Can anyone tell me what the recommended loads (relative to normal ball loads) and techniques are for firing "blanks"?
I help shoot several professional fireworks shows each year, and know from experience that it takes a lot more powder to fire a loose-fitting shell than a tight-fitting projectile because of the blow-by and resulting drop in pressure. In fact, firing the same load of black powder with *no* shell in the mortar results in a "pfft" rather than a "bang". I wondered to what extent that applied to shooting without the confinement supplied by a ball.
Specifically, I've got an Uberti 1858 Remington replica and an Uberti 1847 Walker replica and was wondering if I should use the same loads as with ball, and secondly whether Wonder Wads would still work to seal the chambers adequately.
What do the reenactors out there use?
Thanks!
I help shoot several professional fireworks shows each year, and know from experience that it takes a lot more powder to fire a loose-fitting shell than a tight-fitting projectile because of the blow-by and resulting drop in pressure. In fact, firing the same load of black powder with *no* shell in the mortar results in a "pfft" rather than a "bang". I wondered to what extent that applied to shooting without the confinement supplied by a ball.
Specifically, I've got an Uberti 1858 Remington replica and an Uberti 1847 Walker replica and was wondering if I should use the same loads as with ball, and secondly whether Wonder Wads would still work to seal the chambers adequately.
What do the reenactors out there use?
Thanks!