The UK's Finest Independent Forum for Shooters and Gun Owners. Est 2010.

Sorry to ask such a lame question, but here goes. I am trying to get this straight in my head.

BP is measured by weight in grains. Pyrodex is measured by volume, ie 65 grains of Pyrodex is the volume which would be filled by 65 grains of BP by weight - am I right so far?

Powder measures (such as Lee Perfect Powder Measure) work by dispensing volume? So basically I use the supplied chart to get a conversion factor for whatever powder I am using, and set the measure. Then I check the weight using scales to ensure I have set it (and done the maths) correctly.

Donald

Don't know about the Pyrodex but otherwise check the scales for weight and adjust the powder measure to get the right weight. In my old pistol days I used to 'dump' five charges and divide by five to get an average. This because there would always be a small variation and the charges were small; 3 - 5 grains normally.

As far as I know both BP and the substitutes should be measured by volume not weight. I believe only nitro powders are measured by weight. Also worth noting that many powder measure manufacturers specifically recommend NOT using their measures with black powder but I don't know if that is related to differences in metering or the risk of static-initiated explosions!