Dippers, anyone?

Kilo Charlie

Kilo Charlie

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Just wondering if anyone uses powder dippers? My .250-3000 shoots MOA with loads where I use the Lee 2.5 cc dipper (supplied with the dies).
I fill the dipper to heaping with Reloder 15, strike off level with an empty matchbook cover, and load the case. The charges average about 34.8 grains, and have proven quite accurate with flatbase 100 grain bullets from Speer, Sierra and Remington. MOA from an 80-year-old takedown? I'm happy with that!
It's proven such an easy way to load that I plan to buy a set of the dippers and try them out on my other rifles.
 
I use them lots. I have both the old red ones and the newer yellow ones from Lee. In fact, a couple of sets of both!! :p:p
 
The Lee dippers

I have the full set and often use them, usually for any small number to be loaded. Saves setting the measure. Or, use them for some powders that don't measure well, or very light pistol loads, like 3.3 grains of Unique.
For small loads as mentioned, I have made up the dipper, out of a small pistol cartridge, filing it down, until I get the exact amount of powder wanted, then solder on a handle. More accurate than using the standard powder measure, for small amounts.
 
I use them for getting close to a charge before measuring and trickling up.
They can actually be pretty accurate as long as the user is consistant in technique. My dipped only 223 loads shoot better than factory AE.
 
"...charges average about..." 'About' isn't good enough. The dippers can vary the charge plus or minus a full grain. And CC's are not a standard unit of measure for powder. Pitch 'em and use a scale.
 
sunray said:
"...charges average about..." 'About' isn't good enough. The dippers can vary the charge plus or minus a full grain. And CC's are not a standard unit of measure for powder. Pitch 'em and use a scale.
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Dippers gotta be pretty near as accurate as most powder throwers and a lot easier to set up if you only want to do 4-5 rounds for load development. You still weigh the charge, it's just easier and faster to get the right ammount onto the scale. I have been considering getting a set of these things for a while now, and I guess my mind is made up.
 
Unless your nearing max. load for your rifle, 1/4 grain either way in a 30 grain charge isn't going to make much, if any difference. A larger cartridge even less critical. Dippers are easily that accurate. Weigh every charge until you get the hang of it, then maybe every 3 or 4 after. Consistancy on how you dip, level the dipper and the volume of the source container must be pretty consistent.
 
I use 'em.

I do a limited amount of reloading, and don't try to push the upper limits of the loads.

If you want the power of a max load, get a scale and use it! If you want to shoot, and don't want to spend all your life at it, load milquetoast rounds and have at.

I have been loading for my 223, and 308, using dippers, and the deer and gophers don't know that the charge was not carefully and lovingly measured out. :)
Ball powders are really nice for the dippers. I could see getting a bit more variance with the coarser extruded powders.

Cheers
Trev
 
I have a set but only used them with a trickler to get an exact charge. I bought a Perfect Powder Measure and don't dip any more.
 
I started using only the dippers that come with Lee die sets, then bought their dipper set when I wanted to try out different loads, then got a scale to test how consistent I was being with the dippers. Dippers are good enough for my purposes, but I've become interested in doing better than "good enough".

(So now I want a trickler, too. Any significant differences in tricklers? Anyone had any problems with any make/type that they can warn me about?)
 
Pitch 'em and use a scale.
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Not me. I find the dippers used properly have there place. In a typical hunting rifle little accuracy is sacrificed if they are properly used. They can be quite fast if loading a bunch of practice loads. You still need a scale of course - for confirming your dipper techniques and weighing individual charges when advisable.
 
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