Lee dippers

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Last Post 19 January 2022

Standard Member

2frogs posted this 21 December 2021

Am I the only one still using the lee powder dippers for loading versus a powder measure..

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Hornet posted this 19 January 2022

I've got sets of the red and yellow that get frequent use, usually to get close the the correct amount of powder into the pan on the scale to finalize with the trickler. I had a set of black ones but they seem to have gone migratory. It seems to me that they were marked Mequon.

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CBA Member

Eutectic posted this 18 January 2022

Yes, somewhere there is a aluminum one in my mess. There was a black set and a yellow set. The current yellow set is in cubic centimeters. Not that this makes any difference they still work. The chambers are sized correctly for the charge, smaller diameter, shallower depth for smaller charge. This is something most measures cannot do.

The Lee Loaders included one measure. They adjusted for different bullet weights by specifying slower powders for heavier bullets. The loads were all close to the manual starting loads, so there was plenty of safety margin for powder lot and bullet differences. A neat system.

I found the strike off method gave better precision, but the difference was so small it was not worth the extra effort.

When I weigh charges I use the closest dipper and then dribble in the last grains.

Steve

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CBA Member

RicinYakima posted this 18 January 2022

Originals were aluminum with black wood handles.

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Boschloper posted this 18 January 2022

What is the third color?

I have seen red (I bought a set around 1973) and yellow, which I think is current.

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Standard Member

Eddie Southgate posted this 17 January 2022

I got all three colors of the plastic dippers . I still use them for the loads I have always used them for and still do not use them for loads where they are not appropriate , I'll not quit them now after over 50 years of using them .

Grumpy Old Man With A Gun......Do Not Touch .

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Standard Member

2frogs posted this 16 January 2022

I just tap the dipper with my finger to get it close enough. Never did very good with the card.

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CBA Member

Eutectic posted this 16 January 2022

Do you use the "shake off level" method or the "strike off with a business card" method?

Steve

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BigMan54 posted this 12 January 2022

I used them for about 6 months when I was in the Service. Almost 50yrs ago, have a new set with 15 dippers.

Some day......

Long time Caster/Reloader, Getting back into it after almost 10yrs. Life Member NRA 40+yrs, Life S.A.S.S. #375. Does this mean a description of me as a fumble-fingered knuckle-draggin' baboon. I also drool in my sleep. I firmly believe that true happiness is a warm gun. Did I mention how much I HATE auto-correct on this blasted tablet.

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2frogs posted this 12 January 2022

Amen to that

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Little Debbie posted this 12 January 2022

Quick, accurate, safe. Very useful product.

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RicinYakima posted this 12 January 2022

Hmmm. That is exactly what Elmer Keith said in his first reloading article in 1929. Dean Grinnell and Dick Lee used the same system to work out loads in the early 1960's. It is never an error, as long as you know when to quit using the next larger dipper.

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Eutectic posted this 12 January 2022

I am on my second set. I gave the first set to a friend who wanted to start reloading.

Dippers are the safest, simplest, least expensive way to measure powder. They have surprising precision if used carefully.

I also have several homemade dippers for specific charges.

Steve

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Buttersdad posted this 25 December 2021

I use my Lee dippers when I run a ladder test or just testing a load in a specific gun, or needing a very accurate load.

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Spindrift posted this 22 December 2021

I have a set of dippers that I use all the time, and appreciate a lot. Particularily when doing load development, loading many different loads.

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delmarskid posted this 22 December 2021

I use one for making duplex 45-70 loads.

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Boschloper posted this 22 December 2021

I have the older red set and yes I use them on occasion. They are great for onesie twosie experiments. I also use them for black powder that I don't want to put in my RCBS Uniflow powder measure.

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foesgth posted this 22 December 2021

I use them all the time. I am always picking up business cards so I have a clean one to level the scoops.

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max503 posted this 22 December 2021

I use them whenever possible for their simplicity.

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cfp4570 posted this 22 December 2021

You are not alone! I use the Lee autodisc for most handgun loads, but the dippers get used for almost all of my cast rifle loads, and a few jacketed rifle loads. I will insert my usual "die hard plinker" disclaimer here. Load development for me is done when I can consistently hit empty beer cans full of water at 50.