Has anyone used these for loading .38 spl ? I use 4.5 gr of Unique and wondered if the dipper would work in an emergency situation. What number would I use. I am locked in with Unique, as I loaded up with a good supply when your president got in office. Thank you.
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Lee yellow powder dippers
- Thread starter Igiveup
- Start date
novalty
Well-known member
According to my handy-dandy Lee Dipper Chart, you can get 4.6gr. of Unique with Lee Measure number 0.50. Why I have a Lee Dipper Chart is the real mystery.
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ageingstudent
Well-known member
You can it's just that the chart like novalty has above is ballpark. I don't often use them but when I do I usually weigh the charges. The dippers are very dependant on technique and how consistently you can dip your charge every time. Some guys are really good at it. I have the best luck shoving the dipper deep into the powder once and only once and pulling out a heaped dipper, then striking it off with a straight edge like a debit card. Same way every time don't tap it to settle. Best I can do is usually .3 +/- but I know a couple guys who can do better. You likely won't use the exact same dipper the chart suggests after weighing. Keep the trickler handy
robertrwalsh
SWCA Member
Lee dippers work just fine. Not real fast, but they do the job and are reasonable accurate.
dannyabear
Well-known member
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There is also a list of them in the back of the Lee Modern Reloading manual
While not quite as accurate as charging by weight, these dippers are very convenient (I use 'em myself), and the variation you're likely to get around 4.6 gr. Unique is inconsequential. Just right for loadin' up a quick bunch of blastin' ammo.
You may want to use another method for your competition or HV loads.
Larry
You may want to use another method for your competition or HV loads.
Larry
Thanks, guys.
Wee Hooker
Well-known member
I use the dippers along with a digital scale during load development. The dippers work fine for many things but I would caution:
1) Don't use dippers if you are near max loads for a given recipe. Try to pick ( or modify a dipper) to a mid load range. That way, if you get variance from scoop to scoop, or even powder batch to powder batch, you have a safety factor built in.
2) Dippers are an acceptable substitute for a powder measure in some instances but not a substitute for a scale. Using a lee chart blindly is a recipe for trouble. My experience shows that they are often off by a factor or 10% or more. Weigh often to assure you are dipping what you think you are dipping.
hth
1) Don't use dippers if you are near max loads for a given recipe. Try to pick ( or modify a dipper) to a mid load range. That way, if you get variance from scoop to scoop, or even powder batch to powder batch, you have a safety factor built in.
2) Dippers are an acceptable substitute for a powder measure in some instances but not a substitute for a scale. Using a lee chart blindly is a recipe for trouble. My experience shows that they are often off by a factor or 10% or more. Weigh often to assure you are dipping what you think you are dipping.
hth
Here is a the chart.
Warning, The chart does not mean that is what it weighs. Each lot of powder has different density. You Unique will be different than mine. Also varies with temp, humidity etc. Some powders are pretty close some are WAY off from the chart.
Dip the dipper in a bowl of powder, don't bang or tap it, level it off with a straight edge like a card, Do it the same every time. Weigh the charge. Use a different size if needed.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Dippers.pdf
Warning, The chart does not mean that is what it weighs. Each lot of powder has different density. You Unique will be different than mine. Also varies with temp, humidity etc. Some powders are pretty close some are WAY off from the chart.
Dip the dipper in a bowl of powder, don't bang or tap it, level it off with a straight edge like a card, Do it the same every time. Weigh the charge. Use a different size if needed.
http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Dippers.pdf
gwpercle
Well-known member
Using the dippers are great on powders that don't flow through powder measures well. These can be dipped quite easily and are surprisingly accurate . I also like the fact I get to see the powder go into the case, less chance of a no charge load.
Check your dipped charge with a scale, just to verify the dipper, weights can be adjusted by placing thin disc's of cardboard or foam into the bottom of a dipper to make it dip a lighter charge.
You can also make dippers from old fired cases and a length heavy copper wire for a handle. I've even glued popsicle sticks to the bottom of cases for handles. Keep trimming the case until it throws the desired weight. That's how I made my first dippers when I couldn't afford a powder measure.
The Lees are nicer but work just as well as home made.
I just went and checked, with Unique, that 0.50 yellow dipper measures 4.6 grains on the nose, at least with my dipping technique and verified on an RCBS 5-0-5 scale.
Should be just the ticket !
Gary
Check your dipped charge with a scale, just to verify the dipper, weights can be adjusted by placing thin disc's of cardboard or foam into the bottom of a dipper to make it dip a lighter charge.
You can also make dippers from old fired cases and a length heavy copper wire for a handle. I've even glued popsicle sticks to the bottom of cases for handles. Keep trimming the case until it throws the desired weight. That's how I made my first dippers when I couldn't afford a powder measure.
The Lees are nicer but work just as well as home made.
I just went and checked, with Unique, that 0.50 yellow dipper measures 4.6 grains on the nose, at least with my dipping technique and verified on an RCBS 5-0-5 scale.
Should be just the ticket !
Gary
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I have Lee dippers plus....
I have a set of dippers plus a few that I got in old "Lee Handloader kits' that are different from what's in the set. The red scoop marked .020 from my .38 reloading kit drops 2.7 grain of BE. Come in right handy. Other than that, they need to make a set with much smaller increments because usually I get a jump of a grain or more from going from one scoop to the next. If I have one that's close, but no cigar, I'll throw it right onto my scale and trickle up. I've gotten pretty good at dropping enough just to make the scale marker 'float' and a few trickles move it straight to the set load. This is handy for close to max loads that you want to weigh closely anyway.
I have a set of dippers plus a few that I got in old "Lee Handloader kits' that are different from what's in the set. The red scoop marked .020 from my .38 reloading kit drops 2.7 grain of BE. Come in right handy. Other than that, they need to make a set with much smaller increments because usually I get a jump of a grain or more from going from one scoop to the next. If I have one that's close, but no cigar, I'll throw it right onto my scale and trickle up. I've gotten pretty good at dropping enough just to make the scale marker 'float' and a few trickles move it straight to the set load. This is handy for close to max loads that you want to weigh closely anyway.
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I like to use the dippers.... to transfer powder to my scale pan!
They are approximate only and you will fill the dipper a different amount each time... I have tried to get uniform results- tapping, shaking carding the top, etc - IMO the only way to use them is with a scale.
They are approximate only and you will fill the dipper a different amount each time... I have tried to get uniform results- tapping, shaking carding the top, etc - IMO the only way to use them is with a scale.
rsrocket1
Well-known member
I used the 0.5cc dipper to load 45ACP when I first started loading. The chart tends to drop light (of course for safety reasons) and was dropping closer to 4.0g Unique. The rounds were smokey, left the cases black with soot and blew gasses back at my face. I didn't care because they worked!
You really need a scale to test your charges. 4.0g Unique will be a very safe load in a 38 special so you won't be in any trouble using that dipper. I personally like 5.0g Unique under a 158g RF bullet but it is pretty stout and I shoot it in a .357 magnum gun.
If you want a custom dipper, take a spent case (9mm would be good for 0.45g), and cut the case down so that it dips exactly 4.5g, then solder on a piece of stiff wire or brass rod and you have a perfect dipper for that powder.
You really need a scale to test your charges. 4.0g Unique will be a very safe load in a 38 special so you won't be in any trouble using that dipper. I personally like 5.0g Unique under a 158g RF bullet but it is pretty stout and I shoot it in a .357 magnum gun.
If you want a custom dipper, take a spent case (9mm would be good for 0.45g), and cut the case down so that it dips exactly 4.5g, then solder on a piece of stiff wire or brass rod and you have a perfect dipper for that powder.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I use the dippers to load my very accurate 308 match rounds. The dipper I use is a tad below the charge. I use the trickier to make 5,000rds exactly the same. I'm very fussy when it comes to quality and accuracy.
Lee dippers are ok..........
but they due have a large dia. which can +/- the grains loaded.
Before I had a powder measure, I took a 22 LR and a 22 magnum case and braised a wire at the base for a small dia. dipper that was quite accurate for my 38 target loads.
I have been known to scoop powder out of a small glass bowl with a 1/4 tsp. measurer and trickle the powder in my scale for just a few loads.
What ever works, is just dandy.
but they due have a large dia. which can +/- the grains loaded.
Before I had a powder measure, I took a 22 LR and a 22 magnum case and braised a wire at the base for a small dia. dipper that was quite accurate for my 38 target loads.
I have been known to scoop powder out of a small glass bowl with a 1/4 tsp. measurer and trickle the powder in my scale for just a few loads.
What ever works, is just dandy.
medic15al
Well-known member
I use my Lee dippers in 2.2 cc and 2.5cc for 35 and 40 grains respectively for loading black powder in my 45 Colt. been very consistent for me.
BigBill
Absent Comrade
I scoop the dipper then dump it into the pan on the RCBS SCALE that's preset. Then use the powder trickles so every charge is exactly the same. I trimmed each case first so there all sized the same. I have 6,000 rounds of a match grade ammo.
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You can buy additional dippers from Lee for $1 a piece. I bought five of the .5cc and have modified each one by jamming card board in the bottom to adjust the volume. I have a couple of different powders for pistol reloads, each one is marked so I know how much each one will hold of a certain powder. Each was double checked many times with my scale. Works great.
MyDads38
Well-known member
I have the complete set of yellow Lee dippers and have used them regularly. As mentioned, the dippers will usually throw a little under the listed charge. Sometimes though, they will throw exactly as listed, and rarely will throw heavier-very rarely!
As long as the thrown charge is consistent, I have no qualms using the dippers-heck, I still drag out my Lee Handloaders and mallet once in a while just for fun!!
With the right/consistent technique and a scale to verify/check, they can be very accurate. I can usually stay +/- .1 grain with mine, as good as my Lee Auto Disk will throw.
As long as the thrown charge is consistent, I have no qualms using the dippers-heck, I still drag out my Lee Handloaders and mallet once in a while just for fun!!
With the right/consistent technique and a scale to verify/check, they can be very accurate. I can usually stay +/- .1 grain with mine, as good as my Lee Auto Disk will throw.
