Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: jmscon on September 15, 2016, 11:50:38 PM

Title: Almost blew it!
Post by: jmscon on September 15, 2016, 11:50:38 PM: So, being new to muzzle loading still, I almost made a bad mistake.

I have been using the Pyrodex 50/50 pellets in my Knight but I have been wanting to try loose powder to see if there is a difference. I didn't have a powder measure so I was going to use my powder scale. I was all ready to measure out 100 gr. (wt.) of ffg and pour it down the muzzle when I noticed on the powder jug some recommend loads, all by volume! I almost put a ~33% bigger charge in there! Would have been almost equivalent to 133 gr. by volume!

Why in the world is it different for modern and bp?

I'm sure the rifle could handle it but I'm glad I didn't find out the hard way!
Title: Re: Almost blew it!
Post by: Pete112288 on September 16, 2016, 01:23:30 AM: I am not sure why it is different than modern but I am sure your gun could have handled that load. At least you didnt try to measure out 150 grains on the scale for a magnum load. That could of been bad. At least this mistake would have just left you hopfully just a bit surprised from the bigger bang. My mistake left my pride, nerves, confidence and the concrete floor in my parents shop all shattered. Long wet day in the field. Ran some patches through it at home before the next days hunt, went to pop a cap or two at the end of wiping it out to prepare for a fresh load. Held it out to the side in one hand like a pistol and found out the second I pulled the trigger that my dumb a$$ forgot to unload the gun first (normally I do that in the field at the end of a wet day).
Title: Re: Almost blew it!
Post by: DaveMonti on September 16, 2016, 07:12:13 AM: I'm assuming you're asking why BP is measured in volume and modern is measured in weight? The simple reason is that BP is field loaded, and back in the day, volume was much easier to measure with than weight, not to mention that weighing something in the field would be impractical!

Modern powders vary in density significantly, and are much more powerful, so a smaller mistake with modern smokeless powder could lead to overpressure and exploding actions. Black powder doesn't generate nearly the pressure (force that propels the projectile) that modern powder does. Being able to pre-load modern rounds makes it easier to accurately weigh the powder charge. It also allows for using one measuring tool (the scale) to measure multiple different powders with different densities. That being said, modern powder throwers work by volume, but you must set the volume by weighting the charge it measures. Once the thrower is set to the correct volume for that particular powder charge, you can measure your powder charges repeatedly using volume.

I've "double loaded" a muzzle loader before, 180 grains of FF in a TC Hawken, and other than rattling my teeth, there was no real repercussions! I'm not sure what the modern inline MLs are capable of, but the Hawken can handle a lot of powder!
Title: Re: Almost blew it!
Post by: jmscon on September 16, 2016, 11:01:30 PM: Monti, thanks! That makes a lot of sense!

The guide says that 150 gr. Pyrodex pellets is the max load, not sure on the loose powder.

I don't like screwing up with things like powder because of the consequences, especially with modern powder. I understand bp has more room for error but making controlled explosion near my head I don't like making mistakes!