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  1. B

    "rolling artillery"

    Here is an article about the US Army's "Flying Artillery" at Palo Alto: https://www.warhistoryonline.com/history/palo-alto-mexican-american-war.html
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    Exploding .58 Minies ?

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    Exploding .58 Minies ?

    That may well be. I have certainly heard more than once that if you throw a cartridge (modern or black powder) in a fire, it will explode with little force and is of no danger. BUT — the quote I referenced about the exploding "musket shells" was from the official history of the regiment written...
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    BEWARE! I got ripped off

    A good procedure is — if you find what you THINK is a good source for percussion caps, powder; anything you need — save the site, back out and go research the vendor. A good way to start is; type in the name of the vendor, and then — type a comma and the word COMPLAINTS. If there is a problem...
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    Exploding .58 Minies ?

    As referenced by other members, in 1863 the Union Army issued what was called the "Gardiner Musket Shell" — a .58 minie bullet with an explosive charge inside. The idea was if fired over the heads of dug-in troops, it would explode over their heads and shower them with bullet fragments...
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    Wall hangers?

    I HAVE seen small bits of smoldering paper on the ground after shooting, but it burns right up in moments. It helps that we have mostly sand in front of the firing line. But if we were in the middle of a serious drought where I live, I WOULD be more concerned. I HAVE heard about treating the...
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    Wall hangers?

    The round ball is in one end of the paper cartridge. I have a single strand of cotton string tied at the base of the ball to separate it from the powder charge. I tear off the top of the cartridge and pour in the powder and then I upend the cartridge and insert it ball first into the muzzle and...
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    Wall hangers?

    Model 1777 Charleville. I most often use paper cartridges = FFg powder and ball. I carry a small horn for priming — FFFg powder.
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    Which story is most movie worthy?

    I believe a MUCH MORE accurate account is "Man In The Wilderness", which was released in 1972. Same tale, without the fake bear and silly plot line of "The Revenant". https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067388/
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    Which story is most movie worthy?

    Gentleman Ranker, by John Jennings. The book was published in the 1940s. It is long out of print and somewhat dated in its style, but still very readable and available from book sellers who offer old books. Subject matter is Braddock's defeat early in the French and Indian War on the...
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    New guy question...loading method.

    I am sure we all noticed that in the video, Mike Belaveau (correct spelling?) primed the pan of his Charleville BEFORE loading the main charge in the barrel. We all KNOW that practice could get us thrown out of many shooting ranges. We also all know that it is the method used by soldiers in...
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    priming the pan

    A smaller amount does just fine — I put just enough to cover the bottom of the pan. More powder than needed just makes a bigger flash. AND I have noticed, once or twice when I did that, I got hit on the cheek with a hot grain of powder — no injury, but I would not want it in my eye. One more...
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    Danger of rapid firing?

    Soldiers Back in The Day did many things that we would never do — like priming the pan BEFORE pouring the rest of the powder down the bore — AND pouring the powder from a horn. I have seen videos showing the rapid fire technique of priming FIRST and then pouring powder down a hot bore and...
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    Minnie Ball Stuck 1861 Springfield

    Winters: I agree with the above advice! I have successfully pulled three or four .69 cal round balls out of my Charleville using a bullet puller. I know a smoothbore is different from a rifle, but still — ? I would not worry about getting the bullet puller stuck as long as you are using one...
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    Anyone ever experienced burning embers in your barrel after a shot?

    I DO blow down the barrel of my Charleville after each shot and watch for smoke to come out of the vent. Smoke always comes out the first two times, and sometimes even the third. I blow again a fourth time to verify there is NO MORE smoke. My logic is — (good or bad) that if there is no smoke...
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    Argument Time

    After closing the frizzen, I usually turn the musket to the side (lock side up) to move the priming powder closer to the vent. The pan is no more than half full. Nothing scientific, I just do it because it seems like a good idea ... sparks and fires good, too.
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    Burning Embers

    I ABSOLUTELY agree. I would NEVER do bump firing ... NEVER EVER. I like my face and head way too much. But I do think it shows that cook-offs are not all that likely. It may also make a difference when the paper cartridges are not loaded. It may result in less chance of embers left in the bore?
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    Burning Embers

    OK — My Bad... NOT Baker Rifles, they were Tower muskets. AND — NOT 5 rounds in two minutes but 6.
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    Burning Embers

    Many of us may have seen this old video. But for those who have not — it demonstrates a method of loading and shooting that was shown on the Sharpe's Rifles tv series years ago. Some re-enactors who do Napoleonic War era demonstrations prove it is possible to fire multiple rounds from (I think...
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    Burning Embers

    I shoot paper cartridges with my 1777 Charleville. I too blow down the barrel after each shot. Generally I blow 4 times; the first time, smoke comes out of the vent. Second time — less smoke comes out. Third time; no smoke. Fourth time; blow again just to be sure. Then I usually pick the vent...
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