measure it or weigh it ?

[wing master]

I just got off the phone with hodgon .They tell me to mesure my powder loads because this is a primative powder that +or - 15 grains makes no diference .It seems to me that a load that weights the same every time is going to be more accurate than just filling a graduated tube If you tap the tube the powder settles.You could be adding more or less every time.It seems like a very inaccurate way to be consistant. Weigh your pellets they all weigh the same.Is the powder companys telling us to mesure not weigh to keep muzzle loading primitive? In my powder mesure ive weighed 3 loads with a 15 grain diference. I started weighing my loads and watched my groups shrink in half.BECAREFULL 100 GRAINS OFPOWDER MESURED BY VOLUME IS NOT THE SAME AS 100 GRAINS BY WEIGHT !!!!!!!

[bronko22000]

I presume that if you weighed each charge your accuracy would improve. As long as you know how much say 100 grains of FFg by volume weighs on average. But if you are going to go this far to improve your accuracy why not also measure the amount of pressure it takes to seat the bullet on the charge.

[Underclocked]

"+ or - 15 grains makes no diference" ?? That person had obviously just laid down his crack pipe.

[Semisane]

When I'm shooting for groups I use weighed charges using the following home made chart as a guide. It does make a difference, sometimes large, sometimes not so large.

[cayugad]

Wing Master, welcome to the forum. It is good to have you here.


As for your concern... I can prove on the range that + or - 15 grains is a serious difference. I would have to disagree with that person. Also why would they make a 30 grain pellet and a 50 grain if there is really no difference in 15 grains of powder? Roundball shooters for years have learned that a rifle that shoots excellent with 85 grains does not shoot well with 100 grains of the same powder.

My White Ultra Mag shoots great with 70 grains but not quite as well with 85 grains. Perhaps he meant 1.5 grains of powder, but I have weighed charges and have found as much as 5 grains difference. Will that make a difference? Every day shooting probably not. BUT if I were shooting for the best accuracy possible, I weigh my charges.

Also a good point.. to tap or not to tap. Everyone does it different. I slightly over fill my measure and then cut the charge with the funnel. I get a more consistent measure that way of the powder.

[wing master]

I havent shot a muzzleloader for very long but I have been shooting a long time .I was surprised when hodgon told me whats what. I appricate the welcome also the powder chart . The main reason I am so concerned with my loads is that I live out west where your average shot isnt 50 yrds accurecy is my #1 concern

[arcticap]

I never checked the weight, but I believethat fffg fills
the measure betterdue to havingless air space between
the grains, so the volume would be slightlymore consistent
compared tomeasuring ffg.

[nchawkeye]

Are you sure he said 15 grains???

I'd buy 3-5 grains, if the shooter was shooting open sights in a flintlock...

I am a tapper, I fill the measure, tap down and top it off...I can shoot 2 1/2 - 3 inch groups to 150 yards...

You will see more inconsistances in how you clean the barrel than in weighing each charge, as long as you are within 2-3 grains, with a scoped inline, I'd bet you couldn't measure the distance....

That being said, if you feel better, measure each charge...It won't hurt a thing...This is a hobby!!!

[Rifle Loony]

I weigh charges as a rule, and have done so for many years. Clover leaf groups speak for themselves.......

FFg Goex gives me more consistancy and I don't fool with the substitutes.

I also pay very close attention to seating pressure, as it's all an integral part of accuracy, IMHO.