What powder charge do you hunt with?

[Ohio Rusty]

I'm in the process of making up quite a few antler powder measures. I hope to be able to maybe put them on Ebay or another site and sell some. The one I made last night is at 85 gr. so far, and the tine could easily be deepened further to hold at least 100 grains or more. I want to make them in an amount that the average shooter would be interested in. If I made a measure that only held 47 1/2 grains, I doubt if I would ever sell that one. So what does everyone shoot in their smoothbores or rifles as a hunting load? 70 gr. 80 gr.? 90 gr.? If I can get a good idea as to what amount everyone generally uses, I'll be able to make a dozen or so and see how they sell.
Thanx ...
Ohio Rusty

 

[Keith]

Make them correspond to drams of powder. This is haow a lot of people load a smoothie.

 

[Rat]

Maybe if you made them to order would be best. Let people order them in any weight they want, and then make it.

I load my Brown Bess from 100 to 110 grains. My .58's from 80 to 90.

Seems that I've heard a lot of .50 caliber round ball shooters speak of 80 grains as a common load.

Have not recieved my .62 yet, but I'm guessing around 100 grains for it.

Hope that helps.

Rat

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I don't even know the comparison of Drams to Grains. I don't think I've ever measured in drams. All my brass measures have always been in grain increments. The only dram I've ever been aquainted with was in a shot glass <G>
Ohio Rusty

 

[Musketeer]

I don't even know the comparison of Drams to Grains.

1 dram = 27.34 grains. I would suggest making measures in 10 grain increments (60,70,80,90,100 and so on) for general sale, and maybe custom sizes for those who want them. I personally use between 60 and 90 grains in my 20 ga. smoothie, depending on the payload, purpose, etc. The 12 ga. and up folks may use as much as 150 gr. I think most people (even us smoothie shooters) measure in grains nowadays. :imo: :thumbsup:

 

i agree with Musketeer
i have 3 one at 70 another at 80 and one at 30 for my pistol.

 

I use 80 gr. for my 62.

Also 100gr. is a good load for my paper cartridges I use in the reenactments. Those are the most I have noticed around .
Also a smaller 50 gr for the in close novelty shoots.
Hope this helps. :m2c:

 

[musketman]

I'm in the process of making up quite a few antler powder measures. I hope to be able to maybe put them on Ebay or another site and sell some. The one I made last night is at 85 gr. so far, and the tine could easily be deepened further to hold at least 100 grains or more.

I would suggest making them 100 grains, and if they need a smaller one, they can just trim them to the desired charge...

 

I used to make and sell antler powder measures, drilled to hold 100 grs. If you put a liddle time into tapering the "top" for smooth dump'n I wouldn't suggest cut'n the powder measure down for a reduced charge,.... instead I'd advise someone want'n a reduced charge to mix up a liddle 5-minute epoxy and pour'n it into the measure to make the measure more shallow. If a fella puts in too much epoxy it is easy to drill to the desired depth by use'n fingers and a "drill bit" of slightly smaller diameter then the inside of the measure.

This method leaves the overall appearance of the powder measure unchanged, 'speacly if it has any scrimshaw/or carve'n 'round the "spout".

Hope this helps!!

 

[GrayBear]

Stolen from a "make your own" site:

"Nice powder chargers can be made by drilling out an antler tip. Use a drill of 29/64ths (.453") diameter and each quarter-inch (.250") of depth will be very, very close to 10 gr-wgt of powder by volume. Drill a hole for a thong in the tip so it will hang upside down and dry. Tie it to your possibles bag strap."

As to loads, is my math right? A 150 grain load in my 12 gauge would be over five drams of powder? Wow! I'd want to tie it to a tree and touch it off before trying it at my shoulder. Think I'll stick with my load that's about half that size. Busts clays and drops doves pretty well.

JMHO, folks, because I'm new at BP shotgunning.

GrayBear

 

[Musketeer]

A 150 grain load in my 12 gauge would be over five drams of powder? Wow! I'd want to tie it to a tree and touch it off before trying it at my shoulder.

I agree with ya! I didn't say I'd do it, only that it is done! :crackup: I read a story in an old Blackpowder Handbook about a guy who hunted moose with an original Brown Bess! He loaded a round ball over 150 gr. of powder. :shocking: :thumbsup:

 

[Rebel]

Yep, i have an article written by Ted Franklin Belue in the 1998 Dixie Gun Works Black Powder Annual that says his normal load in his Bess is a .715 ball in a tight ticking patch over 160grs of 2f powder. Sounds like a pretty stout load for a thin barreled musket.

 

once completely double loaded my bess. Two ...2 complete loads of 715 round ball and 100gr of 2 f Goex . Never knew it till I touched er off . Holy mother of God. talk about a wake up . But that old bess held together . Believe it or not but the blow was hard enough to recycle the hammer back to full cock.
I've done some stupid things but now you know one of my top two. The other one I don't even tell in my sleep

 

[Stumpkiller]

My two most used measures are 82 and 84 grains of FFg. 82.0 gr = three drams. That's perfect for a 12 gauge. Works very well in my .50 rifle and is a good all-around load in my .54 rifle, too. I have a 75 and a 60 that get used quite often, too. The 75 was my favorite for my .66 smoothbore (16 ga) for both ball and shot. The 60 I use for small game hunting with my .54.

90 or 100 gr (FFg) would be good to mass-produce. Set up the design so you (or the buyer) can trim them back for lesser charges.

 

[Rat]

Yes I can't imagine...110 grains of Swiss REALLY kicks in my Bess carbine, for that reason alone I would not go beyond that.

I would also consider that (100 to 110 grains) plenty of power for any moose or elk, especially considering your limited range is keeping the game pretty close to the muzzle. It's funny that someone would think that that heavy of a ball would need so much powder behind it.

Sure he wasn't hunting Kodiac Brown bears?

Rat

 

[Wes/Tex]

Use 80 grains of FFFg in the .62 smoothie and have for some years. Has an on-line sight picture to 75 yards on deer sized critters although I've never shot that far at one. Usually like to wait till they're close enough to dance with! Well, sort of!!! eace:

 

[musketman]

The most stout charge I have shot in my bess was 150 grains of FFg, mostly I use 100 grains with a patched round ball and 80 grains with shot loads...

 

[Musketeer]

Usually like to wait till they're close enough to dance with!

:crackup: :crackup:From now on, we'll call you by your Indian name: "Dances with Deer Sized Critters." :crackup: :crackup: :thumbsup:

 

[Flintleather]

i load 75grs 2f with equal amount of shot in my 20ga cabelas double. :m2c:

 

[Rat]

150 grains with a .75" round ball...that had to have KICKED!!!

:cry:

But I salute you...110 grains is about my limit, for repeat shots, as in going for a three shot group.

:master:

Rat.