I have an adjustable powder measure with gradations from 0 to 150. I am used to using a Tresco spout on a black powder cylindrical flask, these spouts being 15, 20, 25 grains, etc. These fill being threaded into the flask and holding your finger over it when you fill it from the flask and you fill your case. Let's say I set my adjustable measure to 40 grains. How do I fill it without getting black powder all over the place?
How to fill an adjustable black powder measure
- Thread starter orpington
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- Dec 19, 2002
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Hold the measure in one hand. The flask in another. Turn the flask upside down and push the button. Allow the measure to fill. Then release the button.
You may get some spillage and what I've seen is some guys use a tray to catch it in. They place a funnel over the powder can and pour the contents of the tray back into the can.
BTW, we were teaching some ladies how to use a muzzle loading shotgun. Our teacher was their uncle. So, we told the ladies not to sweat the excess powder and allow it to fall onto the ground. After all, "Uncle Jim doesn't mind."
You may get some spillage and what I've seen is some guys use a tray to catch it in. They place a funnel over the powder can and pour the contents of the tray back into the can.
BTW, we were teaching some ladies how to use a muzzle loading shotgun. Our teacher was their uncle. So, we told the ladies not to sweat the excess powder and allow it to fall onto the ground. After all, "Uncle Jim doesn't mind."
J-Bar
Member
Open up your adjustable measure to hold more than you really want, pour in powder to just below the rim, then decrease the volume in your measure while holding the spout over the can to catch the excess that spills out. Pretty soon you will get the feel for the process and have little if any spillage.
(I'm picturing the kind of adjustable measure that allows you to push a piston up from the bottom, like the Thompson-Center measure. Is that what you are using?)
(I'm picturing the kind of adjustable measure that allows you to push a piston up from the bottom, like the Thompson-Center measure. Is that what you are using?)
J-Bar,
Yes, that's exactly what I am using. I think I used your approach before in the past, as well. I loaded 32 .38-40 rounds last night using the Tresco spout, and had no spillage. I am spoiled and have gotten used to no spillage, so using the adjustable powder measure, while having limited spillage when one is skilled, is simply never down to no spillage.
Yes, that's exactly what I am using. I think I used your approach before in the past, as well. I loaded 32 .38-40 rounds last night using the Tresco spout, and had no spillage. I am spoiled and have gotten used to no spillage, so using the adjustable powder measure, while having limited spillage when one is skilled, is simply never down to no spillage.
DD4lifeusmc
Member
just use the adjustable one as a means to check and confirm your precut spout or for cutting a new spout to correct length.
Then put the adjustable away.
Otherwise several companies offer some very small funnels and with practice you can hold the funnel and measure in one hand.
Pour slow and trickle.
Then put the adjustable away.
Otherwise several companies offer some very small funnels and with practice you can hold the funnel and measure in one hand.
Pour slow and trickle.
J-Bar
Member
I did not realize you are loading brass cartridges. I thought you might be charging a rifle.
I made a dipper for charging .45 Colt cases by trimming down a case and epoxying it to an old screwdriver. Then just scoop the powder into a funnel set on the brass you are reloading. Works fine.
I made a dipper for charging .45 Colt cases by trimming down a case and epoxying it to an old screwdriver. Then just scoop the powder into a funnel set on the brass you are reloading. Works fine.
Wow, I never thought of the last 2 suggestions--essentially creating 'custom' sized implements for the size desired. I simply reasoned that Tresco spouts, coming in sizes divisible by 5 generally suffice, but if something more specific is desired, then that was what the adjustable measure was for. Sometimes, the simplest things are, well, that simple!
BCRider
Member
Well, to avoid the issues of either a loose charge, which is bad, or an overly compressed charge, which can bulge the casing in extreme examples, a measure of some form is nice to have.
The dippers are a great way to go. And you can make a custom dipper from one of the casings you are loading. You know you want a dropped charge that will be about 3/32 to 1/8 higher than where the rear of the bullet will end up so it compresses the powder the correct amount. So you measure up the bullet and casing and cut the neck off and smoothen it up so that a charge of powder in the casing and tapped to settle it will be flush with the rim. If it settles to below the mouth dip it into the supply and crest it up again and tap on the edge of the supply can to settle it again. If there's still a crown of powder above the rim shake or wipe it off. There's your charge. This can then be dropped into casing via a drop tube to aid in settling it in place correctly.
A handle of some #14 electrical wire twisted together is easy to solder to the outside of the case.
Or if you wish use a more readily available casing like .44Mag or .45Colt or even rifle cases with the neck and shoulder cut off so you've only got the rear portion. The point is that it's easy to make up custom dippers this way.
If you know you're looking for 40 grains exactly I'd be inclined to weigh that much on a scale then dump it into the slightly too tall case and tap it to settle it like you would if dipping the supply from a soup can or measuring cup as your supply. Then measure how much to cut off and you'll have your custom dipper that way that is calibrated to the weight instead of a volume.
This last idea only works if you're using proper black powder. The substitutes don't have the same density so you can't do it that way.
The dippers are a great way to go. And you can make a custom dipper from one of the casings you are loading. You know you want a dropped charge that will be about 3/32 to 1/8 higher than where the rear of the bullet will end up so it compresses the powder the correct amount. So you measure up the bullet and casing and cut the neck off and smoothen it up so that a charge of powder in the casing and tapped to settle it will be flush with the rim. If it settles to below the mouth dip it into the supply and crest it up again and tap on the edge of the supply can to settle it again. If there's still a crown of powder above the rim shake or wipe it off. There's your charge. This can then be dropped into casing via a drop tube to aid in settling it in place correctly.
A handle of some #14 electrical wire twisted together is easy to solder to the outside of the case.
Or if you wish use a more readily available casing like .44Mag or .45Colt or even rifle cases with the neck and shoulder cut off so you've only got the rear portion. The point is that it's easy to make up custom dippers this way.
If you know you're looking for 40 grains exactly I'd be inclined to weigh that much on a scale then dump it into the slightly too tall case and tap it to settle it like you would if dipping the supply from a soup can or measuring cup as your supply. Then measure how much to cut off and you'll have your custom dipper that way that is calibrated to the weight instead of a volume.
This last idea only works if you're using proper black powder. The substitutes don't have the same density so you can't do it that way.
Try a different flask
I use a flask that allows the adjustable measure to slide up into the spout. See Picture. You turn the flask upside down, place the measure up into it, press the button and your done. I also have a funnel attached to my flask for easy pouring. This works good for bench rest shooting, however, a regular flask is better for in the field reloading. In which case I would get a spout that is cut off to the correct amount you need and not worry about the adjustable measure.
I use a flask that allows the adjustable measure to slide up into the spout. See Picture. You turn the flask upside down, place the measure up into it, press the button and your done. I also have a funnel attached to my flask for easy pouring. This works good for bench rest shooting, however, a regular flask is better for in the field reloading. In which case I would get a spout that is cut off to the correct amount you need and not worry about the adjustable measure.
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