Just Beginning

[GypsmJim]

The LEE dippers are not your friend. If you are wanting accurate ammunition, you need a SCALE.. and ideally a BALANCE BEAM scale. THe digital scales I am not willing to use anymore... sure i have only used a few of the little small pocket size ones, like the Hornady, but that pocket scale double in price after I bought mine.
Most of them are VERY picky as to how you center the weight on the tray. On the side, in the middle, slightly off of center... all can have a different wieght.

Wont use a Lee balance beam scale.. far too many videoss and threads online about how to "fix" the magnetic dampening. The few I have tried did not have good machining on the beam where it fits on the little razor blade pivot system.
Could weigh a 150 grain fmj, 6 times, and get 6 different weights.

Right in the beginning I bought an RCBS scale and it has been fine for over 50 years. Don't know about the Lee.

For handguns I use a Lee Auto measure on the expander die and my weight tests show fine accuracy.

Rifle loads for target shooting I simply use the dipper that came with the Lee dies. I agree that the "true" weight is slightly less than the published weight, but they work fine for me. If I can put 3 in the bull at 100 yards, it meets my requirements.

For hunting loads I weigh every charge.

 

[AlHunt]

There is alot of wiggle in those lee scoops.

Thats not accurate.

I disagree completely. There's zero wriggle room. Dip it level full and it's close enough to exactly the same volume, every time.

Just because the chart isn't right doesn't make the dipper inaccurate. Maybe the chart was never right, maybe the powder density changed over the years. I get the same thing with the Little Dandy. Just choose the rotor I need for the weight i want and make ammo.

Ammo manufacturers aren't weighing charges.

Just another perspective on volume vs weighed.

 

[rwsmith]

Well, you did check it.......

There is alot of wiggle in those lee scoops.

There was a load, i cannot remember the powder or weight, except that using the lee STARTING dipper,,, i actually had to go up from the listed .3 scoop, and use the .7 scoop to get the starting charge the .3 yellow was supposed to give.

Thats not accurate.

... with a scale and now you know what it throws. None of them throw exactly what the chart says that they will and there's some conservative safety factor built into them. Once I know what a particular scoop throws with a particular powder, I consider it accurate for that combination. I don't throw near max charges with scoops but anything up to about 10% less than max works just fine for me. And I can always double check my throws on a scale. in fact I don't mind throwing a tad under and adding a little to get the target load. And I've loaded tons of .38 wadcutters with Bullseye after initially checking the little scoop against a scale.

 

[Imissedagain]

IIRC, the Lee dippers have the powders listed that are used with that Lee Loader kit.
If you purchased the large set of dippers, there was a sliding guide, for numerous powders that work with those dippers.
Will post a picture when loading heavy 5.56/1:7 ammo in the next day or two.

As I stated, I scoop and weigh.
You'd be surprised how accurate you can be as the scale reads the scoop.
Then a trickle from the dipper into the scale's pan, if necessary.
I'll be loading Varget, for the first time.

Best to have only one powder and one type of primers on the bench.
I pour the powder into a stainless, 4"x2.5" cup, then scoop and weigh.

If I'm loading, 200, 255, 300 and 340gr leads, for the 460s,
each weight/type of bullet, is counted out, then put into separate jars.

 

[pmhayden]

There is a lot of advice. This is mine.

1. Buy the current Lyman 51 Ed. Reloading manual, and read the instructional part at the beginning.
2. Decide now that you are going to be meticulous, and will weigh and measure everything while you are learning. So buy a good scale - beam or electronic - and a quality caliper. Weighing and measuring takes time, but it is essential to be accurate.
3. Though they are slow for volume work, I would recommend a single stage press as your first press. I have the current RCBS Rockchucker. But there are others as good or better. This is a press to learn on. Slow is good. For now, you are learning technique, accuracy, precision, and safety. Not volume.
4. Buy quality dies and tools. I recommend RCBS and Redding dies. But there are others - as good or better. Quality dies will last your lifetime.
5. Before you spend a ton of money, work with a friend who reloads. That hands-on experience will help you make your next choices and purchases.
6. For now, use published load data from a good manual - Lyman #51. For now, do not experiment outside that data. Safety first.
7. Just as you own every bullet you shoot, you own every bullet you make. There are no excuses. You are 100% responsible for both.
8. You made it. You shot it. You own it. So make bullets of which you are proud and shoot them with precision.

 

[Imissedagain]

Keep the inside of your dies clean.
Be they carbide or steel.