You guys are comparing LOT #29 to LOT #31, when the process of calibrating the VOLUME to WEIGHT ratio was changed at LOT #30. According to someone mentioning it here in a thread on the forum last fall?
So, anything before LOT #30 (LOTS #1-#29), and anything after LOT #30 (LOTS #30-#31 and beyond) should be compared for consistency, IMO. The process has changed.
Actually Lots #1-#3 were not available to the public for sale. I was the first to own a case of Blackhorn 209 in Michigan, on this forum, and one of the first in the Nation. The first lot available to the general public for retail was LOT #4 in early April 2008, and I still have one unopened container of the powder that I will test the shelf life on at some point in the future.
The first lots of the powder actually had both silver colored and black colored cylindrical granules in it, about a 50% mix of each. This was before they decided on the Blackhorn 209 name, and it was called Silver Strike at that time. I was able to shoot some Silver Strike out of a few rifles when I visited Montana back in March of 2009.
Nobody that I know of ever claimed that VOLUMETRIC measuring was more accurate than WEIGHT. If you cannot throw and settle a VOLUMETRIC charge by first removing static from the equation, maybe WEIGHT is the way to go for you? Removing static from the equation is as easy as wiping out your plastic funnel on your bottle, the clear T/C U-View powder measure, and your storage tubes with a fabric softener sheet. this doesn't have to be done every time, it will last for a long time. This would also include VOLUMETRIC plastic powder dispensers probably like the one Ron used? if there is any plastic in the process, you needed to remove the static first.
The deviation in properly measured tapped and settled VOLUME charges is in tenths of a grain. Even if it were a full grain difference, you are only talking 10 FPS maximum in variation.
That is nothing out to normal hunting distances. The deer can't tell the difference between 1990 FPS and 2000 FPS, and neither can you.
For best results when moving to a new lot # of powder, it may be best to get out the chronograph or scales to check for any variances. If the VOLUMETRIC loads are grouping and getting the same accuracy as your previous lot#, then shoot on. If not, drop down 5 grains by VOLUME, then go up 5 grains by VOLUME and see what it likes best. That will only be about 3 grains by WEIGHT difference.
Generally speaking, when you get up in the 80, 90, 100, 110 grain VOLUMETRIC charges, depending on bullet weight and design, you're averaging around 100 FPS per 10 VOLUMETRIC grain change with Blackhorn 209 at the muzzle. This is not absolute, just a general rule of thumb. About 50 FPS for every 5 VOLUMETRIC grain change, 10 FPS for every 1 VOLUMETRIC grain change, and 1 FPS for every tenth of a grain VOLUME change.
You can WEIGH your charges if you want to, but nothing I've ever shot at normal hunting ranges (under 200 yards) could ever live on the difference of my VOLUMETRICALLY measured charges. Simple as that!
If you do WEIGH instead of measure by VOLUME, you better know what the conversion ratio is, have a good reliable calibrated scale, and check it frequently. It's also a good idea to have the maximum VOLUME load line as well as your preferred VOLUME load line marked on your storage/transportation tubes. That gives you a quick reference to make sure your scale is still accurate and calibrated. I only use beam scales, because some of those digital scales will occasionally lie to you. My VOLUMETRIC powder measure never lies to me.
Just remember, there are new guys that are just getting into shooting muzzleloaders and/or Blackhorn 209, we need to do everything possible to keep them safe. The VOLIMETRIC powder measure is a pretty simple, safe, and accurate way to measure Blackhorn 209 for 95% of the people.
I guess as soon as someone compares LOT #30 to LOT #31, we'll know if the new process is capable of keeping the VOLUME to WEIGHT ratio in check? Then Lot #32 against LOTS #30 & #31 to see if it continues to vary, or stays the same?
I know one thing for sure, my VOLUMETRIC powder measure and I will be getting along just fine regardless!
So, anything before LOT #30 (LOTS #1-#29), and anything after LOT #30 (LOTS #30-#31 and beyond) should be compared for consistency, IMO. The process has changed.
Actually Lots #1-#3 were not available to the public for sale. I was the first to own a case of Blackhorn 209 in Michigan, on this forum, and one of the first in the Nation. The first lot available to the general public for retail was LOT #4 in early April 2008, and I still have one unopened container of the powder that I will test the shelf life on at some point in the future.
The first lots of the powder actually had both silver colored and black colored cylindrical granules in it, about a 50% mix of each. This was before they decided on the Blackhorn 209 name, and it was called Silver Strike at that time. I was able to shoot some Silver Strike out of a few rifles when I visited Montana back in March of 2009.
Nobody that I know of ever claimed that VOLUMETRIC measuring was more accurate than WEIGHT. If you cannot throw and settle a VOLUMETRIC charge by first removing static from the equation, maybe WEIGHT is the way to go for you? Removing static from the equation is as easy as wiping out your plastic funnel on your bottle, the clear T/C U-View powder measure, and your storage tubes with a fabric softener sheet. this doesn't have to be done every time, it will last for a long time. This would also include VOLUMETRIC plastic powder dispensers probably like the one Ron used? if there is any plastic in the process, you needed to remove the static first.
The deviation in properly measured tapped and settled VOLUME charges is in tenths of a grain. Even if it were a full grain difference, you are only talking 10 FPS maximum in variation.
That is nothing out to normal hunting distances. The deer can't tell the difference between 1990 FPS and 2000 FPS, and neither can you.
For best results when moving to a new lot # of powder, it may be best to get out the chronograph or scales to check for any variances. If the VOLUMETRIC loads are grouping and getting the same accuracy as your previous lot#, then shoot on. If not, drop down 5 grains by VOLUME, then go up 5 grains by VOLUME and see what it likes best. That will only be about 3 grains by WEIGHT difference.
Generally speaking, when you get up in the 80, 90, 100, 110 grain VOLUMETRIC charges, depending on bullet weight and design, you're averaging around 100 FPS per 10 VOLUMETRIC grain change with Blackhorn 209 at the muzzle. This is not absolute, just a general rule of thumb. About 50 FPS for every 5 VOLUMETRIC grain change, 10 FPS for every 1 VOLUMETRIC grain change, and 1 FPS for every tenth of a grain VOLUME change.
You can WEIGH your charges if you want to, but nothing I've ever shot at normal hunting ranges (under 200 yards) could ever live on the difference of my VOLUMETRICALLY measured charges. Simple as that!
If you do WEIGH instead of measure by VOLUME, you better know what the conversion ratio is, have a good reliable calibrated scale, and check it frequently. It's also a good idea to have the maximum VOLUME load line as well as your preferred VOLUME load line marked on your storage/transportation tubes. That gives you a quick reference to make sure your scale is still accurate and calibrated. I only use beam scales, because some of those digital scales will occasionally lie to you. My VOLUMETRIC powder measure never lies to me.
Just remember, there are new guys that are just getting into shooting muzzleloaders and/or Blackhorn 209, we need to do everything possible to keep them safe. The VOLIMETRIC powder measure is a pretty simple, safe, and accurate way to measure Blackhorn 209 for 95% of the people.
I guess as soon as someone compares LOT #30 to LOT #31, we'll know if the new process is capable of keeping the VOLUME to WEIGHT ratio in check? Then Lot #32 against LOTS #30 & #31 to see if it continues to vary, or stays the same?
I know one thing for sure, my VOLUMETRIC powder measure and I will be getting along just fine regardless!
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