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Anybody know of an adjustable powder scoop/powder dipper?

VaniB

Is there anything out there designed to be manually dipped into a can of powder when reloading one case at a time? The only thing I know of is the Lee yellow plastic scoops which in IMO are piss poor, & I'd rather use nothing.

I've been using an adjustable homemade dipper successfully for many years. The charge of a favorite powder can be measured via the graduating tics on this tool or via a ruler, & written down in my notes so I can quickly find & duplicate the same exact load again in the future. (you don't have to check it & measure it each time you dip it into the powder, you only set it initially) I'd be amazed if a manufacturer hasn't figured this out yet. I figure there must be a tool out there already. (??) If so I'd like to see it.
 
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I seem to recall there was an adjustable dipper for shot that had a scale chart for different sizes. I could be wrong, however. An adjustable dipper might not handle ball and flake powder without leaking.
 
BoydAllen said:
A while back, just for fun I got out an old Lee dipper, poured some extruded powder into a coffee cup and weighted some dipped charges. They were truly awful, even though I was very careful to use the same technique for each, and experimented to try to find the best method.
Click to expand...
The Lee dippers work well for "throwing light" into a scale pan, then "trickling up", in lieu of setting up a powder thrower. I also use them for bulletless/fillerless fireforming in the field, to charge primed cases with pistol powder (the smallest dipper which produces a proper shoulder having been predetermined.)
-
 
I know this thread is about dippers,but the little lee powder thrower can be had for what one of the brass/aluminum dippers cost and mine can be accurate with most powders. I do throw lite and trickle up though. I never be very consistent with a dipper but have used them and trickeld up to powder charge
 
itchyTF said:
How about this?
https://thereloadersnetwork.com/2019/07/01/adjustable-powder-scoop-review/

The aluminum one -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LMF-Adjustable-Powder-Dipper-Aluminum-Made-in-USA-/232973555168
Click to expand...

If the adjustable part was threaded so it would screw in and out and have some index marks you wouldn't need to use calipers, just dial in your setting and dip away.

An old timer I knew had brass cases trimmed down with a handle soldered on and use those for his .38 and .45 acp loads. They dipped just the right amount of powder for his target loads.
 
Fast14riot said:
The Lee PPM is actually excellent for stick powders and leaks like a sieve with ball powders.
Click to expand...

Agreed. It's an adjustable "scooper" that works very well with Varget and may be used to dispense single case charges.

-Mac
 
itchyTF said:
How about this?
https://thereloadersnetwork.com/2019/07/01/adjustable-powder-scoop-review/

The aluminum one -
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LMF-Adjustable-Powder-Dipper-Aluminum-Made-in-USA-/232973555168
Click to expand...



That looks like a pretty decent tool. However, I don't know why the seller/maker didn't put a longer length handle on it so it can easily reach down into any size canister without you having to jam your fingers & knuckles into the mouth of the can trying to reach powder that's further down. I'd buy the lighter aluminum model and then I'd epoxy a brass or aluminum K&S tube onto the short handle to extend it. Also, this tool may not fit into cans that have a smaller opening.
 
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sqrlgtr said:
......I do throw lite and trickle up though. I never be very consistent with a dipper but have used them and trickeld up to powder charge
Click to expand...

Yep, when you guys are doing precision reloading & accurate shooting, you will not expect any kind of powder scoop to deliver the exact load you seek. I use this crude but efficient tool I made just to get me within a couple of grains of a required powder charge, and then I use my trickler and a scale to finish up. Because I'm a hobbyist who builds R/C airplanes and already had the K&S tubes and wood dowels, it cost me nothing to make. Even cheaper if you can think of an outer tube other then a K&S tube to use. A wooden dowel is fast to find at the Home D.

IMG_2006.JPG
If you're a hobbyist like me and enjoy making things, this is quick project for you. It's light, cheap to make, and easy to use. It will get in & out of any size can opening while reaching the bottom easy.
IMG_2008.JPG

Photo below; Of course you can always pen some calibration marks over the length of the wood dowel, but I choose to simply place a ruler against it. I need only set it once initially, and it stays at 6 3/8" to give me the 18.7gr loads for my .221 Fireball. I always use a trickler & scale to get the final precise charge by trickling up a few 1/10ths to it.
IMG_2011.JPG

IMG_2010.JPG Bottom photo; There's basically just 2 components to it. If you need big charges for large cartridges, then file open a longer slot, or I suppose you can always buy a larger K&S tube and use a 3/8" or 1/2" wood dowel. Then you will have a small capacity dipper, and a large one. The red pen line also tells me at a glance which side of the dipper that the open slot is on, so I hold the dipper slot facing up.
IMG_2012.JPG

Wood dowels are at your Big Box Hardware store, and K&S tubes are usually available at full stock hobby shops. If your town no longer has a real R/C hobby shop in business, you can get the tubes at Ebay. (but cost twice as much to cover the shipping) K&S tubes are designated via their OD. (not ID)

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=K&S+3/8"+brass+tube&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_osacat=0&_odkw=K&S+.375+brass+tube
 
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We use UNF couplings with matching socket caps(turn ends square) as expedient "jacks" around the shop. Be pretty durn clumsy as a dipper but might work?

* You'd use it opposite from above,using the hollow side.
 
Simple answer, of sorts.

www.montanavintagearms.com

They make a beautiful reproduction of the very old Belding&Mull measure. There is a tube with a plunger inside that is graduated. You set the rough setting (it comes marked with every 10gr lines) and drop a couple charges to settle the measure. Then weigh it, and adjust to suit.
 
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