Drams / Grains
 

My father has a EuroArms (repro) 58 cal 3 band enfield. He has FFg black powder and .570 round ball bullets. On the barrel is printed use 34 drams of powder. How does that equate to grains? Thanks for the help!

RE: Drams / Grains
 

Some useful values:
1 grain = 0.037 dram
1 pound = 7000 grains
1 pound = 16 ounces
1 ounce = 437.5 grains
1 ounce = 16 drams
1 dram = 27.344 grains
Density of lead is 11.34 gram/cc
1 gram =15.4324 grains
1 inch = 2.54 centimeters
1 meter = 39.37 inches, 3.28 feet and 1.09 yards
pi = 3.14159
Volume of a sphere = 4/3pi R3 (4/3 x pi x radius of sphere cubed)
Radius of a sphere = cube root of (3Volume/4 pi)
Volume x density = weight


Are you sure what it says on the barrel. According to the values I found 1 dram = 27.344 grains. Hence 3.4 drams would equal 92.96 grains which would be about right. 34 drams by the same standards would equal 929.696 grains which would mean a blown up rifle and a dead or injured shooter....

Your rifle I am sure would safe with 100 grains of powder and probably more. I would suggest finding the company on line and seeking more load information from them. Until then, for your own safety, keep your charges 100 grains or less by volume and you should be fine.

Sometimes the charts I find on other sites seems a little more then I would have guessed. My .58 caliber rifle for example has a max charge of 120 grains of FFg powder....

Hope this helps...

RE: Drams / Grains
 

The old rule of thumb is 2X cal. in grains as MAX.
Are you sure it dosn't say 3.4 ?
As Cayugad said that would be 93 gr ,that sounds right.
I would try 90 gr

RE: Drams / Grains
 

Thanks a lot for the info. we will do some shooting today.

RE: Drams / Grains
 

GATurk

Ya' did good by asking first... smart thinking! We should always remember to never guess with a gun. If necessary, use a magnifying glass when it comes to information. That rifle sounds like you're about to engage in alot of fun-shooting. Buy FFF powder for best results unless you are an accomplished ML user.

RE: Drams / Grains
 

Thanks for all the info guys. I suggested to my Dad he wears his glasses a little more often! I knew it didnt sound right but I really wasnt sure. Went shooting and had a great (and safe) time. The Enfield was suprisingly accurate. Drew quite a bit of attention when that big puff of smoke drifted out into the range. Alot of guys put down their AR15s and varmint rifles to come over and check it out and try a shot. Thanks again!