Marking Ideas for Dear Tine Powder Measures.

[Timber Wolf]

On the two antlers I have hollowed I used a rasp type bit in the Dremal tool. Creates a lot of fine dust so I wear a mask. And this thread in timely s I just today came across a bag of antler tips I bought a while back. I think some new measures are in my future.

 

[.36Rooster]

A squirrel for your 20 grain measure, an V for your target load, a deer for 80 grains, and a buffalo for a 120 grain measure...

 

[Ponderosaman]

Here’s an idea for fun. Something tactile that you can feel in the dark. Bad things roam under the cover of night. Best to know your charge when loading at night. Could even be a campfire “true story”

 

[JohnL]

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.

Now that’s just cool sir! You should make these to sell.

 

[MooseHunter92]

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.
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Careful with the curved ones.

Haha the first time I drilled my antler I did the same thing!

 

[oldwood]

I occasionally build Mountain Rifles and a type measure w/ them is made from bamboo. Found some nice dry bamboo sections in the Dollar store used for wind chimes. It made nice powder measure.

 

[Brokennock]

I occasionally build Mountain Rifles and a type measure w/ them is made from bamboo. Found some nice dry bamboo sections in the Dollar store used for wind chimes. It made nice powder measure.

I've actually gotten to like my bamboo/cane measures better than my antler measures.

But, then, I do tend to be a contrarian.

 

[renegadehunter]

I enjoy making measure's out of antler too. I have made several from whitetail antler and one from elk. I cut the antler at a bit of an angle on top for a pour spout. I mark the drill bit depth needed by using an adjustable brass powder measure, it is what I use when developing loads. I drill the antler a bit short and then use a Dremel to polish the inside and open it up to really dial in the charge to match the brass measure. I prefer to wear them around my neck when hunting (tucked under my jacket until needed), so I'll drill a hole through the bottom and attach a leather cord to them.
I normally simply engrave the actual number onto them if I want to mark the charge they hold, but I really like the idea of using some other marking for that. I've been meaning to try to engrave the bottom of one with rattlesnake rattles, so using the number of rattles to signify charge size is probably my favorite idea.
The one pictured is elk antler that holds a 100 grain charge of 2f (my .54 conical load). I play around with a bit of decoration on them, it is very crude in comparison to some of the talent many on this site have shown pictures of, but I like the look of them. I have played around with engraving antler with deer/elk hoof prints, grizzly tracks, wolf tracks, and an elk antler outline.
The rings at the bottom on the one pictured are simply for looks and do not indicate its powder charge.
I have also made an elk antler field flask and a short starter with an antler handle, I simply love the look of tools made from antler.

 

[Brazos John]

...engrave the bottom of one with rattlesnake rattles, so using the number of rattles to signify charge size...

This is one of a bunch of such good Ideas that I'm having a hard time deciding which one I want to use!

 

[Brokennock]

This is one of a bunch of such good Ideas that I'm having a hard time deciding which one I want to use!

What? You only need one powder measure?

Lol.

 

[DuncNZ]

I found a drill bit the size of my brass powder measure which I have used to find the desired load , I put the bit in the measure , put some tape on the bit and drill the hole , I leave a pouring lip , I then sand out the hole then check with my brass measure , too small I drill some more , too much , I make a ball of bees wax and tamp it in the bottom . then check and check again. I file down the outside and sometimes stain it . I have one tine measure for each firearm .

 

[stikshooter]

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.

I use polyurethane spray on the inside of the horn ,powder slides good and for a pan primer water/moisture proof /Ed

 

[Rod Man]

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.

That’s pretty cool right there.

RM

 

[Mark Herman]

For drilling out the tines for a measure I have used tapered drill bits and then tuned them up with rat tail files or a dremel. Saves going to deep and coming out the side.