13 January 2008, 08:33
seb1008lee dippers an unique powder
With the 1cc lee dipper the chart that comes with these dippers says that this should weigh out 9.2 gr. of unique.When I weigh out the 1cc dipper with unique it weighs 8.2 on my lee scale.All other dippers on the lee chart are also off on my scale from what the lee chart says they are.. I don't have any check weights to check my scale, but when I check the 1cc dipper with trail boss I get 4.4gr. which is the same as another poster posted on a question about lee dippers and trail boss.Anyone tell me what unique weighs in their dippers. I am not loading anything until I can verify the accuracy of the dippers or scale. Thank you
13 January 2008, 09:34
Ol` JoeI can`t give the exact figure at the moment but in the past when useing the dippers I always found them to be a little light compared to the listed weight they were suposed to give no matter what powder. They could be very consistant with a bit of practice though and I still use one at times in place of a measure to weigh a few charges during load work up. The
Lee version of Lawyer interferance I guess.
13 January 2008, 13:18
Winchester 69You need check weights.
Unique was reformulated a few years back. I don't know that the density has changed, but it is a possibility.
13 January 2008, 14:39
asdfBulk density varies with powder lots. Lee will certainly be assuming a worst case for density, and to allow for user error, they'll likely add a fudge factor on top of that.
13 January 2008, 17:40
PaulSIn order to test the accuracy of your scale you need to use a test weight. You can use a bullet as a test weight if you dont want to buy a set but bullets can be off by 1 or two grains when using commecially produced jacketed bullets. When checking powder charges with a scale put ten charges on the scale and weigh it. That figure divided by ten is the average weight thrown by your measure. As I understand it Lee dippers always measure less powder than they say in order to maintain a level of safety.
After having said all that powder density is almost never the same from one lot to the next. What is more, the burning characteristics of the same powder from lot to lot can vary within the selected variations that the powder marketer deems as acceptable. So a batch that weighs less can produce more pressure than a heavier charge of another lot. As reloaders we accept the risks and are supposed to approach the use of our components with discretion and informed conserative habits. If you check your Lee scale with check weights you won't want to use it ever again - they don't repeat readings.
13 January 2008, 17:52
N. S. SherlockSince you trust your scales, accept what they tell you. Make your own checkweight to agree with your scales out of scissors cut aluminum beer can. Those dippers work pretty good if you are consistent, the same as powder metering chambers in big measures. Check for static because the dippers are plastic along with your plastic funnel. File the edge off to reduce a charge or scrape a bit of plastic out of the interior to increase, for a pet load. Mark the handle though. Pretty quick in use too.