How to use lee dipper?

Red Baron

Red Baron

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Hi folks! I am just about to start reloading for the first time and I need a little clarification on something. I am reloading for a .44 mag, and I am using H110 powder. With my .44 mag dies, i have a powder dipper and a chart. The chart states that I need to use 1.9 for the Lee Dipper. Does this indicate that i need about two scoops of powder to charge a case with a starting load?
 
Red Baron said:
Hi folks! I am just about to start reloading for the first time and I need a little clarification on something. I am reloading for a .44 mag, and I am using H110 powder. With my .44 mag dies, i have a powder dipper and a chart. The chart states that I need to use 1.9 for the Lee Dipper. Does this indicate that i need about two scoops of powder to charge a case with a starting load?
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Always weigh your charge to be sure..the dipper info varies from lot to lot..
 
lee data for their dippers is in CC's, the dipper you have should be marked how many CC's it contains.

You'd best be investing in a proper scale, That's the only accurate way to be sure of your powder charge weight.
 
Red Baron said:
The chart states that I need to use 1.9 for the Lee Dipper. Does this indicate that i need about two scoops of powder to charge a case with a starting load?
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NO! If the data for that powder states "use the 1.9 dipper" that means use the dipper marked "1.9" which is the dipper capacity in cc's


Lee makes 13 or 14 different dippers of different sizes. Most loads are based on a single dipper load to avoid confusion. In the rare cases where multiple 'dips" must be made the data is clearly marked "X2"
 
The dippers are usually pretty good once you get the hang of filling them consistantly. Lee dipper loads tend to be lighter (on the safe side) loads that . I usually dump a fair bit of powder in a bowl so it's easy to fill the dipper with one heaping scoop, then tap it sideways so it levels.

I way every fifth and it's usually pretty close.

Inspect the filled cases with a flashlight before seating, just as a precaution looking for double charges or missed charges in your charging block.
 
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What you may want to do...is dump ten consistant scoops on your scale....divide the weight by ten. This will determine the weight of that powder for the volume of that particular scoop.. Like bisonhd said always double check every so many charges by weighing...
 
When using the Lee dipper, I always have a plastic card at hand (old credit card or same format).
I fill the dipper by pushing its bottom sideways in the powder then reversing the movement and taking it out. It makes for a nice heaping dipper and I level it with the card by running it across the top of the dipper; excess powder falls down, back into the bowl.
I get very consistent loads that way. Once you have found the load with a given powder, i'll never change.
PP.
 
"...going to go pick up a scale..." Good. Pitch the dippers. They're not accurate enough. They can vary the charge plus or minus a full grain.
 
you should also pick up a 'perfect powder mesure'. you fill the hopper, set it useing your scale and then you just turn the handle and you get a near perfect charge. i weigh every 10th just to be sure, and its only ever off by 0.1 grains or so.
very handy, and makes loading alot faster than using a scale for every charge.
 
I also have a .44mag Lee does and the dipper that came with it is 1.6cc IIRC.

get yourself a Lee Auto Disc - it chages the case as you flare it. :)
 
Gatehouse said:
I think the best way to use a dipper is to chuck it out...
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I'll go along with Gatehouse on this one. Throw the dippers out and buy a half decent scale, not a Lee scale either. I bought a used but not abused Lyman scale from a buddy of mine to replace my Lee Safety scale. Lee scales aren't any more accurate than dippers. I have a lot of Lee products, and I find them pretty good, but their scales are garbage.
 
Dippers work every bit as well as the charge bar on your fancy Dillon progressive, just slower is all. But I use a Perfect powder measure and a scale they're cheap and work well.
 
I have a couple of scales and have been reloading for a few decades now, and I still use the dippers for a few things. I find technique really comes into play with them for consistancy. As mentioned, a small business card or plastic (credit card) to scrape the top of the dipper after you scoop it full really helps. I have no issues with the dippers or they way they are designed to be used, but the original post has me a little concerned, with the knowledge/skill level conveyed. Please read the instructions carefully until you understand them, and that goes for any other reloading equipment too. FWIW - dan
 
dan and Pervers Pepere have outlined the best methodology for using the Lee dippers.

My powder measuring apparatus includes all of the following:
Lee dipper set
Redding powder scale
Redding BR-3 measure
two RCBS Little Dandy measures with six charge rotors

All of these instruments fill a niche application.
For using any volumetric measuring device, it is manditory to calibrate its 'throw' to its gravimetric equivalent using a verifyed scale.
 
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