Good practice or no? Frustrated.

[LeeMax]

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions, they're all appreciated. I swapped out the charge bar for the disk and I'm now getting much more consistent charges. I'm still a little leery, so I'm still checking every throw, but they're all coming out +/- .1 gr of my target weight of 3.8 using the .37cc hole.

Tomorrow I'll probably pull out the die and clean it as suggested. I'll also go back through the other suggestions until I'm comfortable with it and I'll keep the auto drum in mind for a future purchase.

 

[Rule3]

Unless you are using a really really god expensive scale (either electronic or balance beam) The accuracy of basic scales is only +/-, 0.2 grains anyway.

So 3.7, 3.8, 3.9 grains of Win 231 in a 38 special you will not know the difference

 

[rwsmith]

No matter what the method...

For the OP please bear in mind that these values may/will vary a lot depending on YOUR powder, lot number, temperature, humidity and other factors.

Just like looking at the LEE "chart", some powders are close. some are so far off it's dangerous.

Yeah, you have to check everything with a scale, charts don't tell exactly what measures throw.

 

[SMSgt]

Get a better adjustable power measure that will allow you to drop the precise amount you want and quit messing with the Lee. I use an antique Herters that if I want 3.1 grains of HP-38, it will drop 3.1 grains of HP-38 all day long without variance.

 

[Mad_Charlie]

Get a better adjustable power measure that will allow you to drop the precise amount you want and quit messing with the Lee. I use an antique Herters that if I want 3.1 grains of HP-38, it will drop 3.1 grains of HP-38 all day long without variance.

Just like my '55, and it's 40 years old.

 

[Clovishound]

Just like my new Lee Auto drum.

Infinitely adjustable and very consistent.

 

[Rule3]

I think this may be a Forum Record!! 25 posts and no Blue Smurfs yet!!

 

[DWalt]

The Lyman Electronic Scale Powder Funnel Pan is a neat device, and I have not seen it before. I have always used just the plain pan and a powder funnel, but have thought about combining the two. It would speed things up.

 

[Rule3]

The Lyman Electronic Scale Powder Funnel Pan is a neat device, and I have not seen it before. I have always used just the plain pan and a powder funnel, but have thought about combining the two. It would speed things up.

Most handy with 223/5.56 cases as it fits over the neck so no spilling!

 

[Engineer1911]

I think this may be a Forum Record!! 25 posts and no Blue Smurfs yet!!

The Lee Frustration Factor has to increase higher before the OP will want the Blue Kool Aid.

 

[LeeMax]

The Lee Frustration Factor has to increase higher before the OP will want the Blue Kool Aid.

If the Blue Kool Aid is what I think it is, not likely. I couldn't come close to one of those with what I paid for everything I bought. My frustration level has been greatly reduced because of the suggestions you guys have made, and I thank you all for that. I spent about an hour with it last night and managed to get 50 rounds loaded, and that included adjusting the expanding die (I took it out yesterday to clean it) and setting up the balance scale that came with the kit. I'm sure once I get more comfortable with it and get a rhythm going I'll pick up the pace.

I'm hoping to get over to the range today at lunch time to try out a few rounds.

 

[Rule3]

The Lee Frustration Factor has to increase higher before the OP will want the Blue Kool Aid.

I just knew that this would draw out PAPA SMURF!!!