Prove dippers' accuracy/inaccuracy for yourself
Prove dippers' accuracy/inaccuracy for yourself
If you have a theory, the "Scientific Method" is used to prove or disprove it.
The Scientific Method:
Make a statement to be proven or disproven. Devise an experiment to test the statement. Collect the data in controlled experiments and analyze it. Come to a conclusion that the theory is 1) proven, 2) disproven or 3) still just a theory.
Theory Statement:
The consistency of weight of gunpowder measured by a dipper's volume is greater than or equal to my powder measure.
Experimental method:
Equipment:
Get your most accurate powder scale, some powder, a bowl, a tablespoon, a brick and a powder scoop/dipper.
Process:
Set up and zero your powder scale
Fill the bowl with powder.
Brace the dipper on the brick above the bowl to ensure the dipper is absolutely still
Take a spoonful of powder and pour it into the dipper from above (close or far, but always the same)
Do not shake the dipper
Strike off the powder mounded atop the dipper with the tablespoon's edge
Do this the same way every time
Weigh each powder charge and record it
Do this enough times to get a good statistical sample.
Gather the same number of samples from your powder measure.
Compare, then conclude.
Let the gathering of empirical data begin.
I performed this test to my satisfaction in 1977 with 2400, Bullseye and Unique and do not have the data any more or I would share it here. But it did not take long to establish very clearly that technique is important and if consistent, my powder drops are very repeatable, measure to measure. If I ever get any cylindrical powder, I will perform it again.
I do have a couple of Lee Auto-Disk powder measures. Their accuracy is not as good as the dippers, but acceptable for handguns in the load ranges I am using, and the speed and convenience is an adequate trade-off.
Lost Sheep