Lee Classic Turret Press - Powder drop issues

[Faded]

So my press has been working good for a couple years, but now has in interesting problem. It wants to dump .4-.5grns of extra powder on the first drop when its in turret mode.

Setup:
Lee Classic Turret Press
.223 ammo, 1.57cc disk w/ Hodgdon H335 Powder
Load powder measure, run 10+ cartridges through, measures 24.4, ready to roll

Turret mode
Cartridge 1

• Prime cartridge on neck size die
• Powder charge drop
• Measures at 24.9
• Dump and recheck it goes down to 24.5 (no turret movement)
• Seat bullet

Cartridge 2

• Cycle turret back to neck size to prime
• Powder charge drop
• Measures at 24.8
• Dump and recheck it goes down to 24.4 (no turret movement)
• Seat bullet

Cartridge 3

• Cycle turret back to neck size to prime
• Powder charge drop
• Measures at 25.0
• Dump and recheck @ 24.4 and again 24.4 (no turret movement)
• Seat bullet

Cartridge 4

• Cycle turret back to neck size to prime
• Powder charge drop
• Measures at 25.0
• Dump and recheck @ 24.3, 24.4, 24.4, 24.4 (no turret movement)
• Seat bullet

Cartridge 5

• Cycle turret back to neck size to prime
• Powder charge drop
• Measures at 25.0
• Dump and recheck @ 24.4, 24.5, 24.5, 24.5 (no turret movement)
• Seat bullet

Cartridge 6

• Cycle turret back to neck size to prime
• Powder charge drop
• Measures at 24.8
• Dump and recheck @ 24.4, 24.4, 24.4, 24.4 (no turret movement)
• Seat bullet

I can not think of why it is leaking powder when it cycles around versus when its stationary and I do case after case. Any ideas?

[sofbak]

Didn't specifically say, but I'm assuming you have the Lee auto-disk or pro auto disk. Powder isn't leaking, it's settling into the disk cavity during that "round trip" it takes on the turret. Without that jostling from the once-around-cycle powder doesn't settle into the disk as much so you get a smaller charge.

Prove it to yourself with this modified sequence:


Cycle turret back to neck size to prime
Powder charge drop
Measures at 25.0
Dump and recheck @ 24.4, 24.5, 24.5, 24.5 (no turret movement)

Tap on side of powder bin 4 or 5 times with a long pencil (no turret movement)
Dump and recheck


You should get another charge near the initial 25 gr or even greater if you tap hard.

hth

[Faded]

Yes it is the pro auto disk and you are right. If I tap the side it goes back up. So the problem I will have is that my loads will vary if I use the turret 0-.5 grns it seems depending on how the powder settles, if its tapped, etc. Time to google to see if I can mount a different powder measure on this press so that I can avoid having to tap the measure on each drop.

Thanks for the feedback!

[SmokeWagon]

Can you try a 1.56cc disk setup? If so try it and cycle it or tap on it and see if it gives you a charge closer to the 24.4gr you want.

[sofbak]

Yes it is the pro auto disk and you are right. If I tap the side it goes back up. So the problem I will have is that my loads will vary if I use the turret 0-.5 grns it seems depending on how the powder settles, if its tapped, etc. Time to google to see if I can mount a different powder measure on this press so that I can avoid having to tap the measure on each drop.

Thanks for the feedback!

Your drops after each complete cycle are pretty consistent and will improve once you get going in a session.

If the next smaller disk cavity doesn't dial in the charge weight you want, just invest $10 in the lee adjustable measure bar. You can dial it in wherever you want. Prolly the best $10 solution/investment for a lee powder system available

[Faded]

I actually switched to the charge bar and there is a difference in drops depending on how much movement the press had as well. I did more tap, wiggle, shake tests and there is a 0-.5 variance depending on how much movement it has. You are correct that once I get going it gets fairly close, but that variance still makes me uneasy.

This makes me wonder if I have always had this problem, but I don't think I have. Like most people I do the multiple drops to verify my charge weight is good before I start then I check the first few rounds. After that I check every 5th ,10th, or 20th drop depending on how I feel and never noticed this variance.

I have wanted a progressive press and this may be a good reason to switch out and use this as my single stage.

[Eljay]

Mine's pretty new and I think you really need to calibrate the disk in whatever mode you'll be using it. If you use it as a single stage and you use it with auto index it'll drop different amounts of powder, but it will be pretty consistent within that mode, especially when indexing (since it really fills it up every time). There may be some variation in the effect depending on the fineness of the powder or whatever but that's what I've seen so far with any powder or with the disk or the auto bar.

[the led farmer]

O/P cycle the turret the same every time and the powder drops will become consistent. Throw the first load, toss it back in the hopper and cycle up and down consistently through all four dies and throw a charge and weigh it. Do this again (cycle up and down consistently) and throw a charge and weigh it.

The more consistent you are (full rotations through all four dies up and down all the way) the more even your charges will be. Consistency is key. The more you practice with it the sooner you will come up with a routine that works every time

[mjmagee67]

I love the Turret Press but if you want consistency you have to be consistent! If you don't move the turret then it will drop light. If you go through the processes Resize, prime, seat, and crimp the next time around you will get a consistent drop. If I pull the handle with a consistent speed I'll get most drops +/- .1 grains. Well with in my margin for loading with a turret.

[Enfield47]

Like SmokWagon suggested, I would try a slightly reduced cc on your auto disk and see if that will work for you. If your powder drops come out to the correct weight when the turret indexes, then you won't have to worry about over charging.

[Faded]

Well I did find a solution to this problem... I picked up a Dillon XL650 that sits next to it now. Boy what a difference there is in the two presses. Don't get me wrong my Lee Turret has done great for me and I still plan to use it for match grade and case prep, but boy is that Dillon smooth. Loaded up around 1,000 .223 last night and it went so quickly. It's a bit pricey, but a solid unit that is smooth as butter.

[Enfield47]

That's an expensive solution. LOL

Not much to compare between a Dillon 650 and a Lee turret press, the Dillon is a hands down winner. Nice upgrade!

[Faded]

That's an expensive solution. LOL

Not much to compare between a Dillon 650 and a Lee turret press, the Dillon is a hands down winner. Nice upgrade!

Thanks - I needed a motivator and this was it. Been eyeing the 650 for awhile.

[stilly]

Didn't specifically say, but I'm assuming you have the Lee auto-disk or pro auto disk. Powder isn't leaking, it's settling into the disk cavity during that "round trip" it takes on the turret. Without that jostling from the once-around-cycle powder doesn't settle into the disk as much so you get a smaller charge.

Prove it to yourself with this modified sequence:


Cycle turret back to neck size to prime
Powder charge drop
Measures at 25.0
Dump and recheck @ 24.4, 24.5, 24.5, 24.5 (no turret movement)

Tap on side of powder bin 4 or 5 times with a long pencil (no turret movement)
Dump and recheck


You should get another charge near the initial 25 gr or even greater if you tap hard.

hth

+1
ALMOST straight from Lee themselves...

Don't like it? Then get a lock n load powder dropper for it...