How many use the lee dippers instead of a scale?

EugeneNine · May 26, 2013

Just getting started and I have the lee hand press with the little dippers. I see there isn't much choice of loads for it, only a few on their chart and then only a few out of those that match the dipper. Can I find more references to use other powders with the dipper or should I just wait and buy a scale?

There isn't much choice of powder available, but I've found some not listed on lee's chart.

rwsmith · May 26, 2013

I use both

EugeneNine said:
Just getting started and I have the lee hand press with the little dippers. I see there isn't much choice of loads for it, only a few on their chart and then only a few out of those that match the dipper. Can I find more references to use other powders with the dipper or should I just wait and buy a scale?

There isn't much choice of powder available, but I've found some not listed on lee's chart.

The chart is not very accurate. I check what the scoop throws with a particular powder on the scale no matter what the chart says. I've got a little Lee balance scale that works great for about $25.

schneiderguy · May 26, 2013

I also use the dippers and check the weight with a scale instead of going by the chart. The chart is usually pretty close, though.

lebomm · May 26, 2013

I'll use the dippers if I'm assembling a service-level load, but not for anything approaching a top-ender. They just don't have the consistency or flexibility of a measure, nor the accuracy of a scale.
Buy a scale. It's the second-most important piece of your reloading gear (after press & dies). A measure will save you some time AFTER you've developed consistent, accurate reloading habits. Hope this helps.

Larry

2152hq · May 26, 2013

++^^
I use them all the time instead of a scale for loading. BUT, I verify first with a scale what the particular scoop is throwing. It can vary (a lot) from what the chart may say depending on the technique you use, the particular lot of powder, how much humidity it's absorbed, ect.
No max loads directly from a scoop.
They are handy though for those that load up small batches of different caliber ammo and don't want or need to set up a powder measure each time.

gatchelguy · May 26, 2013

If I'm just loading 5-10 rounds for testing I use the dipper to dribble powder into the scale pan.

Charlie Foxtrott · May 26, 2013

Iwould never go that way.

Not unless I felt that I was living in a perfect world.

jwk · May 27, 2013

Every reloader needs a scale. While I use dippers I concur that they seldom dip a charge per the slide rule like chart. With practice you can get consistent charge weights however.

For handguns, I look for a "dipper load". I don't always want to change what my Dillon is set up for when I'm only going to load 50 or so rounds.

For rifles, I use the dipper to dip a charge into the scale pan and then bring it up to desired weight with the trickler. Occasionally I work toward a dipper load for a rifle cartridge but only when I am using a ball powder.

Hope it helps.

Jim

Ivan the Butcher · May 27, 2013

I always wanted the most consistent loads possible. So even when I use Lee loaders that you knock to gather with a hammer I use a good powder drop or scale. Been loading since 1979 and started with a Lee Loader in 303 British. I load 130 cartridges in just about every way possible. I made a few dippers for Black Powder, and have used Lee dippers for shot charges on BP shot shells, but never smokeless powder. Ivan

Nframecollector · May 27, 2013

I use the dippers to measure shot for my homemade 45 colt shotshells. The dippers they provide with their dies are a joke. I have a set of 7.62 x 38 Nagant dies and the scoop is marked 3.0 CC. You can't fit that much powder into the case. Spend a few bucks and get a good powder measure and scale!

Cdog · May 27, 2013

Ya'll must see them much differently than I do?

The dipper is an alternative to a powder measure, not scales.

rwsmith · May 27, 2013

Cdog said:
Ya'll must see them much differently than I do?

The dipper is an alternative to a powder measure, not scales.

You know, you're right, but the bottom line is:

1) With a powder measure you need a scale

2) With dippers you need a scale

Mike SC Hunter · May 27, 2013

I have used them for years in addition to my scales. Still use them full time for my .444 & 45/70.

Baldur · May 27, 2013

dippers

Eugene,

I'm fairly new to reloading also. I use Lee dippers a lot, although not like you think.

I strongly agree with other posters here regarding getting a scale.

Currently I'm loading with IMR 4350. It is a very large / course particle powder that doesn't work so great in my RCBS powder drop.

I have a full set of Lee dippers. I also have a beam scale. I use the dipper that gives me close to the load I want. Drop it into the pan of my scale, and then use a trickler to get the right amount.

As others have mentioned, if you are new to the hobby, and don't want to spend a lot get the Lee beam scale.

My 2 cents

gregintenn · May 27, 2013

BUY A SCALE!!!

fredj338 · May 27, 2013

The thing with any fixed chamber measuring device is you are severely limited in your load selection. Sure, you can modifiy your dippers to deliver exact charges off the chart, but then you need more dippers & need to manage them. No thanks, an adjustable powder measure is sooooo much easier, reliable & more accurate.
Even if you use dippers, YOU MUST HAVE a good scale. The Lee guide is flawed, the charge wt you get is always lower than the chart. Your technique may also vary, a scale tells you exactly what the charge wt is. IMO, dippers are a WAG w/o a scale to verify them.

mtgianni · May 27, 2013

When you get your scale, run 25 dipped charges across it to check your accuracy using a dipper. You will thank us.

EugeneNine · May 27, 2013

I'll have to sneak a scale past the wife now

The problem I'm running into is that I can't find any of the powder listed on lee's sheet, dipper or scale. I found some other powders in stock so I went over to Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com and grabbed all for 9mm. However the bullets I managed to find are copper plated round nose. That chart lists plain lead round nose and FMJ but I don't see any plated. Cabelas has IIRC Win231 and IMR 800X. But the fact that my Lee chart doesn't list those as acceptable for plated RN but does for FMJ and RN and Hodgdon's doesn't even list plated I can't use them. I just grabbed the first bullets that became available.

Bkreutz · May 27, 2013

EugeneNine said:
I'll have to sneak a scale past the wife now
The problem I'm running into is that I can't find any of the powder listed on lee's sheet, dipper or scale. I found some other powders in stock so I went over to Cartridge Loads - Hodgdon Reloading Data Center - data.hodgdon.com and grabbed all for 9mm. However the bullets I managed to find are copper plated round nose. That chart lists plain lead round nose and FMJ but I don't see any plated. Cabelas has IIRC Win231 and IMR 800X. But the fact that my Lee chart doesn't list those as acceptable for plated RN but does for FMJ and RN and Hodgdon's doesn't even list plated I can't use them. I just grabbed the first bullets that became available.

Here's some info about reloading plated bullets that you might find helpful Berry's Frequently Asked Questions â?? FAQ's

EugeneNine · May 27, 2013

Thanks, just fond this post http://smith-wessonforum.com/reloading/219349-load-data-9mm-115-fmj.html which pointed me toward the same place.So the Hodgon table gives

115 GR. FMJ Winchester WSF .355" 1.169" 4.9 1060

however finding WSF seems to be the hard part.

How many use the lee dippers instead of a scale?

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