[STEVE6]

I am new to metallic reloading but I reloaded shotgun with a single stage MEC for 12 years. I want to use Clays as I know it well and also have about 6 pounds left from shotgun.

I am going to start by loading 38 special (158g SWC from OregonTrail) . I tried throwing 2.9 grains yesterday with my new Redding 3BR powder measure which I am sure is top quality but it is a little rough with this powder. I spent quite a bit of time in the archives and I read a post regarding using a dipper for this load. Can anyone give me some input regarding making a good dipper out of a 9mm case?

Many thanks,
Steve

[The Bushmaster]

Instead of making a dipper, which I have several that I made out of various cases, 2/32 mild steel welding rod and solder, why not purchase a dipper set by Lee? They are quite inexpensive.

I amagine that most reloaders have made their own "costum" dippers. You can calibrate them using a scale, a file and your case deburing tool.

[rcmodel]

For 2.9 grains, a .32 ACP case might be way more appropriate then a 9mm case.

Heck, maybe even a .25 ACP case!

rcmodel

[Mike 56]

I have a lee dipper set but from time to time i make a custom dippers for a pet loads. Here is a link on how i make mine you just need a shell case that is a little bigger than what you need. http://www.castbullet.com/makeit/dipper.htm You can also use Black Powder adjustable measures.

Mike

[moooose102]

i have a set of lee dipper also. i use them frequently. i have also made a few cartridge case dippers. i use copper house wiring for the handle, solder it on. cut the case a little longer than i want, then file it to exact fitment. its not hard, just a little time consuming. i have also made some adjustable ones, by drilling and tapping the primer end. this works better with some powders than others. if you can find a lee dipper that works, it is way faster and easier than the home made ones.

[VenomBallistics]

just spring for a proper adjustable powder measure.
Trying to make charge weight adjustments with a drill press can lead to premature baldness

[scrat]

Lee dippers are great. When you get the set you also get the chart. The chart will show you all the different powders and how many grains to each dipper. so its a win win situation. You should always double check the weight first though. as humidity age will always make the weight a little different.

[DaveInFloweryBranchGA]

Steve,

While the powder measure you have is a good one, it isn't the one I would pick for dispensing powder into pistol cartridges. Before you invest big in dippers, you might want to look at picking up a Lee Pro Auto Disk. I own a Hornady LnL, but find the Lee Pro Auto Disk to be a better pistol powder dispenser than my Hornady LnL powder measure (a very similar design to your Redding, which I also have one of for single stage high power reloading).

The Lee is a volumetric powder measure and even though it appears and functions slightly different, has a very similar powder dispensing system to the Mec you mentioned in that it is set to a fixed volume and relies on gravity to fill that volume with each dispense. This gives you a very accurate dispense of the powder for the setting, which is in cubic centimeters and fixed.

Also, the powder you're using lacks any graphite, which makes it tend to be a little sticky in a lot of powder measures. Get yourself some powdered graphite at your local hardware store and lubricate your powder measure (whichever brand you use) and I think you'll find your powder dispenses much better after it's coated with the powdered graphite (which helps the Clays to flow better through the measure).

I hope this helps,

Dave

[Okiecruffler]

I have a really nice Lyman 55 powder dispenser and I still find myself reaching for my lee dippers at least half the time.

[Don't Tread On Me]

Why bother? The entire Lee Dipper set was on Midway (sale) for $7.

Take whichever one works and use that. Or, if you want to tune it, you can grind, file or cut it down to measure a load that you want.

[243winxb]

ITEM NO. 03331 Handgun Metering Chamber (Fits only 3BR Measures) Charging range approx. 0 to 10 grains . . . $62.40 Are you using this unit in your Redding? Dipper-bad idea with small amounts of powder UNLESS you use a scale and weight each load. Dippers are fine for large grains and/or black powder when not loading near maximum pressures.

[STEVE6]

I would like to thank everyone for getting back to me. I have learned a heck of a lot from his thread.

As 243 mentions it is easy to use the wrong metering chamber which I was. Since the 3BR I have has two metering chambers I changed it out for the pistol one (which I thought I was using) and after throwing several hundred measures back into the can I have been able to throw 2.9 and also 3.0 with consistency. I am also going to take Dave’s advice and pick up some graphite; this has also been recommended to me by another experienced reloader.

There are some great pointers in this thread as well for making a dipper. Since I am getting good throws I am going to stay with the 3BR for now but I will print up a copy of this thread and keep it in my files. I think a dipper in combination with a scale would be optimal for some applications. This gives you the opportunity to look at the charge from two different perspectives.

Many thanks to all,
Steve

[GP100man]

to dispense graphite i put some on a fluffy rag or towel then put it in the measure & shake till i get it all coated, dont forget the disposable gloves!!!LOL

GP100man

[STEVE6]

GP,

Many thanks for the pointer.

Steve