Originally Posted By: Shannow
Powder scales, and a set of lee dippers.
Weigh every charge for the .223 and use the scoops for the .44.
The dippers are convenient and can be repeatable IF they are used consistently and correctly.
Many folks want to use them like a spoon. The outside is barrel shaped for a reason-you should push them base first into the powder and let the powder fill in over the top. They then need a gentle "tap" to level the top.
Also, bear in mind that you should verify the load they actually throw, and do it a bunch of times. The included chart is close, but powder can vary somewhat lot to lot. Also, using a powder with larger flakes like Unique or the "dot" powders with the small volume scoops is a recipe for disaster. Fine powders like Bullseye do meter more consistently at small volumes. 2400 and Win 296 flow like water, but you shouldn't be using small weights of those.
BTW, I have a spreadsheet where I tested the repeatability of different powders with different cavities in the Lee Auto Disk. I reference it in preference to the Lee tables since I know it's correct for my set-up and also tells me the smallest cavity I can use and get repeatable results. The whole experiment was prompted by a sqib in 32 S&W Long, and I realized that at what was supposed to be 2.5gr of Unique I could get anywhere from 1.8 to 3.5gr. I actually quit reloading 32 S&W Long after that happened as it scared me and I shoot so little of it that I can afford to buy it(plus the small cases are difficult to handle). My 32 caliber handgun reloading is limited to 32-20 and 327 Magnum.
Powder scales, and a set of lee dippers.
Weigh every charge for the .223 and use the scoops for the .44.
The dippers are convenient and can be repeatable IF they are used consistently and correctly.
Many folks want to use them like a spoon. The outside is barrel shaped for a reason-you should push them base first into the powder and let the powder fill in over the top. They then need a gentle "tap" to level the top.
Also, bear in mind that you should verify the load they actually throw, and do it a bunch of times. The included chart is close, but powder can vary somewhat lot to lot. Also, using a powder with larger flakes like Unique or the "dot" powders with the small volume scoops is a recipe for disaster. Fine powders like Bullseye do meter more consistently at small volumes. 2400 and Win 296 flow like water, but you shouldn't be using small weights of those.
BTW, I have a spreadsheet where I tested the repeatability of different powders with different cavities in the Lee Auto Disk. I reference it in preference to the Lee tables since I know it's correct for my set-up and also tells me the smallest cavity I can use and get repeatable results. The whole experiment was prompted by a sqib in 32 S&W Long, and I realized that at what was supposed to be 2.5gr of Unique I could get anywhere from 1.8 to 3.5gr. I actually quit reloading 32 S&W Long after that happened as it scared me and I shoot so little of it that I can afford to buy it(plus the small cases are difficult to handle). My 32 caliber handgun reloading is limited to 32-20 and 327 Magnum.
