I do reenactment shooting and want to have the look/feel of a full powder charge without actually creating so much noise and stress in my gun. Old gunpowder was not as powerful as it is today, and 1600s powder charges were made to hold more than 200 grains. On top of that, my gun has a space between the breech face and the touch hole, so if I load less than 40 grains at the shooting range then the ball obstructs the touch hole and the gun can misfire. Given that, is there some type of low energy combustible powder that I can mix with blackpowder to make it weaker? (Hopefully without creating any horrible kind of residue/fouling)
Truly I am failing to fully understand here;
You want the "look and feel of authenticity" for "reenacting" but you have a "space between the breech face and touch hole that let's the BALL block the touch hole" with a charge less then 40g "at the Range"?
Does your reenactment group have a Safty Officer?
Are you firing blanks or live ball??
Most Safty Officers I know would not allow you to fire a faulty firearm...just saying, even for blanks.
You say that due to the faulty fitting of your firearm you are worried about using a full load of ammunition and causing "stress" to your faulty firearm....with a BALL??
I think you mentioned a Bandolier with pre measured charges, if I read correctly?
I assume wooden vessels? How would anyone know how much powder is in each one? Powder weighs nothing, a vessel filled with 40gr or 80gr would not 'feel' any different to the wearer...
Think about it; it may be a 'muzzleloader' but it is a Firearm. Do you value your fingers, your hands, your eyes, your face?
Might we ask what type of 'gun' you have? Handgun or rifle?
Can you post a photo of this 'space' that prevents you from loading a light load?
And; is this 'gun' being used for Blank shot reenacting or Live fire at a shooting 'range'?
With the information given my response would be: Do Not fire without first reparing it properly, if possible.
Firearms: Safty First, Always.