Lee disk powder measure stuck!

[Guest Catdaddy]

I was so happy to receive a Lee kit for Christmas- so I sat down and loaded 100 40 cal, then started on 9's... some where alon the way, my disk powder measure stuck in the "up" position, so now I have ??? rounds that have NO POWDER in them...

The safety scale may be accurate, but it is not intended to weigh a complete cartridge, or to weigh many items in succession.

What I propose to do is use my electronic postal scale, accurate to 1/10th of a gram. Weigh several primed cases with bullets, and tare the scale for the heaviest one. Then any that show a positive weight are loaded.

Alternately, note that weight and leave tare at zero, then any in excess of the heaviest empty should be filled cartridges.

Any other ideas?

[xd shooter]

Buy a bullet puller.

This works great: http://www.midwayusa.com/viewproduct/?productnumber=630146

[Guest Catdaddy]

My Dad said the same thing- and I'll have to. The problem is that I'm using a factory crimp die and I bet pulling them apart shaves the bullets on the way out. Small loss.

I have (I think) found the place it stuck- I only got about one box of duds. The box I found the change in is now marked "range use only".

My Dad- a competition shooter/reloader from way back- says the primer in 9's will likely get the bullet out the barrel on my pistol, but maybe not my carbine, so ALL the boxes are now marked NOT FOR CARBINE, as well.

Hopefully I won't have to push out too many bullets.

The press is now tuned and lubed at the pivot screw, but I'll be watching it like a hawk for a while until I feel good about it.

Thanks for taking the time to advise!

BTW- too much competition for the weights at the tireshops in Lewisburg? I can get tons here- Dad is sending me his lead pot and molds soon.

Edited December 26, 2009 by Catdaddy

[gregintenn]

+1 on the bullet puller. It is the reloader's eraser. It is a necessity.

[xd shooter]

No one in Lewisburg will give up any wheelweights. I don't know what the problem is!

[Guest Catdaddy]

Weeell, freight's a drag on lead- but let me see if I can score a bucket for ya.

[SpacemanSpiff]

Get the bullet puller. You'll spend less time separating your components than potentially clearing 50 squibs. Plus less risk of damage on your firearm.

[56FordGuy]

I've had my Lee disk powder measure to the same thing, it's a pain. Also be aware, depending on what powder you're using it can make a huge mess.

Pull the bullets. Clearing a squib is no fun. Besides, why waste a bullet and primers?

[Guest Catdaddy]

I weighed several empty, primed cases with a bullet, and set the scale for the heaviest. I backtracked until I found rounds heavier than the empties. I believe I got'em all.

I WILL be getting a puller to save and reload these rounds.

And rubbing the powder measure down with emery cloth and some graphite.

Thanks, guys.

[musicman]

Get the Lee Pro Auto Disk powder measure. I started with the regular auto disk and trust me, you will be fighting a bingding powder measure forever! Mine was always getting stuck. I coughd up the cash and got the Pro A-D, which has a little elastomer wiper and generally better construction and it hasn't been a problem any more.

Have fun!

[Guest pig832]

I had a squib with my lee too, shooting a 1911, it stopped about half-way down the tube! I am getting a powder cop, if nothing else, it will make me feel a little more secure! I was using Bullseye, dont know if that had anything to do with it.