Lee dipper sets deserve a place in every reloading room. I have used them for almost all my reloading, and get accurate results. For instance, a 5-shot ragged hole in .308, and 5/8-in groups with 30-06. I just pick a mid-range load with the powder and bullet weight used (never near max), load and shoot. To get charge weights with powders not listed in the charge weight reference card, just throw a few charges into a scale and record the results. I use either 5 or 10 charges together and average them for an accurate reading, then record the results. I have made custom dippers out of spent 9mm cases. Shorten the case with a sander and test charge weights with a scale until you get the one you want (throw ten charges together and average them, super accurate method). For instance, with Bullseye I have made 3.8 gr and 4.3 gr. dippers. Use a paper clip twisted around the extractor groove for use as a handle, and you're good to go.
Awesome review, I’ve often looked at this set but was unsure, thank you for the info! I’ve been having awesome luck with Greendot and those T&B bullets for cast.
Thanks for the video, I couldn't find any of the powders mentioned , but I did find accurate #5 and #7....haven't tried it yet, I'll be using a Rossi r92 16" barrel 38/357.... Primers will be CCI small rifle , topped up with a 158 gr lswc bevel base hard cast, lubed. I just didn't find the time to test it yet.
You’re welcome! Post back and let us know how those powders work for you. I used one lb of Accurate powder years ago, but haven’t used it since. No problem with it or anything. Don’t remember why I never bought it again. But, it seems like Accurate is the only powder I’ve been seeing lately. Might have to try it again.
Thank you for the tips new to reloading and practiced with dippers and a scale tonight struggled a little getting a consistent weight I a sure I will do better after watching your video.
You're welcome my friend. It makes my day when I hear from folks that find my videos helpful. Once I got the knack on using dippers it made reloading go so much faster and easier.
If you get one of the old red or black sets (they are the same other than color) they are marked in cubic inches but if you do the math to convert them to metric they fall between the yellow dippers. I don't remember where I stumbled across that info but it makes it kinda nice sometimes being able to get closer to a charge that the standard yellow dippers won't throw. I made a chart that shows all the dippers and their capacity's in cubic centimeters and hung it in my power storage locker.
I guess it does depend on the type of powder your using, but I've had great success and VERY ACCURATE weights by using the "level it off once with a paper card" method. It has never varied by more the one tenth of a grain!!!!! And I periodically check with a "Certified" digital scale.
When you level with a card don’t “shave” by laying flat just hold the card vertical and skim across the top. Works well for me doing it that way. I like using some old store rewards card or old debit card
Here's a question that I haven't seen answered anywhere: Has anyone used two different dippers to subtract a smaller volume from a larger one? For example (I'm just getting started with reloading .32 S&W long), if I want to get close to 2 gr of Bullseye, I could measure out .5 cc (4.7 gr), then use the .3 cc dipper to remove 2.8 gr, leaving 1.9 gr.. The dipper that came with my die set is .17 cc, which I'd consider a light load. Naturally, I'd calibrate my technique with a scale, but is this a common trick to estimate loads intermediate between the standard Lee dippers?
I have used Lee dippers extensively. I have never subtracted a smaller volume from a larger one. I have made custom dippers out of a 9mm spent case by sanding down to shorten the case and checking the weight thrown until I get what I want. Then I twist a paper clip wire around the extractor groove to make a handle. I throw ten dips into a scale all together, and then weigh it to get the charge weight--just divide by ten and you've got the actual charge weight for a single dip, which then is very accurate. I always shave the charge level with the dipper edge with a plastic card. Especially I have made custom dippers for Bullseye in 3.8 gr (38 special, 45ACP target loads) and 4.3 gr (9mm). And some others for different powders.
