Lee Pro 1000 inconsistent powder drops

[wenter]

I am pretty new to reloading. Today I have decided to check how consistent is my powder measure. I use Hodgon HP-38 powder and I reload 9mm.

I made 25 runs with .43 disk installed. According to Lee powder measure guide it is suppose to drop 4.6 grains of powder. I have used digital scale to weigh.

Here is a list of measurements

1-4.3
2-4.6
3-4.6
4-4.7
5-4.6
6-4.5
7-4.6
8-4.3
9-4.3
10-4.5
11-4.4
12-4.4
12-4.3
13-4.5
14-4.4
15-4.4
16-4.4
17-4.4
18-4.4
19-4.4
20-4.3
21-4.4
22-4.3
23-4.5
24-4.4
25-4.4

What you, guys think about this measurements?

[fal_762x51]

I found that the powder drop die and disk riser has packing oil in it, as well as the metal stem from the autodisk. Clean them with brake cleaner. Second, I took a piece of pencil graphite and ran it into/brushed each cavity, the drop funnel and the wiper. Finally I placed a new drier sheet on the outside of the powder resevior. My drops with HP38 come within +/- .1 grain.

[damndave]

Yes, make sure to clean it out very well. My Lee Pro Auto Disc used to drop HP38/W231 within .1 everytime.

[Bill Steele]

I agree with the posts above, making sure the oil that comes with the unit is completely cleaned off is mandatory.

Embedded in Allied's post is a good tip. If you don't already have one, upgrading to the Auto Disk Pro (round powder hopper) should improve consistency. The AD Pro update kit is very inexpensive. I think the seal between the disk and hopper, plus the hopper design provides this benefit.

My AD Pro's drop HP38/W231 (and just about every other pistol powder I use, including the extruded ones), after the first few throws which go back into the hopper, almost exactly spot on, throw after throw.

Good luck.

[jwc]

My Lee Pro Auto Disc used to drop HP38/W231 within .1 everytime.

So does mine

[bumpo628]

What nobody has mentioned yet is that the Lee chart is not accurate. It gives you a starting point so you don't have to try that many cavities before you find one that drops what you need. Aside from the first seven drops, it is consistently dropping 4.4 +/- 0.1.

Give it a good cleaning as mentioned above and check it again.

[Bill Steele]

What nobody has mentioned yet is that the Lee chart is not accurate. It gives you a starting point so you don't have to try that many cavities before you find one that drops what you need....

Good point.

Most powders run a little lower in weight than what the Lee chart indicates (built in safety factor), although not all do. Also, I have found some powders run a little different (volume versus weight) from lot to lot.

[wenter]

I have cleaned up the Powder Measure before I did the measurements. Did not try the graphite covering all internal surface. Will do that and will report results here.

Thank you all for help.

[zfields]

dont go buy the book, each type of powder has a different weight. Also what type of powder are you using.

Another trick is is wrapping a dryer sheet around hopper to eliminate static, which can sometimes effect the consistency of the drop.

[wenter]

I am using Hodgon HP-38 powder as for right now. I have tried different cavities to see what their drops will be. With any cavity drops were inconsistent.

Will need to go get some dryer sheets and try it as well as graphite layer.

[wtkaiser]

I think it should be apparent to most reloaders that ANY chart, and most manuals, are merely guides. They will get you there approximately, but there's nothing like good old empiric facts! You were smart to measure and not take the chart at face value. I did that ONCE. Thankfully they usually err on the side of caution; i.e. they say hi and throw a bit lower. I weigh a sample charge every 5-10 rounds these days.

[AdidasCJ]

I have cleaned up the Powder Measure before I did the measurements. Did not try the graphite covering all internal surface. Will do that and will report results here.

Thank you all for help.

the powder tends to cling to the plastic, i ran some dry graphite where any powder contact was and mine come out consistent every time.

[diginit]

I use the A.D. (auto disk) not to be confused with any other A.D.... for W231 on .45 ACP and have very little variation. My scale has zeroed on every 10th rnd. for 4000 rnds. I don't even weigh them other than the first, 25th, and last round of 50 anymore. Never used HP-38. Not sure how well it meters...

[bumpo628]

W231 and HP38 are the same powder with different pricing.

[ns3v3n]

is your platform unstable?? that can cause the variation you see? Mine drops on the dime everytime, but the amount is different from the listed info, usually less than what they listed, probably a safety thing. Now I usually check the charge a few times before i reload and crank away. I just make sure to look inside the case before I put the bullet on and make sure there's powder in the tube.