Shooting blanks

[AdirondakDD]

What do you put on top of the powder when shooting a blank load?

 

[robinghewitt]

If you are shooting at people in a re-enactment then probably nothing, maybe not even a ramrod.

If you're shooting a cannon then grass clippings can give excellent recoil without damaging anything in front.

:results:

 

[AdirondakDD]

At a shoot this weekend a Memorial Salut was given with loaded weapons. I was wondering what reenactors use. What keeps the powder in?

 

[frenchfusil]

When where reenacting we use only powder, If I'm loading slowly I'll pour the powder down then slap the musket near the breech to settle the powder (makes more noise) Keeping the powder in isn't to much of a problem just keep the muzzle up (you really should be keeping it up any way to control muzzle direction). I have carried loose powder in my musket for 3 hours and had no problem spilling it. I have also heard and I have no info to back this up that the heavy fowling you get in a smoothbore helps the powder to stick
Hope this helps

Tristyn J Cramer
A.K.A. Red Leggins
Guerre Abenakis

 

With a blank ctg., the paper from the ctg. will be on top of the powder and hold it there, no mater what the elevation of the muzzle. As well, it will blow to many pieces at the muzzle, and not project beyond a few feet, in shreds. I would recommend no heavy folds as some I've seen. Loose powder would be the safest for anyone n front of the muzzle.

 

[musketman]

With a blank ctg., the paper from the ctg. will be on top of the powder and hold it there, no mater what the elevation of the muzzle.

Here is the paper blank cartridge assembly...

 

[2172]

From time-to-time, the French Broad Rifles get invited to march in a "welcome Santa Claus" parade...we're usually asked to fire a salute in front of the reviewing stand...we've gotten in the habit of topping off the powder with a small wad of napkin....holds the powder in, doesn't lend itself to being a projectile...Hank

 

[musketman]

Why not just use a single over-shot card on top of the loose powder?

Less paper to catch on fire...

 

[roundball]

Might be fun to use some over powder wads as firewalls, then a few inches of confetti, then an OS card

 

[musketman]

Might be fun to use some over powder wads as firewalls, then a few inches of confetti, then an OS card

Replace confetti with bottle rocket and watch the crowd scurry like roaches in the light... :crackup:

 

[wulf]

The main problem with using any wads, paper cartridges, napkins, etc etc is that a ramrod is used to seat the wadding...the risk of someone leaving the ramrod down the bore is cause for concern...A women got shot through the arm all the way across a renaissance ron d voo...I think there have been other occurrences as well. The powder will pretty much fall to the breech by itself...But most rules say.."No ramrods!" Hope this helps.....Wulf :nono:

 

[musketman]

But most rules say.."No ramrods!" Hope this helps.....Wulf :nono:

I seen that rule before, and the reason you stated is a major concern...

If you are alowed to load before a parade, then an over-shot card could be used, any following loads should be loose powder only...

Of corse, this also gives the false message that ramrods are not needed to the general non-muzzleloader shooting public...

 

[AdirondakDD]

Thanks for all the answers. I can use a OP wad if shooting a salute into the berm but a powder only when people are near.

 

[Wes/Tex]

If you have a nice large bore to work with and nice parade with tall buildings on either side to echo the noise, I can recommend a bit of news paper well pushed down on the powder charge and a big old fist-full of pink Easterbasket grass! Absolutely beautious!! Posilutely rackity!!! Scares the beau-diddley out of the Air Force marching team immediately ahead of you for good measure. You will, however, have your musket named "Tea Cup" since it's rumored you used one for a powder measure and you will be sent to the end of all future parades with the women, children and fife players!!!! :blah:

 

[2172]

Nothing scientific...we'd just eaten lunch before the parade, and had a couple of paper napkins handy...I agree that the ramrod being left in is a hazard...we have at least one member who has fired away two of them at woodswalks...since we load before forming up for the parade, the chance that a left-in ramrod will go unnoticed is slim...too, we shoot up into the air...a hazard to pigeons mostly, and anyone unluckily to be under a forgotten ramrod when it comes down...Hank