settle the poweder or not.
 

When you guys measure your loads do you settle the powder down or pack it to the mark or just pour it in? Or does it not matter. I have noticed when I fill my little bottles you can shake them and they will look like there is more there then there is. Though when you tap it it compacts and looks like there is less. SO how should I do it.

I set the measure, pour powder just over the lip of the measure, and then close the funnel to cut the charge. I am not a tapper. On the open powder measures like the brass ones I have, I still over pour the measure but take the back side of my capper and cut the charge level to the measure and pour.

bigtim6656

If you are shooting BH - it really does not settle much...

I shoot T7 and it does settle + I am a tapper - I fill the powder measure and tap it 4 times then cut the excess off.... so I am a tapper.

Whether you choose to tap or not - totally up to you... but what ever you do do it the same way every time...

I do the same as Cayugad with all powders measured by volume.

Me too. I think it's more consistent. It may not be - but I think that anyway. :biggrin:

i pour the powder into the brass measure until it is a little over full and then strike it off level with my finger.

It doesn't matter as long as you are consistant and use the same measure...I'm a tapper though...

I tap twice, pour a little more on top and then level. What matters is consistency. Someday I am going to weigh my thrown charges to see how consistent I am.
Art

measure by volume for fun shooting but for accurate shooting, i weigh my powder charges for consistency. Takes away the " i wonder" thinking if there is a flier or something of that sort.

so how do you weigh it, and why do some say not to bad idea? What scale would you recommend

The industry recommends in every source I have ever read...several gun manufacturers (TC, Traditions, CVA, Lyman references, to measure by volume. I figure they know darn well what they re talking about. Blackpowder cartridge shooters use a drop tube to consistently get accurate volume each time. I am a taper, and it has made as much as a 5 grain diff in my loads...plenty substantial in my view.

$20 digiweigh scale off of ebay.

Its not a bad idea, we all have our own cup of tea. My view is that for a newbie, measure by volume and once you learn the sport and get comfortable, then you can get a little more technical.

I feel that most fear that someone * a new guy* will say, hey guys i just weighed out 100 grains of powder on my scale! Im all set off to go to the range, see ya!

Most dont understand that 100 grains by weight is A LOT more than 100gr by volume.

From Toby Bridges website:

BLACKHORN 209
Volume Measured Charge Weighed Charge
10 Grains............................................ ......7.1 Grains
20 Grains............................................ ....14.2 Grains
30 Grains............................................ ....21.3 Grains
40 Grains............................................ ....28.4 Grains
50 Grains............................................ ....35.5 Grains
60 Grains............................................ ....42.6 Grains
70 Grains............................................ ....49.7 Grains
80 Grains............................................ ....56.8 Grains
90 Grains............................................ ....63.9 Grains
100 Grains............................................ ..71.0 Grains
110 Grains............................................ ..78.1 Grains
120 Grains............................................ ..85.2 Grains

Blackpowder, unlike smokeless is very forgiving...It's just not necessary...Try this, measure 2 loads 2 grains less than your gun's favorite, 2 dead on and 2 loads 2 grains over...Shoot 3 targets with each loading in one target and compare...

Another way to put it, blackpowder doesn't pack the punch that smokeless does, so a few grains either way won't make much difference in velocity...

When using BP, I am a tapper. When using BH209, I don't.

Seems consistency is the key. I use BH209 and I'm a tapper. But only tap twice. Any more an your'e playing with it. :D