Loadind data needed

[Hilliard]

Hi Folks,

I am new here.
I have a little strange question, although I am not new to muzzleloading.
Today I bougt A Silas Day patent gun. Seemingly unfired. I would like to shoot it a couple of times.
For those who do not know the type. It is a percussion gun with loose chambers that can be inserted from the rear.
It has a removable smooth and rifled barrel and different chanbers/"cartriges"for both barrels.
Chamber for the rifled barrel is about .410. I would like to know what amount of black powder is recomended for such a ball.

Tanks in advance,

Fred

 

[Phil Coffins]

Pictures are required!

 

[Hilliard]

Her is a picture

 

[deermanok]

Don't know anything about that gun. I'd say to start off light on the powder charge. 20 or 30 grains.

 

[Hilliard]

Is there a genatal rule? Grains vs calibre

 

[bang]

Is there a genatal rule? Grains vs calibre

One is same grain as caliber. Another pour powder on ball in palm till covered. IMO by caliber better starting point.

 

[mooman76]

Not a rule, more like a guideline that some go by. 1 grain per caliber and half that for pistols and small caliber rifles.

 

[Grenadier1758]

What's the size of the chamber? How much powder can the chamber hold? I wouldn't necessarily use that much powder as that would be a maximum load of black powder only. A grain of powder per caliber and a wad to fill the chamber would seem a reasonable starting point.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Your detachable chamber governs the powder charge. I would loosely fill it with 2FG then measure that to see what it was made for . That would be the correct charge if the gun is in as good a shape as it appears.

 

[Hilliard]

Chamber holds 40 grains maximum. Than there is no place to put the ball in, So I think 35 will be the max. Gun is in mint condition. Although it is made prior to the Civil War it seems to be unfired. So I want to be extra carefull not to damage it in any way.
Then the next question. Loading the chambers with a patched ball makes no sense because the patch will be stripped from the ball when it enters the barrel. Putting a patch the other way around the ball is difficult and I expext it might harm the ballistics when patch remains stuck on the ball in flight. Any ideas?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Just speculating. You would likely load the lubricated bullet in the barrel, then the loaded chamber.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Yes, no patch just a correct size ball or bullet.

 

[Hilliard]

Went out to the range this evening after buying balls just a litlle smaller than I intended.
(right size not available nor a mould for it) It shot fine, with maximum the chambers could hold.
Thanks for the input to all

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Went out to the range this evening after buying balls just a litlle smaller than I intended.
(right size not available nor a mould for it) It shot fine, with maximum the chambers could hold.
Thanks for the input to all

That is a different black powder rifle to say the least. Very neat indeed! Thanks for sharing. Any chance we can hear what it set you back?
Larry