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Calibrate Your Powder

It would be difcult to measure the volume o one grain o powder and not very precisely.However, it is very easy to weigh a large sample o known volume and calculatethe volume o a single grain.

To fnd the exact volume o a single grain o your powder, set your powdermeasure to any setting, preerably a large whole number such as 4.00 or 5.00.

Weigh a sample. Divide the micrometer setting by this weight to fnd volume o asingle grain o the powder you’re testing. Mark this number on the powder containerand you’ll have it or reerence in the uture. Average o several samples increasesaccuracy and confdence.

Micrometer setting 

Grains weight of sample = setting for one grain (cc) (VMD)

In a perect world you would never again have to weigh a charge or this container o pow-der. However, i anything can go wrong it will at the worst possible time. For this reason,we strongly urge you to check your charge with a scale every time you reset your measure.

Grain, Granules and Cubic Centimeters

The grain, as used to measure gunpowder, should not be conusedwith a granule or kernel o powder.

A grain was so named because it was the weight measure equal to one plumpgrain o wheat. A grain is a grain is a grain whether using avoirdupois, troy orapothecaries weight. The reloader uses the avoirdupois system where thereare 7,000 grains or 16 ounces to one pound. The same system we use dailyin the USA to buy and sell gunpowder, steak, potatoes, etc.

A centimeter is .3937 of an inch.There are over 16 cubic centimeters to one cubic inch.

A liter is 1000 cubic centimeters and will hold 1 kilo o water.A cubic centimeter o water weighs one gram or 15.432 grains.

grams x 15.432 = grains

grains / 15.432 = grams

Lee Safety Powder ScaleMagnetically damped and Approach-to-weight

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United States Bureau of Standards.

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Volume Measure Density (VMD) Volume of 1 Grain of Powder

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LEE PRECISION, INC.4275 Hwy. U · Hartford WI 53027

www.leeprecision.com

These numbers are approximate. To fnd out the exact volume o any powder see CALIBRATING YOUR POWDER. It is so very easy to do and saves a great deal o time when setting your measure.

This is a term we use to describe the average volume o one grain o a specifc powder when metered by theaverage reloader.

The chart below is that part o a cubic centimeter that is needed to hold one grain o the powder specifed.Cubic centimeter was selected as a standard not only because that is what the powder companies use, but acubic inch is a comparatively large unit. To obtain the same degree o accuracy, it would be necessary to carrythe number out two extra places.

To fnd the volume needed or any charge, simply multiply the charge in grains by the number behind thepowder you are using. It is then easy to set your measure to that number.

#10 x ¾” screwsFA3010

Drop TuAP1645

‘O’ RingAP1703

8-32 x W” sFL1901

Nut AP164

Rotorwith meteringchamber assembly

AP1649

PRINTED IN THE USA

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Important! You must do thIs before use

I using the measure or the frst time, you must process at leastone hopper ull o powder through the measure to coat the nylonparts with graphite rom the powder. This conditioning is impor-tant so static electricity will be bled o. Otherwise, you’ll fnd themeasure continues to dispense charges progressively heavier. Thisneed only be done once.

The lever should be turned at a uniorm, slow to moderatespeed to a ull stop in both directions. I using a large charge youmust pause in both directions to permit the metering tube to flland empty. You will be able to see the powder move in the hopperwhile the tube is flling.

 Adjusting The Micrometer

Loosen the thimble so the metering rod can be turned reely to any setting you desire.Snug up the thimble ater setting and the “O” ring within will hold the setting with no earo it moving when in use.

Reading The Micrometer

The metering bar is calibrated in cubic centimeters. Don’t worry i you hate themetric system, this is simply a volume measurement that is convenient to work with.I you preer, think o them as cubic powder units.

On the metering rod you’ll be able to see one through a little over seven andone hal. I you have been loading with Lee Dippers you can easily set the powdermeasure to your avorite load by setting to the dipper number.

It requires 10 ull turns to move one cc., thereore one turn is A/aj (.1) cc.

The micrometer thimble has 10 graduations. Each is 1/10 o a turn

so it is A/ajj (.01) cc. You can see that a very precise adjustment is standard.A typical powder such as 4895 needs more than one ull line to change the

charge by A/aj (.1) grain.

Setting The Micrometer

Multiply the charge in grains by the volume o 1 grain (see chart on rear) o the powder youare using. The answer is in cubic centimeters and this is the setting or your measure.

Example: Desired charge is 43 grains o IMR3031.

Check the chart to fnd the volume o 1 grain is .0762.

Then .0762 x 43 grains = 3.28 (rounded o) cubic centimeters.

• Turn the thimble to the number3 on the metering rod or the whole number to the let othe decimal point. The #3 indicator line must be visible when the thimble is at zero.

• Turn two extra turns or the frstnumber to the right o the point.

• Turn 8 marks on the thimble orthe second number to the righto the point.

Now weigh your charge andyou’ll be very close to the correctcharge. Chances are that it is notexact because the volume o onegrain is not precisely the same oryour particular batch o powder asthat which we tested. This is be-cause the powder manuacturercan’t make every batch exactly thesame.

You have purchased the best powder measure made.Don’t let the bargain price ool you. There has never

been a powder measure made with as many eatures

as the Lee Perfect Powder Measure. It is built to give

you a lietime o unmatched accuracy. Unlike other

powder measures, you can use any type o powder. Most

powders will be dispensed in such uniorm charges that

you will think your scale is stuck. Extruded powders,

such as most IMR powders, work just fne. They do not

meter quite as well but you can expect charges more

uniorm than possible with any other measure. This is

possible because o the elastomer wiper which levels

the metering chamber without cutting the powder.

The charge is more uniorm and the measure operates

much smoother.

The housing, rotor and adapter are all made rom

nylon. The metering tube is aluminum. These materi-

als are non sparking, low riction and light weight so

the measure is easily case operated with the optional

charging die.

Mounting Your Powder Measure

For bench mounting, attach the powdermeasure to the stand with the screwssupplied. Attach the base to your bench orsuitable base or portable use. Use anample size base. You may also“C” clamp the stand to your bench.

The hopper has a valve whichcan be closed by turning the hopperclockwise. Fill the hopper withwhichever powder you will be using.

Rotor Tensio

When the measu

ing screw is set

to operate the le

most powders. E

very slightly at th

Should you fnd

the adjusting sc

never be so tight

required to rotat

Universal Po

This die permits

charging operati

It will work with

It will also work

and longer. It wil

mouth so the reg

still be used.

Because o

to operate the ro

not work with th

Expanding dies t

pistol dies. The L

Measure should

Ammunition reloading can be dangerous if

done improperly and should not be attempt-

ed by persons not willing and able to read

and follow instructions exactly. Children

should not be permitted to reload ammuni-

tion without strict parental supervision.

Always wear safety glasses when reload-

ing and shooting. Ammunition loaded with

these tools and data should only be used in

modern guns in good condition. We do not

accept responsibility for ammunition loaded

with these tools or data as we have no con-

trol over the manufacture and storage of

components or the loading procedure and

techniques. Primers and gun powders, like

gasoline and matches, can be dangerous if

improperly handled or misused.

CAUTION

Metering RodThimbleMetering Chamber

NUMBERON THIMBLE

NUMBERONMETERING ROD NUMBEROF

TURNSPASTNUMBERONMETERING ROD

3.28