Powder Measures weigh different

[bighole]

So if I want to compete at 1000 yd LRML, I should weigh each charge of Swiss or Goex on a scale and put them in little vials or some type of containers to use at the range?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Only if you want to win that match. The Big Boys weight their powder charges on electronic scales these days, at home, and place them in sealed tubes to go to the match. Bullets are wrapped to protect them, after sizing, lubing, weighing and sorting. Practice testing is done on primers to determine which give the lowest SDV. Now, primer holes are being reduced with crimping tools, and small pistol primers are being use in large rifle primer cases, using bushings to make up the difference in diameter. Firing pins are being reduced in diameter, and the firing pin holes in the breechface is being bushed, too. That is what you probably have to do, with much more, to win a BPC match these days, if the Good Lord is Willing.

 

[Twisted_1in66]

Is grains both a volume and weight measure?
Could it be that the mearures you are using were calibrated with 3 or 4f powder?

NO,NO,and NO. We went over this on a Cowboy action shooting forum a few years back. Some guy even went so far as to say there was a "grains volume" and a "grains weight" and that they weren't the same. I finally got an e-mail from the people at Pyrodex that set him straight on the matter. The only reason we use a measure(or meter if you like) instead of a scale to weight out out powder in the field is because it much more handy. A powder measure, in theory, should thrown the same weight powder charge, in grains, that it says it should on the little scale on the measure. A lack and a lass, because of mass production, ect. most are not even close. Grains is a unit of weight, not of volume BUT a given volume can be set up to throw the same weight, in grains, of powder each and every time, or at least close enough to use in a black powder firearm. :v

Part of that confusion comes from the fact that Pyrodex and other BP substitutes tell you to use the same volume (powder measure) as you would for black powder. They also note that because their substitutes are lighter, you'll get more shots from their substitute. Easy to see the confusion that comes from this.

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Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup:

 

[TN.Frank]

On a totally different note. CC's IS a unit of volume and Lee uses this in it's dipper collection that can be used for black or smokeless powder. I have a set of dippers and I'd not hesitate to use em' to reload ctgs. for a modern gun. The "big boys" use a volume measure to meter out their powder in the reloading machines and they load millions of rounds of ammo each year. If someone really has to talk about "volume" when talking powder then CC's is the answer.

 

[Twisted_1in66]

On a totally different note. CC's IS a unit of volume and Lee uses this in it's dipper collection that can be used for black or smokeless powder. I have a set of dippers and I'd not hesitate to use em' to reload ctgs. for a modern gun. The "big boys" use a volume measure to meter out their powder in the reloading machines and they load millions of rounds of ammo each year. If someone really has to talk about "volume" when talking powder then CC's is the answer.

Exactly right, CC's (cubic centimeters) is a volumetric measurement while grains is a measurement of weight. BP subs aren't doing us any favors confusing the issue.

Twisted_1in66 :thumbsup: