wasting powder & caps

[tom in nc]

I have noticed, especially on Youtube videos, that when a lot of shooters are loading black powder guns, they will pour quite a bit more powder into a powder measure than necessary, then just knock off the top dumping the "excess" on the bench, or the ground. I swear some people waste enough after ten shots to recharge the gun again. I have found, since powder is approching the value of gold, that I now am more careful about overfilling the powder measure. How about you? Anyone fill their measures over a smooth, clean surface so you can recover the overflow?
And, I see shooters preparing for a shooting session that will pop three or four caps on a nipple to ensure that it's clear. A bit unnecessary I think. I realize that some people have money "to burn" but not me.
But hey, it's their powder, caps, and money so have at it.

 

[64Springer]

This is why pre-measuring powder at home and putting it in plastic tubes has its benefits.

As for wasting caps clearing the flash channel.....no way. Not at .15 a pop.

I don't drown my breeches and bores in oil, so there's nothing to clean out.

 

[Justin.44]

Hickok45 does that in his muzzleloading videos, he'll pop a half dozen musket caps before he loads.

Admittedly I'm kinda bad about the excess powder thing, at my club's range it's pretty dimly lit under the pavilion and it's hard to see that the measure is getting full sometimes until it's overflowing.

 

[wiscoaster]

.... when a lot of shooters are loading black powder guns, they will pour quite a bit more powder into a powder measure than necessary, then just knock off the top dumping the "excess" on the bench, or the ground. I...

This is why pre-measuring powder at home and putting it in plastic tubes has its benefits.

....

Yes, and that's why I'm working on some method that's hopefully functional but not necessarily PC for pre-measured charges. I don't particularly like the plastic tubes. The ones I bought are way too big and are a waste of space in my range kit. I'm working on disposable paper powder cartridges for each load that I use. Maybe including the ball; maybe not.

Something on the order of a "winter project", so don't expect any posts about it any time soon.

Though .... we did have three inches of snow already yesterday .... AAAAKKKK!!!!

 

[mushka]

I've found that the best way to keep from wasting powder while filling measures is to pay attention to what you are doing.

 

[stikshooter]

I have noticed, especially on Youtube videos, that when a lot of shooters are loading black powder guns, they will pour quite a bit more powder into a powder measure than necessary, then just knock off the top dumping the "excess" on the bench, or the ground. I swear some people waste enough after ten shots to recharge the gun again. I have found, since powder is approching the value of gold, that I now am more careful about overfilling the powder measure. How about you? Anyone fill their measures over a smooth, clean surface so you can recover the overflow?
And, I see shooters preparing for a shooting session that will pop three or four caps on a nipple to ensure that it's clear. A bit unnecessary I think. I realize that some people have money "to burn" but not me.
But hey, it's their powder, caps, and money so have at it.

I don't like waste either ,why I use a scale and load lots of Lanes tubes at my bench at home mark them type/weight and absolutely know no waste/dampness/will happen/Ed

 

[Brazos John]

I'm working on disposable paper powder cartridges

I bought a box-full of the rolled paper reenactor tubes on ebay, and have enough for my forever.
We use them in the Texas Army. Some events allow pouring powder and then ramming the paper tube, or else we drop the empty tubes on the ground.
You can fill the tubes with your own powder loads at home, and you're ready for the field.
For our salutes and battle reenactments, I like about 100 grains of 2F or 3F, and gets LOTS of smoke and flame.
It looks GLORIOUS!

 

[user 34300]

I use my flask with a built in measure. I pour that into a second oversized measure and then pour it down the bore.

I clean the grease out of my rifle before I shoot it. One cap is enough to confirm the passage is open.

 

[azmntman]

Pre measure at home into film cans or the like. Pop a SINGLE cap, muzzle at dirt or grass. Dust or wind and load n fire.. AZ not humid so my oil after cleaning is pretty light. Do what works for you. I'd not be wasting caps nowa days though.

 

[Spillikins]

I don't particularly like the plastic tubes. The ones I bought are way too big and are a waste of space in my range kit.

That is hardly the fault of the plastic tubes! Why not buy some the right size?

 

[64Springer]

How ironic that the correct remedy for spillage comes from a member whose forum name begins with Spill.

 

[wiscoaster]

That is hardly the fault of the plastic tubes! Why not buy some the right size?

True. I only looked at the local big box store. Where did you get yours?

I need to accomodate loads from 25 to 65 grains.

 

[64Springer]

Amazon.

 

[wiscoaster]

Amazon.

OK, just looked. The tubes sold for black powder typically hold 120 grains or more. Not suitable for my needs. There are a bunch more tubes sold, but they're specced in ml. What ml size should I look for that would accomodate me (25 - 65 gr.)?

 

[Old Hawkeye]

I love overfilling my measure & striking of the excess into the wind. Makes me feel period correct. Another thread started by someone that is concerned & paying attention on You Tube to what OTHER SHOOTERS are wasting! Really?

 

[tom in nc]

EDIT: Had to back out my reply.

 

[Grenadier1758]

There is a combination flask and measure that fills the measure and no powder is wasted. You can search for the valve and make a cap for a powder container and use a 1/2" diameter measure. the following is one of my recommendations and a link to the flask offered by RMC-OX Yoke:

It is so convenient to shop from one supplier, but I have found that sometimes it does pay to shop several vendors. Sometimes you can bundle orders to ger free shipping.

One of the nicest powder measure/flask combinations I have come across is either the Traditions flask and spout or the Knight Flask and spout. Must be popular as many places (Midway USA) are out of stock and others such as RMC-OX Yoke have limited supply. The best feature of the flask and measure combination is that any 1/2" diameter measure can be used. I have also seen the valve that can be adapted for use with a powder can. I'm providing a link to the RMC-OX Yoke offering.

https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/knight-powder-measure-w-flask/

 

[Some_Mook]

Might want to check out a Traditions Hunters flask and measure. The measure fits into the flask spout, so there is no over filling or spillage to be concerned about.

 

[Some_Mook]

Grenadier beat me to it, he posted while I was still pecking on my phone. Sorry for the duplicate

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

The capper and flinter both get an alcohol wipe down before the first shot. Caps? I can remember when they were so cheap i shot them out of a pellet gun at a tree to hear them pop.