info for a BP demo

[alton russell]

Hello
I am doing a demo on BP and the difference in ammo...... "then and now".
I can not shoot a RB, but will be able to load and fire.
what do I use??? do I just load with a patch and fire??? will it damage my rifle in ay way??? what load should I use???
this is for a small number of 7-to 13 year old boys and girls.
Thanks
Grits

 

[Jac Spring]

I would suggest doing what the re-enactors do - they load a lite charge and then follow with some waded up paper like toilette paper - just a small wad of it to impede the charge so that it creates a little pressure.

4H?

 

[alton russell]

do I still use a patch???
Grits

 

[Leon/Iowa]

No patch needed. Just a light load of powder and some paper wadding over it.

 

[alton russell]

thanks, good info
Grits

 

[Zonie]

If you use paper, be sure and note where it lands.
It will probably be on fire and I doubt that showing the kids how to burn the place down is part of the agenda. :rotf:
zonie

 

[TANSTAAFL]

We used to do parade loads and such. Full charge of BP, oily wadding over powder, followed by H2o wetted wadding, made for a big bang, and a nice flash at night.

 

[J.D.]

Where will this demonstration take place?

If there are any buildings, or the possibility that a wad might hit a nearby spectator, use only powder and fire at an elevated angle.

I have never participated in a reenactment that allowed a wad of any kind to be loaded over a powder charge, BTW.

BP will ignite without being compressed by a projectile. The only downside, other than heavy fouling, is you will get a loud whoof instead of a nice boom.

If you want more boom, use more powder. If you want to simulate loading a live round, you can use a tightly rolled "ball" of tissue paper loaded with a patch, as one would load a round ball.

Try several loads in advance, with and without a wad.

And just for safetys sake, try shooting at a piece of cardboard or cereal box at varying ranges with the tissue paper "ball" to see how far away the "ball" will impact the target, and what effect that impact will make.

One last suggestion, use real blackpowder. The subs just don't work all that well for blank loads.
J.D.

 

[shmrck1]

grits,
Seeing your bio, using some tissue won't be an issue :rotf:. Seriously just wanted to say thanks
for your work with the kids :hatsoff: .Hope to have the time myself one of these days. It must be very rewarding.
snake-eyes:thumbsup:

 

[Ridge]

You won't need anything over the powder. Don't even need to pack it down.

The only problem is that it's going to have a hollow sound when you touch it off. A paper wadding over the powder will give it more of a "boom" than the "gong" you will hear without it.

 

[ian45662]

Would you be able to just load the powder and then pull out a patch and fake ball and pretend to put it in the muzzle then ram nothing down the barrel untill the ramrod hits the powder and just tap the powder a few times with the rod then just replace the ramrod and fire? Also Maybe shooting a finer powder like 4f would make it a little louder.

 

[JWP]

Read over JD's post again and follow it. :thumbsup: If your using a flintlock - make sure no one is standing where they could get hit by any flint or sparks. :nono:

 

[Bill Hall]

I like toilet paper for blanks since I've never seen it burn or even smolder. It just turns into confetti. Any cloth wadding will smolder.

 

[CrackStock]

I have packed the powder to get a bit better bang, but be very sure that you take your rod out before firing. We rarely use a wad for demos.

Your load would depend upon your caliber which you did not mention.

Blanks should not hurt anything if you clean carefully after.

As always, point in safe direction and as has been mentioned, any wad used can smoulder. be careful to stomp it out.

Have them open mouths and cover ears before firing.

Have a great time making smoke and thunder.

CS