measuring charges by weight

[danders]

I know we measure black powder by volume. I have read that some people on this site have said they measure by actual weight ie. 100 grs of say triple 7 by volume would be x grains if put on an actual powder scale. that said the people that do this I was wondering how much if any increase in accuracy do they gain or is it just splitting hairs like the benchrest guys do. I know when I use my powder measure if you tap it or pour fast or slow to fill it it seems to make a difference how much powder you actual use. thanks

 

[Semisane]

I started weighing my charges in the last few months and found the weighed charges reduced my 100 yards group by about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Weighed charges eliminated "vertical stringing" in the groups and reduced the number of flyers.

When I was playing around with my powder measure set on 100 grains volume and Pyrodex FFG, I found I could get a variance of as much as 13 grain weight, depending on how I filled the measure (tapping it, shaking it, holding it very steady, leveling it off, leaving it rounded, etc.)

Here's what I got with my adjustable brass powder measure set at 100 grains volume. Filled it with each type of powder, tapped the side of the measure with a pencil six times to settle the powder (it settled about 1/4"), then filled it again to overflowing, tapped it down again twice, then leveled it off and weighed it.

Goex FFG weighed 110 grains even.
Pyrodex RS weighed 78.0 grains.
Pyrodex Select RS weighed 76.7 grains.
Triple Seven FFG weighed 77.8 grains.
Triple Seven FFFG weighed 87.0 grains.

I'm at the point where I'll only shoot volume charges when I'm playing around. Serious target work and hunting - I use weighed charges.

 

[RAF]

IMO if you're shooting blackpowder or blackpowder subs, measure by volume. That's the way it was intended. Weight in going to be a whole lot different. Smokeless has to be weighed.

 

[crb4809]

I measured 100 grains of Pyrodex RS trying to be as consistent as possible. I think I measured out 8 or 10 charges. I then weighed my powder and found a 5 grain difference by weight in the charges. I took the average weight and now use that for my 100 grain charge.

If I were to start changing charges I would do the same exercise and measure out enough charges to get a standard weight. I would never change my charges by weight as you could easily get above maximum loads by using weight only. If you are going to use weighed charges the conversion must be a one way street from volume to weight.

Just like carefully changing one variable at a time to learn what your rifle likes, weighing known volumes of powder to increase accuracy is splitting hairs until there is nothing left to split.

 

[big6x6]

that said the people that do this I was wondering how much if any increase in accuracy do they gain or is it just splitting hairs like the benchrest guys do

That depends, IMO. It mainly depends on the range you intend on shooting. If 100 to 140 yards or so is enough for you, I think measuring by volume is just fine. Ranges over that, I think you are better off either weighing powder or using pellets. More consistant powder charge equals better groups/accuracy. As the distance shots are taken gets longer, this starts to matter more and more.

 

[danders]

thanks for the info guys. I havent had to shoot a deer past 90yds yet with my t/c prohunter but I feel like if its shooting good at 200yds it should be a slam dunk at 100yds. I am a big bowhunter and I try to keep my shots in the bull at 60yds when I practice so that 20yd shot at a buck is a piece of cake, unless of course the antlers are big enough 4 "buck fever" to set in!!!

 

[fairchase]

I bought a scale last year and tested weights against my volume measurements. I found that by volume I was never off more than 1-2 grs. max.
I returned the scale.

 

[tc121]

i always weigh my charges. first, use whatever powder you shoot and whatever volume measure you shoot. volume measure then weigh at least ten charges. then average out the weights to get the average weighed charge. finally, record the average and that's it. from that point on you weigh out you charges using your average. i use a scale that measures within 1/10 of a grain. you will never get that level of consistency volume measuring. i am mainly a hunter so i don't shoot that many rounds compared to others so i usually weigh out a seasons worth of charges (about 100) and store them in capped plastic test tubes. when i go hunting or to the range i just grab some powder tubes. i went from about 2 1/2 groups to 1" groups at 100 yds once i started weighing powder instead of volume measure

 

[PETE/NY]

Dangerous???

Just wondering if there is any danger when weighing these charges.My thoughts are any static electricity could ignite the powder.

 

[big6x6]

Re: Dangerous???

Just wondering if there is any danger when weighing these charges.My thoughts are any static electricity could ignite the powder.

No danger whatsoever..

 

[PETE/NY]

Re: Dangerous???

Just wondering if there is any danger when weighing these charges.My thoughts are any static electricity could ignite the powder.

No danger whatsoever..

Thanks for the info.

 

[nat5704]

i always weigh my charges. first, use whatever powder you shoot and whatever volume measure you shoot. volume measure then weigh at least ten charges. then average out the weights to get the average weighed charge. finally, record the average and that's it. from that point on you weigh out you charges using your average. i use a scale that measures within 1/10 of a grain. you will never get that level of consistency volume measuring. i am mainly a hunter so i don't shoot that many rounds compared to others so i usually weigh out a seasons worth of charges (about 100) and store them in capped plastic test tubes. when i go hunting or to the range i just grab some powder tubes. i went from about 2 1/2 groups to 1" groups at 100 yds once i started weighing powder instead of volume measure

I'm using pyrodex rs for my hunterbolt magnum 50 cal muzzleloader and I want to shoot a 80 to a 100 grain charge but don't have a powder measure just a scale how do I weigh it

 

[HC]

I started weighing my charges in the last few months and found the weighed charges reduced my 100 yards group by about 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Weighed charges eliminated "vertical stringing" in the groups and reduced the number of flyers.

When I was playing around with my powder measure set on 100 grains volume and Pyrodex FFG, I found I could get a variance of as much as 13 grain weight, depending on how I filled the measure (tapping it, shaking it, holding it very steady, leveling it off, leaving it rounded, etc.)

Here's what I got with my adjustable brass powder measure set at 100 grains volume. Filled it with each type of powder, tapped the side of the measure with a pencil six times to settle the powder (it settled about 1/4"), then filled it again to overflowing, tapped it down again twice, then leveled it off and weighed it.

Goex FFG weighed 110 grains even.
Pyrodex RS weighed 78.0 grains.
Pyrodex Select RS weighed 76.7 grains.
Triple Seven FFG weighed 77.8 grains.
Triple Seven FFFG weighed 87.0 grains.

I'm at the point where I'll only shoot volume charges when I'm playing around. Serious target work and hunting - I use weighed charges.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

I'm using pyrodex rs for my hunterbolt magnum 50 cal muzzleloader and I want to shoot a 80 to a 100 grain charge but don't have a powder measure just a scale how do I weigh it

Youre going to need to get a powder measure. There lots of inexpensive models. Walmart or almost any sporting goods store should have something. Brass or clear plastic are available. You have to weigh a bunch(8, 10, 12, whatever) of volume loads to get an average weight ‘For That Lot#’. Then you will know what weight to measure for consistent loads.

 

[nat5704]

Youre going to need to get a powder measure. There lots of inexpensive models. Walmart or almost any sporting goods store should have something. Brass or clear plastic are available. You have to weigh a bunch(8, 10, 12, whatever) of volume loads to get an average weight ‘For That Lot#’. Then you will know what weight to measure for consistent loads.

Thank you

 

[michiganmuzzy]

Thank you

We are all here to help each other.

 

[Confederate rifleman]

I weigh my charges and have for years. I know, if there's an issue, its not inconsistent charges.
With Swiss 3f, if my velocity variations exceed 10 fps, somethings wrong. Usually sloppy swabs or inconsistent seating pressures.
Some would say it's splitting hairs. But that's exactly what I do when I'm hunting.

 

[Ron Huff]

I weigh just for consistency and because its a habit from Metallic Reloading. I find that 74 Grains weighed Of BH 209 under a 250 grain Cutting Edge Maximus Bullet with a Green Crush Rib Sabot is extremely accurate in my CVA Accura. 74 Grains weighed of T7 2F under a 240 Grain XTP and the same green crush rib sabot is what I shoot in my MK 85. I weigh the charges for all of my 32Cal Seneca and Cherokee rifles also and 15 grains weighed Goex 3F is the ticket in all but one that shoots much better with 17 grains weighed Swiss 3F. I just prefer knowing that part is always consistent.

 

[bsoccer]

Just to piggyback on this but hopefully not complicate, what would you expect the difference to be between one of the handhelds that measures grains and say a Redding 3BR powder measure. For me the Redding throws 80 and it is 90 in the handheld...this is consistent throughout the range....90=100, 100=110. On the scale the Redding 80 weighs the equivalent of 80 grains or pretty close.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[bobcat_trapper]

I started weighing mine out this season. I bought 2 new brass measuring tools last yr. I am weighing mine from now on.