ORIGINAL: Semisane

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.

100 grains volume Goex FFG = 110 grains weight.
100 grains volume Pyrodex RS = 77.5 grains weight.
100 grains volume Pyrodex Select RS = 75.5 grains weight.
100 grains Triple 7 FFG = 77.8 grains weight.
100 grains Triple 7 FFFG = 87 grains weight.

DON'T NOBODY BLOW THEMSELVES UP USING 150 GRAIN WEIGHT CHARGES!!