Duane
Mountaineer
Lethbridge Alberta
Posts: 209
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Post by Duane on Feb 7, 2017 21:27:00 GMT -7
wondering if anyone has tried pouring the powder in their palm and then down the barrel what kind of results have you had etc.
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Jon
Mountaineer
Posts: 82
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Post by Jon on Feb 8, 2017 6:43:42 GMT -7
I've never done it Duane. I read in the Complete Blackpowder Handbook about placing a ball in the palm of your hand and pouring powder over it until it is covered. Then setting your measure to this would be within 10 grains of the proper charge for that ball and rifle. Now, the author was explaining this method to say that it was not a way to achieve the best results. Was this a common practice or maybe used for speed in a pinch? I don't know for sure.
Jon
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Post by Leifer on Feb 8, 2017 13:08:11 GMT -7
That's a great question. I would strongly caution against pouring powder into you hand and then the barrel. Trade guns were sold with a powder measure, many being between 45 and 55 grains, believe it or not. A big problem with the "pour powder until it covers the ball" is how big the difference can be based upon how open or closed your hand is when you do so. One requires more powder and one less. While there definitely were men pouring from powder to hand and then into the barrel without the use of a powder measure while running buffalo on horseback, a lot of those guns became damaged, exploded and was the reason we ended up have guys with nicknames like "Stumpy"  We'll all be happier if we stick to using powder measures. Then we'll know we can keep enjoying each other's company around the camp fire with all the limbs and digits the good Lord gave us. Leifer |
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Jon
Mountaineer
Posts: 82
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Post by Jon on Feb 9, 2017 4:54:38 GMT -7
Great post Leifer! That'd be just my luck to be called "stumpy" for the rest of my life.
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We'll all be happier if we stick to using powder measures. Then we'll know we can keep enjoying each other's company around the camp fire with all the limbs and digits the good Lord gave us.