The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Discussions of powders, bullets and loading information.

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jackrabbit
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Joined: Mon Jul 23, 2012 12:04 pm
Location: Carpenter Wyoming

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by jackrabbit »

I see your tactics, you wish to drag me out into the open where I can be properly flogged! :lol: :lol: :lol:

It did take a while to convince Coralee that we needed a Harrell's, but she understands that quality costs money. Just look at her choice in husbands, expensive, but high quality..... :lol: :lol: As long as I keep the hopper mostly full and put the powder into the measure when I wish to use it and not leave it full of powder for months at a time, it will throw charges right on the money time after time. I put an 18" piece of 7/16" copper tube into the bottom of the Harrells and flared the bottom end. I also built a home made stand that elevates the powder measure up to eye level. The only problem with that is that it is hard to see how much powder is in it, so I built a follower out of some large washers and a 1/4" bolt that sticks up through a hole I drilled in the lid. When the hopper gets below about 3/4 full, the bolt head becomes flush with the lid and I refill it.

In my mind, black powder is different from smokeless in that black uses water in the process of making it. The black will also soak up humidity out of the air. In my research, small changes in moisture don't change the performance of the powder, but it will change the weight. I once put some loose black in my cigar humidor and left it for a few days. On a 65 grain volume charge, the humidor made it about 4 grains heavier. When I shot them, there was no detectable difference in muzzle velocities. If I weighed out 65 grains of the wetter powder and shot it, muzzle velocites were 20-25 fps less. I check weights of charges frequently mostly out of curiosity and it is interesting how much different the same volume of powder will weigh from lot to lot and even bottle to bottle. I mentally note it and keep loading with the same volume. There must be something to it as I have won quite a few bigger matches over the last 5 years and have been in the running for National Champ several times, all with the Harrells and volume loading.

As far as testing, it is done initially at 200 yards on paper, then 300 yards on paper, and then at turkey and ram distances on a 36" gong. I just have a cheap shooting Chrony I use to get an idea of what is going on, but then base my thoughts on ammo quality on vertical spread at the ram line. Just as a side note, I am not addicted to load development and firmly believe quantity and tons of practice are way better than obsessing over the smallest detail on the ammo. I find a load and bullet that works, and then stick with it. I streamline the loading process in order to make the best ammo I can as fast as I can, and then shoot, a LOT! I suspect many shooters poor performances are mental issues caused from doubting their ammo or equipment. Prove to yourself it works, and then start pounding them downrange! There is absolutely no substitute for range time. I enjoy shooting matches, but the truth is I think I enjoy practice and range time more. The matches just give a purpose and goal to all of the range time.

I also want to stress all of my interests and research revolve around silhouette. When things are stretched out to 1,000 yards, I am sure every little detail becomes paramount.
Good luck my friends,
Cody
opencountry
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Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:26 pm
Location: WA State

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by opencountry »

Thank you, Cody, for your valued input. I especially like what you said about the importance of time at the range, a lot of time shooting. This reminds me of when I was learning to principles of heliarc welding pipe (I’ve been a steamfitter all of my life). I asked the instructors’ brother how to become a ‘top welder’; he immediately said, “Time under the hood; there’s no other way.”

Thanks again,
Robert
Beware of the man that owns one rifle.
gunlaker
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Joined: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:16 pm

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by gunlaker »

Cody I think you are bang on in your philosophy. Of course I agree because I do the same :-).

I like the idea of the follower on the powder measure. That's a great idea.

Chris.
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desert deuce
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Location: Rio Rico, Arizona

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by desert deuce »

Thank you Cody, as Al Jolsen would say, " dats mo' betta' " Reading your match results tomes I just knew you had it in you to share your story.

As for 1,000 yard shootin', you are getting there. Little more gray in the whiskers and you will be ready and I am sure your three buckaroos will aid in that process. Three teenagers in the house at one time. Best not to think about that now though. Don't want you to gray prematurely.
Sometimes you get the chicken, and sometimes you get the feathers!
ian45662
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Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:42 pm

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by ian45662 »

Charge master really speeds it up. I’ll set it to throw an 83 grain charge. I’ll take the try dispense a 72ish grain charge from my hornady dispenser then put that on the scale and hit dispense on the charge master. While I compress a case that has been charged its throwing the next charge. It’s done before I am. It has made my life a lot easier.
opencountry
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Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:26 pm
Location: WA State

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by opencountry »

ian45662 wrote: Mon Oct 21, 2019 10:48 am It has made my life a lot easier.
That’s what I’m looking for!
Thanks,
Robert
Beware of the man that owns one rifle.
clearcrickshooter
Posts: 190
Joined: Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:23 am

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by clearcrickshooter »

As Kenny said,the Chargemaster works great. I have used one for 14 years-well-actually three of them 8) And for Kurt-You need to warm it up and have the unit perfectly level. That's what the 4 little threaded feet are four. :D I have a short carpenters compact level just for that. I used to not really pay much attention to the machine being perfectly level,but now,every time it is moved I check it both ways. It makes it work so much more accurately. I weigh all charges and they go down a 30 inch drop tube,with an 8 or ten second pour rate.
opencountry
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Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:26 pm
Location: WA State

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by opencountry »

It looks like I really need to reconsider using the Chargemaster. I got a buddy who uses it for white powder all the time. I’ll do some serious research and then take the plunge...$$$

Robert
Beware of the man that owns one rifle.
ian45662
Posts: 717
Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:42 pm

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by ian45662 »

Opencountry with Black Friday right around the corner I am betting you may be able to find one at a better price if your willing to wait
opencountry
Posts: 3236
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:26 pm
Location: WA State

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by opencountry »

ian45662 wrote: Tue Oct 22, 2019 5:24 am Opencountry with Black Friday right around the corner I am betting you may be able to find one at a better price if your willing to wait
Thanks, and if I cross over into Oregon I can buy it tax-free. Combined with Black Friday and my vet discount that would be just alright by me.

Thnx,
Robert
Beware of the man that owns one rifle.
ChrisF
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Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by ChrisF »

Be advised RCBS is coming out soon with a new powder charger! Check out the website
Kurt
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Location: Not Far enough NW in Illinois

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by Kurt »

clearcrickshooter wrote: Mon Oct 21, 2019 9:39 pm As Kenny said,the Chargemaster works great. I have used one for 14 years-well-actually three of them 8) And for Kurt-You need to warm it up and have the unit perfectly level. That's what the 4 little threaded feet are four. :D I have a short carpenters compact level just for that. I used to not really pay much attention to the machine being perfectly level,but now,every time it is moved I check it both ways. It makes it work so much more accurately. I weigh all charges and they go down a 30 inch drop tube,with an 8 or ten second pour rate.
The Frankfort Arsenal Intellidropper has a bulls eye build in :D Good point mentioning the unit needs tp be level. All electronic scales should be level, especially the small scales of 2000 grains or less and putting the weight in the center of the platform.
Warm up time is also ignored by some users. I put a calibration weight on the platform while it's warming up. The weight adds to the heat.

Kurt
The reason a dog has so many friends is because he wags his tail instead of his tongue.

"Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery"Winston Churchill
opencountry
Posts: 3236
Joined: Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:26 pm
Location: WA State

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by opencountry »

ChrisF wrote: Mon Oct 28, 2019 7:46 am Be advised RCBS is coming out soon with a new powder charger! Check out the website
Thanks Chris,
I'll take a look. I only hope it doesn't hit the market too quickly. It seems today is a day of too much competition, everyone's in a break-neck hurry to get products to the market too early without first proving it thoroughly. I see this especially in yearly automotive sales, introducing cutting-edge technology just to get their product out before the competition does. It only winds up in recalls.

Thanks,
Robert
Beware of the man that owns one rifle.
Rockridge
Posts: 35
Joined: Wed Jan 17, 2018 4:42 pm
Location: Cheyenne, Wy

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by Rockridge »

Here it is... straight from the RCBS website.....
https://www.rcbs.com/matchmaster-powder-dispenser.html

A bit pricey at $899 MSRP.

Ed
Rockridge
John Boy
Posts: 506
Joined: Tue Apr 08, 2014 11:39 am

Re: The Best Blackpowder Measure?

Post by John Boy »

Believe it or not - The cheap Lee Perfect Powder Measure
or the Ideal No 5 with the micro adjustment bar
Regards
John
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