black powder

ras_oscar · May 25, 2016

So... we all know that smokeless powder is measured by weight in grains, and that 1 pound equals 7,000 grains.

We also know that black powder and substitutes are measured by volume in grains, and that Pyrodex (for one) is volume measure equivalent to black powder.

sooooo.. How many grains of black powder (by volume) are there in a pound?

ziptiespec · May 25, 2016

According to the reading I just did by googling "how many grains of black powder per pound", it's 7000 - same as smokeless.

K31 · May 25, 2016

If you're worried you'll go through more than a one pound can of BP or substitute using your cap and ball pistol in one shooting session, don't be.

Blacksmith101 · May 25, 2016

The correct answer is "It Depends" because the density will vary because of the granulation and possibly due to manufacturing differences. Here is some information to digest, it comes from the charts in Modern Reloading Second Edition by Richard Lee. The information for black powder does not show on the on line versions of the same charts on the Lee website.

VMD is the volume of one grain of gun powder in cubic centimeters. To find the volume of a powder charge multiply the grains of powder by the VMD.

VMD Powder
.06720 Black FFFFG
.06280 Black FFFG
.06800 Black FFG
.07190 Black FG

.08110 H-Pyrodx RS
.08230 H-Pyrodx P
.10145 Pyrodex CTG

The Pyrodex so called volume equivalent is probably based on pressure equivalent instead of weight equivalent.

The book also includes black powder on the Lee Dipper Capacity Chart. The Lee book has a lot of information for the money.

Melnic · May 25, 2016

The FFG black powder I have is pretty darn close to 1 to 1 meaning 1 grain by volume is 1 grain by weight.
The only BP substitute I use is BH209 and it is more like 60% the weight meaning, 100 grains by volume is 70 grains by weight.
If you ever look, BH209 is sold in 10oz bottles, not 16oz like Pyrodex. powder is sold by weight.

I typically pre measure my powder at home and put into little plastic vials. Its REALLY good doing this for the pistol as it makes it MUCH less messy.

I'll measure by volume, then take the weight and measure subsequent vials by weight. I write all this crap down so I don't forget.
Vials are always marked with grains by volume though.
Some people say "Don't weigh them". I'm an engineer and not afraid to use simple math. tough crap. I can handle it.

This is what I put my pistol loads into
http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Sampl...&qid=1464198168&sr=8-2&keywords=plastic+vials

seal them up into a zip lock bag and take to the range. Simple quick reloading the cap and ball.

Art3 · May 25, 2016

Melnic said:
The FFG black powder I have is pretty darn close to 1 to 1 meaning 1 grain by volume is 1 grain by weight.
The only BP substitute I use is BH209 and it is more like 60% the weight meaning, 100 grains by volume is 70 grains by weight.
If you ever look, BH209 is sold in 10oz bottles, not 16oz like Pyrodex. powder is sold by weight.

I typically pre measure my powder at home and put into little plastic vials. Its REALLY good doing this for the pistol as it makes it MUCH less messy.

I'll measure by volume, then take the weight and measure subsequent vials by weight. I write all this crap down so I don't forget.
Vials are always marked with grains by volume though.
Some people say "Don't weigh them". I'm an engineer and not afraid to use simple math. tough crap. I can handle it.

This is what I put my pistol loads into
http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Sampl...&qid=1464198168&sr=8-2&keywords=plastic+vials

seal them up into a zip lock bag and take to the range. Simple quick reloading the cap and ball.

on the speed loader vials. I like the 10ml ones for rifle charges. Having some extra empty space makes it easier to pour without spilling.

Threeband · May 25, 2016

How much powder fits in those 2 ml. tubes?

Melnic · May 25, 2016

Threeband said:
How much powder fits in those 2 ml. tubes?

I took some FFG and measured the following
2ml tube : 27grains
5ml tube : 66 grains
10ml tube 105 grains.
Depending on the way the cap is designed in each tube, it can hold a little more than what it says.
5ml tubes http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Sampl...=UTF8&qid=1464223633&sr=8-3&keywords=5ml+vial
10ml (not what I have but similar to 5ml ones) http://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Sampl...TF8&qid=1464223662&sr=8-9&keywords=10+ml+vial

Threeband · May 25, 2016

Good information; thanks.

RoadDawg · May 26, 2016

Threeband said:
Good information; thanks.

This guy makes his own paper cartridges using a 5.56/.223 shell as his powder measure.

.44 Paper Cartridge

Threeband · May 26, 2016

I knew a guy who made a whole bunch of powder dippers using empty cartridge cases with wire handles super-glued on. This was before Lee came out with their complete powder dipper set.

Blacksmith101 · May 26, 2016

Threeband said:
I knew a guy who made a whole bunch of powder dippers using empty cartridge cases with wire handles super-glued on. This was before Lee came out with their complete powder dipper set.

There is a table in the back of the Dixie catalog on the capacity of different shell cases for making dippers. Copper wire and solder is what I use for an odd size just select the next larger size and trim to get the charge you want.

madmantrapper · May 27, 2016

ziptiespec said:
According to the reading I just did by googling "how many grains of black powder per pound", it's 7000 - same as smokeless.

That is because grains is a weight not volume.

Threeband · May 27, 2016

How many ounces in a pound of feathers?

Blacksmith101 · May 27, 2016

Threeband said:
How many ounces in a pound of feathers?

More than in a pound of gold.

Threeband · May 28, 2016

Blacksmith101 said:
More than in a pound of gold.

True.

ras_oscar · Jun 1, 2016

Got a pound of Goex FFFg and a powder measure. I'll toss a 27grain charge ( by volume ) on my reloading scale when I calibrate my flask spout and post the result here for posterity.

K31 · Jun 1, 2016

ras_oscar said:
Got a pound of Goex FFFg and a powder measure. I'll toss a 27grain charge ( by volume ) on my reloading scale when I calibrate my flask spout and post the result here for posterity.

How do we know your measure is good?

Threeband · Jun 1, 2016

K31 said:
How do we know your measure is good?

Don't stir up trouble, Loki.

Blacksmith101 · Jun 1, 2016

ras_oscar said:
Got a pound of Goex FFFg and a powder measure. I'll toss a 27grain charge ( by volume ) on my reloading scale when I calibrate my flask spout and post the result here for posterity.

All posterior measuring instruments must be traceable to NIST! :lol2:

See what I did? :innocent0

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