S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
0 members (),
309
guests, and
5
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,522
Posts545,769
Members14,419
|
Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,345 Likes: 391
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,345 Likes: 391 |
Architect Louis Sullivan coined the term "Form follows function", and that seems to apply to a lot of these old tools. The elegant simplicity of Gil's tools illustrates that you don't need either a $1200.00 progressive loading press or expensive factory loads to feed our vintage doubles with appropriate loads. Speed is nice sometimes, but it isn't really necessary to produce enough quality shells for a season of bird hunting.
Miller, the charge tubes for the Belding & Mull Measures are indeed adjustable and volumetric. You set them for the desired charge, and the measure fills them. Then they are removed and dumped into the shell. Lather, rinse, repeat. The reason the B&M was so consistent is that the design incorporates two vessels or hoppers for powder. The brass upper hopper will naturally vary in depth and volume as you fill it, and gradually use it up. But with the B&M, the lower chamber with the little glass window fills up to the same level every time you pull the handle, and the next charge is taken from there, with no influence from the varying amount in the upper hopper. For bench rest and target shooters, consistent volume is more important than consistent weight, because the same charge can vary in weight by 1 or more percent just from the moisture content of the powder, due to changes in humidity. B&M made different charge tubes with small volumes for pistols and different larger sizes for larger rifle charges.
I've used a Lyman No.55 Powder Measure for years, and find it to be very consistent so long as I top off the hopper when it is drawn down about half way. And my Dad taught me to always use the same force and speed to operate the handle, and to make a habit of flipping my finger on the little knocker after each and every drop to knock loose any powder granules that might bridge or get stuck in the measure. Again, form follows function, and that little knocker that the competition chose to leave off their measures is something that makes the Lyman No.55 as good today as it was when it was introduced. As Miller says, basically the same design has worked well since the 1800's. Any problems with these simple tools can usually be traced to the guy who is using them.
A true sign of mental illness is any gun owner who would vote for an Anti-Gunner like Joe Biden.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,536 Likes: 170
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,536 Likes: 170 |
USAF RET 1971-95
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 850 Likes: 33
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 850 Likes: 33 |
Belding & Mull original docs: Belding & Mull docs as PDF
Dave Weber doublegunshop.com DoubleGun Evangelist In Charge But Not Responsible
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,183 Likes: 47
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,183 Likes: 47 |
I've got a couple of different versions of the B&M measures with both brass and aluminum powder hoppers. I used to use them with my Scheutzen rifles but have since gone modern and use Harrel measures. When it comes to shotshells, I want to load quickly and a lot. I depend on my Spolar loader for that.
Dodging lions and wasting time.....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 195
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,124 Likes: 195 |
The only lessons in my life I truly did learn from where the ones I paid for!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478 |
Damascus, looking forward to the "after" photos. Gil
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,085 Likes: 478 |
Recently acquired 16 ga. tools. Manufrance RTO, Manufrance wad seater ("rammer"), boxwood rammer with round knob and a spring loaded rammer with rosewood knob. Second photo is of a 16 ga. felt wad and over shot card punch. Gil
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,273 Likes: 205
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,273 Likes: 205 |
Damascus, that group of loading items is interesting. I especially like the pliers, made to fit the pinfire pin. I have seen a couple of these over the years, in groups with other things or in cases. They are certainly handy for reloading pinfire cartridges, much handier than the screw pin pulling attachment at the base of the more common pinfire cap inserters. Thanks for sharing those.
Last edited by Daryl Hallquist; 03/14/19 03:30 PM.
|
|
|
|
|