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Do you carry a small measure while hunting?

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WVAED

40 Cal.
Joined
Nov 29, 2011
Messages
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I know this has probably been asked and answered many times. And yes, i tried to search and could not find an answer. I was wondering for you 50 cal. guys, do you carry a small powder measure, like an empty brass cartridge with you hunting? If so, what do you use and what do you do recommend? To explain my thoughts, I considered carrying a small measure for squirrels. I don't know if 25 grains would be adaquate to move a 50 cal. ball out of the rifle and squirrel hunt with, but i have read that a 45 acp cartridge is 25 grains. Also if you have any "experience" with using a spent cartridge for your powder measure (main charge, etc.). Any thoughts would be appreciated, Thanks.
 
When I first used a M-loader in 1970, I used a metal measure, suspended from the strap, but it rang like a bell so went onto a horn measure.

Never had one to throw a half charge though.
I Do have one with a hole drilled through the side, and filled up to the hole is one measure, and up to the top is the normal heavier load. Powder won't run out of the small hole.
(Reason for the hole, is I use this measure for different guns.)

All best,
Richard.
 
I use a charger, a fixed measure, and it's set for deer hunting in my deer rifle since that's what the sights are set to hit with.

I know Mike Nesbit who writes for Muzzleloader magazine wrote an article about using half charges for targets and small game, and then doubling the powder load when going for deer. Now Mike is pretty bright, but I myself didn't think that was the right option for me. I figured that I would mess up the situation and either not load the second charge when going for deer, OR would mess up and maybe load three ???

I keep it simple, and use one horn with one size powder, and one charger. IF I developed a small game load in my deer rifle, I'd have only a charger on me for hunting small game, and that way wouldn't need to remember to double the load when deer season opened. When deer season did open, I'd carry only the charger for the deer load. OF course I'd have to go to the range and see where that lower charge hit on the target and learn how to adjust. (I make my chargers out of the largest of the three bones in a turkey wing; a smaller bone from the wing is used to make the turkey call.)

I also got me a fusil for using shot on small game and now a .40 so....,

LD
 
edmelott said:
I know this has probably been asked and answered many times. And yes, i tried to search and could not find an answer. I was wondering for you 50 cal. guys, do you carry a small powder measure, like an empty brass cartridge with you hunting? If so, what do you use and what do you do recommend? To explain my thoughts, I considered carrying a small measure for squirrels. I don't know if 25 grains would be adaquate to move a 50 cal. ball out of the rifle and squirrel hunt with, but i have read that a 45 acp cartridge is 25 grains. Also if you have any "experience" with using a spent cartridge for your powder measure (main charge, etc.). Any thoughts would be appreciated, Thanks.

Black Powder Measures from Cartridges

Compiled by Zonie

Using empty cartridge cases to measure black powder loads can easily be done. Simply fill the empty case to the mouth and wipe off the excess powder. The following gives a few common cases and the amount of black powder they will hold.

The bottleneck cases like the .30-30 and .30-06 must have the smaller mouth diameter and the taper removed leaving a straight walled case.

Cartridge
Grains
.22 LR
=
5
.320 ACP
=
7
.380 ACP
=
10
.30 cal Carbine
=
20
.38 Special
=
23
.357 Mag
=
27
.45 Auto
=
26
.44 Colt
=
35
.45 Colt
=
41
.38-40
=
40
.30-30
=
42
.30-06
=
70
.45-70
=
83


Cut n paste from Charts section in members resources (easier to read there. Thanks again Zonie
 
Rather than 2 measures banging around, could you do a double ended measure- like a jigger the bartender uses?
 
Yes. Sometimes it has been a simple thing made from copper tubing. Others have been lathe turned, some are drilled out of antler, a couple are part of a short starter made from antler and one is part of a goat horn. And, again, yes, I have done the half charge/double charge thing. This game is more funner when you try different stuff and especially if you make (or try to make) yer own accouterments.
 
Irrespective as to the type of hunting, I use premeasured charges in small paper sleeves that have the open end glued shut and then dipped in canners wax.

Make many of these in the off season and some I've had for many years and the powder is still good because of the waxing.

When reloading, the end is taken off w/ the teeth and poured down the bbl....very easy to load along w/ the loading block......Fred
 
I have taken them tree rats with a.50 on top of 60 grains 3 f. Head upper shoulder or neck leaves the meaty part all intact. Kinda of a waste of powder and lead but it leaves you not going home skunked.
In general if I’m out after deer the bunnies treerats turkeys ground hogs coons are all pretty safe.
 
I have a collection of antler and cane chargers for different guns, large and small game, ball and shot, etc. Many of them are serve double duty for various needs. I mark the inside of them with a line for a lesser charge. This one full, for instance, drops 85 grains 3F for my smoothbore shooting ball. The line inside drops 68 grains 2F and 1 oz. #6 shot for any 20 gauge gun.



Spence
 
crockett said:
Rather than 2 measures banging around, could you do a double ended measure- like a jigger the bartender uses?

That's what I do. Actually triple "shots" for full snort large game load, single shot for small game and a couple of shots for general horsing around. Most of my 50 cals work quite well that way with a self-made 30 grain measure.
 
Thanks guys. For more clarification, what charge do you believe would be good for squirrel with a 50? I do have 22's, shotguns, etc. but right now i only have the one flintlock, and I want to take it when the time comes.
 
I like a fixed measure when hunting, once I have a load built, I buy or make a measure that holds that load and only carry that measure while hunting. I like and have two adjustable measures, but have had them loosen in my bag and change where they are set. Only took once when I reloaded and then found it had pushed down from 80 grains to about 67 grains :doh:

After that I went with fixed unless I'm at the range building a load.
 
edmelott said:
Thanks guys. For more clarification, what charge do you believe would be good for squirrel with a 50? I do have 22's, shotguns, etc. but right now i only have the one flintlock, and I want to take it when the time comes.

I would look at something like 40gr. and see what group I can get, then move down by 5gr. increments, until I find a grouping load, or until I'm at a pre set bottom. You said 25gr. I wouldn't go any lower then that myself, and would try 30-40 1st for results IF you can get a group in that range.
 
I have an adjustable measure with the set screw in my bag and simply use it. I use 50 grains for target shooting out to 50 yards and 80 grains for deer. I use empty 45-70 cases with a cork to hold premeasured loads when deer hunting.
 
Colorado Clyde said:
For more clarification, what charge do you believe would be good for squirrel with a 50?

The lightest load that you can consistently hit them in the Head with at 25 yards.

Thanks for the wisdom, but i really wanted to learn something from the experience of others. What charge to "YOU" believe would be good? I understand i need to work up my own load, but thought some of the guys who hunt regularly might have an option. Thanks.
 
Kansas Jake said:
I have an adjustable measure with the set screw in my bag and simply use it. I use 50 grains for target shooting out to 50 yards and 80 grains for deer. I use empty 45-70 cases with a cork to hold premeasured loads when deer hunting.

Thanks for this very practical post.
 
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