I'm just starting out in the muzzleloading game and am wondering which of the dozens or so powder measures are good? I'm just looking for something to get started with. Any recomendations?
I'm just starting out in the muzzleloading game and am wondering which of the dozens or so powder measures are good? I'm just looking for something to get started with. Any recomendations?
Semper Fi
I'd go with an adjustable one..
They're generally up to ~ 120 gr.
They run about $20..
They are basically simple and about the same. Like Razor said get an adjustable one. I have one with a funnel attached that you slide over after adding powder and it and then turn it over and dump into the barrel. I like that one. I don't know what kind it is. Or you could get creative and make your own.
Aim small, miss small!
Get one that goes down to the smaller pistol loads as well as rifle.
I got one from Cabelas that went from10gns to 150gns.
Came with a spout, and worked real well.
All brass construction.
+1 as mooman76 said, the one I use most is a TC brand I think and it has a sliding plastic(?) lower measure that is adjustable for both pistol and I think up to 120 gr for rifle. I like the slide over funnel as it makes loading a little easier and more precise than using your thumb and forefinger as a "funnel".
I also use the T/C mesure for target work unless I am weighing loads. Use a pour spout on the can and you can get fairly close if you use good technicue.
Don't buy nuthing you can't take home
Joel 3:10
Thanks guys....this is exactly the info I was looking for.
Semper Fi
Heck, I just dump a bunch down the barrel 'til I think I got enough!!
All kidding aside, I'll second the adjustable kind. Another approach is once you have the charge worked out, fashion your own fixed charge measure out of something neat, like an antler tip for example.
If you have a powder scale you can make your own, but otherwise get an adjustable one. While they are not all that accurate as far as what they dump, 70 grains on the measure may be actual 66 grains weight, they work very well. I like to wiegh my best laods whcih are generally worked up on a volume measure, just to know what it is if I lose the measure or for making one. I also shoot different brands of powder which differ in measured volume. Most get along very well by using the adjustable measured and not weighing.
DP
BP | Bronze Point | IMR | Improved Military Rifle | PTD | Pointed |
BR | Bench Rest | M | Magnum | RN | Round Nose |
BT | Boat Tail | PL | Power-Lokt | SP | Soft Point |
C | Compressed Charge | PR | Primer | SPCL | Soft Point "Core-Lokt" |
HP | Hollow Point | PSPCL | Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" | C.O.L. | Cartridge Overall Length |
PSP | Pointed Soft Point | Spz | Spitzer Point | SBT | Spitzer Boat Tail |
LRN | Lead Round Nose | LWC | Lead Wad Cutter | LSWC | Lead Semi Wad Cutter |
GC | Gas Check |