measuring powder

nmarchr · Nov 3, 2016

Im new to muzzleloaders. Just purchased a TC Encore FX. I have been doing some research on powder and decided to order the blackhorn209. my question is, when measuring powder do I measure by weight or by volume? when reading I notice that a lot of information states to use 100-120 grains, is that volume? what is more accurate? any info on smokepole shooting is much appreciated!

thanks

Zeke · Nov 3, 2016

Here's my 2 cents:
Unless stated otherwise the grains listed is ALWAYS by VOLUME!

Caution! If you measure by weight, it will be slightly more accurate than by volume. BUT!!! "by weight" at 95 grains gives me 136 grains "by volume"!!!

100 grains by volume equals approx 70 grains by weight of BH209 so ALWAYS check your math if you weigh your charges to avoid over-loading your charge.

I could have worded that differently but I think you get the point.
Zeke

nmarchr · Nov 3, 2016

thanks Zeke, PM sent to you.

so I should measure by weight, but also make sure i measure by volume so to not over load the charge?

Zeke · Nov 3, 2016

That's what I do.

You could decide on a safe charge, let's say 100 grains for easy math. Volume measure out 100 grains and throw it on your scale and check the weight. It should be right at 70 grains+/- so that's what you'd want to weight out each charge and funnel it into your speed loaders.

You only need to do this a couple time to check it and get YOUR load that equates to the volume measurement but you're now going to weigh each charge.

I'm sure there are guys out there who say it doesn't make much difference in accuracy and they're probably right but that's not the way I think. "leave nothing to chance and pray for luck" is my motto. LOL

Zeke

Zeke · Nov 3, 2016

So here's the math:

Times the scale-weighed charge by 1.43 to see what the volume measurement would be.

or times the volume measurement by .7 to arrive at the scale-weighed charge.

Zeke

FrontierGander · Nov 6, 2016

Measure by volume until you get this burning into memory, then you can expand your knowledge and weigh them.

www.FrontierMuzzleloading.com

Zeke · Nov 7, 2016

>Measure by volume until you get
>this burning into memory, then
>you can expand your knowledge
>and weigh them.
>
That's probably great advice and worth understanding why he said that. No sense in getting confused and having really dangerous issues.
Zeke

nmarchr · Nov 7, 2016

ok, thanks for all the help. I really appreciate it!!!

hntbambi · Nov 12, 2016

LAST EDITED ON Nov-12-16 AT 08:02PM (MST)[p]This is not rocket science. Measuring by weight is the most accurate method. As long as you remember most of the load data is published in volume. In most muzzleloaders Western Powders recommends 120 gr by volume or 84 gr by weight as the maximum charge.

Try to find different volume powder measures that throw the same level. I have seen variables from 90-115 gr by volume. Going by weight is the most consistent way.