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Spilling powder

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I have a helluva lot more to worry about than spilling a half grain of powder when loading

wm
Me too. I found this thread interesting because people are worried about such a tiny spill. I don't have and endless supply. I loose perhaps 25 cents of powder over time from a full pound. And yet our guns start at around $500, with most members shooting guns North of $1000. Or $1500. Or more.
And yet we worry over 25 cents?🤭
 
Have solved my powder transfer spillage problems. There's a brass powder horn spring valve ,open w/ thumb press , and automatic close. Totally fixed powder spillage. Keep two cheapy horns w/ valve dispensers ,one for FFFG, and one for FFG. Added benefit is the valves close automatically and there is no open powder container on the range loading bench. Most M/L suppliers sell the valves , including Log Cabin M/L shop in Ohio........oldwood
 
I do own a homemade Powderhorn made from a Buffalo horn, but I only use it for show. I use a much more practical brass powder container with a cut off valve on the spout For black powder. Spillage is pretty small. Sweet and low liquid sugar substitute comes in a nice little plastic container that I use for my 777. You can take a small drillbit and drill a hole in the spout tip, using a Heat gun to get the papers off the sides And they make dandy powder containers and you can see through them for how much you have with you. The powder doesn't readily run out, as you kind of have to squeeze it on the sides to fill the measure. Being I buy Sweet and low by the case (12), I think I'm fixed for life.
 
Always pour from a separate measure , never from a horn or flask . Make a measure with a larger opening to better match your horn. I usually use a rifle flask with a short tube and a measure similar to the one you show and don't lose any powder to amount to anything .

If you pour direct from a horn or flask with a measuring spout and ever have an ember left in your barrel between shots your flask could blow up in your hand as you dump fresh powder .


This is the type of measure I use . Mine was made by my pap back in the 50's .

https://www.tdcmfg.com/product-page/deluxe-powder-measure-with-funnel
I like the powder measure you show and will order one. I never pour directly from the horn. The problem I have is the horn I use has a choke point near the nozzle so you can't slowly tap it out. It does have a built in powder cap, but it's the same diameter as the horn...so the same problem. I'll try your solution. Thanks.
 
Me too. I found this thread interesting because people are worried about such a tiny spill. I don't have and endless supply. I loose perhaps 25 cents of powder over time from a full pound. And yet our guns start at around $500, with most members shooting guns North of $1000. Or $1500. Or more.
And yet we worry over 25 cents?🤭
More of a safety issue and a courtesy to the others at the range, who don't need to be stepping on black powder.
 
When I go to the range I usually take one of my flasks with several measuring tubes that simply screw in. Once in a while it may be a powder horn in my range bag. I've made scads of powder measures and always have the right one somewhere around.
In the bush I carry premeasured loads for deer & stuff, usually around 5. For small game where many shots might be fired I will carry either a horn or a flask depending on the particular species I'm hunting. Now, several years ago I made up dozens of powder tubes in three sizes; small/medium and large. They will also accommodate ball. So with two day horns and two flasks I think it's covered.

The primers I use.
DSC00506.jpg


The two flasks I've had well over 40 years.
DSC00422.jpg

The two day horns which hold around 3 to 4 oz each.
 
I do own a homemade Powderhorn made from a Buffalo horn, but I only use it for show. I use a much more practical brass powder container with a cut off valve on the spout For black powder. Spillage is pretty small. Sweet and low liquid sugar substitute comes in a nice little plastic container that I use for my 777. You can take a small drillbit and drill a hole in the spout tip, using a Heat gun to get the papers off the sides And they make dandy powder containers and you can see through them for how much you have with you. The powder doesn't readily run out, as you kind of have to squeeze it on the sides to fill the measure. Being I buy Sweet and low by the case (12), I think I'm fixed for life.
I agree about the brass flask with a cut off valve. It works great, very little spillage. But I still want a powderhorn. I have the supplies, I just need to find the time to make it.
 
36Rooster has a great method
I use something similar. Slightly tilt the horn, tap it and sprinkle powder out into the measure. Spillage is negligible at best.

7,000 grains in a pound of powder works out to be about $0.004 per grain.

You can always pre-measure your charges into individual containers at home. Extra stuff to carry around during a woods walk. 😀
 
Always pour from a separate measure , never from a horn or flask . Make a measure with a larger opening to better match your horn. I usually use a rifle flask with a short tube and a measure similar to the one you show and don't lose any powder to amount to anything .

If you pour direct from a horn or flask with a measuring spout and ever have an ember left in your barrel between shots your flask could blow up in your hand as you dump fresh powder .


This is the type of measure I use . Mine was made by my pap back in the 50's .

https://www.tdcmfg.com/product-page/deluxe-powder-measure-with-funnel

Ideally have an individual measure for each ML, easy to make your own out of Bone, Antler or even a brass shell case.
 
36Rooster has a great method
I use something similar. Slightly tilt the horn, tap it and sprinkle powder out into the measure. Spillage is negligible at best.

7,000 grains in a pound of powder works out to be about $0.004 per grain.

You can always pre-measure your charges into individual containers at home. Extra stuff to carry around during a woods walk. 😀

If I'm not trying to be old timey I simply use prepared paper tube cartridges with measured charges, poured into the barrel then patched Ball from a loading block around my neck. Pan primed from a Deer Antler with a spring loaded spout as well.
 
As I learn how to shoot, I'm finding I'm wasting powder. Going from the Powder horn to a brass powder measure the openings are different and sure enough, even with care, some powder goes on the ground. I've ordered a brass funnel to help. Is there a replacement for the Powder horn, like a measuring powder cannister I can set the grainage on?
Don’t rush!
Buffalo Arms offers small glass containers that fit perfectly in a MTM ammo box. They are glass but I have never broke one . Perfect for range day. I have carried up to ten in my bag but not typically just lightening the carrying load
88D1820C-70EE-442D-8082-4B9028ACEF55.jpeg
88D1820C-70EE-442D-8082-4B9028ACEF55.jpeg
 
Me too. I found this thread interesting because people are worried about such a tiny spill. I don't have and endless supply. I loose perhaps 25 cents of powder over time from a full pound. And yet our guns start at around $500, with most members shooting guns North of $1000. Or $1500. Or more.
And yet we worry over 25 cents?🤭
Yeah not worth losing sleep over except if your shooting from a bench the smallest amount can flash off if your using a carpet remnant which I hate to admit happened to me and I only spilled a very few grains .
 
FishDFly said:
Folks make shooing BP a lot more difficult than it is

Wonder if bass fishing is less stressful?
Less stressful more frustrating
Shoo. Might as well take up golf. 🤬
Got annoyed with a project. Wife sez "Why not go play a round over at the course?"
Six tries to get off the first tee and I went back home with a different outlook on the project. :rolleyes:

wm
 
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