Genuine query here.

[SAJones]

Well, settles that queston. I've been shooting BP revolvers since '74, & never had, saw, or heard of a modern one blowing up when properly loaded.

However, as a bit of history, many of the Walkers turned in at the end of the Mexican War suffered cylinder and rear barrel damage when fired.("The Colt Whitneyville-Walker Pistol" by LCol R D Whittington.) The cause suspected was loading the conical ball in nose first, since many of the Rangers who received these pistols had never used such new-fangled bullets & guns before. Only thing I can think off is the ball canted somehow & "jammed" between the barrel's forcing cone & cylinder. The list included a lot of other problems, like the muzzle bursting :shocked2: !??. It was given as a reason why the barrels were shortened in the field, but I think it was a bit of Ranger shade tree gunsmithing.

 

[JJB22]

As a bit of a side note, I was talking to a fellow that said he shoots lots of competitions with his buffalo blackpowder rifles and he said he uses 3 or 4 grains of bullseye to get the main charge "started". I asked him what was wrong with blackpowder and he replied nothing, I just do this because I always have- while giving one of those manure-eating grins. :shake:

 

[SAJones]

yeah, I recall decades ago when some folks would put a few grains of smokeless in first so the BP would "burn cleaner". That myth got busted long time ago, & haven't heard of anyone doing it anymore. I have no problems w/ my .45-70 BP loads using regular rifle primers. Actually, BP will ignite easier that some smokeless, so this guy is just asking fer trouble fer no gain.

 

[Zonie]

JJB22
I don't doubt that he said it and, maybe he does and maybe he doesn't.

Over the years, I've met some people who get a "kick" out of "pulling folks legs" and they sometimes come up with manure like that.

The sad part is they don't give a damn if someone gets hurt by trying their "little joke".

Anyway, I'm glad a site like the Muzzleloading Forum exists because it gives us a chance to educate the newcomers who might otherwise believe that using smokeless powder in any form is somehow "safe" in a muzzleloader because of idiots like your acquaintance.