Dipper Users

Status
Not open for further replies.
L

lizziedog1

Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Messages
942
Location
The Silver State
Does anyone else here ever use Lee Dippers to charge their rounds? I use them when I reload handgun "plinking" loads. There are rounds that are loaded near minimum powder charge.

I once did an experiment with the dippers. I charged a dozen .38 Specials with the dippers and a dozen with a powder measure. I used the same powder charge, bullet, case and primer. Their was absolutely no difference in point of impact or group size. I did not chronograph the loads so I can't say their was any velocity variations. But they did seem to shoot alike.

I find the dippers to be easy and quick. I wouldn't use them for any maximum or near maximum loads, but I think they are safe enough for milder loads.

Who else uses Lee Powder Dippers?
 
I have in the past, don't use them now days.

The secret is just like a hand operated powder measure... CONSISTENCY !!

If you have your consistency down, then either one will give accurate charges. That being said I had rather just use my RCBS Uniflow because it is more adjustable than dippers.

Jimmy K
 
I use them for loading "plinking" handgun loads and I use them for hunting rifle loads. The margin of error which is inherent in the dippers is cut down a little bit with quantity in the larger rifle loads.

I weigh the charge quite a bit with dippers and have only noticed a margin of about +/- .75 grain giving a sweep of 1.5 grains. In a 38 special for general shooting or practice defensive shooting there should not be much difference. In 25 yd bullseye there WILL be a difference.

Like I say, I use them for plinking in handguns, and I make hunting rounds and practice rounds (same ones) for my rifles. I have a pretty good 303 military round clone I use in my No 4 Mk 1.
 
I use them for a great many cartridges. I even make my own by soldering a wire handle on a cartridge case and then calibrating the dipper by filing it shorter to obtain a specific charge for a specific cartridge. Dippers are a very useful type of powder measure, but I also have Redding, Lee and Lyman measures of old and new designs.
 
I used dippers when I go started in reloading 30 years ago. It came with the Lee Loader. Shortly there after I got my first press and an RCBS Little Dandy Powder measure. I got a Uniflow when I started to load rifle cartridges.

I rarely use any form of fixed cavity powder measure any more.

I occasionally use the dippers when working up loads. They are great for spooning powder on to the powder pan of the scale when making up a few test loads.
 
I use my Lee dippers all the time and I find the slide rule card real handy for looking up charge weights by volume. I charge my .45acp loads a lot this way as well as some rifle loads. Pick out a dipper that is a few grains short of a desired load and charge the scale pan then trickle up to desired final weight.
 
I use to use them a lot, but not so much these days. I have run test, measureing every dipper charge and if you practice doing everything the same way every time, the weights can be quite close.

I do sometimes still use them for "fire forming" loads when making certain new cartridge.

DM
 
I use them for plinking ammunition for 9mm, 7.62x39 and 8x60.
 
Blackrock,

How does a guy get the 'slide rule' card that you mentioned? Lee doesn't seem to be aware of it.

Thanks,

salty


Added: A sewing thimble with soldered wire handle might make for a good dipper. There were two of those in the gear passed down to my bride from her Dad/Granddad.

sd.
 
I use the dippers when I want to load 10 or 15 "test" rounds. Just use the dipper size that closely matches the volume needed, dump in my scale pan and trickle in what's needed to get an exact load. For small numbers this is faster for me than filling the powder hopper, adjusting as needed, etc...

SaltyDog, the 'slide rule card" came with my set of dippers. Lee should be aware of it, they did print it after all.
The box mine came in says "Improved Slide Card"
 
I also have a few homemade dippers made specifically for plinking loads in my 9mm and .357. For example, I'll use an empty 9mm case and drip wax into the case until it fills up the appropriate amount of space (of course, this is trial and error for a while until you get it just right). If you go over, it's easy to scrape a little out a little at a time until you get the weight you need. The wax is smooth and doesn't hold any flakes. Standardize your scooping technique and the throws are surprisingly consistent.

Saltydog452, the slide rule that Blackrock alludes to is included in the big Lee Dipper set. They should have known what you were talking about.
 
How does a guy get the 'slide rule' card that you mentioned? Lee doesn't seem to be aware of it.
Click to expand...
Looks like it's Lee part number PM1396.

Go to Lee's "powder measures" page (here) and scroll down to the dipper set. Click on the "Serv.Parts" link. That will take you to this page that lists the card for $3.00.
 
I use them all the time when loading rifle ammo. I typically dump the "correct" dipper into the pan on the scale, then use a trickler to bring the weight up to the desired charge. I have used this method since the early 70s.
 
Waaaay back when, we made our own dippers, using a cartridge case, and soldering or glueing a wire handle on it. You can fine tune the case with a file, for your own spl. load...

DM
 
Yep, I use the dipper to dispense an approximate charge onto my scale. Then I top off with an RCBS trickler. I'm a low volume reloader so this works for me.
 
I have a set of the latest Lee dippers (yellow), they will usually get you to the charge weight you need ,even if you have to use more than one to get the correct charge. Then you can make a dipper from old brass that throws the exact weight that you need.

Humidity plays a big part in getting the correct weight with dippers, higher moisture in the air can cause heavier weights thrown from the same dipper with the same powder, and the reverse of lower weights when the humidity is lower.

The Lee slide rule powder selector included in the latest production run, takes this humidity to volume difference into effect and will be safe at all weights.

Having a scale to keep check on dipper thrown powder charges is the only safe way to use dippers.
 
I make my own from 9mm fired cases, wire and duct tape. Right now there are probably 6 sitting on my reloading table. Each one corresponds to a certain powder charge for 9mm and 45acp.

'll use an empty 9mm case and drip wax into the case
Click to expand...

I may have to try that, sounds easier than using a hacksaw and file to get the correct charge.
 
dagger dog - do you have any data or evidence to support this statement

"Humidity plays a big part in getting the correct weight with dippers, higher moisture in the air can cause heavier weights thrown from the same dipper with the same powder, and the reverse of lower weights when the humidity is lower."

I'm really struggling with the idea that powder kernals are little sponges that suck up water. Smokeless powders are stable compounds with coatings that are kept in air tight containers.
 
Thanks folks.

I'm sure someone at Lee knows about the slide rule card, just not the someone I spoke with.

tnx again,

sd.
 
You're correct. At the lowest end of the powder range, large variations in powder make very small differences. Unfortunately, at the high end of the powder range, it only takes VERY SMALL variations in powder to make big differences.

The problem with dippers is YOU DON"T KNOW the point in the powder range where it becomes really important to start becoming very accurate with your powder measurements. It changes with each cartridge. It changes with each powder.

IMHO, the only safe thing to do is to measure each load (low or high) as if your life depended upon it. That is, use the same procedure, the same standard of safety on every load. To me using dippers is sort of like saying it's OK to drive recklessly at 25 MPH, but you had better be doing your very best at 70 MPH.

I'm not sure about you, but I wear my seat belt at all speeds.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
Lee Dipper Users
2
Replies
27
Views
3K
Tom609
Tom609
B
  • Locked
Lees Dipper Accuracy
2
Replies
25
Views
3K
Eb1
Eb1
H
  • Locked
Lee Dippers
Replies
20
Views
2K
fguffey
F
A
  • Locked
Advice?
Replies
17
Views
2K
oldfart
O
vaalpens
38spl, 158gr lead SWC, Lee dipper
2
Replies
30
Views
1K
vaalpens
vaalpens
Back
Top