Homemade brass powder measures.

[Adam Helmer]

I have a bucket of odd brass from the local range. I looked through it today and decided to make some brass powder measures for my powder horns. I took the bucket to my shop and hacksawed a dozen empty brass cases just at the top of the case body. I champferred and deburred the shoulder cut and measured case capacity of 2F Goex. I noted the capacity on the outside of the case with a black marker. I found:

1. The .444 Marlin case holds 70 grains of 2F Goex. (This case was not sawed, but measured as is.)

2. The 7mm WSM and .300 WSM cases each hold 70 grains of 2F Goex.

3. The .300 Win Magnum case holds 80 grains of 2F Goex.

4. The 7mm Rem Ultra Magnum case holds 100 grains of 2F Goex.

I polished all cases with Brasso to a reflection shine and put them into service in my many possibles bags.

Adam

[Mr. 16 gauge]

I've done this as well....can't remember what the cases were that I cut down, however. Knock out the primer and put in a small eye screw and you can attach the measure to your possibles bag, horn, ect.

[GoodOlBoy]

I build powder measures for dipping trail boss powder in much the same way, except I pop the primer, turn it over and pop it back in, then I solder a small brass handle about two inches long to it for easy gripping. I do one for each caliber I load with trailboss.

GoodOlBoy

[Adam Helmer]

Guys,

Thanks for the responses. At the local club this morning there were a few ML Longhunters. They noticed my several empty case/powder measures on my bench. The guys thought it was a great idea to have a FIXED powder measure that could not be bumped, and thus change, the powder dispensed as often happens with the brass adjustable powder measure. A couple guys dived into the Brass Barrel and retrieved empty cases.

I will now go to my shop, turn on the radio, whistle up old dawg, and engage in a cottage industry of Fixed Powder Measure making. I have the small baggie zip locks that will hold marked "70, 80 and 100" grain highly polished powder measures. At the town yard sale I will donate them to my church table for sale at $2.00 each. Oh, what a country.

Adam

[Joe Boleo]

I have used empty .45/70 brass as a powder measure, but then you need a powder can and a lot of dumping into the brass cases. I changed and now use plastic vacutainers with a rubber stopper. The different color tops denote different powders like FFG, FFFG or FFFFG. There is a paper label to write on if desired. There is no fumbling or mess and a pocket can easily hold a lot of these vacutainers. So it depends. Take care...
Joe

[Adam Helmer]

Joe Boleo,

First, I liked your part in my favorite Movie, "Drums Along the Mohawk." That aside, yes one needs a powder can and lots "of dumping" into my brass chargers, but it is safer than charging from can, or horn, to muzzle, eh, wot?

I affix a case measure to the strap of my possibles bag so I can MEASURE from Horn or Can to get the desired charge, don't you know? For really easy powder dispensing, we old reenactors use free nickel coin wrappers from our bank and put by whatever charge we desire and secure the end flaps with a bit of Scotch tape. Now that is a perfectly biodegradeable sort of fix, don't you see for walking/running about in the reenactment scenario, eh, wot? We do not leave plastic vacutainers scattered about, merely paper nickel coin wrappers that are Nature Friendly don't you know? Some reenactors are color blind, but buff nickel wraps are not a problem. 10-4?

Adam

[Jack]

I've made a few dippers from fired cases, with handles soldered on like GOB described. I use those for dipping smokeless, though.
For ML hunting, I made up some containers for pre measured powder charges out of scrap bits of plastic plumbing pipe. A wood plug glued in one end, a cork in the other. You can write what the charge is on the pipe with a Sharpie, and it's permanent.

[Mr. 16 gauge]

For hunting, I took and old set of antlers and drilled out the inside; scrimshawed the powder charge on the side. I also carry premeasured charges in some empty glass medicine vials capped with a cork stopper, attached with a leather thong. I'll try and post some pics later.