Dipper Users

[GLOOB]

Powder throwers measure by volume. Dippers measure by volume. They're pretty much equal, when done right.

If you want to increase the precision of your dipper, then use a taller, thinner dipper. The meniscus will be smaller and more consistent. The final precision depends on the shape of your dipper, your consistency, and the type of powder.

For larger (by volume) pistol charges, I use cut down .380 cases. For smaller charges, I use 1/4" brass tubing. I find a dipper works faster than a powder thrower for a single stage press, because I can put it right were I need it and I don't have to bolt anything to the bench. And there's no chance for any powder to get stuck in the drop tube to get carried over to the next round.

Re: dagger dog

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.

Having a scale to keep check on dipper thrown powder charges is the only safe way to use dippers.

If you believe humidity significantly affects charge weight, then in my opinion you have it backwards. If you start getting changes in weight due to humidity, you should stick with the charge as measured by volume and ignore the scale. The idea is to get the same amount of powder. Any adjustment of volume to get the exact same weight will just make things worse. You'd be making smaller than normal charges when humid, and bigger than normal when dry.

Once I've calibrated my scoops for each powder, I label them and I'm done with the scale. At least until my current lot of powder runs out.

I prefer custom scoops, because the Lee scoops are rarely the right size, and the handles are too short.

 

[flashhole]

I use the Lee Dipper Cups almost all the time with great success. I have weighed hundreds of charges and found them to be bery consistent. I even go out of my way to develop a charge weight just so I can use a dipper. Haven't gone the custom dipper route yet but do wish Lee would come out with a "tweener" set to give us dipper users more choices.

 

[EddieNFL]

Gunpowder is very hygroscopic. I have measured out charges in a low humidity environment and placed them in my garage for 24 hours (Florida) and reweighed. All were heavier. Not by much, but enough to measure.

Many BR shooters use a measure, rather than a scale for this reason. IIRC Zediker mentioned it in his book.

 

[FROGO207]

I also custom build dippers for often used charges. I will weigh the charge out and put it in a 9MM or 45 casing and look at how high it is inside. then I will dump it out and add some epoxy to give me the proper volume. If i am too high and the charge is low I use a drill slightly smaller than the casing to remove a little. Dip a few charges and repeat trimming inside till I get it where I want it. Then put a label on the homemade handle and use it.

 

[Lost Sheep]

Epoxy? or Wax?

I also custom build dippers for often used charges. I will weigh the charge out and put it in a 9MM or 45 casing and look at how high it is inside. then I will dump it out and add some epoxy to give me the proper volume. If i am too high and the charge is low I use a drill slightly smaller than the casing to remove a little. Dip a few charges and repeat trimming inside till I get it where I want it. Then put a label on the homemade handle and use it.

A nice, hard candle wax is easier to adjust. Hold the drill bit in your hand and carve out a little wax if you need more volume. Dribble in more wax if you need less. Once you have the proper volume measuring the desired amount of powder, you can re-melt the wax to make the surface of the wax nice and smooth.

Lost Sheep

 

[FROGO207]

My thought is that the wax even though hard will still allow some of the propellant to stick to it. So I use the epoxy instead. Also no chance of wearing the wax away over a few K's worth of scoops in the propellant and changing the volume when it could have been critical at the start. You could use Duco cement or even hot glue for that matter, but I would think twice abut wax in my setup it is really too easy to erode IMHO.

 

[Lost Sheep]

My thought is that the wax even though hard will still allow some of the propellant to stick to it. So I use the epoxy instead. Also no chance of wearing the wax away over a few K's worth of scoops in the propellant and changing the volume when it could have been critical at the start. You could use Duco cement or even hot glue for that matter, but I would think twice abut wax in my setup it is really too easy to erode IMHO.

FROGO207, you may have a point. Paraffin wax may have a tendency to contaminate the powder with oil, too. That is why I contemplated only the hard candle wax. Plus, contact time is minimal, so contamination is likely to be so, also. No sense in taking chances, so bee's wax might be better. Before using any material, a little research might be in order.

The hot glue would probably be even better, but re-melts at a higher temperature.

Since I habitually re-weight my powder charges at the beginning of each reloading session, erosion of the wax (or hot glue, or paper mache or spitball wad) filler, I think, is not an issue; I believe that it would take a larger number of scoopings to produce significant erosion than I ever expect to scoop in my lifetime.

Anyhow, epoxy is good and more permanent than wax. Wax is good and more adjustable than epoxy. Spitball wads appeal to my sense of false economy, but have no other advantages.

Use what you want and be open to information about unintended consequences.

FROGO207, thanks for pointing out one of those things I had not discovered (the sticking). Sharing knowledge, speculation and experience is one of the best things about these forums.

Lost Sheep

 

[lizziedog1]

I have never, ever had any problems with any load made using Dippers. I do weigh the charge first to confirm the charge. I don't use them for any load anywhere near maximum.

I do like the idea of making custom dippers. I am going to try it.

 

[powell&hyde]

I also never had any problem with the dippers, just weigh the first and go from there. I have also used wax dippers and drilled them out for custom loads and they work great.

 

[GCBurner]

I use the Lee dippers for most of my practice reloads, checking the charge with a scale occasionally, to make sure I'm staying consistent. The charge tables using the Lee dippers are pretty conservative, so overcharges are unlikely, as long as you're using the correct powder.

 

[jhansman]

I use them for every caliber I load except my target rifle rounds, which get weighed. I now can dip within a tenth of a grain in consistency in every powder I use, and have modified several dippers for specific loads. FWIW, I check the weight of any dipper's volume before charging cases, just to be sure; it's just part of my routine now.

 

[the lone gunman]

The slide card comes with the Lee dipper kit. I got mine at Cabelas.