Measuring Powder???

I just got the T/C Omega Z5 and I know nothing about Muzzle Loaders. I see that a lot of people like the Blackhorn 209 and shoot 100 - 110 grains of powder. My question is how is the best way to messure you powder to get 100 - 110 grains?

Powder measure

You need a powder measure for sure. I use the TC U-view powder measure with good results. They can be bought at Cabelas, TCArms.com and many gun shops carry them also. Price range from 12.50 to 20.00.

Either on-line or any well equipped M-L store will have several powder measures available. I use a clear one with a plunger where you can adjust the amount. You measure by volume of powder, not weight. See what your gun likes, pre-measure a few speedloaders for the hunt & your off.

Whatever measure you get, just be consistent with your measuring (level full, not heaping) each time, to get consistent results. I always use my measure too, and not the scales that are on some speed loaders on the market.

The T/C UView for sure. Best one out there. easy to use. also get a pour spout for your jug and a cva brass dispencer. I pour into the dispenser then from the dispencer into the measure.

I think I will be switching over to BH209 or atleast give it a try anyway. My plan is to measure out 80 to 100gr's in a measurer then dump it on to a scale and pre measure vials of it. I believe weighing it will be a more consistant measurement. I just bought 160 of Lanes powder tubes. Great deal and exactly what you would want.
Frank

Something I want to add about measuring powder. There are two ways to measure powder. First is with a powder measure BY VOLUME. The second is with a scale BY WEIGHT. This normally are two very separate/different amounts of powder.

When I list a load I shoot, lets say 90 grains of Triple Seven powder and a roundball. I mean 90 grains BY VOLUME out of my powder measure. I set the measure at 90 and fill it to the rim. So I have 90 grains by Volume.

When someone says they are shooting 90 grains BY WEIGHT, they might mean something very different then by volume. For instance, I report my load is 77 grains of powder by WEIGHT of Triple Seven 2f powder. That would be 100 grains of Triple Seven 2f powder, by VOLUME out of my measure. So be sure you do not get the two confused.

Here is my concern... lets say you are a reloader for your center fire rifles and new to muzzle loading. You read that a person with the same gun as you, shoots 120 grains of BlackHorn 209 and a shockwave. So you break out your scale and measure out 120 grains of Blackhorn 209 and load your rifle... you have just overloaded or came very close to overloading, your rifle. This might be a dangerous load to shoot.

Be sure that you know whether someone is loading by volume or weight. Normally if they do not state which it is, it is by volume. If they do list they will tell you which way they measure their powder.

I hope I have not confused you too much.

Franksauto said:

I think I will be switching over to BH209 or atleast give it a try anyway. My plan is to measure out 80 to 100gr's in a measurer then dump it on to a scale and pre measure vials of it. I believe weighing it will be a more consistant mesurement. I just bought 160 of Lanes powder tubes. Great deal and exactly what you would want.
Frank

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Definately quicker w/a digital scale. Hoping maybe Lane will have another sell on his tubes after ML seasons are over. Would like to stock up and try running a bunch of loads thru my electronic powder dispencer.

I will be getting the measurer from tca and looking at pioneer powder or 777 .

gunrac said:

Franksauto said:

I think I will be switching over to BH209 or atleast give it a try anyway. My plan is to measure out 80 to 100gr's in a measurer then dump it on to a scale and pre measure vials of it. I believe weighing it will be a more consistant mesurement. I just bought 160 of Lanes powder tubes. Great deal and exactly what you would want.
Frank

Click to expand...

Definately quicker w/a digital scale. Hoping maybe Lane will have another sell on his tubes after ML seasons are over. Would like to stock up and try running a bunch of loads thru my electronic powder dispencer.

Click to expand...

He gave me a great deal if I purchased 100 plus. Cant hurt to ask him.

One thing to add for anyone new to powder. You really need to also get a 'powder flask' that you put the powder in from the container before your measure it in the powder measure. They have a spout that allows you to control the powder as it goes into the measure. It's hard to pour right from the commercial powder container. Another option is to get the spout that fits the powder container.

I just about never mess with powder measuring on a hunt. I load a number of 'speedloader' vials in my basement before the hunt. I may have some back-up in my truck or so, but usually it's just in reserve. After the hunt the clean speedloader powder goes back into the powder container.

8)

I reuse the APP powder tubes that you can buy already premeasured with 100 grains of powder by volume. Once I use them up I refill the tubes so I don't have to measure any thing at the range. When I bought them I weighed them and the filled tub on the grain scale showed 150 grains total tub included. I then weighed the empty tub and cap it came out to 65 grains so that tells me the I'm shooting 85 grains of powder on the scale. When I put that exact amount in my u view it comes out to 100 grains. When I refill them I use the u view and the scale because I like the charges to be very consistant. All of my charges are at 85 grains plus or minus 1 grain on the scale. I get great groups and both rifles are zeroed in at 2"s high at 50 and they are dead nuts at 100. Put 2 does in the freezer this season and both shots were pass thrus. I refill them with APP GOLD. Burns cleaner I found then the APP.

If anyone is interested in seeing those prefilled tubs you can go to
americanpioneerpowder.com

Something I want to add about measuring powder. There are two ways to measure powder. First is with a powder measure BY VOLUME. The second is with a scale BY WEIGHT. This normally are two very separate/different amounts of powder.

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Very important point, Dave.

So I'm lookin to get the U-View Powder Flask AND U-View Powder Measure. Would the T/C 4-N-1 Quick Shot speed loader be OK also or is there something better? I was wanting to use the Blackhorn 209 with my Omega. Thanks.

measure

Lanes tubes preloaded by the Uview. If your going to the range, get about 40 preloaded in packs of 5, then in 5 grain increments marked on your tubes. 90 /bh209, 95 bh209 etc. Then it easier to find your sweet load. Also if you tap once to level off your load, always tap once on the measure. Be consistent on loading.
I have 2 boxes, one for bh and inlines and 1 for BP and my flinter. Each has it's own U-view.

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The easiest way to measure precise powder charges. This measure allows you to see the exact level of the powder in the tube. Eliminate the guesswork of loading consistent charges with this handy, lightweight measure. Includes loading spout that swivels out of the way to fill the measure. Locking shaft is a cinch to adjust. Prevents pouring partial charges caused by bridging of powder. Graduated in 5 increments from 15 to 125 grains.

Thank you for turning me on to those Lanes Tubes!!! They look like they'll work just perfect. Now if I can just get in touch w/ him. :?

Here is what I use. I prefer the durability of this over the plastic.


http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... hasJS=true

+1 on the TC U-View powder measure.

Tankhead said:

Thank you for turning me on to those Lanes Tubes!!! They look like they'll work just perfect. Now if I can just get in touch w/ him. :?

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Not sure if he sells them on this forum. Don't want to break any rules regarding linking to another forum.

Just Google "lanes black powder tubes" and you will find a couple of links.

That's ok, I found him but he hasn't yet responded to my PM/e-mail.

Lou42 was very helpfull and sent me a link to his e-bay site. I bought 25 for now. THANK YOU, LOU!!