Making antler powder measures

[RDavidP]

I am attempting to make an antler powder measure. The bit of antler I have is about 3 1/2 inches long and starts to bend after about an inch and a half down. The antler is about 1/2 inch diameter, 1 1/2 inch circumference then narrows down after an inch and a half. With my drill and bits, I have only been able to get it clean out to 15 grains. I was trying for a 30 grain measure. How big of an antler piece would one need in order to make a 30 grain powder measure? Also how do most of you make an antler measure? I saw instructions on boiling the antler, but the pithy center was real small, and couldn't cut it out.

 

[crockett]

You can use a dremel rotary tool to grind out some of the area.

 

[bob1961]

i got lucky and had a piece of an old shed that was straight enough to drill out deep enough to hold bout 110 grains with a 7/16" drill bit....this powder measure will be fer my .54 when i finish building it so i can work up a load and then cut and carve the measure to the size i need it to throw....if ya have any other pieces of antler try again if the dremel trick won't work....usely before i drill i at least try to make sure i can use that piece, saves some trouble like ya ran into :v .............bob

 

[fw707]

I just made one for a .40 caliber to hold 40 grains of powder. I started with an antler tip a little over 1/2" in diameter and a little over 4 inches long.
I used a Dremel cutter bit and kept going deeper and wider till a pre-measured charge just heaped up a little over the top when I poured it in. It doesn't matter if it's thin on the edges. I V'ed one side of the inner surface to make it easier to pour the powder into the barrel.

 

[armymedic.2]

i do all of mine with a dril bit and then round off the edges with a dremel cutter. then i take my dirty hands and rub it on everything fresdh. antiques it quick. i always use the main beam and ussually leave the brow tine on. trouble is, the is the part you want to make knife handles, pipes,ect out of. lay your bit along the outside of the antler, and it should give you an idea of how far you can go without drilling through the curve. don't make a science out of it, just keep it simple and if ya drill out then shoot another big buck, that's all :grin:

 

[scott fellows]

if you don't have a piece of antler big enough drop me a line and i can probably come up with something for you.
pieman

 

[chipper]

I am attempting to make an antler powder measure. The bit of antler I have is about 3 1/2 inches long and starts to bend after about an inch and a half down. The antler is about 1/2 inch diameter, 1 1/2 inch circumference then narrows down after an inch and a half. With my drill and bits, I have only been able to get it clean out to 15 grains. I was trying for a 30 grain measure. How big of an antler piece would one need in order to make a 30 grain powder measure? Also how do most of you make an antler measure? I saw instructions on boiling the antler, but the pithy center was real small, and couldn't cut it out.

Fill it with powder as is and dump it twice down the barrel, lots of my friends use this method. One dump for short range, two dumps for long range, or find a bigger horn.
Regards

 

[CrackStock]

Loyd has one idea, but you can open it up with dremel tips. I often use a ball tip and keep looking at it through a strong light so as to avoid over thinning.

Also use some sort of air filter/respirator since that dust is not good for you.

CS

 

[Todd Rickard]

Start to make the hole with a drill, then use a bit designed to cut drywall with a rotary saw (looks like a drill bit, but the sides of the bit cut, not the tip) to hollow it out.
If you are brave (or stupid) you can hold the antler in your fist while you work it so you will feel the bit if it gets close to comming through.

 

[RDavidP]

I went out and bought a Dremel tool and some sanding and grinding bits a few weeks ago and finished the powder measure. I was able to make a 20gr. powder measure from the antler tip I have.

 

[Patrick Hand]

Maybe the antler I've used was old or something....

But I just used a screwdriver and twisted it back and forth, got out almost all of the inside "pith"...

The screwdriver wasn't sharp enough to cut into the outside of the antler, but it cleaned up the inside nicely.....

The screwdriver also worked when I had to enlarge an antler handle for my cutlass/hunting sword....

 

[Todd Rickard]

I haven't tried it yet, but Im told you can soak the antler in vinegar to soften the pith before you try to dig it out.

 

[hornetk4]

I found a little trick to make it easyer to drill out the antler tip is to draw a straught line down the side of the antler with a pencil so you can see how best to hold it in oder to drill as far down as possible without cutting through the side . Also start with a 1/8 diameter drill first then open it up with a larger dia drill later . Using this method I usually drill too deep and my measure holds too much powder then I have to cut some off the top to reduce it's capacity but using this method I've never cut through the side yet .