Three week ago, a vintage-gun enthusiast let me shoot his black powder revolver at the range. Fascinating first time ever experience. I think I will eventually buy an Uberti 1851 Colt Navy 36 caliber (replica). Before I buy a gun, I like to learn about the gun and the shooting process. Please advise if I have the following information regarding powders correct. It was a bit confusing when initially explained to me (Thank you and sorry for a long post):
A black powder measuring tool for loading a black powder gun is actually a volumetric measure. Although the term of measurement is in “Grains” (as in cartridge reloading) the black powder device is measuring the volume of the powder but the calibration of the tool translates not in cubic units but in grains. This is important when measuring equal amounts of 'real black powder' and the black powder substitute Pyrodex. If 20Grains of 'real black powder' is measured with a black powder measuring device and then with that same device, 20 Grains of Pyrodex is measured for the load, both 20 Grains as measured are acceptable for use in an 1851 Colt Navy revolver chamber. However, it is important to note that the actual weight of the 20grain volume measure is more than 20 grains of weight for 'real black powder' but less than 20 grains of weight for Pyrodex. DO NOT USE STANDARD RELOADING SCALES TO MEASURE BLACK POWDER WHEN DETERMING GRAIN MEASUREMENTS FOR BLACK POWDER GUNS. I think this will be a fun departure from smokeless powder rifles and handguns.
A black powder measuring tool for loading a black powder gun is actually a volumetric measure. Although the term of measurement is in “Grains” (as in cartridge reloading) the black powder device is measuring the volume of the powder but the calibration of the tool translates not in cubic units but in grains. This is important when measuring equal amounts of 'real black powder' and the black powder substitute Pyrodex. If 20Grains of 'real black powder' is measured with a black powder measuring device and then with that same device, 20 Grains of Pyrodex is measured for the load, both 20 Grains as measured are acceptable for use in an 1851 Colt Navy revolver chamber. However, it is important to note that the actual weight of the 20grain volume measure is more than 20 grains of weight for 'real black powder' but less than 20 grains of weight for Pyrodex. DO NOT USE STANDARD RELOADING SCALES TO MEASURE BLACK POWDER WHEN DETERMING GRAIN MEASUREMENTS FOR BLACK POWDER GUNS. I think this will be a fun departure from smokeless powder rifles and handguns.
