Are there any Lee Dippers out there?

[premier1]

Many years ago I gave up my hunting habit and simply concentrated on my handgun habit. As I have been reloading for over 30 years I really got to see a lot of things come and go. One thing that a started with many years ago in loading for my handgun calibers is the Lee powder through the expander die and using the Lee dipper rather than the powder measure and the scale. I don't know it just seems easier and I quite honestly don't see any loss in accuracy. Any other dippers out there who would like to weigh in.

 

[ralph2]

I try to find bullet powder combos that I can use a dipper for. Saves time as my PACT digital scale takes about 10 seconds to stabilize and sometimes behaves strangely so I trust the dippers more. Works best for larger cases not so well for 9mm (.3cc too small and .5cc to big for powders I have used)

 

[Certaindeaf]

Dipping is a viable, accurate and safe way to meter powder. Been doing it a long time and on some occasions, it's my preferred method.

 

[mnhntr]

ok for handgun not for accurate rifle loads

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
I thought I heard many an account of benchrest competitions being won with the dip method.

 

[FROGO207]

I do often dip a load. I also find it can be faster than using a scale most times. You do need to find a method that results in repeatable actions/volumes. The thing is that you first need to work up the load to where you want it using a scale and then make a custom dipper to copy that load. I usually use an old shell casing of the same caliber if it is a straight walled case and solder on a copper wire loop handle. I will either trim as needed or use the easier method of adding Epoxy to reduce the volume of the brass. If I happen to fill it too much I use a drill near the interior size to drill some back out and check the results with a scale to verify my volume. Make sure you label the dipper for its manufactured use to keep mistakes from happening.
Easy as that.

 

[joecil]

I often use the dippers for 12, 20 ga shot shells and 45 colt black powder loads. I do the 45 Colt on a Lee Classic Turret and shot shells with the old Lee hand loader.

 

[k4swb]

Used correctly, dippers are very accurate. I started with them. I switched to a good drum measure that is just as accurate for more speed.

I still use the dippers occasionally when loading at the range because it is just so easy to do.

 

[flashhole]

mnhntr "ok for handgun not for accurate rifle loads"

Not so. I have great success using them for rifle loads and have dippers for every cartridge. I get better repeatability from the dippers than from the powder measure.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

Some of my most accuract loads were from the lee loader using the dippers. Just stay away from max loads to be safe.

 

[Clark]

I use the Lee Dippers constantly to tap more powder in the scale.

I have some loads that are only 1 grain of Red Dot.

That takes some careful tapping on the Lee Dipper.

 

[Duckdog]

I use them alot as well. When loading steel shot, you pretty much have to weigh each charge and these are the ticket... hand down. I fact, I rarely ever use my powder measure any more for rifle. I just get a close dipper and then trickle the difference in if need be.

 

[icanthitabarn]

I did load all pistol reloads with my dozen or so home made dippers. Now I have a Belding+ Mull and use that. Its slower but probably a bit more accurate. Someday I may test this.

 

[GCBurner]

I don't load maximum loads, so the dippers are pretty handy. I do use a scale to check for consistency, though, but usually only spot check one round in 5 or so.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Thanks for asking, Premier1. I have been working on some dipper ideas lately.

I try to find bullet powder combos that I can use a dipper for. Saves time as my PACT digital scale takes about 10 seconds to stabilize and sometimes behaves strangely so I trust the dippers more. Works best for larger cases not so well for 9mm (.3cc too small and .5cc to big for powders I have used)

As FROGO207 points out in post #6, dippers are easy to adjust in the method he describes with epoxy, hard wax, wood glue or even little cardboard disks, what have you. One of the neatest adjustments I have heard of is to drill a hole in the bottom of a Lee Dipper and put a machine screw (that fills the diameter of the dipper) in the hole. Now you have an adjustable dipper.

Other ideas:

The Lee handles point the wrong direction. If the handle went straight UP and was about 14"-18" long, you could dip directly out of the powder jug/bottle without dealing with a bowl. Pouring the powder out requires a little more dexterity and I have not figured out how to make my vertical dipper with a good bottom dump yet.

My other idea, which seems to have promise is a powder bowl that attaches to the powder jug/bottle and keeps itself filled automatically.

If anyone thinks these would be good ideas, send some encouragement, please.

Lost Sheep

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I use dippers on occasion mostly when I'm loading a small test run. It just seems easier when you're only making up a few rounds than setting up the powder measure.

 

[DeadFlies]

I tested my .5cc dipper last night. Lee says that one .5cc dipper of Unique should get you 4.6 grains.

I did ten tests and this is what I got:
4.3
4.2
4.0
4.4
4.4
4.3
4.2
4.2
4.2
4.4

Maybe I just need better technique? But I suppose for low-power plinkers it might be good enough.

 

[Hondo 60]

The dippers just never seemed like a good idea.
So when I started reloading I bought a powder measure & never learned dipping.

Still doesn't seem very safe or consistent.

But I suppose it's like a lot of things, if you learn how, you can get pretty good.

Just my humble 2¢

 

[Certaindeaf]

^
It is all technique.

 

[mnhntr]

I cannot believe you can get as accurate a load using a dipper vs a scale. 1 small piece of extruded rifle powder can tip your scale above your desired load.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I loaded a batch of .30/30 ammo this spring for my 14" TC, the groups were 3/4" at 100 yds, that's accurate enough for my purposes. Yes, it does almost seem sacrilege to use dippers with expensive scales on the bench.

 

[musicman10_1]

I have used the Lee dippers for all of my loads (handgun and rifle) since I started loading in January. I tried the Lee Perfect Powder Measure and found it to be far more difficult to use than the dippers. I only load in small batches (25 at a time) and so the dippers seem to work pretty well for my needs.

 

[SlowFuse]

I use the dippers on my scale to "get close" then trickle up to what I need it to be. I'm just getting into loading pistol cartridges so I may be using the set of dippers I bought a little more extensively.

 

[918v]

Factory "match" 308 ammo enjoys a .5+ grain charge variance, yet it shoots to "match" standards. Lee dippers are accurate enough to assemble "match" ammunition. Just use a credit card to scrape off the heap on top for consistency.

 

[mnhntr]

Alright you guys got me. I am going to try it and see what the difference is.