4th of July black powder bang without a projectile >>>

[Mad L]

I have fired many a blanks for 'shows/reenactments', pistol, blunderbuss, rifles, swivel guns, and cannons.

**First: make it is legal where you plan to shoot, obtain any required permits if necessary.

You can just pour powder down and fire or if you want a louder bang use some form of Non Flamable wadding: styrofoam egg carton works well and even better is a wad of that green foam used in plastic plant pots (get it at most pottery shops, Joeann, or Michaels).

You can double up on your standard load for more smoke and louder BOOM as your not loading any lead.

Be Advised! Even if you shoot just powder there Will Be hot embers flying - DO NOT POINT AT ANYONE
DI NOT SHOOT INTO DRY BRUSH
HAVE WATER AND EXTINGUISHER ON HAND

In mock battles there are rules as to how close you can shoot 'blanks' with someone in front of you - "Its all fun and games until someone puts an eye out"

And Never let your firearm out of your sight or let another load it for you - accident do and Have happened.

 

[William O.]

How would you load a blank just to make a few celebration bangs?

I used to help with a local town's pioneer days and brought a couple of my muzzleloaders with me so that the kids could touch off a shot. Great photo op too, parents loved it.
20 grains of Goex with a bit of ticking to keep it from coming out makes for a loud and smokey display. Be sure to swab the bore every five or six shots as powder fouling builds up quickly. Always load following safe procedures as the possibility of having a glowing cinder after a blank load is even higher. Have fun!

 

[toot]

Unused, I hope !

ah, S$$T! that is why my charge sounded weak?

 

[Acorn Mush]

In Deadwood, S.D. a few years back I talked to a fellow who was part of a gunfight re-enactment group, about the blank loads used in their revolvers. He loaded 20 grains of 3fg and then filled the rest of the chamber with cornmeal. The rammer was then used to tightly compress the cornmeal. More meal could then be added if desired. I watched their "fight" and was impressed at the realistic-sounding reports.

 

[vintovka]

When I lived in Commiefornia i specifically used strips of the Sacramento bee newspaper in my Harpers Ferry. Always over green grass or pavement for safety. Nice bang and fun to watch that lying rag get blown into confetti. My sis down in LA said folks are setting off "illegal" fireworks by the ton in direct violation and open defiance of their Governors strict orders on fireworks and noise. Not real smart as its bone dry and very hot right now and cops cannot control the population. She says large fireworks and bottle rockets are predominant. Odds are it will be the beginning of a massive fire season and gun owners may get the blame. (I have copied these comments and posted on all other related forums)

 

[Mad L]

With more holidays always ahead:
Using newspaper, magazine, or other flamable material as wadding for blanks is never a good idea. Even if one is believes they are being safe, and may well be, there is that chance of an ember getting away.
Should a fire get started and traced back to a Muzzleloader - we All get the blame.
Perhaps if you are on private land then you can use the "Its my property, my business" well okay. But if not doing so in your own home then please be a responsible gun owner and dont take any chances that would not be allowed at a legal display, range, or public land.

We always stress 'Safty' when firing at the range or hunting, that same mindset should always be used.
Styrofoam egg cartons, floral foam, oatmeal packs are generally safe alternatives then watching burning embers fly.

"Its all fun and games until someone puts an eye out...or starts a fire"

 

[Griz44Mag]

With more holidays always ahead:
Using newspaper, magazine, or other flamable material as wadding for blanks is never a good idea. Even if one is believes they are being safe, and may well be, there is that chance of an ember getting away.
Should a fire get started and traced back to a Muzzleloader - we All get the blame.
Perhaps if you are on private land then you can use the "Its my property, my business" well okay. But if not doing so in your own home then please be a responsible gun owner and dont take any chances that would not be allowed at a legal display, range, or public land.

We always stress 'Safty' when firing at the range or hunting, that same mindset should always be used.
Styrofoam egg cartons, floral foam, oatmeal packs are generally safe alternatives then watching burning embers fly.

"Its all fun and games until someone puts an eye out...or starts a fire"

yes mother hen.... We got it - the first time.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Last night it was the 75 cal Hakenbusche - up to 200 grains 2F and a fiver overpowder wad.
What a hoot - and a report that echoed through our small town.....

https://photos.app.goo.gl/xY1FjCgznN7LDLC97

No - I know it's not a flintlock - it doesn't have a lock - I use a short piece of cannon fuse....

 

[vintovka]

I wonder how many tons of "blank" BP were expended in LA last night?