First time reloading - not good

[PDL]

I have a Lee powder measure set that someone gave me 20+ years ago. I've never used or varified the accuracy of the powder chart that comes with it. But it states the 020 measure throws 3 grains of Bullseye as well as 3 grains of Unique.
Like's been said before, get yourself a scale. You don't need a digital, but a good powder scale is essential.

 

[jkc]

Despite the mixup resulting from an outdated dipper ID and info, there's nothing wrong with using the Lee dippers as measures, once you've double-checked the weight of the charge they measure, just for redundancy. In fact, volumetric measurement is better than weight for consistency, as the weight of any given volume of powder may vary with ambient humidity, for example, but volume, for any practical purpose, is always constant.

 

[Jellybean]

The dippers aren't really any different than any other metering device that measures by volume. Other than the fact that they are painfully slow to use. But once you develope a good smooth technique they can be quite accurate.

 

[TomcatPC]

Hello

Not sure how much I can help, but I'll try and tell my experience with squibs, as my face turns very red LOL. When I first started loading the .38" Special I started with the Lee Loader kit. I had a fair share of squibs that needed to be unstuck LOL. What I did wrong from what I could tell: I used jacketed bullets, with a lighter load to start with and using the dippers without a scale, and I think my crimps were a bit too light.

Since then I have: 1. started using cast lead bullets instead (I think they are a lot more "forgiving" LOL) 2. Checked the weight of the charge with a scale 3. more attention paid to the crimp.
Since I changed all that, I have not had a squib, and I can shoot and actually relax whilst making noise, without having to worry "did that one clear the muzzle" LOL.

I also have upgraded to a Lee Hand Press and proper set of dies, but I still use my .38" Special Lee Loader for loading wadcutters. Hope that helped someone, other than I feel like a dufus telling of my reloading mistake LOL.
Thanks
Mark

 

[ddixie884]

We've all made mistakes, and confession is good etc. Yes, I believe quite acceptable ammo can be produced with Lee Loaders, but low pressures, and jacketed bullets are a hard thing for novices to overcome. I, like many others was lucky enough to have someone to help me with my first couple of tries at reloading. I am not sure if I would have been as successful in my early reloading tries without his help. Meanwhile, all info that can be gained, will help down the road.

 

[Buford57]

I recently bought a digital scale from Midway for $19.95 after 30-odd years of using an RCBS balance-beam scale and a half dozen before that with Lee dippers (I have a full set of the old pre-cc type). The little digital gives consistent readings with my weights and easily accounts for the tare weight of a powder pan.

This is a cheap investment in crafting consistent and safe handloads.

 

[Cyrano]

light loads and jacketed bullets are a bad combination, worse in a revolver and gets worse in a revolver as the barrel gets longer. I stuck a couple of jacketed bullets in an 8 3/8 inch K 38 using loads that I thought were merely mild. Jacketed bullets have MUCH more bore friction than cast. The British found out that it took something like 8 tons of hydraulic force to push a 303 bullet down the bore of an SMLE.

 

[Jellybean]

I'll make a confession too. I've loaded 1000s of rounds of ammo using the Lee dippers with no scale, but I had many years of reloading experience first. The little directions that they include in their dies and classic loaders can be pretty disasterous to new handloaders. They aren't always clear enough or self explanatory to stand alone teach someone all the information that is needed to handload. I'm also not a big fan of Lee's manual and don't recommend it to learn how to get into handloading. Although if you do use their powder handling equipment their manual can be handy.

Their cheap prices lure beginners into the hobby, but their products aren't always that suitable for them.

 

[Snowbandit]

I remember the first loads I made, some 40 years ago. Pretty weak because I was afraid of an over charge. Didn't have anyone to teach me either so I had to learn it all from books. It can be done but having a knowledgeable teacher is preferable. Hang in there, you'll figure it out but buy a scale.

 

[walter o]

Hi looking at your problem an i have a paper slide rule conversion chart for the lee powder dipper set.I got it from lee it runs from the .030 to 4.30 dipper size and it list most all powders . If you send me your address i will send it to you. Or you can call Lee and see if they will send one to you.

 

[oldRoger]

A side note on the dipper

A tricky part of the dipper is the "strike-off". That is how you make certain that the dipper is exactly full, not heaping, not slightly under. So there is a technique to learn and the only way I know to learn it is to throw load after load on to the scale until you get it right and achieve repeatability. This is much easier with Bullseye than Unique.
The Lee Dipper being fairly shallow for its capacity can produce quite wide swings if you do not "level" the powder.

That's why we used to make our own scoops for Bullseye from .22LR brass, the brass being very deep for its capacity, you could get repeatable charges without a lot of practice.

 

[cballman]

Many years ago when I started reloading for the 38/357 I couldnt afford a scale and powder measure so I purchased the Lee Dipper set. I have had even shots all these years. When I started I was told that many people couldnt afford the good scales and such. The man I purchased the lee set from told me to get even charges was to dip into the powder make sure it was heaping, Then take a business card and gover the dipper evenly. You will get a consitant charge every time. I have used Unique powder and this seems to work fine for me.

 

[TomcatPC]

Hello

When I first started reloading, it was for .303" cartridge. I started with (and still use it today) a Lee Loader kit for the .303" cartridge. Using the information that came with the kit and dippers with no scale...no problems at all. Never did get a bullet stuck in my Lee-Enfield No.4 Mk.I*.

When I started loading for the .38" Special, that is when I ran into trouble. I'm glad I "stuck with it" and kept on trying (as well as remember the sound of a squib load LOL) and asked for help, etc. For a while there I thought I was "jinxed" or something and almost quit attempting to reload at all LOL.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Fishslayer]

Was the powder hopper turned on? You can open & close it.

Did you weigh some charges? I have found that the auto disc throws charges that are under what's in Lee's spreadsheet.

When starting a new batch I always run a case through the process & make sure the powder's flowing (and weighs what I'm after), bullets seat where I want them, etc.

If you are using carbide dies you really don't need any lube.

FWIW the 7th handload I fired was a squib. I left a powderless test round on the bench & it found it's way into my bag...

 

[RCBillD]

reloading 45acp- incident

Damaged my SW1911 with a double charged case today. Need new grips and magazine. Desired load was 5.1 grns Titegroup behind 200 grn LSWC.
Obvious double charge. I loaded 2000+ rounds this year on a Lee 4 turret press. Just a reminder to recheck your reloading procedures even if you've been reloading a long time. Would the factory check my gun for safe operation and perhaps work on the slide. It is not a performance center gun. Just a few scratches on right cheek and a lot more humble.

 

[cp1969]

No more than I shoot, I'm on the verge of going back to single-stage reloading. I never, ever had a single problem when I had all the charged cases on a loading block and could visually inspect each one.

Like you, I had a double in a .44 mag. Luckily, it was a double of a light load and the Redhawk held it.

 

[scwv67]

I reload .38 special with the Lee classic loader and am a newbie to boot. One thing I've learned is that the Lee scoops, I have the extra set in addition to the scoop that came with the kit, is that they measure about 10% less powder than the chart says they do. At least according to the two scales I have.

I assume this is for additional safety, but if your were shorting the scoop to be safe, then you were most likely reducing an already low starting charge even more.

 

[scorvers]

Just buy a dipper set with all the dippers and the sliding scale. Did it for years with no problems.
Just recently I set up the local "Swamp Man" with a Lee Loader for his .44. Found the proper dipper to give him a good load of 2400. He's been shooting the bejeezus out of his gun. Get a call every couple of months to bring him more bullets, primers, and powder.
Before I turned it over to him, I weighed a few charges from the dipper and they all came out within tolerance. The dippers work, just get a rythym down and dip it the same everytime.

 

[nicky4968]

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Dippers.pdf

 

[twobisquit]

I started out many years ago with a .357 Lee Loader with Unique and and jacketed 125's. I never had a squib but a few primers went off with the hammer and rod set- up.
It's a good little system and I suspect the problem is going lean on the dipper.