.223 lee loader

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tbell_1

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Does anyone have a lee loader in .223? I was wondering which powders it suggest in the load data, so that the dipper will be accurate. I plan on getting a scale, but obviously as I'm buying a lee loader in the first place, I want to keep the cost to an absolute bare minimum for the time being, and don't mind loading a few minimum loads. I was planning on using 55gr. bullets.

ps A scan of the recipe card that comes with the kit would be AWESOME.....
 
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Dont use the dippers.

Buy a scale and a trickler. Shouldn't cost you more than $60.

.223 because of the small case capacity is less forgiving with loads being slightly off.

You need a powder measure or I guess you could even use the dippers to get close to the amount of powder you want then use the trickler to make it perfect.

If you are just reloading bulk for use in an AR or close range shooting than just use the powder measure but the dippers are useless and time consuming.
 
I have bought extra dippers so I can leave the one that works the best in the Lee Loader set instead of the one that comes with it. I also have a full set of dippers as well. The dippers can work accurately if you do the exact same thing everytime.

.223 comes with the 1.6cc dipper, so you can look up the loads it throws on the dipper chart on the Lee Website instruction page, then look at charges in your manual or on the Hodgdon site to see what powders will be usefull with that particual dipper.

http://www.leeprecision.com/cgi-data/instruct/Dippers.pdf
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp
For example 1.6cc of IMR4895 is 22gr and is the starting load for 55gr .223

That said I also prefer using a scale but found the trickler to be the only waste of money I've spent in reloading tools. I had three and sold them. A spoon or fingers worked faster and was better at getting the scale to tip just right.
 
Depending on the powder you are using the dippers may or may not be what you want. IF you are using something like 748 or other ball powders the dippers can be very consistent. However just throw a few dipper charges of IMR 4350 on a scale and you will realize how important that scale is. I use the dippers to throw a close to weight charge then use the dipper to trickle up.
 
i found that the lee threw too light a charge even with the double disc kit- 23 grains of 748- i've got a DILLON powder measure on my 1000 and i don't have to refill every 50 rounds or so- the accepted load for my 1/7 ar using 69-70 grains was 25
 
shredder0 said:
Depending on the powder you are using the dippers may or may not be what you want. IF you are using something like 748 or other ball powders the dippers can be very consistent. However just throw a few dipper charges of IMR 4350 on a scale and you will realize how important that scale is. I use the dippers to throw a close to weight charge then use the dipper to trickle up.
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Hey, that's what I do.

My 222 Lee Loader meets my needs quite nicely, but I wouldn't dream of not bringing a beam scale into the process.
 
thanks for the replies guys. With budget in mind, what scale would you recommend? I was hoping for a digital scale, one of those pocket style.
 
The Lee scale works, but I much Prefer the RCBS 5-0-5 scale. You can find them used around $50-60 sometimes.

With digital it can be funny, some people buy expensive ones and they don't work well, some people buy cheap ones and they work great. The cheap ones seem to take more complaints over all though. I have a mid level RCBS and like it, but check the odd throw on my 505 balance beam to be sure.
 
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