Lee perfect powder measure....drum?

[McDirkale]

Had this for many years. Used it to load 30-30 and now 223 as I'm using my 3 hole turret with a decap, a bullet seat and a factory crimp die. Out of holes as far as an on the press powder through die is concerned.

So...loading 223 with CFE223 powder it leaks a little. Well...actually it leaks with all powder I have tried. Not a ton, but I don't like it.

Also, not a fan of the micrometer setting as its not really clear how to even do it.

Perusing the web I ended up on Lee's site and saw this on the perfect powder measure page so I'm going to try it and see if it makes any difference whatsoever. Anybody try this?



Quick Change Drums
One of the nicest features is the ability to use the new Lee standard quick-change drums. These low cost drums can be preset to your favorite charge and swapped out in seconds.

 

[Catfish]

Yep the Auto-drum is an improvement but it's still built like a toy. If you're going to spend some money use it to upgrade: Look at an RCBS Uniflow measure.

 

[McDirkale]

Well...not gonna work. The auto drum "drums" are too wide to fit the perfect powder measure....might be because mine is probably 15 years old or so, dunno.





But....in trying this I did find, what I believe was the leak. Seems there's an o-ring inside the nut that holds the dispense nozzle on and it's VERY hard to seat correctly. I was able to get it seated and put powder through the dispenser several times without a leak at all. I guess the o-ring was in there screwy all these years.



I did not take a picture of the o-ring location because once I got it seated right I sure as heck wasn't taking it apart again for a picture.

If you have one and it leaks, check that connection.

I also have a powder drum but I have yet to warm up to that thing....guess I'm set in my ways.

 

[Etruett]

I never could get the auto drum or the perfect powder measure to stay adjusted for any length of time. On my Classic Turret press that I use for small batches of 2-300, I use the auto disk. Works like a champ except with stick powder. For single loads, go ahead and spend the money for a RCBS Competition. Worth every penny. I have a buddy that has one un used that he might sell. Shoot me a pm if interested

 

[jimmyjames8]

Gave up on my 2 Auto Drums. One quit working altogether and the other leaks badly. Heard good things about the Hornady and RCBS with auto linkage. I went back to the Dillon charge bar type measures on my 550 and 650. I use a FT120 scale and auto trickler for my BR loading. Had a RCBS Chargemaster 1500 for 5 yrs. Sold it and bought a Chargemaster Lite. Still have a Reading BR manual thrower with micrometer stem. Doesnt like stick powder.

 

[PepNYC]

Well...not gonna work. The auto drum "drums" are too wide to fit the perfect powder measure....might be because mine is probably 15 years old or so, dunno.

View attachment 230271

View attachment 230272

But....in trying this I did find, what I believe was the leak. Seems there's an o-ring inside the nut that holds the dispense nozzle on and it's VERY hard to seat correctly. I was able to get it seated and put powder through the dispenser several times without a leak at all. I guess the o-ring was in there screwy all these years.

View attachment 230273

I did not take a picture of the o-ring location because once I got it seated right I sure as heck wasn't taking it apart again for a picture.

If you have one and it leaks, check that connection.

I also have a powder drum but I have yet to warm up to that thing....guess I'm set in my ways.

I was just about to pull the trigger on a set of these based on your first post. Luckily I came back to check before I did. I have the perfect powder measure too. Came with my breech lock kit I got less than a year ago. I doubt age is a factor. The dimensions on mine look the same as yours. Darn it. These would be nice to have.