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As I mentioned in a recent thread today, I had the opportunity to finally go to the range yesterday. Although I was somewhat satisfied with the end results, I need to work through some issues/questions regarding the BH 209. I'd like to share the details of my experiences yesterday and hope that I can get some feedback.
Part 1 - preparation for the range
I used a CVA brand "see-through" powder measurer and put charges of 70-100 gr. in the graduated BH 209 tubes. I also did the same using a CVA brand "brass" powder measurer. I made more of a mess than I wanted. As I slid the nipple of the measurers to level the powder both of them kinda got stuck. I had to put pressure on the nipple in order to level the charge. Doing so made a crunching type feeling, as though I was cracking the 209 gr. into pieces. I also noticed that a noticeable number of powder gr. kept sticking to the inside of the see-through tube. At first I thought I may have contaminated the 209 with moisture but didn't seem possible. I also noticed that when I set the scale on the brass measurer the charge always register 10 gr. less than the scale setting.
Q #1. Can I assume that what I was experiencing when trying to level the powder was the difference in the rigid composition of the 209 compared to a much lighter composition of Triple 7, Pyrodex, or whatever else I saw guys leveling in videos? They just made a clean sweep and it was leveled. Solution?
Q #2. The rep at CVA wasn't aware of the -10 gr of 209 when using the brass measurer. Is it possible that this problem also relates to the difference in composition between 209 and other powders, or maybe the brass measurer was made before 209 was on the market. Can assume that a fix to the problem is to set the scale at 110 to get a charge of 110 gr.? Is this issue the same with T/C and other brass measurers?
Q #3. Western Powders told me yesterday that he uses a small funnel and pours the 209 directly into the scald 209 range tubes. I asked about inconsistent measurers affecting accuracy and was told that even to "eyeball" the level of powder would not affect accuracy. At what point does a difference in levels affect the accuracy/performance of shooting? I read a thread somewhere where a member claimed that the graduated marks on the 209 tubes were intended to help you distinguish just the difference between one load and another (ie. is this 80 gr. or 90 gr. in the tube?) Any thoughts on this? Oh, BTW, I've read the lengthy threads everywhere as to whether you should measure 209 by weight or volume. Just for my own sanity I'm thinking about going to Cabelas tomorrow to buy an electronic scale.
Q #4. Western Powders also confirmed that the issue with powder sticking to the plastic tube was static. He suggested adding one teaspoon of graphite to a 10 oz. bottle of 209 and add 5 teaspoons of graphite to a 5 lb bottle and mix well. Just wondering if this is common? And, if I catch powder overflow on a plate or something, will I contaminate the powder in the bottle if I pour the overflow back in the bottle?
Part 1 - preparation for the range
I used a CVA brand "see-through" powder measurer and put charges of 70-100 gr. in the graduated BH 209 tubes. I also did the same using a CVA brand "brass" powder measurer. I made more of a mess than I wanted. As I slid the nipple of the measurers to level the powder both of them kinda got stuck. I had to put pressure on the nipple in order to level the charge. Doing so made a crunching type feeling, as though I was cracking the 209 gr. into pieces. I also noticed that a noticeable number of powder gr. kept sticking to the inside of the see-through tube. At first I thought I may have contaminated the 209 with moisture but didn't seem possible. I also noticed that when I set the scale on the brass measurer the charge always register 10 gr. less than the scale setting.
Q #1. Can I assume that what I was experiencing when trying to level the powder was the difference in the rigid composition of the 209 compared to a much lighter composition of Triple 7, Pyrodex, or whatever else I saw guys leveling in videos? They just made a clean sweep and it was leveled. Solution?
Q #2. The rep at CVA wasn't aware of the -10 gr of 209 when using the brass measurer. Is it possible that this problem also relates to the difference in composition between 209 and other powders, or maybe the brass measurer was made before 209 was on the market. Can assume that a fix to the problem is to set the scale at 110 to get a charge of 110 gr.? Is this issue the same with T/C and other brass measurers?
Q #3. Western Powders told me yesterday that he uses a small funnel and pours the 209 directly into the scald 209 range tubes. I asked about inconsistent measurers affecting accuracy and was told that even to "eyeball" the level of powder would not affect accuracy. At what point does a difference in levels affect the accuracy/performance of shooting? I read a thread somewhere where a member claimed that the graduated marks on the 209 tubes were intended to help you distinguish just the difference between one load and another (ie. is this 80 gr. or 90 gr. in the tube?) Any thoughts on this? Oh, BTW, I've read the lengthy threads everywhere as to whether you should measure 209 by weight or volume. Just for my own sanity I'm thinking about going to Cabelas tomorrow to buy an electronic scale.
Q #4. Western Powders also confirmed that the issue with powder sticking to the plastic tube was static. He suggested adding one teaspoon of graphite to a 10 oz. bottle of 209 and add 5 teaspoons of graphite to a 5 lb bottle and mix well. Just wondering if this is common? And, if I catch powder overflow on a plate or something, will I contaminate the powder in the bottle if I pour the overflow back in the bottle?