Poll: Black Powder powder measures.

[Andy Griffith]

We haven't had a good black powder thread in here in a while.

I don't know how many of us on here reload metallic cartridges with black powder, but I am one of them.

Mostly .45 Colt, a few .38 Colt and .38 Rimfire (that use the .22 hulls) rounds and shotgun shells.

Of course, modern smokeless powder measures can't be used with black powder- a static electric spark could happen!

 

[Andy Griffith]

We haven't had a good black powder thread in here in a while.

I don't know how many of us on here reload metallic cartridges with black powder, but I am one of them.

Mostly .45 Colt, a few .38 Colt and .38 Rimfire (that use the .22 hulls) rounds and shotgun shells.

Of course, modern smokeless powder measures can't be used with black powder- a static electric spark could happen!

 

[Paul5388]

Static electricity setting off black powder is an old wives tale, or you could say it's an urban legend. Black powder containers have been made out of metal for a long time. Anyone watching Dick Dastardly, knows he used a metal can of black powder as a threat to try to get the deed to Pauline's ranch.

Well, maybe a better example is called for. How about this can of DuPont FFFG from the 1940s?

It's actually the same can DuPont and IMR used until they were bought out by Hodgdon.

That would lead one to believe there may not be so much wrong with using metal in conjunction with black powder.

 

[Alk8944]

Paul,

I don't see what got you started on static, or where you get the idea this is an old-wives tale. A spark, electric or other can ignite black powder.

The issue is not with metal powder measures, all of the measures specifically marketed for use with black powder are all metal. The problem is standard measures with plastic reservoirs as the plastic can generate static electricity and in some conceivable situation may result in a static spark igniting the powder.

If you have had an opportunity to buy black owder you will find no manufacturer packs it in the plastic bottles common to smokless varieties, only all steel, as it is conductive and touching the outside of the can will wick off any static you may have as a result of handling plastic, silk, or the cat.

 

[Wheelgunner840]

The static electricity myth got busted over on the SASS Wire several years ago. One of our Canadian shooters (Calamity Jane), who also builds really cool cannons, has a lot of experience with BP. She set up experiments where she used static electricity to cause sparks directly on a small bit of BP in a pan. Nothing, Nada, Zip!

The thread went on for some time, and all sorts of electrical engineers, electricians, and I believe one chimney sweep, all put in their two cents. The final outcome was that static electricity cannot set off BP.

Most of us agreed that we didn't want to take a chance on it anyway. I believe that thread rivaled any IL thread that we have had here!

I haven't visited that forum since a couple of loud mouth gamers took over the whole place by sticking their outspoken opinions into every single thread that was started. Can't say I miss it. Too bad though. I used to really enjoy that place. Got to know some real fine people there.

Anyway, I don't care to have any type of spark present when I am in the reloading room!

WG840

 

[Paul5388]

If you have had an opportunity to buy black owder you will find no manufacturer packs it in the plastic bottles common to smokless varieties, only all steel, as it is conductive and touching the outside of the can will wick off any static you may have as a result of handling plastic, silk, or the cat.

I have 3 one pound containers of Graf's FFg that are in plastic from the factory.

 

[Dale53]

If the urban myth bothers you, then just run a wire from the measure to a water pipe. That will ABSOLUTELY remove any possibility of static setting off the powder.

The plastic bottles used for black powder are special "anti static" plastic bottles.

I have loaded black powder from various powder measures for years. Now, just because I got away with it doesn't really mean much. However, the tests that have been run by knowledgeable people DOES mean something. In short, it's not a problem.

There are a number of other things that CAN be a problem - like smoking in the reloading room. Another is an open container of black powder sitting under a florescent fixture (they sometimes fail with out warning with lots of HOT sparks and that WILL set off the powder). I have been present twice (once in a board room) when the ballast failed with lots of fire and smoke. That is NOT an uncommon occurence. The ballast failure cut right through the steel fixture just like an arc welder (which it had pretty much become).

It is not something to take lightly, but static from a measure is not the problem.

Dale53

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I don't load high enough volume to justify a separate measure. I just use one of the adjustible ones for a few 45 Colts on occassion. They are a lot of fun to shoot in a shortbarrel Ruger SS Birdshead Sheriff's Model Vaquero!

 

[walnutred]

The advantage of the special measures seems to be the drop tubes. For ctgs I always just used dippers. For shotshells I used a Lee Load-All.

 

[2000Z-71]

I have the Lyman measure. It seems to work well with smaller charges. However I've got it completely maxed out and it barely dispenses enough powder for my .45-70 cases.