Dipper Users?

[Bella]

Last weekend I picked up a box of Lee Powder Dippers at a garage sale for five bucks. I spent some time playing with them today. Two things to report. First, the slide rule device that comes with the dipers is not that accurate. Close, but no cigar. Second, using a scale, the dippers seem to throw accurate charges throw after throw. I am thinking for some of my lighter handgun loads they might just do.

Does anyone here use them?

[NWPilgrim]

I don't use the dippers but the Lee auto disk measure which works on the same principle of fixed cavity measure. I have the same experience that it throws very consistent weights. I like that I can insert the .76 cc cavity and get the same 6.1gr of Unique each time with no adjustments needed.

The only downside is if I need to through a specific weight then it is tedious to find the right combination of cavities to get exactly that weight of powder. For instance, the .30 carbine likes exactly 15.0 gr of W296.

But if you just need a volume that is within a few tenths of a grain within a certain range then it works well for me. Overall I like the simplicity and not having to fiddle so much with a variable measure and scales. I use the scale to confirm the initial weight and then just crank away.

[jmortimer]

It is all I use. I hate using scales. As you have seen you can get repeatable charges +/- .1 grains. The key is to use the same - repeatable - scooping/dipping technique. Richard Lee recommends (via the late great Dean Grennell) pushing the dipper bottom first into the powder and let the powder fall into the dipper and then strike it off with a card or straight edge. I find if I scoop the powder I get closer to the "charge chart" weight. I don't strike off the dipper and I'm +/- .2 grains but I'm never near max so that is good enough for me and it is faster. i have two sets so I can modify a dipper to match a load I want.

[Rangefinder]

I'm using light loads or pistol powders with all my cast bullets. I don't use Lee dippers, but make my own custom dippers for a specific load and powder once I get a bullet dialed in. Works much easier than changing out my measure every time I go to a different load or bullet.

[Lost Sheep]

They cannot cut grains of powder like a mechanical measure can.

When my bowl of powder gets empty, I know it for sure.

On consistency: I fill a bowl 2/3 full and scoop in an arc, from side to side, not touching bottom and letting a mound of powder set on top of the scoop, shaking just enough to make the mound consistent each time (but not to settle and compact the powder in the scoop). Very consistent. When the bowl gets less than 1/2 full, I pour some more powder in.

On getting to a pre-determined amount: Adjusting the scoops to deliver a charge of the desired weight is a trial, but not that difficult, and, once adjusted, never goes out of calibration. Stuff a disk of styrofoam into the bottom of the disk (making sure it is flat and smooth on the bottom). You could use a spitball (paper machie for the less earthy) or wood glue if you prefer, but these are more permanent than the styrofoam. I am not that picky over the exact charge, as most of my loading is in the mid-range of the recipes, but getting to a precise, desired amount is straightforward. You just have to wait for the glue to dry.

On the Lee table: I do always confirm the amount of powder I am putting in my cases. I found the Lee tables to be light, but I don't use them anyway. I trust my scale, not some numbers printed on a card.

$5 for a set of scoops is pretty good. A few spares that you have adjusted to throw desired weights is good, too. Or, like Rangefinder, you can make your own. Get some of plastic wire ties (stiff ones) and wrap one really tight around a cartridge case of the right size is an easy way to make a handle, or solder a wire to a case. Trim the case down to where it scoops the desired amount of powder (or fill the bottom with glue to adjust the volume) and you are good to go.

Good luck.


Lost Sheep

[Poodleshooter]

I did use them to reload 6.5x55 when I was a kid.
My dad used them forever for the Swede and 30/06.
Having had the "pleasure" of using scoops,as soon as I left the house and went out on my own, I ate ramen for a week day and bought a Lee Perfect Powder measure with the savings.

[jhansman]

I use them for handgun loads, but check them against my scale periodically to ensure I am loading what is safe. I agree that the sliding reference chart that comes with them is not 100% accurate, but close. I have modified several dippers (reduced volume by filing them down) to customize for specific powders. Works well and saves a bit of time.

[spacecoast]

That's all I use too... over 7500 rounds in the last 10 months. I too (recently) found that the chart was inaccurate for Accurate Arms #2 and Unique, but pretty good for Titegroup. If you have extra dippers of a given size (0.5cc are common), then sand one down to .4cc or .45cc, both of which I use a lot for .38s and 9mm.

[PA-Joe]

You have to remember that every batch of powder has a different density. You have to confirm the table to an actually weighed spoon drop.

[jmortimer]

True, but after weighing a dipper load or two I get to put the scale away for as long as the powder cannister lasts.

[mikld]

I too, have been using dippers for many years. Some powders lend themselves to dippers that don't meter well in a powder measure, and after a little practice, you can get very repeatable loads. I have made some dippers from brass cases, brass or plastic ferrels, and just about anything that looks like a little cup. I adjust the capacity for a specific powder and load by reaming out the interior or cutting down the sides, or a drop or two of epoxy inside, etc. But if your in a hurry, and need 1000 rounds a week maybe they would be too slow...

[NWPilgrim]

I like the idea of cutting a brass case to size so when dipped it gives the desired volume of powder. I was frustrated that the jump between Lee scoops sometimes makes it difficult to get just the powder volume/weight I want.

I do check my Auto Load measure setting against a scale each time. But I have loaded many batches (from at least three canisters) of .76cc Unique and it always comes out spot on at 6.1 grains weight.

[jimbob86]

I have loaded quite a few rounds with a hand press and a dipper in prairie dog towns...... firing the same 100 cases several times in a weekend. Made accurate ammo.

[chris in va]

I make my own using spent shell casings cut down to the powder charge I need. Bend some stiff wire into a handle, super glue it to the case...voila.

[Uncle Buck]

I think you got a good deal on the dipper set. I think I paid $13.00 for a new set at a gun store.

I also make my own dippers from spent casings that I have shaved down to hold a specific amount of powder for a specific load.

Either way, when I am using a dipper or a powder thrower, I ALWAYS double check using a scale. Be it every ten rounds once I get set up or every 20 rounds, the dipper or thrower charge is always checked for accurate weight.

[jmortimer]

That is a good idea if you are using max charges but if you are under max there is no need to weigh any of the dipper charges if you checked the powder to make sure it is correctly labeled and weigh a dipper load or two to check your charge weights at the outset. Otherwise the dipper - i.e. volume measure - is the safest way to reload and there is no need to weigh dipper loads once you get going.

[RWBlue01]

I don't use them for smokeless powder. I just never liked not being able to work up or down loads 1gr or a .5gr at a time.

I do use a dipper for black powder.

I should probably make dippers for some of my "normal loads out of old casings.

[jhansman]

You have to remember that every batch of powder has a different density. You have to confirm the table to an actually weighed spoon drop.

Yep. Better safe than sorry.

[Uncle Buck]

Jmortimer Wrote:

That is a good idea if you are using max charges but if you are under max there is no need to weigh any of the dipper charges if you checked the powder to make sure it is correctly labeled and weigh a dipper load or two to check your charge weights at the outset.

I worry too much, way to much maybe. Because of problems I have, I do not always have a consistent scoop. If I can not be absolutely sure, I always check my weights as I mentioned.

[jmortimer]

It can never hurt to weigh a charge. I spent some time with the dipper and the scale to perfect my dipping technique to the point that it was repeatable +/- .2 grains. How much variation are you getting? Since I am under max, i.e. SAAMI spec by .5 grains I am not concerned. If I was going to the "edge" I would probable weigh every charge. In the end you can never be too safe.

[Crimp]

I use the Lee dippers (and some homemade ones) mostly for Unique. All the other powders I use go through the measure with satisfactory accuracy.

Here's one of my homemade ones. I used a Forster trimmer to cut down a 380 ACP cartridge until it dispensed 3.4gr of Bullseye. Then, I soldered a length of #12 copper wire to it. Works for me...

[Gdawgs]

I use dippers for small handgun cartridges(380, 9mm, 38 Spcl, etc) with powders that don't meter well at small charges. They work very well, just not as quick.

[Fullthrottle]

I have used a number of Lee Dippers...all have been well within the SAFE range but seem to be a bit on the low side!

[Bigtony]

I only use them for starting new loads so I can work up in .1+/- trial loads. My Uniflow works way to fast to use a dipper and card.

[WanMan99]

I use the .5 with Bullseye for my 115gr 9mm and it pumps out pretty good plinking ammo. I usually work it side to side and give it a slight tap to settle the powder (make sure there isn't an air bubble or gap) and then dump straight into the case.