Cheap powder measures

[NAA_Silent]

I was reading thru the charts sub forum and found the casing size to volume chart. I decided to try and go one better and build a custom set of measures.

9mm trimmed to 15 grains
45ACP trimmed to 30 grains
45 Colt trimmed to 40 grains
243 Win trimmed to 50 grains
30-06 trimmed to 70 grains

The handles are just copper wire wrapped and soldered to the brass. I am going to scribe the volumes into the cases tomorrow. They are working very well, and should last a lifetime.

 

[JCOPE]

Good idea. Have you tried any .444 or .45-70 brass? The wider rim on them would probably make your soldering a little easier.

 

[necchi]

Been there done that, :wink:
It's a sticky; http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/247958/
The only one I use is the 38 special for the Revolvers.
FWIW, a measuring teaspoon holds about 9grns.

 

[NAA_Silent]

That would be the chart I was refering to.

 

[NAA_Silent]

Unfortunately, I do not have those cases in my brass supply. I figure with the range I have, I can do about any configuration of loads fairly easy. I don't plan to go over 70 grains at the moment. Soldering the copper wire to the brass was super easy anyway. I just used a plumbers torch o heat the casing and the wire and flowed the solder.

 

[Flint311]

This thread got me wondering. I've got a .410 metal casing that, if measured reasonably well, looked to measure about 100 gr. +/-

 

[Larry Pletcher]

One cheap method I use is to take a short piece of copper tubing and pinch off one end in a vice. I pour in the amount of powder i want to use, mark the tube, and cut it off at at that mark. Sometimes I drill a hole in the flattened part and add a leather tie.

Regards,
Pletch

 

[Lamonta]

I'm trying to figure out how you got 70 grains in a 30-06 - expand it, maybe? I was just toying with one last weekend and could barely get 60 grains of 3F in it. I like the handles and will try that myself.

 

[NAA_Silent]

I used 3f Pyrodex P and my brass adjustable measure to set the case limits. I used my belt sander to shorten the cases to match the appropriate amounts. the 30-06 case was fire formed in my Garand, then cut off just proud of the shoulder then sanded in. Perhaps the difference is in it not being sized before making a measure out of it?

 

[catman]

Even cheaper, I made from cane.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Free turkey bone from a thanksgiving dinner with a whittled wood plug.

85 grains.

For many years I carried a .45 Colt case on a strap. 42 grains for small game or two dips for 84 grains for deer. Worked great.

 

[NAA_Silent]

Nice measures. Once my rifle tells me what it wants to be fed, I might take a nod from yours and make a permanent one.

 

[Nathan Ripley]

I love the cane and bone. I will "borrow" that idea very soon.

 

[Rat Trapper]

What no pictures of a carved deer antler measure!

 

[buford87]

I also have made a measure from cane for my .32. For what it cost it is wonderful...................watch yer top knot...............

 

[Stumpkiller]

What no pictures of a carved deer antler measure!

I like those as well. MUCH more work than the turkey thigh bone. ;-)

(The shot bag plug is also an antler shot measure).

 

[Poor Private]

I don't know, with all the time and work involved they may be cheap in cost. But the time involved in finding the casings, buying a marker, and finding and and solding , and cost of propane, and then having all those small cartridges filling up my chest, it's just easier for me to spend 10 bucks and buy a adjustable measure and toss in the range chest.

 

[Carl Fowler III]

Stumpkiller, niffty idea replacing the plug on that ball pouch with an antler powder measure! Definitely going to make one for mine, thx for the idea! :thumbsup: