Blackhorn 209 volume to weight is not adding up for me

[Bigeclipse]

I've been muzzleload hunting for years now and always just used my volume measure for bh209. I would measure 120grains volume for my cva accura. Well I wanted to get more consistent powder measures so I decided I would switch to weight which blackhorn states 120grains volumes should be about 84grains by weight so measured out 3 volume charges of 120 and then weighed them and I'm getting 92-94 grains which is way over the suggested 84 grains it should be. This has been verified on two different scales. I have ALWAYS used this load but it seems I've been walking a very fine line. I must have shot 30 or more shots like this over the years using my 225 grain ftp bullets in sabots. What's everyone's opinion on this? Am I missing something here? The 120 volume load has been pretty dang accurate for me so I'm hesitant to drop down by almost 8-10grains weight but safety is 100% priority.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

My volume to weight measurement was about 4gr heavier than weighed charges. I think it is harder to be as consistent with the volume every time. That said, did you try and shoot a lower charge? I settled on about 78gr. I went with what was giving consistent shots. I shot all the way up to 84gr but wasn't seeing anything worth the extra burn so settled a little lower. Rifle isn't more than a 300 yard shooter anyway.

It may seem safe now, but never know how long the breech plug threads will last before they sheer off.

 

[Bigeclipse]

My volume to weight measurement was about 4gr heavier than weighed charges. I think it is harder to be as consistent with the volume every time. That said, did you try and shoot a lower charge? I settled on about 78gr. I went with what was giving consistent shots. I shot all the way up to 84gr but wasn't seeing anything worth the extra burn so settled a little lower. Rifle isn't more than a 300 yard shooter anyway.

It may seem safe now, but never know how long the breech plug threads will last before they sheer off.

I actually brought out two powder measures by volume and two scales and using both volume measures At 120 grains by volume, they were consistently weighing 91-94 grains. The bottle says nothing about weight. It says 120grains by volume so that means many people using this would be over the converted 84grain weight they state?

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I guess that would depend on their volume device. Like yours, mine were heavy when weighed. I use the brass one that you can count the clicks every ten gr.

91-94 grains is a large variance. If it were smokeless, would you shoot that much of a difference? If you have a chrono, shoot the ladder with 91-94gr and see what your velocity spread is. See if it matches up close to the data they have on the website. This may give you and idea if you are in the ballpark for safe. I think Their website shows the conversions formula.

IF it were my rifle and ultimately my face, I would back off and find a lower node. This was easy for me as my knight has been converted and breech plug shimmed. When I get close to pressure, it let's me know with a little whiff in the face.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Try shooting groups at 91/92/93/94 grains by weight.
Whichever shoots the best, stick with it.

I've been weighing my BH209 for years.

 

[Varmint Hunter]

I weigh all of my BH charges and place them in the little vials that can be bought on line. It's much easier at the range and there is never any doubt about the charge level.

 

[pikeman]

 

[McRem45]

Started out using BH209 by volume and I just was not consistent. Switched to weighing it and have never looked back.

 

[ENCORE]

Volume measures can and vary greatly. I have one of the brass volume measures that is marked, it is also 30grs HEAVIER than marked. It was never used.
At some point and time, maybe 200yrs ago, 2f black was the standard and the volume measure was created by actually weighing black and making a container. So a 100gr volume container, contained 100grs of BP by weight.
Many use the TC clear view, which the same shooters say its the closest they've found.
Myself with BH, its by weight.

Also, BH can vary by lot number.

 

[Shane Lindsey]

I weigh all of my BH charges and place them in the little vials that can be bought on line. It's much easier at the range and there is never any doubt about the charge level.

+1. I actually went in to Michaels's and asked them where they kept their crack vials...They looked at me crossed eyed.

 

[grouse]

I weigh all of my BH charges and place them in the little vials that can be bought on line. It's much easier at the range and there is never any doubt about the charge level.

Can you share a link?

 

[Deleted member 56284]

I measure all my loads and run 80grs. of 209 which produces 1900 fps with the Barnes 250 T-ez. When I tried bumping up the load it provided a significant increase in recoil that did not yield any significant increase in velocity. Also the closer I got to 84 grs. the more the groups opened up. It is pretty common when loading for muzzle loaders the "sweet spot" is below the max at around 95%. I tried the Blackhorn load tubes and found the volume markings do not match up with the volume attained when using a scale.

 

[Dr. Vette]

Can you share a link?

https://www.ebay.com/sch/jesuslives2saveu/m.html?_trksid=p3692

Lane's Tubes

 

[NorCal67]

Like Rickster said above, I have the BH vials with the orange lids, and printed grain increments on them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B006MOF8A0/?tag=lrhmag19-20
They do not match up to the weighed charges though in the volume/weight calculation. A 100 grain volume charge will weigh 70 grains on the scale, but it will show in the vial as 90+/- grains, not 100, even if I tried to "loosen it up" in there. I think the only way is to weigh...