Powder Measure

[mikld]

Back to the OP, the Lee PPM. My first powder measure in 1970 was a PPM. I used it for several years and yes, with some fine ball powders (WC 820) it will leak, but it was very accurate and repeatable. I sold my first one with all my other reloading equipment due to a messy divorce. About 8 years later I got back into reloading and thought I needed a more "sophisticated" powder measure, and I got a C-H 592. A couple years later I got a good deal on a Lee PPM, I beefed up the stand and it is as accurate as the C-H powder for powder. But, no powder measure I've ever used is 100% accurate with all powders, my Lee will often hold less than 0.1 gr W231, but larger variations with IMR 4064, the same as my $$ C-H.

 

[cuda2045]

My lee powder measure lasted for 10000 rounds. I upgraded to Redding. There is nothing bad to say about Lee products.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have used the Lee PPM for yrs . I always give the drum a couple of taps with my finger when it is loading up and again when dumping into a case . It has always been very reliable and accurate for me with flake powders .

 

[scooter123]

I have 3 of the Lee PPM's and don't use any of them since I purchased an RCBS Competition Powder Measure.

While the Lee worked well with certain powders they are a real PITA to get adjusted (thus the reason I have 3, one for each specific load). What finally did the Lee in for me was when trying to use one for Accurate #5, that powder had so much leakage in the Lee measure it would actually JAM the drum, so I had to stop, take it apart, clean it up, then start all over for perhaps 30 or 40 charges before it jammed again.

Threw it into the trash and got in my car and drove to Cabelas and got the RCBS powder measure. BTW, the RCBS measure DOES NOT LEAK, even with H110. It's also vastly easier to set up because I keep a record of the micrometer setting for every charge weight and powder combination I use. Weak points for the RCBS is the same as those for the Lee, that is that with Stick or large flake powders they just aren't as repeatable as I want to see. Some may not be bothered by an occasional charge being thrown 1/2 grain light or heavy but I am not one of those folks.

BTW, I do a 50 piece capability study and use Statistics to determine what powders are truly Capable in my powder measure and which powders need to have every single charge trickled to a specific weight.

Capable of +/- 0.1 grain repeat-ability to 6 Sigma. All of the Accurate Ball Handgun powders (2, 5, 7, and 9), 2400, IMR SR7625, Vihtavouri 3N37, H110/Win296, CFE Pistol, CFE 223.

Not capable of +/- 0.1 grain repeat-ability to 6 sigma. All of the rifle "stick" powders I have on hand, IMR 4064, 4895 and Varget. In handgun Powders that would be Unique and Longshot. Started with Unique about 10 years ago and still have probably 4/5 of that first bottle because not long after starting I discovered SR7625 and it's wonderful metering qualities. As for Longshot, in the 40 S&W it's the best choice if you want to build ballistic equivalents to the 165 grain Speer Gold Dot high energy 40 S&W (1150 fps).

 

[rwsmith]

The Lee Deluxe...

I have a Harrells, Lyman 55, Quick Measure, B&M, Lee's PPM, Auto Disk, Auto Drum, and their Classic (now called the Deluxe) and a Dillon. My go to measures are the Auto Drum for progressive and the Classic for single stage. The only reason I like the Classic better than the PPM is it's ease of setup and use. The Quick Measure is only used for the larger stick/extruded powders like IMR or H 4350.

Midway has the Lee PPM on clearance for $20. Maybe they are doing away with it.

 

[rwsmith]

^^^That's my problem with the PPM

All the powders I use make for VERY rough operation, which was getting to my delicate shoulder. When I couldn't get the wild variation out of it, rather than try to make it work better, I just got the Uniflow.

 

[Hasbeen1945]

I have 2 powder measures. I have a lyman 55 I bought in the 1980's. Also have a Harrell's pistol measure. They are both very accurate for my needs.
The advantage of the Harrell's is set up time. With the micro adjustment system, I can set up for a charge weight in about 10 seconds. Drop about 10 drops to settle everything down and I'm in business.
I have the measure on a stand over a digital scale. I weigh each charge.

 

[Skeet 028]

Biggest problem for me was inconsistency in charges and the thing that was annoying was feel. Not being as smooth operation I ended up weighing too many charges. If the Lyman or RCBS felt wrong I weighed that charge. Not that it happened that often.. With the Lee it was at least every 3rd round or more. Disconcerting to me. Glad I "dumped" the Lee. The disc measure on the CC turret I just had to "trust"?...but I did weigh more charges than normal. My last batch of 44 Sp on the CC turret I loaded with Universal. It did better than Unique...but Unique is my go to powder..

 

[colt_saa]

My Lee AutoDisk powder measures have to be 25+ years old by now. That is all I have ever used on my 5 progressive presses (Pro1000 & LoadMaster)

Like others I also have a Perfect Powder Measure for use when developing loads.

I also have a Lyman 55 (my first powder measure) and a couple of Little Dandy powder measures for working small batches as well as a Lyman 1200 II for use when loading the BIG cartridges

I love the AutoDisk. I have bought several extra disk sets and adjusted some of the openings to be exactly what I want to throw, instead of just close.

Many, many tens of thousands of rounds of 45ACP, 357 Magnum. 357SIG and 10MM Auto have been loaded with the Lee Powder throws over the decades,

 

[carpriver]

I Have used the Lee disk system, It leaked with the fine powders. I got the newer Lee auto drum system once it's set it's on the money. I got the baffle from Titian reloading it helps with the metering. I use 700X and 800x there is no leaking. the drops remain consistent. I am a Lee fan. I use the PPM for reloading 5.56 with 4166. I wish I had known the side of the powder sticks and how difficult it is to get in the brass. Loads fine in the larger 308 brass.

 

[SMSgt]

I use an antique Herters powder dropper. I see not reason to upgrade to a Lee . . . or anything else.

 

[Scuba16]

I like the lee micrometer adjustable charge bar in my auto disc for my lee turret press for lot of pistol cal.