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Recent Posts

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91
General Interest / Re: Searching for the proper powder charge
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 13, 2026, 06:39:17 PM »
"What powder charge and how to measure it?"  That's always been the big concern.  The more powder used, the less it will matter because of the amount of powder.  Big difference 'tween rifles of .45 bore and a .58 bore ... dittos for the bigger .62 to .75 smoothbores.

Measuring powder via crude volume tools (the ubiquitous small hand held adjustable brass powder measure) is definitely going to not be consistent.  The best consistency will be weighed powder charges.  If used in conjunction with a good lever powder measure the charges will be quite accurate and can be stored in vials. 

I'll add - I hope to do that with paper cartridges in the smoothbores ... those charges will be weighed, not thrown by volume.

IMHO, another important thing to think about when trying to load consistently is powder compression.  This is absolutely critical for PB PPB cartridge builds and is therefore no different for muzzleloader loads.  This is why I "bounce the rod" - when it trampolines up I know that the powder and patched ball are all within a non-adjustable narrow range of compression.  It's a "fixed" compression - so it's non-adjustable, it is what it is.  When I load BP PPB cartridges, I can adjust the powder/wad compression using a die press, and that will have a direct effect on accuracy,

92
Gun Building and Repair / Re: Pedersoli 2nd Land Pattern Brown Bess Kit number two
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 13, 2026, 06:25:54 PM »
Yeah, Tom - I was sweating it a bit with the pipe problem, but I rolled and soldered simple brass pipes and that took care of that.  But the cross threaded lock issue was the worst.  I ordered a Bosch 6mm-1 tap of Amazon and carefully retapped that one lock thread and it's perfect now.  I had to re-inlet the lock mortise, which was a bit tricky.  But it's top notch right now for ramrod use and lock ignition.  Proof of the pudding will be at the range when the weather breaks!
 
93
General Interest / Re: Searching for the proper powder charge
« Last post by No Powder on February 13, 2026, 04:27:00 PM »
Thanks for the input fellows. Appreciate your comments and opinions. Kind of interested in Kevin's findings. But Kevin, concentrate on your load work up, and not on what several grains of powder will show on the chronograph.
94
Gun Building and Repair / Re: Pedersoli 2nd Land Pattern Brown Bess Kit number two
« Last post by No Powder on February 13, 2026, 04:18:07 PM »
Must have got those issues ironed out pretty good Rob, cause it looks good to me.
95
Gun Building and Repair / Re: Pedersoli 2nd Land Pattern Brown Bess Kit number two
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 13, 2026, 04:01:17 PM »
All back together and way better than ever.

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96
General Interest / Re: Searching for the proper powder charge
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 13, 2026, 01:42:59 PM »
Eric said it well.  Everything about consistent accuracy is all about consistency of Everything - load components, the process of the load, the bbl and lock, and the brain and trigger finger of the shooter (which usually should be first in this short list).

I do 5 grain graduated load tests as well.
97
General Interest / Re: Searching for the proper powder charge
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 13, 2026, 01:38:30 PM »
"Black Powder" is in the low end of explosives whereas smokeless powders (including BP subs such as Pyrodex, 777, Blackthorn, etc) are not considered "explosives".

When a trad muzzleloader touches off, that's an explosion ... when a smokeless cartridge is fired, that's expanding gas.

98
General Interest / Re: Searching for the proper powder charge
« Last post by Second-rate Marksman on February 13, 2026, 10:12:05 AM »
I'll throw my hat into the ring.

For working up a load, I think your 5-grain increments are perfectly reasonable to start. That'll get you into the "accuracy window" efficiently. Once you find a promising node - say it tightens up at 70 grains - then it can make sense to experiment in 2-3 grain tweaks if you're chasing a competition-level load. But most guns won't show enough difference to justify fussing in 1-grain steps.

Personally, my rule of thumb:

Hunting load development- 5 grain increments all day long.

Match tuning / paper punching- Find the node in 5s, then fine tune in 2-3s if the rifle seems sensitive.

And honestly? With black powder firearms, patch/ball fit and consistent loading technique usually matter more than 2 grains of powder either way.

Then again, you may not want to take advice from someone with the forum handle of "Second-rate Marksman"... ;)
99
General Interest / Re: Searching for the proper powder charge
« Last post by KDubs on February 13, 2026, 07:48:29 AM »
Well I've always been told 5 gr increments.
.don't know why 5 gr but that's what I've always heard.
 I'll be doing some Chrono work, hopefully Saturday if the weather holds . Working up a load for my .45 auction gun.
 I'll try small changes and see if my old technology chrony can't tell the difference.
 I recently watched a video by lame beaver and he states BP is only about 45% efficient
Poking around the interweb seems to support that.
Kevin.
 
100
Flintlock Long Guns / Re: Golf Ball Shooting Fun.....
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 13, 2026, 05:49:04 AM »
Quote from: BlackPowderManiacShooter on February 12, 2026, 09:15:36 PM
Quote from: Hank in WV on February 12, 2026, 06:15:55 PM
Before I got my eyes rebuilt last year, I tried shooting lefty to see if I could do any better. Very awkward. I pretty much gave up shooting at that point.

We'll....I don't plan on giving it up. I can't hit much anyway.
Shooting is fun, hitting the target is just a bonus.

THIS is what it's all about - the satisfying enjoyment of making the load, of getting out into nature, the camaraderie of like-minded friends, the boom & fire & smoke, and maybe once in awhile hitting the target is the cherry on the trad muzzleloading cake.   8)  :*:
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