Buncha thanks to GMATOV for studying upon the question of volume vs weight with black powder and substitutes.
Been cold, no shootin so decided to break out one electronic and one regular scale, Lee dippers and Blackpowder, Five types, Elephant, Wano, Schutzen, Swiss and (Gag) Geox. Grades rangin from "Null" priming (Swiss) to 1F.
Synthetics used were; Pyrodex P, Pyrodex CTG, and 777 in 2F and 3F.
Measuring done in groups of ten, dipper dragged through powder leavin a heap on top leveled off with stainless steel 6" ruler.
Ran this several times as i did'nt get results like i expected, and heres a weird one; Elephant, Wano, Schutzen, Swiss and Goex in 3F HAVE DIFFERING SPECIFIC GRAVITIES, not greatly but enough to measure!
And oh ya! The chart as kindly provided by Lee on this dipper kit in some cases aint even close!
Without larding this post up, heres the bottom line. Iffin ya want anythin like what yer powder charge ACTUALLY, IN REALITY WEIGHS ya gotta break that scale out and confirm!
Simply setting yer adjustable measure to say 40grains aint no guarantee yer gettin anything like 40grains!
And when ya gets to that Synthetic Pyro or 777, ya REALLY better do yer weighing.
So, i've now changed my system, have a full size powder measure made for black powder, just like reloading for smokeless guns, set it with scale, weigh every tenth for spot check so i KNOW what weight i'm really shootin!
So for both rifle and pistol will be going to premeasured and VERIFIED charges in paper combustable powder bags.
Whee ha! ANOTHER variable eliminated!
Been cold, no shootin so decided to break out one electronic and one regular scale, Lee dippers and Blackpowder, Five types, Elephant, Wano, Schutzen, Swiss and (Gag) Geox. Grades rangin from "Null" priming (Swiss) to 1F.
Synthetics used were; Pyrodex P, Pyrodex CTG, and 777 in 2F and 3F.
Measuring done in groups of ten, dipper dragged through powder leavin a heap on top leveled off with stainless steel 6" ruler.
Ran this several times as i did'nt get results like i expected, and heres a weird one; Elephant, Wano, Schutzen, Swiss and Goex in 3F HAVE DIFFERING SPECIFIC GRAVITIES, not greatly but enough to measure!
And oh ya! The chart as kindly provided by Lee on this dipper kit in some cases aint even close!
Without larding this post up, heres the bottom line. Iffin ya want anythin like what yer powder charge ACTUALLY, IN REALITY WEIGHS ya gotta break that scale out and confirm!
Simply setting yer adjustable measure to say 40grains aint no guarantee yer gettin anything like 40grains!
And when ya gets to that Synthetic Pyro or 777, ya REALLY better do yer weighing.
So, i've now changed my system, have a full size powder measure made for black powder, just like reloading for smokeless guns, set it with scale, weigh every tenth for spot check so i KNOW what weight i'm really shootin!
So for both rifle and pistol will be going to premeasured and VERIFIED charges in paper combustable powder bags.
Whee ha! ANOTHER variable eliminated!