Powder measure (black powder)

[scoyoc5]

I bought a traditions powder measure the other day it's supposed to measure up to 120 grains so today I thought I would check it out to see how accurate it is. I set the powder measure at 90 grains poured triple 7 ffg in it then measured it on my horndy scale and it measured 64grains ? Then I maxed the powder scale to 120 grains checked it on my scale and it's 95 grains. What the? Is there a good quality powder measure out there? I am new to the black powder world. Thanks, John

[2labs]

Pretty sure black powder is by volume not wieght.  I am sure some one more knowledgable will chime in.

[RG]

Black powder and the various substitutes are measured by volume. The measure would deliver accurate weight of real black powder everything else goes by that volume. If you put actual weight of the substitutes it's going to be wrong.  Use the measure and don't weigh it.

[lokidog]

Black powder and the various substitutes are measured by volume. The measure would deliver accurate weight of real black powder everything else goes by that volume. If you put actual weight of the substitutes it's going to be wrong.  Use the measure and don't weigh it.

 

When using a BP substitute, I will throw three to five charges using the volumetric measurer,  I will weigh each one and then average them to figure out the actual weight (of BP substitute) of charge to use.  I like the confidence of the consistency I get by weighing rather than using the volume measurer each time.  I pre weigh four or five charges to carry while I hunt but also have the measurer if needed.

[scoyoc5]

Thanks RG I remember someone else telling me that too..... On the back of the package the first line reads " precise powder measurements from 10 to 120 grains for safe, accurate loading....

[Heredoggydoggy]

Black powder and the various substitutes are measured by volume. The measure would deliver accurate weight of real black powder everything else goes by that volume. If you put actual weight of the substitutes it's going to be wrong.  Use the measure and don't weigh it.

Pretty much true.  In the old days, black powder shooters would test their loads over a field of snow.  Black flecks on the snow was unburned powder blown out of the barrel, indicating wasted powder.  A black powder gun will only burn what it needs to push the projectile out of the barrel.

[carpsniperg2]

  I have done that as well. Unburned powder is not a good thing.

[scoyoc5]

So let me ask...I set my powder measure in between 90-100..which equals 72grains of triple 7 ffg.is this a good starting load? 300grain horndy xtp bullet.

[carpsniperg2]

100 grains is a great place to start. All of mine over the years have really seemed to shoot best in the 100-120g range

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

We ended up with 110 in our smoke polls. Maxed out the load and there was unburnt powder all over the place . . And accuracy was better.

[RG]

All 3 of my guns shoot tight groups with 90 grains of fffg Goex black powder.  That's convenient because usually each gun has its preference.  Even 2 identical guns from the same manufacturer can shoot better with different loads depending on how worn the rifling jig was when it went down that particular barrel, etc.  I shoot Goex black powder because two of my guns are flintlock and won't ignite reliably with a substitute.  I have no idea if there's unburned powder on the snow....   I saw a yellow spot in some snow once though..

[Heredoggydoggy]

All 3 of my guns shoot tight groups with 90 grains of fffg Goex black powder.  That's convenient because usually each gun has its preference.  Even 2 identical guns from the same manufacturer can shoot better with different loads depending on how worn the rifling jig was when it went down that particular barrel, etc.  I shoot Goex black powder because two of my guns are flintlock and won't ignite reliably with a substitute.  I have no idea if there's unburned powder on the snow....   I saw a yellow spot in some snow once though..

A yellow spot in the snow means your gun is kicking the P out of you!