Is The Lee Perfect Powder Measure Accurate?

[metweezer]

Just how accurate is the Lee Perfect Powder Measure? Is it worth purchasing?

[Tinglebeezy]

it is kind of hard to set up. the micrometer is cheap plastic and take getting use to. once its set up it measures consistantly +or-.1 or better. I only loaded about 200 rounds with it so i dont how long it will last. so far for the price its worth it.

[kbstenberg]

You get what you pay for. In my limited exp. Yes when it is set it will through consistent powder charges, with most types of powder.
I had trouble with smaller flaked powder an ball powder. The small granules get lost in the barrel of the dispenser.

[Sonnypie]

It sez "perfect" in the name.
They wouldn't lie, would they?



I wouldn't have a clue. But I do have two powder measures I really like and they seem to hold right on.
One is a very old Redding, the other an RCBS.
I randomly check with a scale and most usually I get absolute bulls-eyes on the beam. (Checking is prudent and necessary for accuracy and safety.)
I require very accurate powder charges of my equipment, but very rarely do I have to use my powder trickler.
Do note that some powders are NOT powder measure "friendly". They can be a PITA.
But for me, for what I use, I do like using a powder measure.

[fryboy]

umm i bought a spare so i think it's worthy , the main thing with any measure for repeatable results is repeatable actions - always operate it the same and that makes all powder measures fairly close ( unless you're measuring long long sticks or super fat flakes )

[462]

I started with a Lee, but it leaks like a sieve with all powder types other than stick, but is excellent when it comes to metering stick powders. I have a Lyman 55 which doesn't leak, but stick powders don't meter as easily as the Lee. So, I use the Lee for stick powders and the Lyman for all others. Of the two, I prefer the Lyman.

I think Lee, RCBS, Lyman, Hornady, and Redding all advertize that their measures are accurate to +/- .1 grains.

[williamwaco]

Here are some actual test results with the Hornady powder measure.

http://www.reloadingtips.com/reviews...er-measure.htm


Good measures are quite accurate if you use the correct metering drum. Most of them will do +/- .1 grain if you are careful and consistent AND if you use a ball type powder.

NONE that I have ever used will do that good with extruded powder.

[shotman]

there is no better than the Lyman 55 there is trick to make it work SMOOTH and it will with any powder But by far the best, I have 6 and and looking at 2 more on feebay

[13Echo]

I have a Redding, an MVA version of the Belding and Mull, and a Lee Perfect. The Lee does about as well as the others, but I had to lap the rotating parts with a bit of valve grinding compound and finish with borepaste to get a good, leak-proof fit. Now it doesn't leak even the fine ball powders, and it is more pleasant to use with large stick powders than the Redding. It also looks cheap, feels cheap, and is inexpensive (cheap). Still I like it, I particularly like the cutoff for the hopper which lets me remove it to pour powder back into its can. For a starter measure you could spend a heck of a lot more and not be any more functional.

Jerry Liles

[Ben]

13Echo

For a starter measure you could spend a heck of a lot more and not be any more functional.

That's an interesting statement ......as I believe that statement can also be applied to the remainder of the Lee product line also. The concept of being functional and priced reasonable is pretty much what has kept Lee Precision in business since 1958.

If you do get a bad product , they have always stood behind their products with good warranty / repair service.

Ben

[Iowa Fox]

there is no better than the Lyman 55 there is trick to make it work SMOOTH and it will with any powder But by far the best, I have 6 and and looking at 2 more on feebay

Can you share the secret?

[metweezer]

OK 462,
What is a stick powder?
Thanks

[Ben]

I'm not 462, but I feel certain this is what he is talking about :

http://www.biggamehunt.net/graphics/...ell_8208-3.jpg

Ball powder is much finer and has a completely different appearance and behavior when metering
through a powder measure.

[462]

Thanks, Ben.

Some examples of popular stick powders: The 4895's and 4350's, and 5744.

[Le Loup Solitaire]

If what you are using for a powder measure is working well for you then by all means continue to use it. If it "walks" or leaks then you have to decide if you want to have the problems on an ongoing basis and play with them or get something better. The metering of powder is a critical step in terms of safety and accuracy, so you have to make a solid call on what you do with that step. There is no such thing as a "perfect" measure although some come (pretty) close in terms of consistency and reliability. All should be checked against a reliable scale that is itself checked. The measure has to contend with variances in humidity, density, variances in lot and flow so you have to watch what is going on. Static electricity is also a problem although ti can be reduced or eliminated by wiping with a sheet of laundry anti cling product that is usually put in the dryer. Baffles also help. All the major reloading brands produce decent measures, but a couple are kind of pricey. Keep the measure(s) clean when not in use, don't leave powder in it/them when you are not loading, and keep it/them lubricated with some powdered graphite..(never oil or any petroleum based product). LLS

[jcwit]

I have a couple of Lee's, a Lyman 55, and a Hornady Bench Rest Lock & Load powder measures.

The Lee's once broken in are as accurate as any of the others if not more so. Some claim they are made of cheap plastic, well no more cheap than the mouse or computer you're using, or the large screen TV your famile watches, or any of the 1,000 of other items you use in your daily life.

Next time you go to your Dr's office, check out the cheap plastic machine he uses to check you over for cancer.

[Sonnypie]

Glad you fixed that 462. I was biting my tongue.

[Frozone]

The Perfect does an excellent job for you. I just pick up a 'second' from LEE for $15.
As it comes from the factory it has a flaw. The plastic parts the make up the drum don't fit well.

As the molded plastic cools it warps and forms depressions in the mating surfaces. This will let finer grain powders get in between the to rotating parts and cause it to bind. Loosen it up enough that it doesn't bind and it will leak.

The fix is to lap the to pieces together until you remove the low spots. I use valve grinding compound for the big work then finish with 300 grit.
Once you do this AND run a pound or so of powder though it. It will be about the best powder measure you could ask for.
Instead of running a pound of powder through it you can use graphite to the same effect.

[kbstenberg]

Frozone once again you have come to my aid. Last time he helped me setting up my PID.
Thank you for describing how to plug the leaks in my Lee power sifter. I will be fixing mine tonight.
Kevin

[Bret4207]

there is no better than the Lyman 55 there is trick to make it work SMOOTH and it will with any powder But by far the best, I have 6 and and looking at 2 more on feebay

Aw man, see I HATE the 55. It was my first measure and I have little good to say about it. I finally got it to drop an exact charge of Red Dot and I leave it there and never touch it.

The Redding BR, RCBS Uniflow, the old Bonanza and most other measures are far, far easier to work with than the 55 IME. To each their own.