Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

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Trigger1212
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Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

Post by Trigger1212 »

Gents,

In keeping with my powder theme questions here is another one! I have a Lyman Classic 55 BP measure, works fine but was looking for something with a bit more consistency. As Don said, use your RCBS charge master, very true but I wanted something a bit more in keeping with the BP "old timey" feel. Saw a lot a good press on the old B&M measures so started my search.

Saw one that looked like it was in decent shape on flea-bay, had the brass hopper with cap, window glass was there but chipped in one corner, no biggie as easy to replace and it had 2 micrometer tubes as a bonus. I asked the seller how many grains the tubes would hold and the reply was about 70. That was sufficient for my 45-70 loads so I set to work to win it. I did! Excited waiting for the new tool to arrive. Received it yesterday and first thing I did was look at the micrometer tubes. Both the same size, dropped the measure adjusting screw all the way down and both screws were graduated from 0 to 30, Bloody Hell! To say I was a bit peeved would have been an understatement! What the heck good is a 30 grain BP measure?

Went to bench and quickly poured in some Swiss 3F so see what they would actually hold. One holds around 58.6 gr and the other is around 59.4 with my quick check.

So my question is, what the heck are the 0 - 30 markings supposed to represent on the adjustable stem if not grains? There is not that much difference in density from 1F to 3F to account for that and I don't think that it would relate to smokeless as the measure looks quite old.

Having said that these tubes should work for most of my loads but I have already ordered a MVA magnum tube to give more capacity. May end up selling the original tubes.

As an aside, set up the B&M and cranked it down on a board to give it a quick go, was a bit stiff and ratchety so took it apart and got a sheet of 1,500 grit sand paper and gave the load block a few licks on all three slider sides and did the same to the corresponding cast iron sliders as there was some oxidization and surface speckle rust to remove. Then gave a couple coats of kiwi black shoe polish on all slider surfaces. Cleaned and oiled the return spring/guide rod and finally I greased the handles pivot screw and snugged it up as it was very loose. Pivot screw would back out with ever movement of lever so a spot of blue locktight was applied. Now smooth as glass and ready for action!

Cheers!

Wade
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Don McDowell
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Re: Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

Post by Don McDowell »

Never did figure out what the markings on those tubes were good for. Probably loaded a couple jillion rounds of 06,30-30,3040 and 243 with one of those BM's as a youngster. Was a happy day when I got out on my own and bought my first real powder measure.
As to the seller's 70 gr. comment, probably would hold about 70 gr of H 4831 or 4895..
AKA Donny Ray Rockslinger :?
Nuclearcricket
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Re: Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

Post by Nuclearcricket »

I have a B&M copy, made by the same company that made them for B&M just a different name on it is all. Basically the markings on the micrometer measuring tubes are a reference so that you can reset them to the same point if you change powder charges. I hardly ever use mine any more, I converted a Lyman 55 to a large brass hopper and use that exclusively to measure BP. Yes the charge will vary a little from drop to drop but not enough that I feel it makes that much difference.
There are other drop tubes available, I think from MVA, and maybe Belding and Mull. Some guys also just use a muzzle loader measure that will fit into the hole in the B&M. A sort of set it and forget it.
Something to keep in mind, you can always use the depth rod on your calipers to measure the depth of the charge chamber in your drop tube and use that number to rest your tube if you change powder charges. Also someone with a lathe should be able to easily make you some longer tubes either with or without the micrometer collar.
Sam
Kurt
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Re: Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

Post by Kurt »

Wade you can make your Lyman 55 or any powder drop so it will drop a very consistent charge with just a little work.

The secret is vibrating the shelf the drop is mounted to using any off balance rotation like a muffin fan with bladed cut off to make it vibrate. Just mount it to the shelf the powder drop is mounted to. Or if you don't have a low voltage power supply to run that fan you can use a small motor and put a counter weight on the shaft so it vibrates. Just don't have something else on that shelf that you don't want to work it's way to the floor. :D

Before you drop the powder using the 55, just lift the lever so the drum fills and let the vibration settle the charge before dropping it. After the charge is dropped lift the handle so the drum fills while your moving the drop tube or compressing the wad this will give the powder to settle and ready for the drop into the next case. The charge will be just as consistent as a electronic powder charger. It does not have to be as aggressive as a vibrator case cleaner just a quiet vibration of a off balance muffin fan.
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desert deuce
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Re: Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

Post by desert deuce »

Hmmmm..................like the collector for cut compression wads I think I need to see a demonstration... :wink:
Sometimes you get the chicken, and sometimes you get the feathers!
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desert deuce
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Re: Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

Post by desert deuce »

Hmmmm..................like the collector for cut compression wads I think I need to see a demonstration... :wink:
Sometimes you get the chicken, and sometimes you get the feathers!
Kitsap
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Re: Question for Belding & Mull powder measure users!

Post by Kitsap »

The original manual from a measure that was bought new in the early 1950's included a one page chart. The chart listed slide settings down the side then various types of powders across the top.

The one I have shows slide settings from 1 to 50. For example with the slide set at 45 the weight of DuPont 4831 would be 74.9 grains. There are no listings for black powder.
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