New to reloading with some questions

[walkindude]

I need a little help fellas ! First off I have never reloaded before, but am anxious to get started.

What I have so far is a Lee Classic Loading kit in 357 magnum. Some Montana Gold 158 gr jhp, CCI no.500 primers, and a pound of Unique. Along with the Lee kit I have a set of the Lee Powder dippers, and a Lyman Load Data book for popular revolvers.
The Lee kit has a listing for a 357 magnum load for Unique and 158gr jhp's. but I would like to work up a 38 special load as well.

The Lyman book has a starting load of 4.7 grains with a maximum load of 5.0.
Whe I go the the slide card provided with the Lee dipper kit it states that the .5cc dipper throws 4.6 grains, with the .7cc dipper throwing 6.4 grains.

I figure the .5cc dipper throwing 4.6 grains should be close enough, right? But how would I go about appraoching the 5.0 grains, as the next size dipper throws 6.4 which is quiet a bit over.
I know i need a better reloading book, but was hoping to be able to use what I have for the time being.
Anybody have any good loads that can be acheived with these components and the Lee dipper kits?

 

[kingmt]

Do you have a scale to check your dippers?

 

[Walkalong]

Yep, the dipper chart is not always right.

You can make your own dippers with brass cases. Solder a handle on. You can make them to drop whatever weight you want.

 

[walkindude]

No. all I have at the moment is the Dipper set. I'm using this as my basic..very basic set up : http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_notes/archive_tech_notes.htm/51

As soon as I can afford it I will be adding a scale.

Edited to add, I do have 38 spc +p cases as well as 38spc and of course 357, and they will be fired from 357 magnum revolvers, starting with my Ruger BH.

 

[Varmiter]

Kingmt asked the best question. You will need a scale.

Manuals state powder in grains, which is WEIGHT. Dippers measure volume. For any given volume, the weights of various powders will vary.

In Black powder, and some modern rifles, a couple of grains MAY not make that much difference, but modern handguns is an entirely different matter.

Something many do NOT realize is that handgun is already overloaded. This is needed to achieve the desired velocity from such a short barrel. A 1 grain difference can make a tremendous difference.

Get a good scale and at least one more manual for starters. Oh, and you will need a set of calipers as well. The manuals will tell you why.

Chris

 

[Walkalong]

The dippers are pretty safe, but a scale is a must soon.

 

[kingmt]

You don't have to have a scale. Load data can be gotten from powder manufactures web sites. You can get a cheap scale from eBay for under $5 that will help you get a hold on your dippers.

The .5cc dippers will probably throw about 4-4.3gn which should throw safe bang ammo. You will really be limited until you get some more equipment tho.

 

[GT1]

You can load with the dippers and be safe(They are meant to be safe for the loads listed on the card included and in the Lee reloading book).

There is no way for working up loads beyond that without a scale though.

 

[GLOOB]

FYI, Lee cites on their FAQ that Unique is the number one powder for variability in grains-per-cc between lots. They state that their dippers and conversion information IS still safe with Unique, because they err on the low end.

So that dipper that's supposed to throw 4.6 will probably throw a bit less for your lot of powder, just going by the odds. But it will probably be safe between the fact that it's a starting load and Lee's conversion info is conservative. To go any higher, it would be much easier and safer to use a scale. Although I imagine fashioning a tiny ~0.2gr +- .05 gr scoop would be feasible (not really easy with Unique, though). A tiny teaspoon, if you will. Just make sure it consistently takes at least 20 of them to fill your 0.5cc dipper. With Unique, you'd probably have to use your eye, as well, and throw back any weird looking scoops.

The big problems you're going to run into is that with your next batch of Unique, you'd have to start all over, again. Without a scale, you'd have no way to correlate the last batch with the new. And without a chronograph, you won't really know how where you're at. Pressure signs are not very reliable in handguns. The only thing you could go by is accuracy and felt recoil.

 

[Certaindeaf]

What powders are you talking about?. CC's convert to grains but all powders are different.