Marking Ideas for Dear Tine Powder Measures.

[Brazos John]

I remember seeing someone's neat way of marking deer tine powder measures with domino dots to indicate the size of the measure.
I have access to tines from a late relative's almost-trophy from the 60's, and this is a better use than it's other probable destination.
This was from the estate of my wife's late uncle, and it was in a closet during the house cleaning, and nobody else wanted it, and it was about to be disposed of. I took it, and had it on my covered back porch for many years, but the squirrels disrespected the ears and nose, and I can't justify it to my wife any more, hence the availability of the tines.
Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[Bigpete]

I just poured a weighed measure of powder into mine then marked where it reached

 

[Brazos John]

Thanks, but I'm looking for markings to differentiate between a 30 grain tine and a 40 grain tine, and a 45 grain. I mean, it's not too hard to come up with a system, but someone here had a unique way of marking them that I would like to see again. Any other ideas appreciated, too.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

That was mine. I'll see if I have that picture

 

[bubba.50]

File rings like a rattlesnake rattle. a line for every 5 or 10 grains depending on size of the measure.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

Here it is. I used a drill with a small bit and just made a dimple then colored it in with a permanent marker. Dimple isn't needed as I apparently didn't do that on all of them.

 

[Brazos John]

That's the photo!
Thanks, Daryl! Great designs!
Bubba had a good idea about the rattlesnake rings, too. I wonder if I can blend the two, so that I'm not copying someone.
I knew y'all would come through for me!

 

[Brazos John]

Daryl,
If you made those, did you do anything to the tines to make them useable? When you drilled the hole for the powder, was it a smooth hole, or fuzzy, like fresh wood? Are there things I should know before starting on mine?
Thanks, again.

 

[FishDFly]

Daryl,
If you made those, did you do anything to the tines to make them useable? When you drilled the hole for the powder, was it a smooth hole, or fuzzy, like fresh wood? Are there things I should know before starting on mine?
Thanks, again.

Look at the Possibles Shop under the custom stuff for some ideas on antler measurers.

 

[smo]

7 = 70 grns

 

[Daryl Crawford]

I approximated length I would need based on my old brass adjustable measure. I drilled pilot holes with a small bit then increased the size of the bit used. I had good antler to use, it wasn't a found shed, so it was hard. It drilled well and left pretty smooth walls. I used rat tail files to smooth the inside and to put a slight spout in it.
So long as the antler isn't pithy you should see it drill smoothly.

 

[toot]

I remember seeing someone's neat way of marking deer tine powder measures with domino dots to indicate the size of the measure.
I have access to tines from a late relative's almost-trophy from the 60's, and this is a better use than it's other probable destination.
This was from the estate of my wife's late uncle, and it was in a closet during the house cleaning, and nobody else wanted it, and it was about to be disposed of. I took it, and had it on my covered back porch for many years, but the squirrels disrespected the ears and nose, and I can't justify it to my wife any more, hence the availability of the tines.
Any ideas are appreciated.

to get the right amount of powder in it, I balled up toilet paper and inserted it into the bottom / base, and it will stay there.

 

[ohio ramrod]

When making antler or horn powder measures I drill with small drills and then go up a step in size at a time until I get my desired size. A small wooden dowel rod split on the end will hold a strip of emrey cloth or sand paper to smooth the sides.. I like to put a counter bore at the top to reduce spilling powder. I mark the size with lines, long lines for ten grain, short lines for five grains.

 

[Tn poor boy]

Here it is. I used a drill with a small bit and just made a dimple then colored it in with a permanent marker. Dimple isn't needed as I apparently didn't do that on all of them.

Good job

 

[Brokennock]

Here it is. I used a drill with a small bit and just made a dimple then colored it in with a permanent marker. Dimple isn't needed as I apparently didn't do that on all of them.

One dot per 10 grains? Or 5 grains?

I would use the dimple. It seems when I try to mark mine with "permanent" marker it rubs off pretty quickly.

 

[Brokennock]

Daryl,
If you made those, did you do anything to the tines to make them useable? When you drilled the hole for the powder, was it a smooth hole, or fuzzy, like fresh wood? Are there things I should know before starting on mine?
Thanks, again.

I find a drill bit about the same diameter as the hole in my adjustable measure. Set the measure and put the bit in it, wrap painter's tape around the bit to mark depth.
I drill a small pilot hole ever so slightly deeper than the hole I want. When I drill my full diameter hole I do two other things. If the antler is a lot thicker than the diameter of the hole, I drill it short of depth and use a larger rat tail file to make it bigger and to shape a "channel" on the pouring side. I also lube the drill bit with patch lube. As the antler and bit get hot the antler packs into and sticks in the grooves of the bit.
I wrap sandpaper around the file to finish, up to about 800 grit, polishing the inside so powder doesn't stick. Dress and polish the top edges the same.

Careful with the curved ones.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

One dot per 10 grains? Or 5 grains?

I would use the dimple. It seems when I try to mark mine with "permanent" marker it rubs off pretty quickly.

A dot for ten grains. Right now I'm generally getting results mostly with 70gr 2F or 60gr 3F in my .50 rifles. 80gr or 70 gr (depending on ball or shot load) in my .62 fowling piece. Don't know if I'm just mentally trying to stick with even 10s ; )
I actually used powder, from my adjustable brass measure to test it. A little light meant more work with the rat tail file. I didn't worry about making it super smooth. And I will also agree, watch those curves and use a light to see where you may be thinning too much!

 

[Brazos John]

Thanks, y'all for some great ideas!

...shape a "channel" on the pouring side.

I hadn't even thought of that, but it's a great idea! That's an idea gleaned from experience.
And the various methods of sanding or finishing the inside are great, too!
And, using a light to check for wall thickness - I might have never thought of that!
The shared experiences from other shooters are what make this such a great forum!
Thanks to all, and if other ideas are out there, share them, too.
Now, if my hands can only replicate y'alls ideas, I'll be all set.

 

[Brokennock]

The shared experiences from other shooters are what make this such a great forum!

I completely agree. When we can get past some of the b.s. and tedious repetition, we can all find something of interest and maybe learn something.
I had missed the post with the original pictures of the dice marked measures. Thank you for bringing them to my attention.

Now, if my hands can only replicate y'alls ideas, I'll be all set.

I have confidence you will succeed. As in learning anything, two things are needed. Practice, and, being okay with learning from mistakes or failures.

 

[Brazos John]

As in learning anything, two things are needed. Practice, and, being okay with learning from mistakes or failures.

Good idea. I'll practice on unusable pieces before messing up the good tines.
I keep learning more and more from y'all!