powder volume/bullet(projectile) weight

[Elkinde]

There are so many different combinations of powder/lead variables that it's kind of confusing. I quess what I'm trying to get at is that in my experimentation with different projectiles is there any kind of powder volume measure per bullet weight that I can use as a 'rule of thumb'? I play with different guns ie. 1:66 twist, 1:24 twist 1:48 twist so there are a lot of things to take into consideration. I'll stop here before it gets too long and drawn out. Help please!

 

[Swampman]

I grain of 3F powder per caliber of projectile is my rule of thumb.

The exception is the Brown Bess which gets 90 grains of 3F.

 

[Flintlock_bob]

One old time rule of thumb for round balls was to hold the ball in the palm of your hand then pour in enough powder to cover the ball.

Generally lighter loads are more accurate. Try any load that will get the ball to the target without exceding the gun makers max. load and have fun. :thumbsup:

 

[rice1817]

One that works out pretty good for hunting loads in 3 grains of powder for every 7 grains of ball. So for a 180 grain 50 cal ball you get 180 x 3/7= 77 grains. 225 grain 54 cal works out to 95 grains. Lots of guys shoot less, some shoot a little more. Got this info from Sam Fadala's book. I think he is one of the better gunwriters.

 

Been a long time sice I've heard someone mention that method but I have heard of it before. Another method I've heard of much more often when using 50's and above with 2F powder is to divide the weight of the projectle by three and you'll have a safe starting load. So for example, a 175 grain .490 ball using that method would give you a rounded off figure of 60 grains of 2F, which is a low end loading, but quite safe. I normally use 90 grains of 2F.

 

[jtmattison]

One old time rule of thumb for round balls was to hold the ball in the palm of your hand then pour in enough powder to cover the ball.

I think that could be a potentially dangerous practice. Depending on how you cup your palm you could end up with a very heavy powder charge.

Experimentation is the key to finding the load your rifle prefers. Start light and work your way up. Don't exceed the manufacturers max load.

It all comes with time and practice.

Huntin Dawg

 

[Charly_the_rebel]

We in germany use ( in middle of the > bloody beginner < Status *gg* )a very simple formula.

The formula says :

Caliber of the gun = Weigth in grains for Black Powder.

Thats based on the fact, by using this , the Greenhorns can make no big mistakes.
Later on, with some more expirience -or been guided by an "Oldtimer" - they can add about 10 up to 20 % Powder in their charges.

 

[roundball]

:thumbsup:
I round it up to full 10grn increments to match my adjustable measure's capability :grin: but generally believe in that approach too.

50grns for .45/.50cal targets
60grns for .54/.58cal targets

Either could be doubled and still be within published max load limits

 

[Elkinde]

So did I do my calculations right? A 400 grain 50 cal. conical round requires 171.5 grains of powder? 400grn.conical / 7grn. = 57.142grn.lead x 3grn.powder = 171.5 of powder.

 

[jdixon]

So did I do my calculations right? A 400 grain 50 cal. conical round requires 171.5 grains of powder? 400grn.conical / 7grn. = 57.142grn.lead x 3grn.powder = 171.5 of powder.

Yes - you have done the math right, only problem is that 3:7 formula is a round ball calculation. I don't believe it works out for those conical howitzer shells you are talking about. You would be well advised not to exceed what the manufacturer said is the max. charge for your gun however, especially pushing that much weight down the barrel.

 

[roundball]

So did I do my calculations right? A 400 grain 50 cal. conical round requires 171.5 grains of powder? 400grn.conical / 7grn. = 57.142grn.lead x 3grn.powder = 171.5 of powder.

Just as an item of reference, TC's load data chart in their owner's manual lists the following max 2F powder charges for .50cal conicals in their standard 28" x 1:48" twist barrel:

275-320grn conicals = 110grns FFg
350-370grn conical = 100grns FFg
460-470grn conical = 100grns FFg

 

[Elkinde]

Thanks fellas for the help. I appreciate the information very much. It's great to know that I can depend on help from a very well educated group of affectianotos of the " black powder art ". Hope I can help a couple others out there soon.