Barrel Volume and Black Powder

[paulvallandigham]

At least you see the humor of using this in deciding on any load. You certainly don't have to shoot all that powder, and you can find lighter loads that are very accurate, as well.

I am reminded of the older shooter my brother met at his club range. The man was the only other shooter shooting a BP rifle other than my brother, so he walked down to introduce himself. The guy was firing off-hand at a 25 yd. target, and one glance told my brother the man was an excellent shot. But, the sound of the load being fired was very weak.

He asked the man, after introductions, what load he was using. The gun was a .50 caliber, and he said he was using 27.5 grains of FFFg powder with a PRB. My brother suggested that such a load was rather light. He responded, " All you have to do to score is get the ball through the paper target, you know!" My brother smiled and then laughed. The man told him he had sighted his gun to be zeroed at 100 yards. Since the open sights were fixed, he didn't want to have to change them to shoot a shorter distances, and he didn't want to use a different sight picture. So, he worked down his powder charge so that his POA at 75, 50, and 25 yds was the same as he used on his 100 yd. targets, and the POI was be in the center of the bullseye, at each of the shorter distances. He had a business size card taped to the buttstock showing the powder charge to be used at each of the 4 distances. He siad when hunting small game, he generally used the 50 yd. load, unless it was squirrels, where he used that 25 yard load. For coyotes, and Deer, he used his 100 yd. load. The 75 yd load was only used at the club range when they fired targets at the 4 distances.

I have yet tried that 27.5 grain charge in my .50, but its on my list of things to do just for kicks and grins.

I have a .62 Smoothrifle which could shoot 111.10 grains. I have no intention of ever loading that much powder in the gun. I am shooting 70 grains of FFg right now, with a PRB, and I may go up to 80 grains to see if I can tighten those 50 yd. groups any, by doing so. I get enough push from those large balls now, at 70 grains, and won't use the heavier charge unless I see a clear benefit to do so.

 

[bingo1952]

I do the same thing to bring my .54 on target at 50 yards from the 100 yard zero. I shoot 85 grains at 100 and 50 grains puts me on target at 50 yards. :hmm: I wonder if 25 grains would do for 25 yards. It does seem to be linear so far. :wink: Probably not though but I am going to give it a go. :grin:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I shoot a flintlock, so I am expecting to need just a bit more powder. I always expect to lose about 10% of velocity compared to shooting a percussion rifle in the same caliber. In fact, my rifle began life as a percussion gun, and I converted it after doing all the work needed to zero the gun. I found that loss of velocity when I did the conversion. But, all flintlocks lose some gas out the vent hole, and depending on its size, the bore diameter, and barrel length, some additional powder is needed to produce the same velocities that you would otherwise get if the gun is a percussion ignition firearm.

And, of course, velocity dictates point of impact( POI) on targets at various ranges. The one thing I have found that improves the efficiency of my flintlock and improving velocity without adding more powder is the used of Walter's Fiber Wads as an OP wad. Its clear that the wad adds mass, increases chamber pressure, and causes more complete burning of the granules. Increased velocity is the result.

 

[longcruise]

Most rifles in the .40 to .58 cal range will put a ball pretty much dead center at 25 yards with the same load that is dead on at 100. Small variations for sight height, etc. but pretty close. OTOH, a reduced charge will do about the same thing at 25 yards so may as well save powder and shoulder!

 

[Darkfold]

Laufer: I've never experienced what I'd call uncomfortable, let along painful, recoil. Is there something wrong with me? :wink:

Poor Private: No, we can't ask Curt! Getting a definitive, expert opinion from someone with his kind of even-tempered style would take all the fun out it! :grin:

Well, looks like I'm not getting the little short-barreled Zouave carbine after all. I have to find a source that will take a credit card and doesn't think Paypal is a snare and a trap of the devil.