LEE auto disk on DILLON 550

[stand125]

Older video, but something that I did a few years ago because I really like the ease of the LEE auto disk and I really like how solid and smooth the DILLON 550 is. Forgive the video quality, it was a cheapo hand held video recorder that I got my kids for like $20 at walmart. I am hopefully going to be picking up a RCBS PRO 2000 soon and will be using my LEE auto disk on that as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xJStk7VXQo

[stranded1980]

I enjoyed your video; thanks for sharing! Probably the best part of youtube is all of the people that want to show others how to do something. I was able to diagnose and learn how to fix various parts of my old car that way. So many kind souls that want to help others learn.

Now, not to critique, but just my opinion/observation: I don't think I could ever learn to like bullet seating in station 4 on the Dillon 550 like you do. Simply because, then my right hand would be doing 3 of the 4 necessary actions to work the machine (pulling handle, rotating shellplate, placing new brass, placing bullet). I find I can see into the case just find from an angle while the brass is in station 2 before moving to station 3. However, I have mine on a strong mount, so the press is higher, while you are bolted the table; that might make a difference.

I think you would really speed up your time by placing the bullet with your left hand, with bullet seating in station 3. But to teach his own, and either way, I'm glad to see your devotion to safety by doing a visual powder check.

[mjmagee67]

Like putting no name Chinese brand tires on a Porsche.

[stranded1980]

Like putting no name Chinese brand tires on a Porsche.

I want to respectfully interject my opinion in contrast to yours. Yes, the Lee dispenser is made of plastic, while the Dillon is made of metal; however, it doesn't make it any less functional.

Although I've never personally used the Lee Auto Disk powder dispenser, I have used the Lee Perfect Powder Measure, and it meters IMR 4064 better than the Dillon or Hornady in my experience.

If the OP is getting accurate volume, kudos to him! He can buy quite a few of those Lee Auto Disk Dispensers for every caliber (if not every bullet design) he loads for a very minimal price.

[MA5177]

Not sure why you would take a perfect system and slow it down but thanks for sharing

[Chief-7700]

Scary!

[varanidguy]

I want to respectfully interject my opinion in contrast to yours. Yes, the Lee dispenser is made of plastic, while the Dillon is made of metal; however, it doesn't make it any less functional.

Although I've never personally used the Lee Auto Disk powder dispenser, I have used the Lee Perfect Powder Measure, and it meters IMR 4064 better than the Dillon or Hornady in my experience.

If the OP is getting accurate volume, kudos to him! He can buy quite a few of those Lee Auto Disk Dispensers for every caliber (if not every bullet design) he loads for a very minimal price.

This. Price doesn't always make it better. If it works for him, gives him accurate loads, and saves him money all at the same time, what's the big deal?

Most of my equipment and dies are Lee and it works great, for a fraction of the cost. I'm not saying it's better or just as good as Dillon, but it works for me and my loads are accurate and safe. The Auto-Disk is very accurate with Bullseye powder for my .45 ACP loads for me so I'll keep using it. No reason not to.

[mjmagee67]

I want to respectfully interject my opinion in contrast to yours. Yes, the Lee dispenser is made of plastic, while the Dillon is made of metal; however, it doesn't make it any less functional.

Although I've never personally used the Lee Auto Disk powder dispenser, I have used the Lee Perfect Powder Measure, and it meters IMR 4064 better than the Dillon or Hornady in my experience.

If the OP is getting accurate volume, kudos to him! He can buy quite a few of those Lee Auto Disk Dispensers for every caliber (if not every bullet design) he loads for a very minimal price.

First I'll say I have a reloading cabinet full of Lee Precision stuff. There is rarely a reloading session where I don't use something by Lee. I use a Lee Classic Turret to load calibers I don't shoot that often like 45acp, 38spc, and 357. So I know Lee makes quality equipment for a very reasonable price. I also know the Lee powder thrower in inferior to the Dillon in about every way. The Dillon is more consistent, it's designed for the long haul. The rubber gaskets in the Lee wear out and leak powder when you reload a lot like I do. The powder hopper on the Lee is to small and does not have an internal baffle like the Dillon. As the powder level changed in the Lee the charge changes. With the Dillon the throw is very consistent from a full hopper to a nearly empty one. The Lee disk system really never seems to get you exactly were you need to be. So everyone of my 6 Lee powder throwers has an adjustable charge bar!!!.

[stand125]

Not sure why you would take a perfect system and slow it down but thanks for sharing

how does it slow the process down? I had the dillon powder drop but always liked the LEE disk system better for pistol loads. Changing it out took about 30 seconds since all I did was raise the ram a little, undo the chain at the powder drop if I ever needed to take the powder drop off. It's funny, I have the adjustable charge bar and never use it. I always had good luck with finding a cavity that threw a suitable charge and I always had extra disk so I would make the cavities larger if I needed to throw an in between charge and kept track in my load book. I have had lots of presses from all the manufacturers and always ended up selling and just using my Classic turret press more than any of them. That 550 was one smooth press though and if I shot more I would have kept it. I never really loaded in high volume so it was just a pain changing calibers to load 50 rounds when the classic turret took a whole 30 seconds to change out everything for a new caliber.

[stand125]

The powder hopper on the Lee is to small and does not have an internal baffle like the Dillon. As the powder level changed in the Lee the charge changes.

I actually bought clear pvc and increased the height of the powder hopper and made a baffle by bending a circular piece of sheet metal. I am not a big fan of the LEE perfect powder drop, but I do like the disk system. Since I had LEE disk loads for all my calibers it made sense to stick with the LEE powder drop instead of figuring out a bunch of new settings on the Dillon dispenser and then fine tuning every time I switched calibers when with the disk system, all I have to do is install the correct disk.

[mjmagee67]

I actually bought clear pvc and increased the height of the powder hopper and made a baffle by bending a circular piece of sheet metal. I am not a big fan of the LEE perfect powder drop, but I do like the disk system. Since I had LEE disk loads for all my calibers it made sense to stick with the LEE powder drop instead of figuring out a bunch of new settings on the Dillon dispenser and then fine tuning every time I switched calibers when with the disk system, all I have to do is install the correct disk.

$42 for a powder thrower that takes several mods to work as well as a $77 powder thrower. Plus the $42 powder thrower still won't have the longevity of the $77. $35 difference how much money did you spend on mods + adjustable charge bar? Plus plus the $77 powder thrower comes with both a standard pistol charge bar and a standard rifle charge bar. Just saying.

[stand125]

comparing the price of the two is irrelevant since they come with the press kits.

The mods cost a few bucks and I would never buy the charge bar in place of the disk. I had the LEE powder disk charger when I picked up the used dillon so It's not like I bought the LEE disk system to use on the dillon. The LEE disk system is every bit as reliable as the Dillon powder drop and there is no adjustment between calibers beyond changing the disk. With the charge bar you have to verify and fine tune every time you change a caliber unless you have a bunch of $20.00 charge bars. You ever shoot out at the Lincoln range. I am usually out there monday afternoons on the rifle range. Maybe I'll see you out there when I get back in a few weeks from this current military stint . Okie DOkie, bed time for me.