Author Topic: powder charge measure? (Read 979 times)

anweis · « **on:** June 21, 2004, 07:17:53 AM »

Suppose i use a muzzleloader for hunting, and i need a second shot. How do i know the weight of the powder charge in the field, without carrying a scale with me?
Sounds like a stupid question, but i am absolutely new to black powder shooting, and i got a .54 cal. flintlock two days ago.
Thanks

Wlscott · « **Reply #1 on:** June 21, 2004, 08:20:05 AM »

When you mention the word scale in your post, it causes me to assume that you are measuring your charges by weight. Black powder charges are measured by volume, not weight.

You can pick up a small powder measurer that you can carry in your possibles bag. Mine is a brass tube about 3/4" in diameter and about 6" long It's graduated on the outside. One end has a funnel that rotates out of the way so that you can fill it with powder. The other end is the adjustment end. I set mine on 100 grains and leave it.

I will usually load my rifle before I go into the field. Then I'll fill my measurer with the appropriate charge. I also carry a powder flask that holds about 400 grains of black powder in case I need it.

The best advise I can give you is to try not to need that second shot :lol: . With a black powder rifle, you're likely to not get one

JohnDY · « **Reply #2 on:** June 21, 2004, 08:50:45 AM »

anweis,

I use the same type powder measure. My is something like this.

http://www.tcarms.com/mlaccessories/measurers/7048.php

I too preload my blackpowder rifle before entering the woods but I also carry a few speedloaders that I loaded up just in case I need a quick reload in the woods. I use these.

http://www.tcarms.com/mlaccessories/loadimp/rpquikshot.php

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2004, 12:57:05 PM »

Try to find someone that is a black powder shooter or go to you local gun shop and they can point you in the right direction. They will also show you how it all works. Good luck.

Also go here: http://www.nmlra.org/Article1.htm

http://www.nebraskamuzzleloaders.com/safety_&_how_to.htm

http://home.insightbb.com/~morganco.lr/shooting.htm

Tcallbuilder · « **Reply #4 on:** June 22, 2004, 01:29:02 AM »

As was mentioned all black powder and black powder equivalent powders are measured by volume not weight.
try to find a measure that is clearly marked in 5-10 grain increments (some have lines with no numbers)
i use my muzzleloader for deer hunting......and in the places i hunt a 2nd shot is rare.....i dont think i have ever had a need for a 3rd. so i just carry a speed loader which is just a plastic tube with caps on both ends.
I put a saboted bullet in one end, and a pre-measured charge in the other.
that and a couple primers and im good to go.

REMEMBER; never exceed your gun manafacture max charge, and always seat the ball firmly against the powder charge!!!

TCB

Sourdough · « **Reply #5 on:** July 05, 2004, 10:32:49 AM »

I carry a small flask with an end that is made to drop a specific charge. The ends are removable and can be bought in different sizes. That way there is no measuring to do, just hold the flask upside down, push the lever and the spout fills with the right amount of powder. Now don't just dump it down the barrel, you might get a surprise. Transfer it to a different pouring item before pouring it down the barrel, that way if a spark remains in the barrel, you don't set the entire flask off, when it flames up. I also carry and old piece of antler on a leather thong around my neck, that I drilled to hold 110grs by volumn of Pyrodex. That is the measure I carry and use when I am using my TC Hawken with round ball.

I often make powder measures for friends by using antler, or bone. I take a piece of antler then drill a small hole on the small end for a leather thong. Then on the large end I drill a larger hole that will accommodate the proper amount of powder by volumn. I use one of those brass powder measures to make sure I have the right amount of powder. Many if my friends wear their measures as a necklace all the time. The antler one look nice just as they are. One guy took his bone measure and got another friend to scrimshaw if for him, now he wears it all the time also.

Wlscott · « **Reply #6 on:** July 08, 2004, 05:18:52 AM »

Quote

Transfer it to a different pouring item before pouring it down the barrel, that way if a spark remains in the barrel, you don't set the entire flask off, when it flames up.

Good advice. I also make a habit of blowing across the top of the muzzle in case there's a spark still in the barrel. I don't really know if this helps or not, but I've never had a charge go off when I dumped it in the barrel.