Lee Powder Measure

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Muir

Well-Known Member
I had been hearing decent reports on this somewhat obscure measure so when Midway put it on sale I ordered it with a set of interchangeable drums that allow you to leave them pre-set for a given powder and charge. A few of the reviews had it delivering +/- 1/10th with coarser powders. I sincerely doubt if it will surpass my Neil Jones Precision for accuracy but I thought I'd give it a test, at least. The quick change drums appealed.

Should be here on Wednesday. ~Muir

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Is this a variation of the Perfect Powder Measure or a completely new version?
I ask simply because I find the PPM to be totally adequate for my level of reloading and have no complaints about its operation or accuracy. If it is different in design, how and why when the PPM is, according to Richard Lee, the pinnacle of design?
 
JohnT said:
Is this a variation of the Perfect Powder Measure or a completely new version?
I ask simply because I find the PPM to be totally adequate for my level of reloading and have no complaints about its operation or accuracy. If it is different in design, how and why when the PPM is, according to Richard Lee, the pinnacle of design?
Click to expand...
Just by looking at it you can tell it has some design changes. Made of cast iron and brass with an anodized aluminum drum. Click adjustments corresponding to roughly 1/10th grain. The draw, as I said, is the quick change drums -which the PPM does not have. I see the PPM has been redesigned as well to the "Deluxe" but instead of me filling you in, try the Lee web site.~Muir
 
AN DU RU FOX said:
;)
Click to expand...
Interesting, but sadly one sided in that no coarse(r) rifle powders were used. Accurate #9 is known for leaking out of measures. My bonanza and my Redding also leak #9 accurate, as does my Lee PPM. For that reason I use other units with this powder. (It's like dust) How a measure performs with two kinds of pistol powder is not very informative. I'll let you know how I fare with it.~Muir
 
Yes I would be interested to know how you fare. I have a ppm that I have not used yet and will be loading some .223 and .308 with hogdon 4895 I'm interested to see how it will perform.
 
Thanks for that.

Fine pistol powders are no longer likely to be a problem for us, if the leakage issue is restricted to those powders there will be no problems that I can forsee. Given the restricted level of my reloading these days that is not saying much.
From what I see in the vid the major departure is the metal (brass?) drum for metering. Given the major selling point of the PPM was the elastomer wiper that was acclaimed as the holy grail of solutions to the leakage and consistency of powder charges that is a major change. I would be interested in the logic driving the change.

It is all academic to me anyway. As I said, the PPM and my trusty Redding beam balance are more than sufficient for my needs these days.
 
I use two of the original ones set for two loads and then check every 10th or so throw on scales, very rarely is there an issue
charge straight into the primed case

works a charm
 
Thanks for the link, Muir, it makes very interesting reading even though I no longer have a need for that capacity. If only they had developed that twenty years ago it would have made reloading so much easier! It's clear how you would view that as a positive benefit to your reloading, it has the potential to make life so much easier in swapping calibers on a regular basis with guaranteed reliability.
 
I have used a Lee Perfect to load thousands of rounds...and yes, I have nicer better options (RCBS). I can sum up the Lee perfect very simply: cheap, cheaply made, leaky, not particularly durable, and shockingly accurate.

They do wear out over time and need occasional adjustment of the main tension screw and leak more than "nicer" alternatives, but in my (and many others') experience, was very accurate across a range of powder types. With a few caveats (overall build quality, longevity, leaky) a perfectly good option for somebody on a budget, wanting to limit their initial investment, or likely to do low volume loading, or having multiple set to preset charges.

The Lee Pro Auto Disc is actually a really mice measure, but more oriented toward pistol volume cartridges.
 
I have used the Old Lee PPM with stick and ball powders (mostly rifle cartridges):
- stick powders: worked well, consistent charges, little-no leaking
- Ball powders: extremely consistent, some leaking, especially with fine powders


AN DU RU FOX said:
I wished he had used a few different powders,i didn,t realize he was going to stick with the fine stuff,;)
Click to expand...
 
I have a Redding BR-30 Precision Match measure that I use for metering Accurate #7 because the metering chamber is so badly designed that this fine powder is all that will fill it reliably. A $270 measure that is only good for (so far) this one powder. I am comforted though: Redding says I'm just using it "incorrectly". :oops: ~Muir :roll:
 
I've been out of State for a week so I just got this Lee Measure today. Other than a disconcerting looseness of the powder hopper in the iron frame (which does nothing other than bug me) it seems to work fine in the limited test I gave it. Lil Gun metered exactly to required level for 30 weighed charges. IMR 4895 was within .1 either way when it was off at all. I decided to quit messing with it and unpack so tests with coarser powders like 4350 will have to wait til another day. I'll be curious to see how the removable drums function.~Muir
 
I am keeping an eye on this topic. The price is even attractive over here. I am loading for several calibres so the changeable drum would be the selling point for me.
 
Backstraps said:
I have used the Old Lee PPM with stick and ball powders (mostly rifle cartridges):
- stick powders: worked well, consistent charges, little-no leaking
- Ball powders: extremely consistent, some leaking, especially with fine powders
Click to expand...

The leaking can be cured by dismantling and lapping the friction cone between body and drum with valve grinding compound. It takes minutes to do and then the PPM works smoothly and leak free.
It seems the PPM like quite a lot of Lee kit needs a little tweaking to get the best out of it.
 
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