Blackpowder cartridge reloaders, do you use a powder measure?

[41 Colt]

Not sure if I should put this here or in reloading, but anyway...

I was reading 'Shooting Six Guns of The Old West' by Mike Venturino and he mentions blackpowder should not be used in a powder measure when reloading, and he stated he measures out each load one by one on a scale. Is this what you guys do?

 

[Conan_568]

use a Belding and Mull powder measure.
They throw a consistent charge that I check every 5 charges with a scale.

 

[DEZ]

I measure by volume with a black powder brass measure you should measure by volume not weight and use a measure designed for black powder . I just use the hand held one that I use for my muzzel loader but I beleive Hornady makes one for black.

 

[vagrantviking]

And then for there are these measures specifically made for black powder:

ht tp://www.cal-graf.com/pour.html

I just go to it with my old CH powder thrower. It even seems to be calibrated by volume of BP and goes to 100gr. Some smaller cartridges I use dippers. Seldom scale more than the first 5 and then one or 2 out of 50.

 

[ben hunchak]

I use the model 55 Lyman, made for black powder, and a 4' drop tube.

 

[mooncoon]

I use a shortened cartridge of the same caliber as the measure plus a drop tube. The shortened cartridge has distinctive deep notches filed on the rim so that I can easily recognize it. I did use a powder thrower intended for smokeless for a while but I got a built up of very fine black powder in the seam around the rotary drum plus some rust forming.

cheers mooncoon

 

[41 Colt]

Thanks, I'll look into those blackpowder powder measures.

 

[BUSHMAN79]

I've never used a measure for loading black, but a Lonnngg drop tube is a must for smaller calibres.

 

[nessy357]

I use the model 55 Lyman, made for black powder, and a 4' drop tube.

X2

Cheers nessy

 

[Bobby Ironsights]

I use a plastic scoop. Fast and easy.

I'm not trying to be cavalier about reloading, it's not something to take lightly, but it's also important to know which measurements are critical, and which aren't. Volumetric measurements are also usually pretty accurate, given consistency of product.

Unless you're approaching maximum load (very difficult to do with most loads in blackpowder) you're not unsafe, and unless you're loading for long range rifle shooting, a single percent or so is not going to affect accuracy or velocity.

With pistol loads, which is what I shoot in blackpowder cartridges, a scoop is fine.

 

[Dantforth]

I agree with most here. I use a brass adjustable measure for most fun shooting. I tried my RCBS powder measure but the BP gummed it up. If shooting for competition I use my scoop but also scale measure every charge.

Dave