using spent cartridges as powder measures

[Zonie]

I'd use it as it is.

Reboring can lead to complications with the breech plug and the breech plug threads.

 

[mooman76]

20-40gr 3f. If all you have is 2f it would work also.

 

[wbfos]

not a re-bore I'll make a new barrel, one of the steels we make is for gun barrels. I've got the old one to pattern off of...

 

[wbfos]

20-40gr 3f. If all you have is 2f it would work also.

I was thinking of starting with 20rg of 2f nothing higher than 35 so I wasn't that far off.

so now I get to say moonman when I pull the trigger

 

[bpd303]

When I started shooting BP in the "60s all I had for powder measures were cartridge cases. I flattened short pieces of brass tubing and soldered them to the cartridge rims. They served me well for a lot of years and they are still kicking around here somewhere. I even made shot measures out of shot gun shells the same way.

 

[mooman76]

You'll probably find 20gr is plenty. Much more will just be wasting powder. Should be plenty fun though.

 

[AZbpBurner]

I would agree that using centerfire cartridge cases would be a sacrilege. Especially if you're sporting authentically styled apparel period to the time your rifle was made.

But if you're wearing anything with a zipper, plastic button, cotton polyester blend, your mule runs on midgrade unleaded, and you've got a wallet with currently minted currency and a plastic/photo ID, you're only impressing yourself with that cartridge case objection.

 

[wbfos]

I figure if I sink the base of the cartridge in antler no one will be the wiser after all it is a kit gun made in Spain with a stainless barrel. Heck if I wanted to get all period I'd have to cut the hammer pol off the back of my Trail Hawk and make a leather sheath for my knife instead of the Kydex it currently lives in (both sheaths and the knife were handmade gifts from a friend) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200906540798695&l=43d7dd6cc4

 

[410-er]

I use copper tubing also.Flatten 1 end in the vice and solder shut.Hole drilled in the flat for a strip of leather.

 

I use copper tubing also.Flatten 1 end in the vice and solder shut.Hole drilled in the flat for a strip of leather.

If the argument against center-fire cartridges - even those that were originally loaded with black powder - is lack of authenticity.....
Copper tubing as we have it today was not introduced until well into the 20th century. Well after any number of smokless powder cartridges.

 

[Tumblernotch]

I don't know how far back a copper or brass cartridge case may have been used as a powder measure and really don't care. But historically I can tell you that they were used at least as far back as the first quarter of the 20th Century. My Grandfather (born 1906) carried a .34 cal. ML and he told me that he used a .38 Special case as a measure. This was back in the teens and early '20's. So if you want to portray your grandfathers or great grandfathers a cartridge case will be fine unless you're using a mid-century or later wildcat. Hmm, I wonder. I've got a 40 mm thump gun case here. Reckon I could build me something I could use it for?

 

[Dave K]

Gee Whiz guys, I didn't know it would get all out of shape by throwing a ( :wink: ) in there for using a cartridge for a measure. Use what you want, heck use a scale if it makes you happy. Obviously I use a key board for I am here. I also watch TV and drive all sorts of motor vehicles. I just said it was sacrileges to use a cartridge for a measure. That is for me and apparently not for many of you. That is OK by me. My guns, except for the few originals I have, all have steel barrels, not cast iron and we all know that these modern muzzleloaders use gun parts and stocks were probably all made with modern tooling. Don't read more into a post than is written, it just upsets people. My gun kit uses a piece of deer horn for a measure. You don't have to use it though. No wonder some people come and go from these sites like this. Every little comment is scrutinized to try to find fault.I am sure to get a bunch of posts about this and what a bad person I am. Tired........ :surrender:

 

Heck if I wanted to get all period I'd have to cut the hammer pol off the back of my Trail Hawk and make a leather sheath for my knife instead of the Kydex it currently lives in (both sheaths and the knife were handmade gifts from a friend) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10200906540798695&l=43d7dd6cc4[/quote]
It's okay to not have any interest in the historical aspects of muzzleloading, not every does.


P.S. You can post your photos without making everyone go to Facebook.

 

[necchi]

I figure if I sink the base of the cartridge in antler no one will be the wiser

I used to use cartridge cases, and having Zonies list is handy.
Then I figured out I can drill a hole in wood or any of several other things and have my own measure without having to scrounge for cartridge cases.
I can even adjust the size and depth of the hole I drill to accommodate any size charge I want, :idunno:

Pretty simple stuff actually. Any kind of volume measure will do.
It ain't rocket science.

 

[Walker357]

For my 32 I use an empty .223 case, it holds 25 grains of fffg and an empty 22 rimfire case fits in the mouth and seals it well.

 

[rdillion]

I like that hawk. Mine's gonna look very similar when I done. I used cartridge cases and that DGW table in the past. Now days I just use a piece of river cane. :thumbsup:

 

[Stumpkiller]

My .36 cylinder-loader Navy likes a 9mm case full. Works out to 18 gr FFFg.

Years ago I carried a .45 Long Colt case. Holds 42 grains. That was my squirrel load in a .54 and two dips - 84 gr - was my deer load.

 

[Adui]

9mm case huh? I gots plenty of those.. might have to try it out. Thanks for the tip!

 

[Stumpkiller]

Solder a little length of clothes hanger wire around the rim to make a nice handle. ;-)

 

[Stumpkiller]

For years and years my flintlock priming flasks looked alarmingly like 7.64 x 54R cases with copper wire clips soldered on the base to hook them on my pouch or horn strap and a wood plug.

I finally broke down and had Horner75 make me a small, flat priming flask.