load lee disk help

[NAM68]

I just bought WST Winchester powder. I have used WIN 231. The load data from Winchester is start grain at 4.0 and don,t exceed 4.3. for 230 gn LRN bullet. I can,t find the right auto disk for LEE PRESS. Not in any of my books WST powder. Any help appreciated. Thanks, in advance..

 

[bananaman]

My auto disk papers do not list WST, much to my surprise! Be patient, I am sure you will get an answer. Bob

 

[Alk8944]

Rarely do fixed bushing type powder measures throw precisely what the load tables say they should. This is particularly true of the Lee measures and dippers. My experience is they throw charges 10-20% lower than stated in their tables.

You can use any type measure, with any type of powder, if you have a loading scale! I suspect that you do not or you would not be asking the question! It's easy, fill the measure, record the cavity number, and start throwing charges and weighing them. Make a chart to record the weight, cavity number and powder type, and you will eventually create your own load table for the measure you are using.

If you thought you could do without a scale by using a measure that gives (theoretical) charge weights in a table you are living on borrowed time. Eventually you will pick the wrong powder and cavity and create ammunition that is dangerous or destructive. You absolutely must have a good quality powder scale before doing any re-loading, it is the only check you have to confirm the charge weight your measure is throwing. There are several re-loading tools you can get away without and only be inconvenienced, but a powder scale is not one of them!

 

[davekp]

My chart shows WST. It is labeled "wSUPER-TAR". The .49 hole is listed at 4.1 gr.

 

[mikld]

A disc powder measure is a good tool, but you should have at least a scale to check exactly what amount the measure drops. If you chose not to get an adjustable powder measure I'd suggest a trickler; throw a powder charge less than your targeted charge and trickle up...

 

[jimdevlin]

I use the Lee Autodisk and you have to measure the powder weight. The recommended settings haven't been very accurate for the powders I've used, Accurate #7, W231 and CFE Pistol.

 

[Engineer1911]

The Lee disk volumes, the Lee Powder Weight Chart (or whatever it is called), and weight of powder dispensed have absolutely no connection to reality. Using the Chart to load ammo you will shoot in your gun is like using the Jerry Springer Show for marital counseling for troubled marriages.

 

[Clovishound]

I find the chart that comes with the Auto Disk to be very helpful. It gives a good starting point. I don't think I have ever had to go more than one hole from the suggested volume.

If you read the disclaimer at the top it tells you this is an approximation to get you close. The real measurement is weighing the charge that is thrown, and comparing this with published data.

 

[jonesy814]

I find the discs to throw a very consistent charge, but you need a scale because it is rarely what the chart says.

 

[rwsmith]

You must have a scale....

You must use a scale to check charges, going by capacity is a joke and is always off, usually on the conservative side with Lee products (can you blame them?). If you aren't getting consistent throws, when the disk is in fill position, make knocking it a few times part of each throw operation. Using a sheet metal or plastic baffle in the powder reservoir seems to cure a lot of ills.

 

[colt_saa]

You know that the VMD table is updated when new powders come out.

It is always available for download from LEE.

http://leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/VMD.pdf

It looks like the last update was July of 2014

In case you forgot.........

Weight in grains x VMD = volume in CC

 

[NAM68]

Hey members thanks for your help. I have a scale what was throwing me off was when using WIN 231 AUTO DISK was 40. 4.4 grn. but when using WST powder weighed 2.9 the powder looks the same but lighter in color. I use a PRO 1000 machine and was tring to figure out which disk to use.Im going to try disk 49 and weigh that. I need to be between 4.0 to 4.3 davkp suggest .49hole 4.1 grn.

 

[carpriver]

I have been using the Lee Disks for several years, what I have found is use the starting disk and cavity as starting point. then start dropping powder until you get to the load you desire. It involves doing some work and good notes. I have found I can load within +- .01g of the load I want. And I check the web sites of the powders I use several times a years to see if the are any changes. most of the site let you download all of the load data or data for a specific caliber.

 

[rwsmith]

Powders have different densities....

Hey members thanks for your help. I have a scale what was throwing me off was when using WIN 231 AUTO DISK was 40. 4.4 grn. but when using WST powder weighed 2.9 the powder looks the same but lighter in color. I use a PRO 1000 machine and was tring to figure out which disk to use.Im going to try disk 49 and weigh that. I need to be between 4.0 to 4.3 davkp suggest .49hole 4.1 grn.

Some powders are bulky, some powders are dense. Trail Boss is so bulky that you cant overcharge a straight wall case because it takes up too much space.