Which pistol powder drops best in Lee Pro Auto?

[gregj]

Sant will be bringing me a Lee Classic Turret, dies for 9mm and .45, and a Lee Pro Auto-Disc powder measure. I was wondering if anyone had suggestions on which pistol powder worked best with this particular loader.

[k5mitch]

I've been using a Lee Pro 1000 to load 45 ACP, using the same Auto-Disc.

I've found Alliant Unique to be fairly consistent. Then again, I haven't tried any other powders.

I use a Hornady balance scale, and whenever I set up for a new load, once the first few throws are done, the auto-disc and Alliant Unique settle into a consistent load (so consistent I've sharpied the weights on the Auto-Disc).

[dabdon]

i have been using lee turret presses for over 15 years, and a variety of powder drops.........first be sure of your load data for the caliber you wish to load hogdon or winchester powders tend to burn cleanly.....for 9mm or .380 loads i prefer winchester 231 or hp38, or unique......but it is very important to be sure of the powder drop setting, other wise you may overload or under load your shell casings....as far as the die settings, they may have to be changed when you change the type or weight of your bullet tips, as well as the powder drop settings

[gregj]

I loaded my first 9mm rounds and shot them yesterday. I'm at work and dont remember the specifics of each load, but post any corrections/changes tonight.

All were shot from my XDm. Will correct grain and disck size tonight.
Load1: 10 rounds, 115g FMJ, OAL 1.135
Power Pistol, approx 4.7g, size .46 disk

Load2: 10 rounds, 115g FMJ, OAL 1.135
Power Pistol, approx 4.9g, size .49 disk

Load3: 10 rounds, 115g FMJ, OAL 1.135
Power Pistol, approx 5.1g, size .51 disk

Observations:
- I never felt like I got real consistent loads with the Power Pistol and the Lee auto disk powder drop. Not sure if it's because of the P/P flake powder, or the Lee auto needs to be broken in. I would drop several loads before measuring, to make sure all the voids were filled in the loader, etc. The drops would still sometimes vary .1g with each pull. IOW, the drops would be 5.3g, 5.4g, 5.3g, 5.4g, etc. I may try a ball powder and see how that drops.

- I couldnt tell much of a difference in recoil between loads 1 and 2. Load 3 seemed to be a little hotter than regular practice ammo. So I will probably stick with the data for load 2, with this powder. If I try a different powder, I will make up different loads again. Accuracy at 7 yrds seemed to be identical to my usual factory practice ammo.

- I checked the OAL of every round (with digital caliper). I was trying for 1.135 OAL. I made up a few dummy rounds first, and made sure they fit into the chamber ok, and that they would manually cycle through - which they did. I did notice the OAL would be slightly less after running through the FCD, so I had to adjust for that when I set everything up. The measurements of the finished rounds would vary slightly, from approx 1.115 to spot on 1.135 All 30 rounds feed and ejected with no issues.

Not sure why the variances in powder drops or the OAL, any suggestions welcomed.

[zephyp]

The Lee drop loader does need to be "broken" in by running a full hopper of powder through it before first use. Also, I think the ball powders drop more consistently through it than flake. Just my $0.02.

[herohog]

I use Blue Dot and Bullseye with no problems.

[gregj]

Thanks guys. As soon as I find a ball powder I will pick some up.