3.2oz Flask for Black Powder & BP measurments

[Texasgrillchef]

I maybe assuming incorrectly, but I am assuming that a 3.2 oz black powder flask, is being measured on 3.2oz of weight and not volume.

Yet when we measure black powder grains for use in our guns, we are measuring by volume.

So a couple of Questions.... how many grains by volume of FFG is a 3.2oz flask? By weight a calculator says about 1400 grains. But again that based on weight. I do know that 7000 grains by weight is 1lb (16 oz).

second... on my cannon, I use one lymans 3.2cc measuring cups for each charge in my cannon. (FFG) I wonder how many grains by volume is 3.2cc? Since it is a whole set.
How many cc’s would say 60 grains be of BP? 70?

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

since a flask is a volume type measuring device, it can only measure volume.

The "don't measure Black Powder by weight, only by volume" thing is an old wives tale / urban legend / myth.
That mantra is only relevant for the BP substitute powders that are designed to be used in equal volume, but have a different weight.

 

[arcticap]

I maybe assuming incorrectly, but I am assuming that a 3.2 oz black powder flask, is being measured on 3.2oz of weight and not volume.
Yet when we measure black powder grains for use in our guns, we are measuring by volume.
So a couple of Questions.... how many grains by volume of FFG is a 3.2oz flask? By weight a calculator says about 1400 grains. But again that based on weight. I do know that 7000 grains by weight is 1lb (16 oz).
second... on my cannon, I use one lymans 3.2cc measuring cups for each charge in my cannon. (FFG) I wonder how many grains by volume is 3.2cc? Since it is a whole set.
How many cc’s would say 60 grains be of BP? 70?

Goex black powder just happens to weigh about the exact same as its volume in grains.

If your calculations are correct that it weighs 1400 grains then its volume will also be approximately 1400 grains.
There's not very much difference between FFG and FFFG Goex.
Here's a 2012 revised conversion sheet that shows Goex FFFG. --->>> https://www.curtrich.com/BPConversionSheet.htm

The original 2005 conversion sheet also had Goex FFG weighing 100 grains. --->>> https://www.curtrich.com/BPConversionSheet2005.htm

 

[MEHavey]

3.2 oz (water)* = 3.2 oz 28.35cc/oz = 90.72cc
Do the math knowing what you see below.

All credit to LEE and his powder Measure Kit
(which is a shameless plug for what every handloader should have -- no matter what other measure s/he might otherwise have on hand)




* vice "fluid" oz -- so it gets a lttle messy

 

[Loyalist Dave]

It can be a pain to visualize, since it stems from a very antique measuring system. I believe it was originally based on weight of water, and corresponding volume.

So say you had a mold for a 1 ounce lead ball. You would be casting a ball that also weights 437.5 grains..., of lead. But if you then took the mold after it cooled, and filled it up with powder, that powder would not equal 1 ounce of weight on a scale, as the powder isn't as dense as the lead. It's the old adage, a one pound brick doesn't take up as much space [volume] as a pound of feathers.

LD

 

[Jim Watson]

The grain avoirdupois is a unit of weight, period.
Just that it is inconvenient to carry a scale in your possibles bag, so you have a volume measure that delivers the amount wanted.
If properly calibrated, your measure marked "80" will deliver 80 grains of powder. SOME powder or another, the bulk density differs by brand and granulation. As you can see from MEHavey's copy of the Lee dipper chart.
A friend used an 8mm case as a powder measure for his .40 Dixie. That is something near 62 grains, depending on brand and granulation.

 

[arcticap]

I realize that the volume and weight of Goex doesn't exactly equal the volume and weight of water.
But in actual field use, a grain or two shouldn't matter for those who use a volumetric measure.
There will always be some imperfection and a margin of error.
Some folks spill that much just trying to pour the powder into the chamber or barrel.
Some tap the measure to settle the powder down while others don't, or will pour powder in until it piles up over the brim of the measure.