Thanks for your videos, FortuneCookie! The Auto Drum looks so promising... it's sad the Classic Powder Measure doesn't at LEAST match the Auto Drum. Hats off to you for your testing. It's helping a lot of us out here!

I think that you've given it a fair chance. I wouldn't want it, period! Thank you for all of your work and instruction.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+MCDS Daddy -- If you or other reloaders buy this, even if the powder did not leak - 1 grain spread on PMs is not what we want. For my pistol loading, it's going to be the Auto Drums for sure, with rifle, I'd be trickling up - either with the Hornady Automatic Dispenser, or by using my RCBS Uniflow. If I was doing rifle with stick powders, I'd just use my Hornady Automatic Dispenser. However, there is a chance with testing that the AD is accurate enough for rifle charging - I intend to test for that. But I have found out that this Classic has very little window of use for me. Best to ya, FC

FC, that was a lot of work, thank you for the very conclusive test. I think the Auto-Drum is still the best and you proved it :-) I would rather have a powder measure that would work on a number of different powders.

I have the same measure. I did not get a Nylon cylinder with mine. I use the trickle up method on all my rifle loads and it does a good job. It is what it is.. I am very particular about my rifle loads, accuracy is maintained by a consistent powder load.

I just purchased a lee perfect powder measure for loading my 500 Magnum with H110. Mine leaks like yours does. Mine also pre-drops about .3 grains of powder through the funnel when raising the lever to fill the nylon measuring rod. I'll be testing 2400 and IMR 4227 soon and see how it does.

Large stick powders I always use the Lee dippers and trickle up. Lee powder measure is great for the finer powder.

I don't reload many rifle rounds so I'll be sticking to the Lee Dippers and the Redding trickler.

Thanks for the review. I noticed that your audio quality is much better than those videos posted since the beginning of this year. Got a new camera or microphone? Also,The content delivery is much smoothly and natural compared to earlier videos. It almost feel like you are talking directly to me rather than a group speech. Subscribed! Good job. P.S. I am thinking in getting in casting as well despite that I just started reloaded since November.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+romukom -- Congrats on starting your reloading, and casting can start anytime - even before reloading!! (after, of course, is the norm). And your comments and subscription are much appreciated...Welcome to a seat in the Reloading Car and the Bullet Casting Car on the Hot Lead Zone Express.....Boarding immediately...!! FC

excellent video

I sold my lee powder measure. I just was not happy with it. It leaked and was not that accurate. I have a really old rcbs with a very small glass powder tube that I bought on eBay. I don't know much about it, but it works great. So that's what I am using at this present time. Thanks for all your videos.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Farmer Dude357 -- Sounds like you have the same problems -- Glad to hear your RCBS is doing well for you...that glass powder tube has not been made for many years...what you shared tells us that old equipment in good condition is still very useful... Have a great day, FC

I just bought one recently & cleaned it with Hoppes 9. I started running some small tests using extruded powder only. So far, I am getting some very good results. My error rate is roughly 0.3 grains swings using IMR 4064 and I am targeting 44.7 grains. My swings are between 44.6 and 44.9, just throwing 10 throw sets. 44.9 being the single outlier, but mostly drifted between 44.7 & 44.8. I think you may have gotten a lemon & may require some tuning. As well, I think I got way lucky and got a great unit. I tried tapping on drum area and noticed I get large swings. I notice that if I let the powder sit too long, it starts giving bad results, so I cycle 10 - 20 times, till I see the readings settle, then try again. I do the same when I add more powder.

@FortuneCookie45LC

6 жыл бұрын

Shue Boks - I’m glad you are getting acceptable results. Lee has taken that PM off the market and then came out with an upgrade eliminating the Cast iron measure body, and some other changes. The new measure is called the Deluxe, and the reports have been go. Lee also was able to drop the price to a much more appropriate price point. After my bad one, l’m passing on this one...Best To ya, FC Steve

@shoeboxSD

6 жыл бұрын

I had no idea. No wonder I got the "Classic" PM on sale, they were clearing out the old stock for the new model. Although I still paid more then this new model, that sucks. I hear ya though, sorry it didn't work out for you the 1st time.

Well Cookie, I will say one thing, You have about summed it up. "Did Lee reinvent the wheel" well, yes they did, However they have came up with a measure that works well with stick type powder, And for those of us out here in You Tube land who know the frustration of the "Crunch" with traditional type powder measures this is a plus on the side of Lee. I enjoy your fact finding Missions and problem solving. On a different subject though, I like the Hornady Auto Charge when it comes to measuring stick type powder, I use it in combination with my Dillon 550B's. I just use the funnel adaptor on the charge die when making that type of ammo. .308, 3006, 5.56mm match ammo.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Thorsaxe777 -- Yes, the Hornady Auto Powder Dispenser is a very good machine...That is my go to dispenser for precision rifle loading. And if I were loading a lot of 5.56 for competition, I'd just use my Dillon 550B and the Auto Drum - spot checking every 10th charge for consistency. For my bolt guns, the Hornady for sure... Have a great day to ya, FC

This is the metal version. I have the old plastic one. Should I consider an upgrade? Is it that much better?

It would appear that unless you are intending to load many hundreds of rounds, you would be just as well off in throwing an under charge, then topping up with a trickler, at least you would end up with all charges exactly the same, and without the doubt that your reloads were inconsistent, which is why we reload in the first place! Many thanks for your in depth investigations.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Englishman French -- That Targetmaster system looks intriguing...I had not heard of it, but the concept is certainly sound. Takes a while to run a charge though. The RCBS and Hornady Automatic Powder Dispensers work on the same ideas without the light beam shutoff. Since I have the Hornady APD, that is my go to powder measure for doing precision rifle loading... been working very well. Have a great day, FC

@453421abcdefg12345

8 жыл бұрын

+FortuneCookie45LC : The way to speed the system up with the Targetmaster is to just use a dipper to dump a 2 grns under target load, then use the Targetmaster to top up to a spot on accurate charge every time, it is a very simple way to get a consistently accurate weight every time.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Englishman French -- With that dip (or we could just throw a charge from a powder measure below what we want to wind up with) I can see it's a good system. If I wasn't so happy with my Hornady Auto Dispenser, I'd be getting that Targetmaster unit...The Hornady has the next charge ready for me by the time I've finished seating the bullet on the previous round. I bought the Hornady on sale for $160 and free shipping because of other stuff in the order... Best to ya on the Continent, FC

@453421abcdefg12345

8 жыл бұрын

+FortuneCookie45LC : $160 !!! They are giving these things away over there, in Europe they cost 3 times that, and if we order one from America the customs hit us with a huge % tax bill.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Englishman French -- Good grief, there's an opportunity for travelers you know to purchase reloading gear here and bring it over to shooters in France or where ever. But you have that Targetmaster anyway - Have a great day, FC

Sir if this is the consistency we get from these powder dispensers, would I be wrong to stick with the Lee dippers. I've been wanting to by one of these but..... What's the most accurate one you can recommend..

OMG- How old is that can of Norma 205?

Boy I really like this review. I have the Hornady L-N-L Powder Measure (low end). I'm using it with Trail Boss (TB) and it ranges over 10 loads about .3 of a grain. I'm a new reloader, and have only used TB. How does your Horanday auto charge handle the stick and extruded powers? Thanks for the education.

@FortuneCookie45LC

7 жыл бұрын

L Krueger - Sorry for the late reply, but Google did not post the comment in my inbox - won't see it for months...The Hornady Automatic Powder Dispenser handles the stick powders very well...And if necessary, a soda straw in the powder drop makes it work better with the big stick powders...But the programming functions takes care of that with adjusting the trickle speed and trickle start as well. Good reloadin' to ya, FC

Well I received mine and thought to give it a try anyway (futile attempt) I had the same experience as you, in that the wiper inside was causing friction. I tried IMR4895 and it did ok. 46.4 grain resulted in 46.34 avg and .3 spread from 46.2 - 46.5. Mine drops 10 -15 kernals on the upstroke though. I think that is one contributor to the spread. In the end, it is not worth $71. My $24 performs better.

@rgomez86

8 жыл бұрын

+R Gomez The $24 Lee Perfect performs better

Currently sent the autodrum in for repair & stuck with this for 9mm & 223. Helps to use a baffle & for plinking rounds it's ok😓

@FortuneCookie45LC

5 жыл бұрын

The latest version of this measure called the Deluxe seems to have solved all the problems with the original Classic. Whichever one you have, I'm glad it's working OK for you. Best to ya, FC Steve

Steve, have you tried large flake powders like 800X through this measure? The cheapie little Lee PPM is a pretty good measure for a free standing measure with most powders. I am also impressed with the Dillon measure on my XL650.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+mytmousemalibu -- That Lee PPM is rather amazing, but has been criticized for the materials used...this Classic was supposed to be the Lee PPM all grown up... that's why it is a bit of a disappointment. I haven't tried the flake powders yet in the Classic, should do that. Herco or Unique would also be good for that test. Could just annotate that into this video for brevity sake. The measure is still set up, so I'll just run that now. Always good to hear from mytmousemalibu..!! FC Steve

@mytmousemalibu

8 жыл бұрын

Have a good one!

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+mytmousemalibu -- And Best Regards to ya, Chris --

If you move the handle slower when you throw the powder, the results may be more consistent. Try a third of the speed you moved the handle in the clip. It would be interesting to see if it makes a difference.

@FortuneCookie45LC

6 жыл бұрын

Roger Olsson - That Classic PM was a real loser...Lee pulled it shortly after this video came out and MidwayUSA tried to sell what they had at reduced price - hope shooters didn't fall for that one. Lee got rid of the cast iron, improved the action and renamed it the Deluxe Perfect Powder Measure. Reviews have been good with that one as it seems to have solved all the shortcomings of the Classic..Plus, they lowered the price of the Deluxe to be more in line with Lee products...$90 for that turkey was horrible... I'm not about to give the new Deluxe a try until more time goes by. Best to ya, FC

I think I will stick with my RCBS powder measure. Mine has been pretty accurate and reliable.

@bisonuberti

8 жыл бұрын

+MrThomass281 ... Have you tried the Lee Auto Drum. The performance makes the RCBS look obsolete. The Auto Drum is not pretty accurate... it is extremely accurate, I would sell any of the others for super cheap. I would even trade the others for a new Lee Auto Drum. I will never go back to any other... not after using the Lee Auto Drum. Shoot lots and stay safe.

@MrThomass281

8 жыл бұрын

+bison uberti I haven't tried it. Just watched youtube videos on it. Might have to give it some more thought.

@bisonuberti

8 жыл бұрын

+MrThomass281 .... I have loaded hundreds of 45 Colt and 45 acp and let me say it works amazingly. When I first saw the videos and advertisement for it I had great doubt... now I'm glad I tried it. I could not believe something so inexpensive could work so flawlessly, was I wrong. I'm sure you will like it also. Happy Easter... Shoot lots and stay safe.

@MrThomass281

8 жыл бұрын

+bison uberti thanks you do the same. Happy Easter

hello fc 45lc , i think the conical design drum will not work ,because if its thight it will jam. and with a rcbs (and others )measure s you can tap at the and of the stroke with the drum handle, before the filling and empting of the measuring cavity , because the metal on metal tap wil give a good vibration. and better is it to set the filling up (while getting a empty case ),so the powder has more time to fill the cavity. if you get the lowest en highest throw .and the difference is a grain between them , you must check then how much is it from the disired load .thats the precision of the powdermeasure, yours peter

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+peteralexben -- The conical design can work well - the new Lee Auto Drum has zero leak and smooth accurate throws. The manual crank cast iron / brass Classic is under performing. It was supposed to be what the Lee Perfect Powder Measure was supposed to be...but not getting there. Perhaps I got a lemon.. awaiting other reviews to come out...Midway doesn't have many... Best to ya, FC

I’m going to pass on the measure I have a couple of the Lee perfect measures been looking for something out of cast I will have to keep looking

Awesome testing but I get comparable results from my Perfect Powder Measure using Varget.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Mr. Tolly (AKA: fatmantolly) -- The Lee Perfect Powder Measure is looking better all the time... Best to ya, FC

I use titgroup on my lee classic PM, leaks just as bad. Went back to a RCBS. I do like the removable hopper and the swapping with the auto drum, but the leakage is terrible.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Clint Eastwood -- I don't think Lee is setting the world on fire with these Classic PMs... But the Auto :Drums are doing very well for shooters with only a few complaints... Best to ya, FC

Just for the heck of it, I went to LEE' s sight to see this measure, It wasn't there. Instead there was the "Deluxe Perfect Powder Measure" It looks like this one but has a die cast body. The same brass rotor and micrometer adjustment. The list was $60.00. It also has same features as this one.. I wonder if they thought better of the $70.+ price tag and nixed the CI body.

@FortuneCookie45LC

7 жыл бұрын

crorivpro - The Classic PM was a turkey - it performed horribly and was overpriced. Lee redesigned it with a new name, the Deluxe, with the new material body and hopefully solved all the problems of the Classic...Let's hope so, but I'm not going to get one of the Deluxe models to find out. We'll let other reviewers check that one out...I just checked, so far, only one poster has done any videos on the Deluxe, and he has done two of 'em. My guess is the Deluxe has been out for six months or so. Unfortunately, my videos on the Classic PM that came before the revamped Deluxe were not favorable. The new guy is saying how good the Deluxe is...these PMs were supposed to be manual versions of the fine Lee Auto Drum PM (very good). But the Classic was a big disappointment. The Deluxe may be all that the Classic should have been, but is going to have to overcome the badness of the Classic - so far it hasn't been able to do that....I should break down and get one of the new Deluxe's to test. Best to ya, FC

@crorivpro

7 жыл бұрын

Thank,s for your reply.

FC is this a good powder measure? Im thinking of getting this one.

@FortuneCookie45LC

5 жыл бұрын

Don Cooper - Lee Precision no longer makes the Lee Classic Powder Measure as there were real problems with it. They have redesigned it to defeat all the flaws in the Classic. The new measure has been renamed the Lee Deluxe Powder Measure and the reviews on that one have been positive. The Deluxe is even priced right, not like the bad one. I won't get the new Deluxe as I still have the bad one...makes a good paper weight. Best to ya, FC Steve

@clinteastwood9115

5 жыл бұрын

@@FortuneCookie45LC thank you I'll be checking out the deluxe model

wonder how it does with 700x and 800x?

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Deezildennis -- Those powders have been reported to not meter well - I've avoided using those because of those reports. Good reloadin' to ya... FC

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+240FP -- Wow, that's a lot of variation...you can't use the ADPM with that kind of throw. 700x and 800x has been reported to not meter well. I've found that with my powders, I'm getting a variation of only 1/10 grain - rather spectacular. But for rifle shooting, I'm still going to be using my Hornady Automatic Powder Dispenser...would be good to see what kind of groups I get just using the AD, though vs the HAPD. Best Regards, FC

I'm sure you know that the camera was not in focus, great info non the less.

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+Edad Martin -- That's what happens when you have two cameras, and one of 'em will not auto focus...Looks good on the screen until you edit and then hope that no one notices too much...sorry 'bout that - thanks for your bearing with it... Best to ya, FC

I don't understand how the Lee Auto Drum could be so good with a variety of powders, but this Classic Powder measure be so lame with any powder that's not stick powder. Idk if there's a design flaw with this measure or if Lee intended for it to be charged just below the desired charge weight and trickled up. I'm sure trickling up would be the most accurate way to ensure each load is identical, but to still have a .7 grain difference in charges is substantial. It's nice that the price is reasonable, but I'm sure there is better out there. Too bad because I'm looking for a bench mounted measure and this isn't going to be it.

@FortuneCookie45LC

7 жыл бұрын

Dick Tickles - Lee must have realized the problems with the Lee Classic PM as they have removed it from the catalog and redesigned it - now it is back as the Lee Deluxe Perfect PM. One of the badness of the LCPM was the $90 charge - that has been corrected with the $43 charge. This all happened after my video, but I don't know if it had anything to do with it - the $90 PMs weren't selling (and for good reason - they were turkeys). If the new Deluxe is accurate and does not leak powder (like the Auto Drum), then they will have a fine measure on their hands...but I'm hesitant to give it a try. Best to ya, FC

@DickTickles

7 жыл бұрын

I wish you would try it so as to give many others the heads up if it's a lemon or not. My solution is going to be to buy the Lee Auto Drum. From your videos and many other reviews, it appears to be worth more than what Lee charges us for.

From watching all your vids on this Boat Anchor, I feel it is not reliable compare to other Lee products....I would not buy one....Lee struck out on this....

@FortuneCookie45LC

8 жыл бұрын

+gman77gas -- Thanks for summing it all up in just the way it had to be said...Have a great day, Gary... FC

@gman77gas

8 жыл бұрын

I have been told that "I am brutally honest!" : )

Will not work with H4831 - long stick powders bridge in the drop tube. Shitty design. The cheap lee perfect works better.