A LIVING HISTORY BLOG.

18TH CENTURY LIVING HISTORY IN AUSTRALIA.

Saturday 7 February 2015

A Gap Between Powder & Ball. DON'T DO IT !!!



I made a statement on social media today, and immediately got challenged. I don't mind getting challenged, in fact I think it is a good thing. But when that challenge also includes some dangerous misinformation, it can be a problem for other people reading it.

I stated that when loading a muzzle-loading firearm, you should never leave a gap between the powder charge and the ball or shot load. The nature of Black Powder is different to smokeless gunpowder, and the build up of pressure in the gap left between powder and ball, can cause the barrel to bulge or to fracture. Smokeless gunpowder of course should NEVER be used in a muzzle-loading gun under any circumstances.

So always seat the ball or shot load firmly on the powder charge without crushing the powder.

Black Powder Loading Manual By Sam Fadala.

The Lyman Black Powder Handbook.


1 comment:

Gorges Smythe said...

It's hard to protect idiots from themselves.