Dippers work fine if you stick to the exact recommendations. They just really limit your powder choices to whatever the data has, and limit the powder charge to one weight for that particular dipper.

Not a lot of difference with shotshell bushings, actually. Except that I suspect that shotshell patterns are much less varied by slight changes in powder charge, than rifles cartridges.

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MikeG

I agree
That is my method also on Rifle. I checked the dippers on my 505 scale and two tries sent me back to the scale.
Added to that the only thrower I have ever owned will be when I get my progressive pistol loader.

Looks like the OP is a one-n-done and the volume vs. weight thing has no clear winner.

At the risk of flogging the deceased equine: When the 12th charge in a row from my RCBS Uniflow is spot-on, or within 1 tenth of a grain of the weight I'm after, I just drop 'em straight into the case. I will still check one, now n' then, but I've shot so many rounds that were loaded this way, I just can't see how loading by volume can be so risky.

When you're loading 20 rifle rounds, hand-weighing each charge is not too laborious, but when you're working with 500 rounds of 9mm, it's just ridiculous to weigh every one. It's also clear that it isn't necessary.

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Ask me about QDMA.

Agreed Broom, pistol I am not as OCD about pistols rounds as I am with rifle. I am very meticulous about the cases being uniform and charge weight. I have even gone so far as group bullets out of the box by variances in weight.

Powder measures weigh by volume and mine are always right on, I usually check every 10th round on the scale to be sure, and for pistol loads only. For rifle loads I check each one on the scale. I have never wanted to use a dipper, though, because it seems like you could have one scoop leveled off on top, next one maybe have the charge a bit heaped up in the middle , and if you noticed it , and tried to level it out, would compress the charge slightly ? Maybe someone that uses scoops and has a scale to weigh them could enlighten us.

That kit comes with just about everything you need to start reloading..all you need from here are a set of dies for each caliber you want to reload, opinions vary, but mine says Lee dies are as good as anybody elses for everyday use, plus they come with a shellholder, powder dipper, (which you can use or not, but you can use as a "trickler") and load data. Other than that I'd look for case trimmers, at least for the rifle calibers, (again Lee's are che--err, inexpensive, easy to use and they work quite well.) Another load book would be good, then go buy some primers, bullets, and powder and get to work..

Over the years I have used, and continue to use, a number of products from various firms. Your RCBS product is an excellent choice for a beginner. You will need a micrometer, a primer pocket uniformer, and some plastic or paper cartridge boxes. I also recommend a good gooseneck reading lamp so that you can see what you are doing. Get some safety glasses and use them. When I started I purchased an RCBS inertia bullet puller (mostly to correct my mistakes) and a flashing red light to alert my wife that I am reloading. This is to avoid be disturbed during a batch process like charging cases. None of this is expensive. A tumbler is nice to have but not essential, you can clean up cartridge cases using 00 steel wool. All of this will pack up in a standard foot locker so you can stow it if need be. Over the years I have acquired a lot or range recovered brass which I store in surplus GI ammo cans. A brother label machine purchased at the local office supply store is a great way to label stuff.

What I did was follow the instructions in one of the Lee books, which said to scoop the powder out so it is as level as you can get it to the top, and slide a business card across it to level the dose flat to the dipper. I know that each dipper may not be completely as even as one another but at least the Lee manual states that each dipper has been averaged for a tolerance rating so that it will not be a hazard, even if you heap it slightly over the rim.

My son loaded two sets of five .270 cartridges last week, 5 with H4350 poweder and 5 with IMR 4138 powder. We are going to hit the gun range this weekend and see which shoot best.

He also loaded 50 rounds of .38 special using HP 38 powder.

He is 13 years old, so I am excited that he is interested in this with me.

Cheers, Tim in Virginia

Please report back we will be waiting for the results.

Virginiaguy,

Good to see you have a young person learning the trade! We need all the new shooters and loaders we can get!

I use the Lee dippers, in fact they were in use at my loading bench today. However, as I stated earlier they are used to dip powder into the scale pan and a smaller dipper is used to adjust the charge until it zeros.

Dipping if Lee has done their job and errored on the safe side may be safe as they claim, but it will in no way be consistant.

If the container in which the powder is placed is deep and full and the dipper is put in deep and drawn out from the depths of the container, the charge will be different then if the dipper is skimmed over the top of the powder until full.

Yes, I understand that consistancy of dipping method is required for "best" consistancy, however, my point is that dipping is at very best, and educated guess.

As per the H4350 and IMR4831 tests, it will be interesting to see the results. However, you might point out to the young loader that any group of 5 rounds with any powder of proper/safe burning rate really tells you little until it is compaire to itself at different powder charge levels.

Rather, if for example the listed starting load for the IMR4831 is 44gr and the "max" listed load is 49gr. a series of 3 or 5 shot groups in something like the following will provide usefull info. 5 at 44gr, 5 at 45gr, 5 at 46gr, 5 at 46.5gr, 5 at 47gr, 5 at 47.5gr, 5 at 48gr, 5 at 48.5gr ands 5 at 49gr will provide much usable and meaningful info.

Then following much the same pattern, load and test the H4350.

This will give a valid picture of how your firearm/bullet/primer/brass reacts to each of the powders, and at what pressure levels.

Over the years, I have seen groups decrease in size as the charge level increases, then watched as they begin to open up as I worked toward the max recommended level. Then, I have seen the groups decrease all the way to the highest levels, or worse case, watched as the test loads simply NEVER showed anything like a worthy combination.

As said, will be interested to read what you and your son learn from the current test loads.

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

A gentle admonition and a major kudos:

When you mention a specific powder, be certain you don't have any typos in your post. Someone else that is new to reloading might see your "IMR 4138" and think you must have meant "IMR 4198". If they loaded that up in 270, they could get into a nasty situation. We all know you meant "IMR 4831". There is an edit feature on this site where you can go in and fix that, if you like.

My dad got me into reloading (shotshells) when I was in my early teens and it was a great way for the two of us to spend time together. Thank you for giving your son something to do that doesn't involve hours in front of a computer screen or gaming console!

This seems like a great forum with a great bunch of members! Thanks for all the feedback! I will keep you all informed of our results.

Virginiaguy,

Lot to learn here and on some of the other forums, and in most cases info given is valid.

However, as Broom_jm indicates, we do at times put in a wrong number or something. THEREFORE, it is always smart to double check with relyable loading manuals before using the loading info found here.

That is true even if I have given the info although we all know the Ol'Coot never, well almost never, makes a mistake.

I hope your son will soon be able to take a critter with his own hand loads. I can remember back to the 60s when that happened the first time for me.

Then just three hunting seasons ago, a new "mile stone" as I took my first Cast Boolit critter with my own cast boolit. Since then the total is 4 deer and 2 elk with my cast boolits.

What a hoot it is to hunt with cast boolits in my 45/70!

Enjoy the time and experience with your son, as they are too soon gone!

Be safe and enjoy!

Crusty Deary Ol'Coot

OK, load pistol by volume, yes, I do that also for the most part. Since I only load for 40 S&W and 10mm and use two powders, W231 and Blue Dot, it's very easy. W231 meters extremely well and I dump them straight into the shell and check every 10-15 or so. Blue Dot can vary quite a bit, but when loading reduced pratice loads, I still dump straight into the shell, spot checking along the way. However for my 10mm max load with Blue Dot, which is about 1 grain more than any published load, I weigh each and ever load. I dump in the scale cup, weigh it, adjust as necessary and dump it in the case. I also only load about 10 - 20 of the max loads every six months, because I don't shoot those very often.

Also, for the 223 AR-15 loads, I'm using a ball powder that meters extremely well and I meter those straight into the shell, spot checking along the way. I don't waste time trying to make accurate loads for a rifles that shoots two inch groups on their best day. Yea, I might could spend a bunch of time and money to make them a little more accurate, but what I would ever be shooting with those and the intended range, an inch or so in the group ain't gonna amount to anything.

ALL, my hunting and target rifles get the powder dumped on the scales before it goes in the shell.

As for teaching and passing it on, my son is 38 and has been reloading for years. I don't have a grandson, so my granddaughter has had to take over that role. She is 16 now, going on 30 and has been loading he own for about four years, but still only when I can supervise. Even though I started loading my own, with no one to show me, when I was 16. I started with shotguns and about 1 1/2 years later I got into rifle loading.

OK, so we are back from the range. We shot his loads through my Savage 110 model rifle. It has a new scope, so we had two tasks, (1) to zero in the scope and (2) test the reloads. Using a bore laser we got on target with the first shot which was a commerical Winchester round, and zero'ed in at 50 yards to start. We moved the target out between 75 and 80 yards and worked in the reloads. Both the IMR and Hodgens rounds did very well for our first time. Both kept the exact same groups (of course we are only talking about 75 yards), but we were happy with our very first attempts. Hey we can only get better and will continue to take the advice of the knowledge on this forum! I did notice that the IMR (more powder in the shell) had less recoil than the rounds with the Hodgens (less powder in the shell). Both reloads felt like more recoil from the gun than when we fired the commerical Winchester rounds.

Thanks for all the advice and feedback from you guys!

Tim from VA