Term for 'flake' of powder?

[Squeaky Wheel]

What is the correct (or most commonly used) term for an individual flake/speck/granule/stick/donut (in case of Trail Boss) of gunpowder?

Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

Flake is fine.

Or grain. (not to be confused with grain weight measurement)

But TB is a flake type powder so that should be good enough.


rc

 

[UziLand]

At the gun shop I like they call powder either "ball" or "extruded". I ask about new powders because my rcbs powder measure does not play well with extruded (tubular) powders.

UL

 

[morcey2]

There are three types of powder, ball, flake, and stick/extruded. There are a few that fit in between those like very flattened ball powders or ballish-looking extruded powders like H100V.

For TB, I'd just call it a flake.

To the OP, are you wanting to know for measurement purposes or for general name purposes? I ask because I've known more than one person to measure out a charge incorrectly by (for example) counting out 52 individual granules of IMR4064 for a 52-grain 30-06 load.

 

[TfflHndn]

I call it a granule. No way to mistake for a weight measurement.

 

[NeuseRvrRat]

i've seen the term "kernel" used in manuals before

 

[UziLand]

Counting granules! Now that's scarey!!

UL

 

[Squeaky Wheel]

OP here -- just asking for terminology/naming purposes (not related to measurements at all). Also, I was asking about it in the most generic context. I was wondering if there was a commonly used term (generically) for a 'speck' or 'flake' of gunpowder regardless of the type of powder. Thanks in advance.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've always used "kernel" for the individual powder granules. Works for me.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[243winxb]

Kernel

Saami

KERNEL A single particle of propellant powder.

http://www.saami.org/glossary/display.cfm?letter=K Grains to me.

 

[GJSchulze]

I use granule. No one will mistake it for another term. To me "kernel" refers to the central part of something larger, like a kernel of corn. This post is the only time I've heard someone using kernel.

 

[ngnrd]

I also use the term 'granule'.

 

[rondog]

When the stuff spills, I can come up with several colorful names for it.....

 

[ironworkerwill]

TB sticks to my funnel, hopper, and scoops! I suppose lack of graphite allows the static to hold the Granules.

 

[GW Staar]

For 50 years I've only heard "kernel"

Saami agrees.

http://www.saami.org/glossary/display.cfm?letter=K

 

[spitballer]

Agree with kernel, granule runs a close second. Speck would good for ball powder though...

 

[GJSchulze]

kernel:
1. the edible central part of a seed, nut, or fruit within the shell or stone
2. the grain of a cereal, esp wheat, consisting of the seed in a hard husk
3. the central or essential part of something

I suppose that #3 might match. SAAMI uses kernel and does not have an entry for granule. I would say that kernel is a term of art. I would also say that using that term, while correct, could confuse some people. Using flake could be confused with saying it's a flake powder when you don't mean that.

 

[ReloaderFred]

I've called some posters on the internet flakes, but not my powder........... I still prefer kernel, with granule second.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[caz223]

Shoot, for trail boss, I call 'em doughnuts.

 

[10 Spot Terminator]

Kernals here for all but Trailboss and I call them Cheerios ... and when I am loading stick powders ( extruded ) at times I will split hairs when weighing as most of these only take 3 or 4 sticks to make 1/10th of a grain in weight .

 

[RainDodger]

One itty-bit.

 

[splattergun]

I call it a granule. No way to mistake for a weight measurement.

+ 1
'granule' has the bonus of being grammaticlaly correct, as well.
makes ya look like ya paid attention in hellementary school

 

[BigG]

granule.