I started weighing my powder on my reload scales for more consistency for my Encore ML. I shoot 100 grains of loose triple 7 under a 250gr shockwave. I can usually shoot under 2" group at 100 yards. I was wondering if anyone that weighs their powder has noticed a difference in accuracy.
Does Anyone Else Weigh Powder?
- Thread starter DAR
- Start date
jaguarxk120
New member
Hodgdon says to measure by volume, how does the volume of T7 compare to the same volume of blackpowder vs weight?
I know it is easyer to use a measure in the field or at the range, but weighing powder is just better overall.
I know it is easyer to use a measure in the field or at the range, but weighing powder is just better overall.
You might want to confirm the weight to volume ratio before doing this further. Its not a 5~10% difference, its more like 60% difference. That could easily result in a dramatic overload if you don't actually do a comparison & weigh an equivalent for volumne, not just a substitution.
Experimented with weighed powder loads a couple times. Gave it up; any small gain in accuracy was not worth the bother.
Weight to volume for some BP substitutes:
http://www.curtrich.com/BPConversionSheet.htm
Weight to volume for some BP substitutes:
http://www.curtrich.com/BPConversionSheet.htm
YARDDOG(1)
New member
"[A few grains one way or the other won't make any difference with bp or subs. Volume is easiest.]"
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Agree 100%, Volume all the time for me & all the guys and gals I shoot with
Y/D
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Agree 100%, Volume all the time for me & all the guys and gals I shoot with
Y/D
A lot of bench rest shooters meter their charges with something like a RCBS Uniflow powder measure bolted on their shooting boxes also.
Inconsistant drying of the bore after swabbing between shots can negate any gains from weighed powder charges. Ditto with inconsistant seating pressure.
Finally, even the most carefully loaded rifle is for naught if you shoot when the wind is wrong.
Inconsistant drying of the bore after swabbing between shots can negate any gains from weighed powder charges. Ditto with inconsistant seating pressure.
Finally, even the most carefully loaded rifle is for naught if you shoot when the wind is wrong.
Most of the group of folks that I know that shoot BPCR weigh each and every charge. Some don't, most do. It is a matter of repetitiveness. While minute of whitetail deer won't show any velocity deviation, paper targets will, especially once you start moving to 200 yards or better. Velocity variation will show up as vertical stringing.
Some of the folks (well more than some) even go as far as to weigh each and every bullet and each case. Case weight variations will help pinpoint internal volume discrepancies which will affect the burn.
I have seen .003 to almost .007 (maybe more) variation (high to low) in case web thicknesses in the same brand of brass, but in a mixed lot, in some cases I was given. This will affect the degree of compression and cause a difference (well slight) in the burn, especially with BP.
NOW with that said, there is a group of folks that shoot muzzle loading slug guns at a club near me. (Canal Fulton Ohio). I have seen those folks shoot 100 and 200 yard groups you could cover with a half dollar and all they do is drop their powder charges with a measure such as the old Belding and Mulls.
My Belding and Mulls will consistently drop within a couple TENTHS of grain of BP as long as I actuate the lever in a consistent repetitive manner each time.
Some of the folks (well more than some) even go as far as to weigh each and every bullet and each case. Case weight variations will help pinpoint internal volume discrepancies which will affect the burn.
I have seen .003 to almost .007 (maybe more) variation (high to low) in case web thicknesses in the same brand of brass, but in a mixed lot, in some cases I was given. This will affect the degree of compression and cause a difference (well slight) in the burn, especially with BP.
NOW with that said, there is a group of folks that shoot muzzle loading slug guns at a club near me. (Canal Fulton Ohio). I have seen those folks shoot 100 and 200 yard groups you could cover with a half dollar and all they do is drop their powder charges with a measure such as the old Belding and Mulls.
My Belding and Mulls will consistently drop within a couple TENTHS of grain of BP as long as I actuate the lever in a consistent repetitive manner each time.
I used empty rifle cartridges and sealed them with foam earplugs. This worked well for my .45 TC Hawkin that had a 45-50 grain sweet load for a patched round ball, .30-06 cases would hold that much easily.
If you want to carry 100 grain pre measured charges, you're going to need some of those big game belted magnum cases, or split the charge into two cases.
It's really not a bad way to carry your powder when hunting.
Historically, Revolutionary War and Civil War soldiers carried pre measured charges in paper cartridges. It's like rolling a cigarette but with gunpowder and using heavy waxed paper. Soldiers had to tear them open with their teeth and pour the charge down the barrel, which was why good teeth was a requirement for being in the military back then.
Me too !!!
Be Safe !!!
Pretty much the same, using pistol and rifle brass. The only exception, is that I get some plastic caps or press-on covers from Ace hardware. They make these in different sizes and colors. They also sell corks or rubber plugs again, in different sizes. I then insert the cases, in a regular loading board. ...
Be Safe !!!
Wild Bill Bucks
New member
I went to the dollar store, and bought some glitter for hobbies. They come in several size plastic bottles, that are just the right size for storing extra loads. I think I paid about $2.00 for a package of 5 bottles. Poured out the glitter, and loaded them up. Completely water-proof and clear so you can see through them.
I put 3 charges in 3 bottles, and 3 bullets and sabots in another one. I carry a 3 shot primer carrier. Including the load in my barrel, it gives me 4 shots total. I bought an elastic shell holder, for a .410 caliber shotgun, and put it over the stock of my ML. It will hold 5 shots so I carry the extra loads & Bullets in 4 of the shell holders, and some extra patches and an extra primer or two in the 5th bottle.
By doing this, it allows me to carry everything I need for a hunt, right on the rifle without having to carry anything in a bag or pocket. It is handy to re-load because everything you need is already out of my pocket, and where I can get hold of it in a hurry.
I put 3 charges in 3 bottles, and 3 bullets and sabots in another one. I carry a 3 shot primer carrier. Including the load in my barrel, it gives me 4 shots total. I bought an elastic shell holder, for a .410 caliber shotgun, and put it over the stock of my ML. It will hold 5 shots so I carry the extra loads & Bullets in 4 of the shell holders, and some extra patches and an extra primer or two in the 5th bottle.
By doing this, it allows me to carry everything I need for a hunt, right on the rifle without having to carry anything in a bag or pocket. It is handy to re-load because everything you need is already out of my pocket, and where I can get hold of it in a hurry.
DAR said:
I use a combination of prescription and over-the-counter pill bottles to carry pre-measured charges in.
They can be easy to accumulate but are larger than necessary. However they do have wide mouths and are easy to drop the powder into.
But there are many types of capped vials for sale on eBay that can be found by searching for "powder vials" or "vials".
At least one reputable seller named jesuslives2saveu sells many black powder vials with threaded caps including some under the headin Blackhorn 209 Muzzleloader Powder Charge Tubes 25 Speedloader Black Powder Vial .
If the link expires just search for Powder vials and his new listings should be in the search results.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackhorn-209-Muzzleloader-Powder-Charge-Tubes-25-Speedloader-Black-Powder-Vial-/180728157801?pt=Vintage_Hunting&hash=item2a143cd669
I also use an inexpensive plastic funnel from a set that I bought at a dollar store which helps to not spill powder during loading.
Last edited: