Using Powder Scoops

[flmason]

Anyone got a procedure for proper use of powder scoops.

Have to admit, 15-20 years ago when I reloaded smokeless I used a powder measure and a scale for checking.

Was considering scoops since the BP substitutes are generally a "by volume" substitute, or nearly so. Then cutting or ordering a flask spout of appropriate volume when a load is settled on.

However, powders of all sort, even Coffee-mate, LOL!, packs down. So what do folks do to assure consist amounts from scoop to scoop?

 

[BCRider]

I made a 30gn scoop for my Remingtons from a .44Mag casing cut down a little to match the load from a graduated "trombone" style measure.

In use I found that tapping the scoop knocked off the "crown" but didn't appreciably pack the FFFg powder I'm using. Certainly not enough to get in even one more grain worth.

 

[Pulp]

According to the instructions on the Lee dippers, have enough powder in a container so you can completely immerse the dipper in the powder. Do one drag through the powder, then give a little shake to level the powder. Alternative, you can use a business card to level the powder. According to Lee, a dipper can give results as consistent as 0.1 grain.

 

[ClemBert]

I use a Lee dipper and pour the powder into a
Black Powder Measure.

 

[BCRider]

Wha'z dat big red thing? Doesn't look very old timey to me! I thin' someones preparr-in to CHEAT! ! ! !

 

[ClemBert]

The big red thing is a Predator Shooting Rest. I use it to sight in a new revolver at 25 yards.

 

[Hawkeye748]

Most of the ranges I go to discourage any open containers of powder. Flasks are frowned upon also though I have not seen anyone thrown off for a flask. Open powder containers are considered dangerous.

I use a Lyman BP powder measure. I have from DGW numerous rubber quick loads for the 44 caliber. I throw the loads at home and carry enough loads to shoot to the range. The ball seals the end of the quick load in an air tight manner. The Lyman is great for throwing consistent charges.

You also asked about standard bullets for your gun. By all means try them. Most folks find the RB is more accurate but the conicals seem to hit "harder". I have used off the shelf hollow based 38 wadcutters with very decent success my Navy Remingtons. Always seemed to have a flyer or 2 though.

RCFlint commented that Speer bullets were out of pure lead. The RB are, the conicals are not. I had direct communication with Speer and depending on the bullet, their "lead" bullets had 3%-7% other metals, tin being the one I remember and antimony the other. Don't know about Hornady.

 

[BHP FAN]

One time a fellow in our club had an embarrassing incident when he left the cap off his Goex,whilst shooting a flintlock. Pretty amusing from a distance.What gave me a nasty little chuckle was that he had just been lecturing me on powder safety.

 

[Ratdog68]

One time a fellow in our club had an embarrassing incident when he left the cap off his Goex,whilst shooting a flintlock. Pretty amusing from a distance.What gave me a nasty little chuckle was that he had just been lecturing me on powder safety.

Justice is sweet sometimes, isn't it?

 

[BCRider]

Clembert's been through this before in the range kit thread. He only has the tin and the box open for loading duties and then it's all shut tight before the shootin' starts.

 

[fyrfyter43]

I was originally gonna mention the powder being open, but then I noticed that there were exactly 6 balls in the lid...kinda figured he closed the tin up as soon as those 6 balls were loaded.

 

[Hawkeye748]

The Ban is there because: 1) people forget, 2) get in a hurry, 3) others around you that don't realize the danger.

I have seen accidents of this nature. Years ago saw the aftermath of a spectator thumping a cigerette into a loading area of a local BP shoot. 3-4 people hospitalized with shrapnel wounds from the box the fellow stored his loads in for the range. One open drawer flashed and set off the loads in the closed drawers.

 

[BCRider]

Maybe I'm lucky but at my range where I'm shooting we have loading sheds back behind the firing line and there's no smoking rules in force at the range.

And here I thought a dipper would be safer given the possible issue of a spark in the cylinder that sets off the powder in a typical flask.

 

[flmason]

@ClemBert - Nice possibles box.

@Pulp - No doubt the Lee dippers are an interesting way to go. No doubt any tool you use in a consistent manner should throw consistent charges. Guess I'll have to practice whatever technique I go with against a scale and see what happens. Though, years ago I never really did with a Navy Colt repro. A 20 gr. spout on the flask seemed to give good accuracy.

@Hawkeye748 - Yeah, I was thinking loading charges into paper tubes like a paper cartridge, but without the ball or bullet included. Perhaps stored in a something water tight like a Tupperware container. With those .38 wadcutters... did you shave some lead on loading? What's considered the correct amount of "oversize"? For my revolver, factory reccomends .454 RB. But then the Lee Conical Mold for the same gun seems to be .450 diameter. So I'm not quite sure what to think. Any idea, if I were to measure the chamber, what the correct allowance for sealing is?

 

[Hawkeye748]

The wadcutters were .358 in diameter. There was no shaving at all but they were a snug fit. Round balls shaved a full circleof lead. I used 22 grains of 3Fg Swiss. The fliers were likely caused by a few undersized bullets. They were 97% lead, 3% tin. Recovered bullet seemed to expand the base to the .375 barrel diameter. In short, they worked like minie balls in a rifle musket. With a good lube over the cylinder, you should not have any problems

The paper cartridge is nice idea and somewhat period correct. Wally World (Wal-Mart) has a square box with a lid that has a latch on each side. A rubber gasket seals the box very well. I use them to store Sharps rounds long term. I think that would well for you in FL where the humidity is so high. I would also add small discant(sp?) to help keep the moisture out of your loads.

 

[ClemBert]

Good ol' ClemBert has his own private shooting range. He makes his own rules.

#1 rule is safety.
#2 rule is to have fun.
#3 rule is to make sure to go home at dark.

 

[BHP FAN]

That'd work.Nice set up,pard!

 

[BCRider]

And #4 is wipe off the powder stains from the side of the white SUV before the wife sees it because you obeyed #3 and went home too soon before dark.

Who does your lawn? Does he have any time to come up this way and cut my dandelions and slight grass mixture? That is one amazing field. If it was mine I'd be alternating hours of use between shooting and flying my model airplanes. I'm 100% envious.

 

[ClemBert]

Well, the field isn't looking so neat and trim right now. Normally it is a hay field. It gets baled 2 or 3 times a year. The grass is about waste high right now in places. ClemBert's shooting range is closed until the next baling which will be any day now as soon as we can get a 3 day rainless stretch.

 

[BCRider]

Sweet... I think I need a hay farm. I LIKE the idea of only having to cut the grass a few times a summer...

 

[Ratdog68]

Very nice spot to pick off shtuffs !! Good lookin' helper ya got there too. BTW... ya gots yerself some funny lookin' chickens there Kemosabe !!

 

[billnpatti]

It is less important whether you choose to tap, shake or otherwise agitate your scoop before cutting the extra off the top of the charge or whether you simply pour your charge into the scoop and cut off the extra with no agitation. What is most important is that you do it EXACTLY the same each time. Unlike smokeless powder, small variations in black powder charges are not as critical. As you know, with manyh of teh smokeless powders, 0.1 grain difference will make a significant difference in how your gun shoots. This is especially true in powders such as Red Dot, Green Dot, etc. Black powder is far more forgiving and it takes differences such as 3 to 5 grains to see a difference in performance. That is not to say that slight differences will make no difference in your group size or POI but the differences will not be as dramatic as with the smokeless powders. Shooting well with black powder is a matter of CONSISTSANCY. The fewer the variables, the better the performance.

 

[billnpatti]

Clembert, after looking at your photos, I am absolutely green with envy. Man, I match the color of that beautiful tractor. What a magnificent set up for shooting. Those long legged Florida chickens.....they any good eatin'?

 

[Ginormous]

I was fortunate enough to have met ClemBert this past week. Had a great chat with him. He's got a surprisingly large number of teeth for a Clemson grad too. Good guy for sure.

 

[ClemBert]

Hmmm, not sure what a Florida grey chicken (Sandhill Crane) dinner will cost you. There are only about 5000 in Florida. I know a Florida white chicken (Whooping Crane) dinner will cost you up to $100,000 but there are only about 60 of those types of chickens down here. But the good new is you get food and shelter for the next 365 days for free so you'd have to factor that into the cost.