Lee perfect powder measure: inconsistent throws?

[adrenalinejunkie]

I just started reloading today, and I'm pretty sure I've got it down pretty well (thanks to IntoForever), but my Lee perfect powder measure seems to me giving me inconsistent results. I'll set it for the charge I want and adjust it accordingly, and when I weigh the charge it's spot on for a few throws, then it'll fluctuate sometimes within a grain's difference. It's been pretty consistent this last part of the night, but I wanted to know if there was anything I could to to make it more consistent. Also, some powder spills out of the side of the bottom of the left side of the pivot point towards the bottom of the lever movement. Should I contact lee and see if I can get a replacement?

[Bill Steele]

What powder are you loading?

[Munk]

What powder are you loading?

biggest question here.

Powders vary in shape, and so some meter more consistently than others.

Then you run into the volume to mass measurement issues. Throwers throw by volume, not mass, and the scale you're using is a measure of mass.

Depending on the size of your charge, and the powder you're using, a 1 grain variance might not hurt, but you won't get "Match-grade" results out of your loadings.

If you want every charge consistent, set your thrower to 1 grain below your desired charge, and make good use of your powder trickler to nail the mass exactly on every throw. This is how I do my accuracy loads for rifles, and how I work up a load for everything.

[Cheep]

The type of powder makes a big difference along with whether it gets the same amount of "shake" for every throw, like if it's attached to the press or on the bench. As far as powder leaking, the finer powders will leak a little bit, I filed down the sides just slightly to make the gap smaller and it helped quite a bit.

[rsrocket1]

Did you read and follow the instructions on adjusting the tension screw and on running a hopper full of powder through it?
Also, take a look here for a good set of instructions on lapping the rotor to really seal it off for a good fit.

For consistent throws, I tap the measure at the end of each stroke and I always get within 0.1g on my throws regardless of stick type (Varget), flake (Unique) or ball (H335) powders.

The Lee PPM and Safety Scale work fine so long as you know their quirks. Some people don't want to overcome them and then poo poo the product. Others can overcome them and find that they are just as effective as the other brands at a much lower cost.

[GSwain]

+1 to everything above, plus try wiping down the whole powder measure with an unused dryer sheet. Sometimes static can cause powders to stick slightly. I wipe down the jug I am pouring powder from, the powder measure, hopper, and press if it is all attached. Very consistent throws. Just be aware that with very fine ball powder it will leak a little bit of powder out the rotor.

[vega]

I don't use flakes for my Lee hopper, it tends to go between the drum and body of the hopper but I don't have problems with pellets and it is consistent enough for my pistols. For rifle cartridges I use the right dipper for that caliber and use my trickler for accurate load. There's nothing wrong with your Lee Powder Measure.

Once you get hooked you'll be buying more hoppers for different calibers that way you don't need to change the adjustments.

[IntoForever]

I forgot the powder type, I think it was H335, it was ball and very small gains at that. I was disappointed at the amount of powder that squeezed out the side of the measure. Make sure you ask questions if you have them, I'd rather meet you at the range, not the ER. Food at the range is much better anyways.

[bohoki]

its screw needs a good tension not so tight that it is binding buy not so loose that it catches powder

also there is 2 ways to pump there is the up down or the down up

i prefer the (down up) as that little moment i am seating the bullet allows for the powder to settle

if you do the up down it is filling just for that moment

[stand125]

Did you run a hopper thru of powder. I set it for a huge charge and then ran a whole hopper thru and it worked like a champ with Titegroup and W231.

[Divernhunter]

If you look at what it is made of , how it is made and the cost you should understand why the problems and all the "fixes" and such to make it funtion. That said here is a tip for use with any powder measure. Get a 4-4.5" plastic funnel and cut off the end so it has about a .5" opening. Place the funnel on top of the powder measure and fill the measure thru the funnel leaving it in place. Then throw enought charges into a small container(I use a 1 cup kitchen measure) until the powder forms a cone in the measure. Now do your loading but do not allow the funnel to get empty. This puts a constant pressure on the powder in the hopper giving better results.

Use the same procedure every time you theow a charge. The same force of throw and number/force of taps on both the up and down stroke.

Use a loading block or 2 and do them all at once. Do not do one at a time or just a few. You will get more uniform charges

IF your measure is mounted on the same bench as the press then it is more important to use a block and charge a bunch at the same time. The vibration of the press will mage the charge vary often. If it is on the same bench after you load the ones in the block then cycle the measure into the cup until you get the cone of powder in the measure to return and you can see the powder moving.

I wipe my measure with a dryer sheet and sometime wrap the hopper with a cpople and use a rubber band tohold them in place.

I do my loads this way and with H-110(and other ball powders) I throw 150 charges at a time and none of them will be more than .1gr off. However I do use a RCBS Uniflow and not the lee unit. But if you do this yours will improve with practice also. Powder leaking out the side of the drum will effect the charges also.

[Munk]

If you look at what it is made of , how it is made and the cost you should understand why the problems and all the "fixes" and such to make it funtion. That said here is a tip for use with any powder measure. Get a 4-4.5" plastic funnel and cut off the end so it has about a .5" opening. Place the funnel on top of the powder measure and fill the measure thru the funnel leaving it in place. Then throw enought charges into a small container(I use a 1 cup kitchen measure) until the powder forms a cone in the measure. Now do your loading but do not allow the funnel to get empty. This puts a constant pressure on the powder in the hopper giving better results.

Heh, this sounds like a nice little homemade Baffle. You can get a cheap RCBS baffle, and I think it'll fit inside the lee's reservoir.

[adrenalinejunkie]

Thanks for the responses guys. Yeah it's H335 ball powder. The throws were consistent for about 3 at a time, then i'd go back and use it and it was as much as a full grain off. I';; try the dryer sheet method and run more powder through it set for a large charge to be sure. I'll report back with the findings, hopefully good.

[Divernhunter]

I found the funnel worked better for me than the baffel and using both worked better yet.

[G38xOC]

Tite Group Powder : varies 0.1 +/- using perfect powder measures

it dont bother me . im not running hot loads .