Powder Tubes
 

There was a thread on Modern Muzzleloader's In-line forum in February by a fella named Mike Vaccaro regardingtubes for pre-measured loads of powder. He had located some "cut tolength" shipping tubes and caps that he was ordering from McMaster-Carr Supply Co.

In a PM, he told me how happy he was with them and gave me some good poop on cutting them. I ordered some caps andtubes (they come in 48 inch lengths),and made up some powder vials. Used them in my last two range sessions and THEY ARE GREAT! I had 50 pre-measured powder charges ready to dump.

The picture below shows the made-up powder tubes and thehome made cutter I used to cut the tubes into 1 & 3/4 inch lengths. Each vial will hold up to 150 grains of powder.

The 4-ft. tubes are $1.23 each. A pack of 100 caps is $5.53. Two tubes and one pack of caps will yield 50 powder vials. Problem is, shipping cost almost doubles the price - get together with friends for a group order.

The package says you can cut the tube with sissors, but that does not produce an even cut. The board gizmo in the picture is a cutter I made at Mike's suggestion. It worked great. It's hard to see, but there's a piece of razor blade imbedded in the slot 1 & 3/4 inch from the blocked end. I would suggest you use Mike's method and insert the tip of a craft knife blade through the board.

I used the 0.70 round tubes and the 3/4" caps. The vials are flexible enough to squeeze slightly when dumping powder in the gun and it works fine.

If you're interested, go to http://www.mcmaster.com/and type 2044T44 in the "Find Products" window for the tubes, and 9753K54 for the caps.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

If . 70 is the inside diameter, would it not be better to get something closer to bore? It is an interesting idea. Thanks for the link.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Hey CAYUGAD, the diameter is just fine. As I said, the tubes are flexible enough that you just squeeze them a bit when dumping powder and they make a perfect funnel mouth. I use them in a 50 caliber, but they would dump into a 45 caliber with no problem.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

I went and looked at that site. I am thinking more in terms of the tubes with a .40 inside diameter. Then I could load anything I shoot. I could then uncap them and simply put the whole tube into the barrel of the rifle for the dump. Also the link next to them mentions something about red end caps so I am thinking that would make a nice way to carry powder. My concern with the flexability of the tubes is, in the dead of winter during deer season, a lot of things (including me) are not as flexable as they were in warmer weather.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

If you want flexable ones, these are the way to go. The downside is that they are about $1 each. I bought 50 of them, 10 for each ML gun I have and 10 extra for my brother. Available at RMCSports.com. They hold 150g of loose, and fit down the barrel. They are flexable in the winter.
Chap Gleason

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Chap .. you're right. I have three of them and they do work well. The reason I am looking at the tube idea is, I want to start using my scale and weighing out charges to see if I can sneak a little more accuracy out of my rifles. Also it would be an easy way to carry to the range a number of them.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

CAYUGAD, that's why I went with the tubes - to weigh my charges.Withvolume loadsabout 3/4 of my groups were about twice as high as they were wide. Used weighed chargesfor my last two range sessions and found theyeliminated the vertical stringing I was experiencing.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Wow, did not realize you could shave about an 1" groups by weighing.
Thanks Chap Gleason

RE: Powder Tubes
 

They're just what I've been looking for. I already placed an order. Thanks for the post!!!!

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Your welcome, glad I could help. Chap Gleason

RE: Powder Tubes
 

If you want to do a bulk/group order ... http://www.eandkscientific.com/product.php?productid=16265 the 7ml tubes are what started this tube craze over at HA a few years back. 7ml holds about 110 grains by volume of powder - maybe a bit more.

I remember spending a couple of hours in the garage counting tubes and caps for that first group order. :D

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Cool UC! You must be good at it.

I'll take 50 or 100. :D

RE: Powder Tubes
 

And seeing yer already trained I'll take sum 2
RC

RE: Powder Tubes
 

I have plenty - yer on yer own der broz.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

UC forward them to CD and RC. We'll actually use them. :D:D

What I meant was, I know you only need one shot anyway, so you don't even need the tubes. ;)

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Oh, and send some to Cayugad too, he'll use em.

Just dont send any to sabotloader. He'll prolly try to put a bullet into it and stuff it down the barrel. :D

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Hey guys

I've got 1000 of these 10ml

and i'll sell them for what I paid for them at cost, I just needed about 100 for my self. Just PM me and let me know.:)

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Lane, the ones on the left are 5ml, the ones on the right are 7ml if that's the pic from my link. 7ml is big enuff for most any sane load. :)

RC and Cdad can just fill them to the top and go. ;)

and you are making a great offer - being pivot man should be worth your keeping 100 free. :)

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Stay outta this UC! :D

I'll take a hundred. I got a cheap dad, cheap brother (WhiteSkagit - don't know when he will ever figure out how to post here) and a cheap...er, frugal, buddy (sabotloader) that will all probably want 10 or 20 each.

PM on the way.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Yea I captured your pic but mine are really the 10ml type, they hold just 3ml more. I got the page from one of your prior posts, And thought the larger ones would be better.

10ml, Clear Tubes, White Cap

http://www.eandkscientific.com/product.php?productid=16150







Thanks UC

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Wow, 1000 of them for $40. Really really beats the price I paid for the ones from RMC sports. I like the clear also and they look plastic with a screw on top. I would say these are perfect gentlemen.
Chap Gleason

RE: Powder Tubes
 

OK

Here are some pics of the tubes! They are filled with 100, 120, and 150 grains of Pinnacle 3Fg:)

They are very sturdy and ridged. Slightly tapered towards the base. Bout .5 inch diameter at the top.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Need something to carry them in?

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=837696

I think that onemay bedeep enough.

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=921830

Lane, will a .50 sabot and bullet fit inside thosetubes?

RE: Powder Tubes
 

I don't have any 50cal to test with, but these 300 grain Platinum 45cal Powerbelts fit with plenty of room on the sides.

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Hey guys
All orders have been filled.

I've got 300 tubes left now. If anyone wants them they will be $5.40 per 100 tubes plus USPS shipping.

I promise No one will be taken or surprised with shipping cost, this is not EBAY;)

RE: Powder Tubes
 

PM sent... thanks

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Ok

Everyone who has PM'ed me is taken care of.

I have 100 tubes left not spoken for:)

RE: Powder Tubes
 

PM sent!

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Are they all gone?
Redclub

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Thats it. Tubes are all gone!

Thanks Guys

RE: Powder Tubes
 

Not to worry RC, ya got good friends that are looking out for you. ;)

RE: Powder Tubes
 

I got a 10' piece of cpvc and a bunch of caps. Get more tubes cheaper that way than your way and the diameter works real well.