Black Powder Measuring for a Newby

Loyer

Loyer

CGN Regular
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Location
SW Ontario
I am buying a used Flintlock reproduction (.54 cal 1803 Harpers Ferry) and have found a black powder load of about 55 grains would be correct for target shooting .

I don't have an adjustable powder dispenser so will initially use a scoop. Likely will use Gortex FF (unless you suggest otherwise)

For 55 grains, what empty cartridge brass would be correct ? (ie: 38 spl, .45 ACP, .303 shotgun ???)
 
A 38 Special case contain 20gr. of black powder per volume. It would be better for you to order a powder measure on Amazon shipped tomorrow to your door.
 
A lyman 55 and a digital scale are handy for pre-measuring charges into vials ahead of a range trip. Keep in mind the whole "bp is measured by volume only" is a complete myth, different black powders may just take up different volumes for the same actual measured mass in avoirdupois grains. This becomes quite apparent when loading for a muzzle loader that has an actual unrifled powder chamber at the breech intended for a recorded historical loading that isn't filled with the same nominal number on a volumetric measure. GOEX FFg usually is pretty close to what the various adjustable measure makers have calculated for their graduations but it's worth confirming with a scale.
 
BlackPowderBurner said:
A lyman 55 and a digital scale are handy for pre-measuring charges into vials ahead of a range trip. Keep in mind the whole "bp is measured by volume only" is a complete myth, different black powders may just take up different volumes for the same actual measured mass in avoirdupois grains. This becomes quite apparent when loading for a muzzle loader that has an actual unrifled powder chamber at the breech intended for a recorded historical loading that isn't filled with the same nominal number on a volumetric measure. GOEX FFg usually is pretty close to what the various adjustable measure makers have calculated for their graduations but it's worth confirming with a scale.
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Interesting discussion. Historically you would hear of black powder measured in drams (avoirdupois grains - was that a mistype?) - with one dram equaling 28 grains. Both measurements of weight. ;)
I would imagine the volumetric measurement showed up because, well... it was just a pain in the ass to weigh your charges in the field 200/300 years ago & scales were probably fairly expensive tech!

So basically, weigh your charge & find/make create a measure that is convenient (unless you want to weigh charges beforehand)

out of interest, 15 grains = 1 gram ... so you are looking for 3.7 grams of powder.
 
Following Post #8 - I do not use black powder - never used it. In a book - "Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter" - so describing 1860's or so - I believe the guy's "good" rifle was a 4 gauge - he describes using 4 ounce round lead balls - his powder charging in the field appeared much more crudely metered - he described "heaping handful of powder" - so I do not think he used a measure at all - just by "eye". And, from his book - he killed many elephants - often from the same herd.
 
Potashminer said:
Following Post #8 - I do not use black powder - never used it. In a book - "Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter" - so describing 1860's or so - I believe the guy's "good" rifle was a 4 gauge - he describes using 4 ounce round lead balls - his powder charging in the field appeared much more crudely metered - he described "heaping handful of powder" - so I do not think he used a measure at all - just by "eye". And, from his book - he killed many elephants - often from same herd.
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I've heard similar .. and don't try this at home .. but "the correct measure of powder is enough to cover the ball when placed in your cupped hand" ..... soooooooo yea.
 
Yeah - I am sure was several uses at the time - standing in-a-line and firing at other guys in a line 50 yards away who were shooting back at you, shooting at targets to see who could get closest to a mark, or killing game animals - I am sure all three lead to different needs and practices.

Sometimes needed one very precise single shot from a cold bore, sometimes needed to be able to re-load quickly and get the next one off. Sometimes just needed to land the bullet somewhere, sometimes wanted to actually impact wth significant authority. Different needs.
 
sean69 said:
Interesting discussion. Historically you would hear of black powder measured in drams (avoirdupois grains - was that a mistype?) - with one dram equaling 28 grains. Both measurements of weight. ;)
I would imagine the volumetric measurement showed up because, well... it was just a pain in the ass to weigh your charges in the field 200/300 years ago & scales were probably fairly expensive tech!

So basically, weigh your charge & find/make create a measure that is convenient (unless you want to weigh charges beforehand)

out of interest, 15 grains = 1 gram ... so you are looking for 3.7 grams of powder.
Click to expand...

Not a mistype at all, the grain measurement used by shooters is 1/7000th of a pound which is the avoirdupois definition of that unit. Other systems like the Apothecaries' or Troy have a different number of grains to the pound. The avoirdupois dram which you mentioned is merely a different measure in the same system. Historically powder was commonly referenced using both units, it just depended on the precision required and context.
 
sean69 said:
I've heard similar .. and don't try this at home .. but "the correct measure of powder is enough to cover the ball when placed in your cupped hand" ..... soooooooo yea.
Click to expand...

That is what we call, the "mountain" or "Plains " style of measure, and ironically it workss out to about 120 graaiins with a .590 ball which is what I used when huntinng with a .50!
"Kentucky measure" is 1 grain weight per caliber of ball, which works out to 50 grains for a .50 call Kentucky /Penn. rifle.
Really goood for target shooting .
Cat
 
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