Iron_Marshal wrote:
...Third, I need to buy a scale to test the dipper for consistency. Also, since the Lee Loader "may" throw 17.5 gr, and most of you seem to like 18-20 gr of powder, I "may" need to buy a different method for charging the cases.
...Fourth, any suggestions on primers?...
IM,
The best article I remember ever seeing on making your own custom
dippers at minimal expense and effort is this one; you should download it or at least print it out while it is still on the net:
http://www.beartoothbullets.com/tech_no ... tes.htm/41
As for
primers, that poses a problem that seems to be abating a little. It's always best to use the exact primers shown in the individual recipe for each bullet and powder; not the primers shown in the spreadsheets I listed. Speer, for instance, always lists CCI primers in their book because it is their product; but then again the powder is matched to the primer for a safe load.
Aside from that, there has been lively and informative discussion here (and elsewhere) on primers that are not specific to a known formula that you may need to research if you don't have a certain primer available. One regular poster here, as an illustration, swears by Remington primers for all or most of his loads. But the key is that he works the loads up from a safe beginning point, watching for pressure problems.
As an example of mating primers, if you buy a certain powder (such as Winchester products), then use the recipes available at the Winchester site if you have no other sources, so the primers are matched. Winchester primers are mentioned here specifically because certain of their primers burn much hotter and raise pressures than others - the large rifle primer burns hotter than the CCI large rifle primer, for one.
On this forum, I asked the same question and received excellent answers:
Big 3 Primers - MV Differences? (Edited - link added)
http://www.levergunscommunity.com/viewt ... erences%3F
Excellent photos of the primers firing:
http://www.6mmbr.com/PrimerPix.html
CalNet Primer test:
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/show ... hp?t=95308
I have dozens more in my archive, but these should work - there definitely is a difference.