In one of my recent posts I talked about using weighed charges and getting better groups. Then I got to thinking about the possibility of someone new to muzzle loading reading that and(beingunaware of previous threads on the subject)weighing out 150 grains of Triple 7 and shooting it. That would be what is known asa bad idea.
Weighed charges must be "volume equivalent".
Shown below iswhat I get with my volume powder measure set on 100 grains andI fill the measure to overflowing, tap the sides with a pencila half dozen times to settle the powder, and then fill it level to the top again.
Weights shown are the average of weighing each type of powder three times using the fill/tap/fill method. By the way - the "tap down" settles the powder about 1/4" below the top of the measure.
DON'T NOBODY BLOW THEMSELVES UP USING 150 GRAIN WEIGHT CHARGES!!
__________________
My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
Things I've Learned: (1) It's not possible to please everyone, but quite easy to piss everyone off. (2) If you love animals as I do, then you're not a vegetarian. (3) There's no need to act stupid, even if you're very good at it. (4) If you eat right and exercise, don't smoke or drink, you're going to die anyway.
An important thing to remember is re-weigh your charges each time you open a new pound of powder. What I do is say the rifle likes 80 grains of Goex 2f. I weigh five separate charges measured by volume measure set to 80 grains,to get an average weight for the charge. Then I make the rest of the weights with that ratio for that pound of powder.
__________________
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
In one of my recent posts I talked about using weighed charges and getting better groups. Then I got to thinking about the possibility of someone new to muzzle loading reading that and(beingunaware of previous threads on the subject)weighing out 150 grains of Triple 7 and shooting it. That would be what is known asa bad idea.
Weighed charges must be "volume equivalent".
Shown below iswhat I get with my volume powder measure set on 100 grains andI fill the measure to overflowing, tap the sides with a pencila half dozen times to settle the powder, and then fill it level to the top again.
Weights shown are the average of weighing each type of powder three times using the fill/tap/fill method. By the way - the "tap down" settles the powder about 1/4" below the top of the measure.
The problem with that Chap as taking Semisane's numbers and weights to heart is (and I mean no reflection on the information posted by Semisane) not all volume measure scales are made alike, and not all scales weight the same.
For instance, when I did 100 grains of Goex 2f with my volume scale and then weighed it on my digital scale, I got 103 grains weight. The Triple Se7en gave me 77.1 grains weight.
Granted all of that will be closer then further apart, but make sure you check your own volume measure, and do this each time you change to a new pound of powder. I have found a difference frompound to pound in them as well. Not much mind you, but a difference. If we are doing this for consistancy, then lets be consistant.
__________________
"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
The problem with that Chap as taking Semisane's numbers and weights to heart is (and I mean no reflection on the information posted by Semisane) not all volume measure scales are made alike, and not all scales weight the same.
For instance, when I did 100 grains of Goex 2f with my volume scale and then weighed it on my digital scale, I got 103 grains weight. The Triple Se7en gave me 77.1 grains weight.
Granted all of that will be closer then further apart, but make sure you check your own volume measure, and do this each time you change to a new pound of powder. I have found a difference frompound to pound in them as well. Not much mind you, but a difference. If we are doing this for consistancy, then lets be consistant.
OK. Thanks Cayugad. Chap Gleason
__________________
Chapman Gleason
Purcellville Va
http://www.the-gleasons.com
Volume Charges vs. Weighed Charges
