Safe powder load

[GAWI]

This may sound dumb. or i shouldent even be messing with this. Question is in converting oz to gr doesnt seem to be comming out right. 3.5 oz = 100 gr? Doesnt seem right. 4 1/2 is max load for 2 1/4 barrel. Was going to start at 2 1/2  oz. Using my scale i use for reloading standard ammo. But it comes out to 71-72 gr. I believe i use more than that for black powder shooting. Doesnt look like enough to cover. Tell me what im doing wrong so i dont screw up. A dumd question is one never asked. Thanks

[Rickk]

7000 grains to a pound.
16 ounces to a pound.

7000 grains divided by 16 ounces = 437.5 grains to an ounce (I wrote that on my powder scale with a magic marker as it is handy to remember)

3.5 ounces times 437.5 grains = 1531.25 grains

[GAWI]

Thanks that helps alot. Gary

[Rickk]

check out the "AWS-100" digital scale at:

http://www.toplinedigitalscales.com/catalog.php?action=124&item_id=338 ... about $45 bucks and free shipping right now.

It will measure in grains, grams, ounces, up to 1543gn (about 3.6 ounces).

It can zero out a measuring cup (use a light plastic or paper cup so you don't use up the capacity all in the cup).

I would still use a real powder scale (lyman/rcbs) for smaller charges (metallic cartriges) as I think they may have a bit more resolution (they do claim +- .1 grains however), and also just cause an old habit is hard to break. However, when you are up in the hundreds or a thousand+ grains a couple tenths of a grain don't matter much.

[GAWI]

RICKK, found that exact scale on ebay for 10.00. Couldent pass that up. Looks like the way to go as you can measure in ox or gr. Thanks

[Rickk]

good deal!

It will even measure directly in "carrots" in case you have some diamonds to trade.

I just looked on ebay and there are about a zillion small digital scales in new condition for sale for about $10-ish plus shipping

[Cat Whisperer]

This may sound dumb.
...
 Tell me what im doing wrong so i dont screw up.

A dumd question is one never asked. Thanks

Two points:

1. ALL questions asked about keeping the cannon from exploding are not dumb!

2. There are in fact a FEW dumb questions; as when someone asks me, "Tim, would you like a beer?"  99% of the time that's a dumb question.

[Terry C.]

My electronic scale is high on my "how did I ever live without it?" list.

I have a Cabelas scale with a 1500 gr. capacity. It also measures in grams, ounces, and carats:




Without this scale it would have been impossible to accurately calibrate my powder measures:

[CrufflerSteve]

Are there affordable electronic scales for heavier weights? I have a Dillon electronic scale I use for my BPCR and smokeless reloading.

For my cannon powder, I'd want 6 ounces max - 2425 grains. If I was weighing my projectiles I'd want up to 4 pound capacity.

It's too cold & snowy here in Colorado for shooting cannon but I hope to be posting some interesting casting pictures in a few days.

Steve

[GGaskill]

Are there affordable electronic scales for heavier weights?

Yes but they don't have the resolution that the lower capacity scales do.  Look for postal scales.  I have one that will weigh to 10 pounds but its resolution is only one quarter ounce.

This one is fancier than mine and costs less.

[accuratemike]

I picked up one of these (HF 93543)
at the local store.$12.99. Couldn't resist. I also have a Sunbeam postal scale from Staples. It has .1oz/1gm resolution and a max of 5lb/2.2kg. It was cheap too. I use a HF 300#, digital, bathroom scale too. It has 1/2# resolution. So cheap I remember buying 2. All are reasonably accurate. I've used the little one to calibrate powder ladles, the postal scale to weigh pounds of powder and the bathroom scale to weigh steel. I'll bet I don't have $75 in all of them. MIKE