Powder Measure Question
- Thread starter tx50cal
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I don't worry about differences between 2f and 3f, but I'd sure rethink if I was measuring large charges of 4f for whatever reason.
Kind of reminds me of the youthful days when a buddy and I used the 1 7/8-ounce shot charge bar on a shotgun loader to load some 3" mag #9's. (Don't ask why!)
Kicked way much more than we expected, so I finally got around to weighing the shot charge. I'm here to tell you that the 1 7/8 shot sleeve on a MEC loader will drop 2 3/8 ounces of #9 shot. The good lord only knows what kind of pressures we turned up with those things.......
Kind of reminds me of the youthful days when a buddy and I used the 1 7/8-ounce shot charge bar on a shotgun loader to load some 3" mag #9's. (Don't ask why!)
Kicked way much more than we expected, so I finally got around to weighing the shot charge. I'm here to tell you that the 1 7/8 shot sleeve on a MEC loader will drop 2 3/8 ounces of #9 shot. The good lord only knows what kind of pressures we turned up with those things.......
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The powder measures are supposed to be calibrated to ffg, but there is quite a bit of variability in them. Someone posted a study he did a few years ago on another site: he weighed charges from several different makes of measures and they differed quite a bit for the "same" marked load. It does not matter alot in practice if you work up a load with any brand measure to find your best load, then stick with that measure--it only matters if you then switch measuring devices. I have found +/- 5 gr differences between three devices I had.
P.S. even the same measure can throw different loads depending on whether or not you 'tap' them or just pour gently full, etc...that is why many target shooters weigh their charges.
P.S. even the same measure can throw different loads depending on whether or not you 'tap' them or just pour gently full, etc...that is why many target shooters weigh their charges.
arcticap
54 Cal.
When using Pyrodex, I adjust the volume by 10% to keep the powder charges equivalent.
I thought that the volume adjustment was somewhere between 5% - 10% when using black powder too.
I thought that the volume adjustment was somewhere between 5% - 10% when using black powder too.
I have an adjustable measure marked "made in Italy". At the "100" setting it throws 127 gr of FFg. That's a little scary. I'd recommend you check any measure with an accurate reloading scale. Somewhere I have a file where I compared all my adjustable measures. The two I have from T/C were close.
I will confess to spending too much time one afternoon a long time ago and did some measuring of various powder measures.
In general GOEX 2fg came closest to weighing in grains what the measures poured in volume. I had as much as 10% difference from the lightest to the heaviest measures. Depending on brands of powder, 3fg will be slightly different. Since there have been many new lots of powder produced, I don't think that my results are all that relevant other than to say that once you have that load and measure working for a particular rifle, always use the same measure. Don't rely on a different measure to through powder to the same volume.
In general GOEX 2fg came closest to weighing in grains what the measures poured in volume. I had as much as 10% difference from the lightest to the heaviest measures. Depending on brands of powder, 3fg will be slightly different. Since there have been many new lots of powder produced, I don't think that my results are all that relevant other than to say that once you have that load and measure working for a particular rifle, always use the same measure. Don't rely on a different measure to through powder to the same volume.
Grenadier,
I may very well be in the minority here,but I use
my powder measure more as a guage than a measure.
I use the same measure and same 3fff Goex in all my rifles. .32,.45,.50 & .54. I use the measure
that works best for that rifle.I then can make
a specific measure for that particular caliber,
and that particular rifle.It works for me,but to each his own.I'm not a perfectionist, just like
shooting B/P.
snake-eyes :hmm:
I may very well be in the minority here,but I use
my powder measure more as a guage than a measure.
I use the same measure and same 3fff Goex in all my rifles. .32,.45,.50 & .54. I use the measure
that works best for that rifle.I then can make
a specific measure for that particular caliber,
and that particular rifle.It works for me,but to each his own.I'm not a perfectionist, just like
shooting B/P.
snake-eyes :hmm:
