Lee turret press / 9mm load questions

[JackRR]

I have a Lee turret press and a 4 die carbide set to load my Glock 17 9mm. I have been using HP-38, my own brass mixed headstamps, Rem SP primers, and Berry's 115g plated bullets. I started off using the Lee dippers and "teeter-totter" scale to measure the powder charge. Accurate but SLOW. Bought a RCBS 750 digital scale and it made a huge difference in speed. Got their powder tickler(SP) to use with the dipper spoons. After dozens of measures I can get pretty accurate with the dipper by eyeballing the level in the dipper. Been doing this for a couple of months.

Next phase I wanted to load practice ammo consistant charge but faster. I bought the Lee Powder Measure that sits on top of the charging/expanding die. After learning how to use it, I can crank to rounds out really fast now.

Here's the problems/questions.

1. Is HP-38 the same as 231 or W231 Winchester?
2. Using the charging disks that come with the powder charger allows me to throw 4.6 or 5.0 grains of HP-38.
The Hodgen site and Lee say to use 4.7min to 5.1 max. I bought a Sierra manual and it doesnt list HP-38 but does list w231. Assuming they are the same, the manual list a range of 3.8 to 5.3. After checking some other sources I loaded some rounds with 4.6 and they tested good at the range (actually really good accuracy wise). Question: Is 4.6 grains OK? The Powder measure is very accurate after you "milk" it a few times. Using 5.0 grains is too close the max that Berry's recommends on the plated bullets. (1200fps).
3. I have Clays powder also, and got Unique on order. Maybe these meter better?
4. I bought a Lee adjustable charging bar to get in between the disc measurements. I tried to adjust it for 4.7g and after I got it to throw 4.7 more often than not. Big problem was on the "not" it would throw 2.1, 2.9, 6.5, 6.6!!!. I understand that this device is not recommended for load under 4cc. My dipper is 5cc so it should work.

Sorry for rambling here, but I am looking for a way of loading 50-100 rounds at a time at in-between amounts. I also reload 40S&W and 380ACP which make the above problems worse. The charging bar seemed like the solution but I am doing something wrong, I think I will try again this weekend. Maybe the powder was sticking together (humid today) or I wasnt pulling the handle all the way??

[longtooth]

I will answer the ones I can then let another get the rest.
1. 231 & W231 are the same. HP-38 is not the same powder. I have never used it but could be alike enough that the minimum/max loads are very close.

2. 4.6 of 231 & 115 gr plated is definately OK. I personally consider it a little light. 5 is right at the top of what I would load but I would not be afraid of it in any modern quality gun. Especially one rated +P.

3. Have never used Clays but it has a good reputation. Unique is a good versatile powder. I like it. Some dont. It meters REAL good in my Redding 55.

4. No answer. Someone else pick that one up.

[ske1eter]

As far as I know, when looking in the manuals WW231 and HP-38 use the same charge weights. They may not be the same powder but the charges weights are the same. Check the manufacturer's page at http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and work your way to the 9mm loads where it lists HP-38 and WW231 right next to each other. Obviously, if you change to WW231 you may have to reset your powder measure as WW231 could be more or less dense than HP-38 and since the disk measure throws charges by volume, not weight, you need to confirm your weights.

I use HP-38, though I forget the exact charge but it is less than maximum, with a cast lead 115 gr. bullet. My Lee Loadmaster press has the powder measure that uses the disk. It works without any problem for me with HP-38.

[MoJo]

Hodgdon claims that HP38 and 231 are the same powder since they make both I have little reason to doubt their word. In their online reloading data center the two powders have identical charge weights and velocities listed. Clays is an excellent powder but in 9mm the published data is all low velocity and none of the loads would make IDPA power factor in my guns. The adjustable charge bar needs to be pulled back into the powder measure all the way to function properly. I have one and it is very reliable as long as it goes all the way back into battery.

Unique is an excellent all purpose powder you get some of the highest velocities in 9mm with it. Another great powder for 9mm is Titegroup and you can't go wrong with Power Pistol. I stay away from Blue Dot after reading about guns being damaged and seeing a gun that was blown up by it. Alliant has warnings about using Blue Dot in certain calibers but, there is nothing Blue Dot will do you can't do with some other powder.

[longtooth]

Hodgdon claims that HP38 and 231 are the same powder since they make both I have little reason to doubt their word. In their online reloading data center the two powders have identical charge weights and velocities listed. .

That is good to know & I will make note of it. I need to start using the online resourses. Means the old man has to learn something new.
Thanks

[MoJo]

Hodgdon claims that HP38 and 231 are the same powder since they make both I have little reason to doubt their word. In their online reloading data center the two powders have identical charge weights and velocities listed. .

That is good to know & I will make note of it. I need to start using the online resourses. Means the old man has to learn something new.
Thanks

Unless you were born on or before 7/10/1946 you aren't old. Old officially starts at 7/10/1946 the day before I was born. I am not old just vintage thank you.

[MoJo]

Use the powder manufacturers online data. Its 1. FREE 2. up to date 3. did I mention free? Hodgdon publishes data for themselves, Winchester and IMR powders. Alliant has data for their powders, and Accurate and Ramshot are the same mother company. It sure frees up space on the loading bench.

[JackRR]

I use the Hogden site for charge amounts, along with my reloading book, and other online sources. I use about 6 different sources (4 free). I count the Sierra manual and the Lee powder charge list that come with each die set as being paid for.

Thanks for all you guys input on my questions.

Now for the Lee adjustable charge bar.....

The adjustable charge bar needs to be pulled back into the powder measure all the way to function properly. I have one and it is very reliable as long as it goes all the way back into battery.

Yesterday I was pretty disappointed with the ACB. I decided that I was doing something wrong and tried it again. I tried several things yesterday, with a disc, with the smallest disc,and finally by itself. Was I pulling the arm all the way? Lee says 4cc and under can be a problem on some/most powders. 4.3cc = 4.6g of HP-38. awful close!
Today I try again....set it up per directions.. Paid close attention to the stroke of the ram..got 5.0 tried 10 more pulls and got mostly 5.0 some 4.9 some 5.1 but no way out of wack throw.
screwed around with the adjuster screw and finally got 4.7. Basically it will throw 4.7 90% of the time. The other 10% was 4.6 or 4.8.
Happy now that I can mass produce a tailored load

[longtooth]

[Jeremae]

I use the Lee Turret press and the AutoDisk Pro powder measure.

My 9mm load is the 115gr plated bullet (berry's) over 4.9gr of win 231 (I'll have to check which cavity in the disk when I get home). I have found the AutoDisk Pro powder measure to be very consistant using Win 231 as long as I keep it more than half full of powder and start out by throwing the first 10 loads back into the hopper whenever I start a new loading session.

This load makes IDPA power factor and feels very similar to WWB when fired.

[MoJo]

Paid close attention to the stroke of the ram..got 5.0 tried 10 more pulls and got mostly 5.0 some 4.9 some 5.1 but no way out of wack throw.
screwed around with the adjuster screw and finally got 4.7. Basically it will throw 4.7 90% of the time. The other 10% was 4.6 or 4.8.
Happy now that I can mass produce a tailored load

Anytime I'm loading for maximum velocity or ultra accuracy I throw my charges light and trickle each one to the desired weight. Ball powders meter very close but, a max load that is .1 or .2 grain too much may be the straw that blows the gun up!

[philbo]

I use the Lee Turret press and the AutoDisk Pro powder measure.

My 9mm load is the 115gr plated bullet (berry's) over 4.9gr of win 231 (I'll have to check which cavity in the disk when I get home). I have found the AutoDisk Pro powder measure to be very consistant using Win 231 as long as I keep it more than half full of powder and start out by throwing the first 10 loads back into the hopper whenever I start a new loading session.

My experience with the Lee powder measure mirrors this.

For the OP and in general:

Per Hodgdon, and anyone can confirm, but the following are the same powders:

HP38 & W231 are the same.
H110 & W296 are the same.
HS6 & W540 are the same.
HS7 & W571 were the same, but both have been discontinued.