or less of Tight Group. I also still use the Auto disk for some powders when the charge that I use is a standard load volume. I have also modified disks to throw charges in-between the available factory volumes. So, for me I use both measures depending on the circumstances. BTW you can get many of the parts for the Lee measures for free from them, and only need to pay the shipping charges, so it may be possible to rebuild you disk measure.
 
WOW... I guess that I got the only GOOD "LEE Adjustable Charge Bars" ;);):D

Truth be told, I did buy a RCBS 505 scale to replace that LEE paper weight... All I can say is that maybe you might need to look at how you weigh your loads... just IMO. I have had ZERO issues with the LEE Adjustable Charge Bar.

Then again, I am careful about what powders I choose to use, and that may factor into the equation because of the ease/difficulty of accurately pouring/measuring loads.

Some powders appear to be a PITA with any/all measured dispensers. Maybe they need to be "matched" between powder and dispenser? I don't know...
 
I give another vote for the Auto Drum. With extra drums at something like 4 for $15 I have a drum for every load. I mark the drum with the powder and weight and keep it with the dies. Only takes a few seconds to change them out and it throws very consistently for me.
 
I have traditionally run a pair of Auto Disk measures on my Lee Classic turrets. I have little to no complaints as they work as they should and adjust quickly. ( I keep four sets of discs. One set is modified to split the difference in charge volumes.)
That said, after reading allot of praise for the new(ish) Auto Drum, I bought one last year. Just haven't found a reason to give it a whirl yet. Guess someday I'll have to give it a try.....maybe....
 
I have used both auto disk, with and without the adjustable charge bars, and now the auto drum measures.

The auto disco is an “open”’system when the powder is moved forward to drop into the die. It is subject to leaking, especially with fine powders.

The auto drum is a “closer” system based on the Perfect Powder measure but it can still leak unless the tightening knob is so tight that the spring does not return to the upward position. Actually the spring is not strong enough to return the drum fully upright on its own, but it can be adjusted to compensate for that way th the powder adjustments.

I now use the auto drum measures exclusively. I set the drum at the upringht position and while we pacing the bullet into the case mouth with my left hand fully rotate the drum back to upright with my right hand.

I also drop 10 chargers back into the hopper before weighing another 5 to check powder weight at the beginning of every loading session and will often tweak the die slightly if it is not dropping the charge it should.

Oh, and always pause for a half second with the ram fully up to allow the powder to fully drop clear into the die.

Overall in my opinion the auto drum is a step up from the auto disk.
 
I have been using the auto drum powder measure since it was introduced. I find it to be accurate once you get the measure dialed in it drops the amount all day long.
 
I have been using the auto drum and love it. It throws a very consistent charge (though it has some troubles with flake powders) for hundreds of rounds. I would highly recommend it to anyone as the best automatic powder dispenser on the market
 
I've never used the Standard Auto Disk, but I've used the Auto Disk Pro, and the adjustable charge bar and the Auto Drum.

The Auto Drum is the best of the lot, hands down. Most consistent, most flexible, best in every way.
 
Well I'll give the Auto-drum a chance. My Auto-disk Pro has worked fine for years so, I guess if I don't try the Auto-drum now it will be years before this opportunity comes up again. The price is the same and if I don't like it I can still use my current Auto-disk until a new measure arrives. Anything else I need to buy along with it?
 
1sailor said:
Well I'll give the Auto-drum a chance. My Auto-disk Pro has worked fine for years so, I guess if I don't try the Auto-drum now it will be years before this opportunity comes up again. The price is the same and if I don't like it I can still use my current Auto-disk until a new measure arrives. Anything else I need to buy along with it?
Click to expand...

Extra drums are nice to have. They make it convenient once you get the drum set for your powder charge to just install when you are loading you pet load instead of adjusting the screw again.
 
I used the Auto-Disk Pro for a couple of years and then I got one of the Auto-Drums. I use both for different purposes, but the Auto-Drum can do it all.

The Auto-Disk Pro is used for handgun loads with Accurate Arms #5, Vihtavuori N340, and Trail Boss. I have the double disk kit too but I haven't used it yet.

The Auto-Drum is used for magnum and rifle loads with Vihtavuori N110, IMR 4895, IMR 4198, and Trail Boss (10+ grains).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

fordson
LEE M Style Expander Plug
Replies
9
Views
855
GypsmJim
GypsmJim
S
LEE Challenger Press Deal!
Replies
0
Views
278
STORMINORMAN
S
J
Lee 45 ACP Seating Die Question
Replies
4
Views
417
gwpercle
gwpercle
O
Lee Loaders, need help.
2 3
Replies
47
Views
2K
rwsmith
rwsmith
Y
.45 auto rim direction needed
Replies
19
Views
1K
KarmannGhia
K

Latest posts

Back
Top