There are a variety of powder measures available. I use an adjustable volume measure that has a funnel attached to aid in pouring the charge down the barrel. But, I also made a fixed powder measure out of an Antler. And I have dipper-style measure for my shotgun, that are used for measuring both powder and shot. You can make your powder measures out of wood, bamboo( a grass, really) metal tubing, plastic tubing, etc. Some are HC, and others aren't. Making a fixed powder measure for your gun from a piece of antler is fun- particularly if it comes from a deer you killed with your gun. :shocked2: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Then there are the English, and Irish Shot measurers that you can buy separately, or as part of a commercially made snake or bag. I have a game bag with the snake incorporated in the shoulder strap, but I also have an Irish measure that I bought, and put on a leather shot bag I made from Elk hide. I got carried away with that bag, and made it way too large, but it won't take much more work to reduce its size to a third of its current size, so that I don't have to hire a small boy to carry it for me into the fields! :haha:
For safety, always pour your powder from a larger source( can, powder horn, flask, etc.) into a smaller measure. Then close the larger source, to protect it from unintentional ignition from stray sparks.Finally, then pour the powder in the separate measure down the barrel.
Those gates a valves on those brass measures that are attached to some commercial powder horns can be easily compromised by condensed moisture causing a build-up of BP residue on and around the gate or valve. This eventually will prevent the gate or valve from closing properly( Hint: you will see powder dribbling out of the device after you thought you poured all the powder out of it! :shocked2: ).
That, then is a seriously dangerous situation, as the loose powder that might lay on a table or bench and go unnoticed, can be ignited by a stray spark, and the trail of powder will go right into that flask or powder horn, thru that open gate, or valve, turning it into a GRENADE!
I owned a well made replica powder flask sold by Navy Arms, years ago, with a spring loaded Gate made of steel plate. To clean that gate, you have to remove the entire "head" from the body of the flask, and you need small jeweler's screw drivers to get that done. Needless-to-say, It was several years before I got around to cleaning that gate. I did so after I found powder dribbing out of that flask when the gate was suppose to be CLOSED!{ And you wonder how I learn all these things? :idunno: :surrender: :hmm: }
I was horrified to see how much BP residue had stuck to both side of the gate, and to the groove in which it rode. LIke other new guys, I thought BP residue might gather in my gun barrel, but never gave a thought to what condensation might do to the powder in the flask. :shocked2:
:shake: :idunno: :rotf: :surrender:
It didn't take much to clean off that gate, but I was not happy with that flask and its spring loaded gate for carrying something as volatile as Black Powder.
It now carries Corn Meal that I use as a filler in one of my guns. :bow: :v
My adjustable powder measure, bought years ago from a dealer named Timney, long gone, is cleaned along with my other gear when I return home from the range or from hunting. I don't bother taking the tarnish off the outside, but the inside is checked, and cleaned out, and the threads on the adjustment knob oiled.
Fixed measures only need to be wiped out, if they appear to need it. I might put some furniture wax on the outside of my measures made from antlers, just to keep them looking good. But, that's cosmetic- not anything necessary for safety. :hmm: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: