Field Expedient Powder Measure - Sharpie Cap

[OldMtnMan]

Thank you, Denny. I might consider doing it now. I'll have to see how accurate I can be with it.

[Daryl]

OK- 4 attempts and honestly, I tried to do it the same each time.
.682" ball used.
91.6gr.
81.1gr.
123.4gr.
92.4gr.

Disregarding the high load (it seemed the same), there is still over 10gr;. difference. Now, with this rifle, there is not much
difference in velocity or point of impact. So - useable? Yes, I guess so, but doable due to the having to pluck the ball out of the powder in the palm, then
attempt to pour the powder from your palm into the bore - not even remotely, in my opinion, since we have other alternatives, from ctg. case measures to hollowed out bones, antler tines, etc.
Would the change in powder charge using this method ruin accuracy of a thumb-started ball - hardly - none there to start with, imho - of course.

[OldMtnMan]

You're right Daryl. There isn't much sense in doing it if we have a powder measure. I read a lot of guns came with powder measures back in the day.

In a small way my gun did come with a measure because Dennis told me what charge he used.

[Daryl]

I agree - it would only be a field expedient method of judging your charge in case you lost your measure and didn't have a Sharpie pen.

[Craig Wilcox]

Do you guys mean that you don't do as in the movies and just dump from the horn into the barrel?

Kinda sacrilegious to destroy my childhood dreams....

[OldMtnMan]

You go first.

[Daryl]

Do you guys mean that you don't do as in the movies and just dump from the horn into the barrel?

Kinda sacrilegious to destroy my childhood dreams....
[/quote


Sorry, Craig, let's see,  1 one-thousand - 2 one-thousand - 3 one-thousand?

[Mike_StL]

You don't pluck the ball  from the mound of powder.  You place your thumb on the ball to hold it in place as you cup your hand to pour the powder done the barrel. 

I measured using my 0.700 ball for my Bess.  The grain weight was 90 grains. 

[MuskratMike]

Okay, curiosity got the better of the 'ol "Muskrat".
 Using a .395 round ball and 3F Goex if I slightly cupped my palm it only took 25 grains to cover the ball. With a flat palm it took 40 grains.
Using a .530 round ball and again 3F Goex in a slightly cupped palm it took 45 grains to cover the ball and with a flat palm 60 grains.
 These are all lower than my normal loads for both the .40 and the .54 but will make it go bang. In a pinch I will need to generously cover the ball with a flat palm to get my normal load. Guess that is why my measure is attached to my bag or horn. Both of which always go with my rifle whether going to the range, trail or hunting.
What did I learn form this? In a pinch I now know about how much powder I would need but more important have a bag, horn and accouterments for each rifle you own.
So sayeth the "Muskrat".

[Daryl]

LO L - your hands a a mite smaller than mine, I guess.

[Pukka Bundook]

Yep, Hands all different,...charges all different!

Might pay if we upended our flasks/horns into our measures, and see how many 'counts' it took to fill them. 
That way, if we lost /forgot the measure, we could "count"  the charge into a hand..

Only thing then to remember, is how many "counts" for which rifle!

[OldMtnMan]

Just tie the powder measure to the horn strap. Keep a spare in the bag.

Problem solved.

[Pukka Bundook]

Mine are tied on...   

[Daryl]

Mine are attached, too, although not as firmly as they used to be .

[LynnC]

Last trip to the range with my 36 flinter i found the measure wasn't in the bag. I looked around for a substitute. Picked up a 44 mag case and went to shooting. Measured weight of 3f when i got home. 37 grains. Worked out well 😉