Powder measure help/guidance?

[vandeusen1987]

I have a few antler tips that are too out of round or oddly shaped to be turned down for horn spouts...i want to make a couple powder measures out of them but have never made one before...is there a chart somewhere or does someone know volume=grain for how much to hollow out?

[martin9]

I imagine someone knows drill say a 3/8" hole so deep and it throws x amount of grains but I don't think that method will make a thin and attractive measure. Antler is such a varied shape medium your best best is to just get an adjustable measure to check your progess and drill and shape the hollow til it throws the charge you want. I always go a little past what I want then shape and taper the charging end back down. 

[vandeusen1987]

I imagine someone knows drill say a 3/8" hole so deep and it throws x amount of grains but I don't think that method will make a thin and attractive measure. Antler is such a varied shape medium your best best is to just get an adjustable measure to check your progess and drill and shape the hollow til it throws the charge you want. I always go a little past what I want then shape and taper the charging end back down.

The adjustable measure was my plan from the get go...just wondered if someone had a sure fire method to get the best result

[al56]

Use 27/64 drill bit.  Every 1/4" is10 grains I believe.   I took the drill and made it flat the I use a regular drill to start . 

[Tim Crosby]

 Drill the biggest deepest hole I can get, file/sand out the edges/insides, pour powder in to see what you've got and then adjust by dripping wax in the bottom, to much wax just dig some out until you get the measure you want.

 Tim C.

PS: Shouldn't be necessary to mention the safety factor if your dealing with a lit candle for the wax
      and powder in the same area but I will. TC

[Shopdog]

Tim's method is basically what I use only I'll adjust volume with a epoxy putty rather than wax.  I usually drill out the measure with a tapered step drill (Home Despot or Horrible Freight carry them) = a little less chance of "run out" as you go deeper into the antler.  Then I finish up with rat-tail file. 

[vandeusen1987]

Thanks for the help guys...does it matter the type of wax? Scented or not?...joking! Im off work today and tomorrow and the "honey do" list is fairly short so I'm thinking I might sit down and give it a whirl

[Daryl]

The smaller the diameter the hole, the more consistent, throw to throw you will get. Something to think about.
I have a large diameter horn measure marked 200. Yeah - it throws 200, also 215 and 190 at times. Just for info only.
It is not a measure I use.
I've found for loading mid sized bores, .45 to 60cal. a 3/8" inside diameter hole throws more consistent charges than does a 7/16" hole.
Being longer, doesn't matter.

[vandeusen1987]

Thanks for the info Daryl. I'll keep that in mind!

[Not English]

Vandeusen, I'm currently working on an antler tip powder measure. It will need to throw 80gr. I have drilled it out with a brad point drill bit. I then used a small sanding drum on a rotary tool to hog out the hole closer to the sides. I'm not done yet. The only words of warning are to use a dust mask and good ventilation. It can be smelly!

[okieboy]

 In terms of knowing how much the measure throws, you can buy small digital weight scales for very little money. They are surprisingly handy and what I use when making powder measures.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

When I made a horn or antler measure, I drill out the tip with as large a drill as the antler/horn will permit.  Then I use a rotary file and a 3/8" round burr in the drill press to cut away the horn out to the edges of the measure, making it as thin as I dare.  When I have finished with this, I pour in powder to fill it, then dump the powder into a scale and see how much it throws.  I adjust by going deeper to increase the throw, and cut away the top to lessen the throw.  Occasionally, I drip beeswax into the cavity to diminish the throw.

[Greg Pennell]

While everyone has their own methods, Brian Barker posted a neat little tutorial on how he goes about making his carved antler measures.  If I could find it again, I’d post a link...

Greg

[vandeusen1987]

Thanks for all the good advice guys...ill be putting all of it to good use throughout my endeavors! Im sure if I make one I'll most likely make at least half a dozen and will probably try everyone's methods until settling on the best for me...again thanks im still very new to crafting accoutrements and trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible...loving every bit of it! One day I'll be the one passing on tricks and tips to the rookies!

[P.W.Berkuta]

I made this one many years back and I like it fits well in the hand and I think it looks good.

[Jerry]

In terms of knowing how much the measure throws, you can buy small digital weight scales for very little money. They are surprisingly handy and what I use when making powder measures.

okieboy, I use a small Frankfort Digital Scale, also to get the correct charge. I make my fixed chargers out of 17/32” thin wall brass tubing from Ace Hardware. I soft solder a copper cap on and attach a 3/32” cotter pin for attaching to bag strap. Jerry

[Top Jaw]

The last few measures I’ve made, I have kept enough length to cut out a pouring lip on them that is above the main charge of the measure.  Makes it a little easier for me to pour it down the barrel.   You can also use a horn or antler that is  more oval in shape to pour from, but I like the pouring lip and a more round measure. 

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

I just thought I'd offer a word of caution. 
If you are holding the antler tip in your hands and running it up against a spinning drill bit, be aware that if the drill comes out through the side, or the antler breaks, or any one of a dozen other problems, your hand(s) will be introduced to the drill bit, and it will cut through your hand as if it wasn't even there.  You will sustain a serious injury that may or may not ruin your hand for the rest of your life.  But it will in the least be very unpleasant.
So, be careful and aware of the danger.

[Craig Wilcox]

Running the drill bit into your hand doesn't hurt too much.  Taking it OUT of your hand hurts like the dickens, meaning A LOT!

[WadePatton]

Running the drill bit into your hand doesn't hurt too much.  Taking it OUT of your hand hurts like the dickens, meaning A LOT!

It's the leaking of fluids that makes everything a sticky mess I hate.

[Ken G]

Every project needs to have a blood signature.     But you should always try to keep the blood signature size to a minimum.

[vandeusen1987]

Thanks for the safety tips...i worked construction for 15 years before changing to the stable reliable career I have now...have run many a drill bit, knife blade, saw blade, nails, screws etc... Into my hands fingers over the years...so I know all to well what goes along with the injurys...lol every time I always said " not gonna do that again..." Obviously empty promises to myself! Luckily my wife's a nurse. Getting  more grey in my beard and more miles on me now so ive started paying much more attention to safety...thanks again guys stay safe! Gonna start on a powder measure soon as I finish up my current horn...will post when done

[Beaverman]

Thanks for the safety tips...i worked construction for 15 years before changing to the stable reliable career I have now...have run many a drill bit, knife blade, saw blade, nails, screws etc... Into my hands fingers over the years...so I know all to well what goes along with the injurys...lol every time I always said " not gonna do that again..." Obviously empty promises to myself! Luckily my wife's a nurse. Getting  more grey in my beard and more miles on me now so ive started paying much more attention to safety...thanks again guys stay safe! Gonna start on a powder measure soon as I finish up my current horn...will post when done

Wait until you get to be like some of us Old Guys that live with taking Warfarin, you pay real close attention to NOT leaking!

[J Henry]

 I found out the hard way !! The longer I do something the better my chances of not watching out for a split second and pain reminds me to stay in the moment, Took me 55 years to feed the trip of my thumb to a table saw, You/ I get comfortable, "done a movement lots of times ,,I know what I am doing ""

[EC121]

I made a bunch of these at work before I retired.  As a shift maintenance instrument/electrical tech, I had plenty of time on the night shifts waiting for a call.  I drilled though and glued a stud on the tail into the antler.  The double lips let me pour however I grabbed the measure.  The tail stud was turned from broom handles on a lathe in the shop.  I made them without a certain size in mind then checked the size with a powder measure and glass beads from the bead blaster.