Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Measuring BH 209 by volume ... and range results

Just for the heck of it I wanted to see how accurate measuring BH 209 by volume is. I used a clear plastic TC powder measure, filled it from a flask (a cheapo clear plastic ketchup bottle - it works fine), let the powder spill into the measure to slightly overflowing and without tapping it closed the top to level off the charge.

I'm meticulous by nature so each charge was measured as consistently as possible and then weighed on an RCBS 505. I set the powder measure at 105 grains by volume and here's how they weighed out:

1. 76.0
2. 78.2
3. 77.1
4. 77.2
5. 76.3
6. 77.0
7. 77.3
8. 78.5
9. 77.4
10. 78.9

77.3 average, 2.5 grain spread, - 1.3 gr lowest, + 1.2 gr highest.

Not bad, I guess. I have noticed a slight shift in POI with a 5 gr change in powder so plus or minus 1.2 should provide decent accuracy but a 2 1/2 grain spread has room for improvement. Will that make a big difference in groups? Probably not but measuring by weight might tighten up groups a tad.

The measured 105 gr charge should weigh 73.5 grs but according to the scale the powder measure is actually throwing a 110.5 gr charge. Not that it's a big deal either. My intial load development with BH 209 using a 250 gr Hornady SST, a red low drag sabot, a CCI 209M primer, 105 grains by volume seems to be the most promising - so far. I shot 100 gr, 105 gr and 110 gr and they all grouped well considering the breezy conditions.

First 9 shots with BH209 at 102 yards from my TC Omega - three shot groups.

110 gr 1.885"
105 gr 2.000" *
100 gr 1.610"

* The 105 grain charge had less than an inch of verticle dispersion in very windy, gusty conditions. I still have more testing to do but so far so good. More sabots to try, different primers and lots more rounds down range are needed.

Interesting, you know the trouble we had with the son's Pro Hunter..In load testing I weighed every charge to + or - a tenth of a grain but wonder how BH 209 feeds through an RCBS powder measure?..you ever try it?

Nope, never did. I imagine it wouldn't meter very well just like stick powders. I think an inexpensive digital scale like this one would be just the ticket.

http://www.oldwillknottscales.com/jennings-jscale-js-50x.aspx

It weighs to one tenth of a grain. That's plenty close enough.

Hey that may be just the ticket and the price is right..Will email link to #1 son think this is exactly what he needs and he'll buy it!!..Guinea Pig ?????

I have used BH 209 in a Lyman 55 powder measure with good results.

If he's a guinea pig have him buy the RCBS Chargemaster 1500. I used it the other day and threw 25 charges of 72gr BH209 with zero errors. Quick and easy.

My RCBS regular thrower did not do well............

See where Cabelas has em on sale right now for $159..starting to cast big 500 grainers for my Sharps 45/110 should probably pick one up to weigh my boolits faster..

I use and electronic scale. That way I can eliminate any variable in the powder when testing. 70 gr. = 100 gr., 77 gr. = 110 gr., and 84 gr. = 120 gr. I dont' know how much difference in accuracy a couple of grains would make (probably not much), but this way I know the exact amount of powder I'm using every time. I even have my loads perfectly premeasured in containers when hunting. Never any doubt or question of exactly how much powder I'm using. Consistency is the key to accuracy.

Not sure weighing is needed, but it can't hurt.

I use 10-15 ml medical sample tubes with graduations on the side. I throw charges out of whichever measure is not in use and handy.

The sample tubes give a quick check on the charge visually and I have never seen a grain or so by weight make any difference to accuracy with a ML. As long as they get down close to an inch I don't worry, the rifle will only be used out to maybe 150.

I just use my old T/C brass adjustable powder measure. Works pretty good for me for BP as well as 209.

I doubt very much that there would be any noticeable difference in the field between the two methods. For me, weighing the charges and putting them in the BH tubes is less messy and more convenient. No waste, either.