Volume vs weight - need some help here!

[NMLRA Past Pres.]

Hello:

After decades of shooting black powder, while comparing the identical WEIGHTS of Swiss 2F and 3F (US granulation) I discovered that the SAME VOLUME of 2Fg powder weighed MORE than the same VOLUME of 3Fg. I know the bottles are Swiss granulation labeled, but mine also have the US granulation sticky label, so I did not switch 2 for 3.

So far, other than vague comments about density differences, no one has shared WHY this is the case. To me, the finer grains of 3F should PACK CLOSER and create vreater weight for the same volume.

So, I use my MVA and antique B&M's with fixed volume settings that I test with a DILLON electronic scale. The DILLON has approximately 1/3 the weight range "tolerance" of other commonly used, non-lab models. If you want to be surprised, zero your electronic scale in a draft free area. Then weigh your charge to a final weight. Then turn off the scale, turn it back on and see what the charge NOW weighs. You might find it a tenth or even two different.

Just sharing. Thanks.
Respectfully,
Kevin Tinny

[rdnck]

That is why I don't use an electric scale. Shoot straight, rdnck.

[Don McDowell]

When I first started using the electric dispensers, I checked the weight it said against the weight on a digital scale from Cabela's for years, and my reliable old Redding balance beam scale. Now if I haven't ran the dispenser for a while I check the weight against either of the scales, and if there's enough difference to worry about I calibrate the dispenser.

[Lumpy Grits]

I set my MVA, PM and confirm against my PACT scale.
Has worked very well for me these many years.
Gary

[martinibelgian]

Actually, the coarser the powder, the heavier for volume it should be, assuming a same production lot. Lots of 'a bit of' airspace between small powder kernels still equals to more air than more, but less frequent airspace between bigger kernels... That's the way it hould be. Fg will weigh more than 1 1/2Fg, which will eigh more than 2 Fg, etc.

[NMLRA Past Pres.]

Thanks Martini:

I enjoy your posts.

By the way, so far no major U.S. bp distributor seems interested in the Polish bp.

The granulation airspace aspect just seemed odd, but I appreciate the WHY information, and am happy with your helpful answer.

Guess I wasn't being senile.

All the best.

Kevin Tinny

[desert deuce]

That still small voice that I so often ignore is now screaming in my ear, "no, no, no, don't reply to this thread !!!"

So, in uncharacteristic forbearance I will stop right here.

[Lumpy Grits]

That still small voice that I so often ignore is now screaming in my ear, "no, no, no, don't reply to this thread !!!"

So, in uncharacteristic forbearance I will stop right here.

Is that 'clucking' I hear...
G.

[Don McDowell]

Yeh right, like that would ever happen.

[mike herth]

I’ve been enjoying this discussion and hoping that someone would confirm, without any scientific doubt, that loading just by volume measure, such as with an MVA, that there is no accuracy to be gained by weighing each charge to the nearest 0.1 gr given that scales also have a degree of variability. I don’t enjoy reloading and like to keep things as simple as possible. I suspect that my shooting suffers from my inconsistency in sight picture, hold, fatigue, and environmental factors moreso than load inconsistency. So I work more on those aspects of shooting.

[Lumpy Grits]

Mike-You set the measure with your sale. Check it every 10-15 'throws' to confirm.
IMNSHO-You should set you PM, via a scale.
G.

[desert deuce]

There you go again Gary...............

Mike-You set the measure with your sale. Check it every 10-15 'throws' to confirm.
IMNSHO-You should set you PM, via a scale.
G.

Giving saged advice based on experience which provided the results you required.

There, I quelled that still small voice................temporarily.

[Lumpy Grits]

G.

[art ruggiero]

frank m aka vbull loads by volume, no scale , as i have seen several times and is a world champion art

[martinibelgian]

Yup, I also load by volume - after confirming the volume corresponds to the weight I want. Most of us using powder measures do...