I have "Heard" that some old timers loaded their Long Rifles by placing the ball in the palm of their slightly cupped hand. They then poured powder until it covered the ball, & that was the charge.

In more modern times a former co-worker told about a man who loaded his shotshells & when asked how much powder he used, said about a teaspoon full, I don't know what kind of powder he was using.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra