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wogpotter · January 23, 2013, 04:00 PM

Actual blackpowder is pretty much volume =weight.
However there are substitutes & so on that both have a different density, & some even need a slightly reduced charge to run safely.

Now if this was just a couple of percent, it'd be no big deal, but if you measure, for example 50 Gr by volume of real FFg, & then the same volume of Pyrodex, or Jim Shockey's the difference when weighed will be about 60%. Thats a significant change, even with the more forgiving black powder as opposed to modern propellants. Now add the suggested 15% reduction for triple-7 & combine them & you have the potential for a 56% overload!

Some kind of standard was needed & volume was what was chosen. I guess you could remove confusion by saying its the volume equivalent of a weighed FFg charge.

January 23, 2013, 04:00 PM	#6
wogpotter Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2004 Posts: 4,811	Actual blackpowder is pretty much volume =weight. However there are substitutes & so on that both have a different density, & some even need a slightly reduced charge to run safely. Now if this was just a couple of percent, it'd be no big deal, but if you measure, for example 50 Gr by volume of real FFg, & then the same volume of Pyrodex, or Jim Shockey's the difference when weighed will be about 60%. Thats a significant change, even with the more forgiving black powder as opposed to modern propellants. Now add the suggested 15% reduction for triple-7 & combine them & you have the potential for a 56% overload! Some kind of standard was needed & volume was what was chosen. I guess you could remove confusion by saying its the volume equivalent of a weighed FFg charge. __________________ Allan Quatermain: “Automatic rifles. Who in God's name has automatic rifles”? Elderly Hunter: “That's dashed unsporting. Probably Belgium.”