Poor man's powder measure

[rdstrain49]

When I started shooting muzzleloaders some 52+ years ago money was very and I do mean very tight.  While trying to put my basic kit together some old boy said I didn't need to spend money on a powder measure.  Take your round of proper caliber, black it in the palm of your slightly cupped hand, from your horn pour powder over the ball until it's just covered with powder and that is a proper charge for your rifle.  At least I think I remember the above mentioned tale.  Being the curious sort I decided to see if that would indeed work.  The result was a 66 grain charge of 3f for my 45 and 80 grains of 1 1/2f for my 50.  Interestingly enough both charges are very close to what my every day load is for each rifle.

I am in no way suggesting anyone use this method.  I just found it interesting that some of the very old ways do indeed work quite well.  Note: I weighed the charges, I did not fire them nor would I shoot charges measured in this manner.

[Hawken50]

   A lot of oldtimers that i learned from used that method....I usually start a new gun with the same grains as caliber ie 45 grains powder for a 45 caliber and work up from there. Old empty cartridges make good measures. I have a list some where that has what each cartridge will hold somewhere around here. Dixie gun works catalog has a list in the back also.

[Hawken50]

ahh here it is       

22 LR = 5

.320 ACP = 7


.380 ACP = 10


.30 cal Carbine = 20


.38 Special = 23


.357 Mag = 27


.45 Auto = 26


.44 Colt = 35


.45 Colt = 41


.38-40 = 40


.30-30 = 42


.30-06 = 70


.45-70 = 83

BOTTLE NECKED RIFLE BRASS CUT at the start of the neck angle !

These are by weight in grains with either FFg or FFFg Blackpowder.

NOT FOR USE WITH FFFFg !!!!!!

[Hanshi]

I never had any "old guys" to teach me about muzzleloaders.  IMHO I was much the better for that.  I learned and taught myself everything I could about caring for and using front loaders.  One thing I learned was that just because I've heard something was done a certain way long ago, didn't mean it was the best way or even the safe way.  For instance, our ancestors use to "bleed" sick people which weakened them and often caused their death. 

No, I don't dismiss everything that was done in the past; I tested them - as mentioned by others on the thread - and found out if, indeed, it was effective and safe.  Some practices and accouterments worked just fine but I have often found other ways that worked even better. 

I noticed if I put a ball in my palm and covered it with powder, I couldn't get much of it in the bore without spillage; not to mention the powder that stuck to my hot, little squirrel skinners.  On a flat, dry surface it worked better but was still glacially slow.  Another thing I discovered was that there were always several different ways to successfully do the same thing.  In other words, Muzzle loader shooting is inherently safer, easier than reloading the smokeless thingies.

[Silent Walker]

I've got both 45-70 and 45-90 cases, I'll get a powder measure reading just to check.  These would make a great measure device, placed in a hollowed out antler.

[Hanshi]

Using brass cases is very convenient as they are ubiquitous and readily modified.  I've used river cane extensively along with antler to make some good ones.  Unfortunately river cane doesn't grow in Maine, that I've seen, and all my antler stock got left behind in the move.

[Patocazador]

ahh here it is       

22 LR = 5

.320 ACP = 7


.380 ACP = 10


.30 cal Carbine = 20


.38 Special = 23


.357 Mag = 27


.45 Auto = 26


.44 Colt = 35


.45 Colt = 41


.38-40 = 40


.30-30 = 42


.30-06 = 70


.45-70 = 83

BOTTLE NECKED RIFLE BRASS CUT at the start of the neck angle !

These are by weight in grains with either FFg or FFFg Blackpowder.

NOT FOR USE WITH FFFFg !!!!!!

Where's .50 Browning Machine Gun fit in this chart?

[doggoner]

Patocazador

With a little modification and a dispensing nozzle, the 50 cal BMG can become your priming "horn". Be sure to leave the spent primer in the case before you load it with ffffg. YMMV on this one.

doggoner

[William]

Using brass cases is very convenient as they are ubiquitous and readily modified.  I've used river cane extensively along with antler to make some good ones.  Unfortunately river cane doesn't grow in Maine, that I've seen, and all my antler stock got left behind in the move.

Just FYI, the local grocery store sells both deer and elk antlers as dog chews so if any are needed for powder measures, just let me know and I'll send them. I've also got several friends who always have last year's antler drops they've collected in their yards.