powder measuring

[LBCR1]

i bought the lee classic loader and it says to use the powder chart that came with it and the supplied dipper. anything i need to do other then dip and level the powder off. i have done the sizing and priming steps .

i have the lyman 49th addition book i have been reading and it uses grains for measuring but i dont have a scale yet for that.

[napahunter]

Myself, I wouldn't do anything without a good scale!

[gesundheit]

Don't blindly trust the dipper. Use a good scale to ensure there are no accidents.

[Mike494]

Myself, I wouldn't do anything without a good scale!

This. Always, at least check the accuracy of your powder charge. Too much powder, and you could have a "kaboom".

[jdg30]

I would definitely buy a scale and measure every powder charge until you get used to it. Different powders have different shapes and consistencies and you won't know the actual weight you have in the dippers unless you weigh the powder charge.

Overcharging or undercharging your rounds could easily be a very bad and dangerous mistake.

[ireload]

Do get a balance scale. It would give you a more precise powder measurement. Lee has a decent entry level scale if budget is a concern. If you can splurge more then go with Honardy, RCBS, or Dillon. By the way RCBS and Dillon both have the same manufacturer, Ohaus.

[Bill Steele]

While the advice of getting a good scale and using it religously is good, you can safely use the dipper and the charts provided you follow the instructions on how to use it (you push the dipper into the powder and let it fill as it disappears, no scooping action, use a credit card or business card to scrape it flat to the mouth of the dipper, no heaped loads, etc.). Follow the charts provided explicitly.

I would recommend an RCBS 505 or Dillon Eliminator if you decide to get a scale, about three times the cost of your loader, ha!

[22popnsplat]

While the advice of getting a good scale and using it religously is good, you can safely use the dipper and the charts provided you follow the instructions on how to use it (you push the dipper into the powder and let it fill as it disappears, no scooping action, use a credit card or business card to scrape it flat to the mouth of the dipper, no heaped loads, etc.). Follow the charts provided explicitly.

I would recommend an RCBS 505 or Dillon Eliminator if you decide to get a scale, about three times the cost of your loader, ha!

I agree with Bill , I loaded for years with just a set of lee dippers and there conversion chart. It works for moderate plinker loads but for real precision you need a scale to weigh the loads .

[LBCR1]

i ordered a hornady scale should be here in a few days then i can start loading the cases

[Sunwolf]

Good move!You can get one of those cheapo electronic scales for a little more speed but you have to check it against your balance beam every so often.

[Sunwolf]

Like this...http://www.midwayusa.com/product/175...grain-capacity

Wait until they have a sale then get a couple.Got mine for 12.99.Always check against your balance.

[otis_bartleh]

Like this...http://www.midwayusa.com/product/175...grain-capacity

Wait until they have a sale then get a couple.Got mine for 12.99.Always check against your balance.

I have one of those, and new out of the box, it is a pos. I constantly have to recalibrate it, and it will absolutely never read 4.5, 4.7, or 5.0 grains. Example, I measure a 4.7 drop on a 505 scale and the Frankfurt arsenal scale will bounce that drop between 4.6 and 4.8. So now I use it just verify my drop every 50 rounds or so (my dropper seems to be dead nuts consistent, love it), but I never use the digital while working up a load... Maybe I just got a dud? Doubt it though, I know with scales, you get what you pay for...

I borrow a friends 505 scale when needed till I can swing my own....

[Bryan16]

I have one of those, and new out of the box, it is a pos. I constantly have to recalibrate it, and it will absolutely never read 4.5, 4.7, or 5.0 grains. Example, I measure a 4.7 drop on a 505 scale and the Frankfurt arsenal scale will bounce that drop between 4.6 and 4.8. So now I use it just verify my drop every 50 rounds or so (my dropper seems to be dead nuts consistent, love it), but I never use the digital while working up a load... Maybe I just got a dud? Doubt it though, I know with scales, you get what you pay for...

I borrow a friends 505 scale when needed till I can swing my own....

That's odd. Have you tried new batteries? I had to replace my batteries recently (the supplied batteries are garbage and can cause calibration issues). Mine works quite well.

[otis_bartleh]

Yeah, I put new batteries in right off the bat, I don't trust cheap batteries in sensitive electronics, and since the scale was given to me, new Duracells weren't a big deal... Luck of the draw I guess, just keep the calibration weight handy.

Also, doesn't it strike you as odd that the calibration weight provided is heavier than the max load? They say 750 grain max load, but the 50 gram weight provided is 771.6 grains?

[noylj]

The dippers are perfectly safe as long as you use the proper bullet weight and powder with the dipper. All Lee specified dipper loads are starting load equivalents and even if you used the dipper with the powder "heaped up" on top, rather than leveling it, you would still have a safe load.
Dippers have been used with smokeless powder since smokeless powder was invented.
You will ultimately probably want a balance and a powder measure so you can try powder/bullet weights/charge weights not covered by the Lee dippers, but that doesn't mean you can't load perfectly safe loads without...