Suggested blank loads...?

[Stormbringer]

I have a British Tower & GR Cypher-stamped Sea Service Flintlock Pistol in .69 cal. Replica of course.
I was wondering what a good grain charge would be to get a good "BOOM". We intend to use flintlocks as props at a pirate event we host every year.
Any advice will be welcomed. :grin:

 

[necchi]

The "Boom" I've found comes more from how it's packed than the charge.
Parade charges I've made are only 20-30grns but I pack a spit dampened patch of TP or paper towel over it and pack it hard.
This does of course create a "projectile" of shredded paper, if it's very dry the paper can be burning, thus the spit dampened part.

If there's little or no packing/wadding it just gose "foof", you get smoke but not much noise.
Ya gotta experiment, but it doesn't take large charges to suprise/entertain a crowd.

 

[Zonie]

Like necchi says, something has to be plugging up the barrel for enough pressure to build up to make a good BOOM.

Soft paper wads made up from toilet paper or paper towels will work but they must not be soaking wet.

If they are, the wetness can "kill" the powder load or, worse, they can become something that can cause real harm to anything they hit.

They will be traveling almost 700 miles an hour when they leave the muzzle so they must be very light weight so they will loose their energy rapidly. Soft, light weight wads of paper will. Soaked wads of paper won't.

 

[Poor Private]

what we do with wheel guns for civil war reenacting, is use cream of wheat, or oatmeal. When fired it just comes out as part of the smoke cloud. I here some guys use florists foam.

 

[mjulihn]

what we do with wheel guns for civil war reenacting, is use cream of wheat, or oatmeal. When fired it just comes out as part of the smoke cloud. I here some guys use florists foam.

This sounds much safer than the wet paper suggested above. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

For a boom in a revolver I use well-lubed wonder-wads stacked one on top of the other. I pour powder (45 grains in a 3rd model Dragoon), then insert a over-lubed wonder-wad, then compress the charge with the rammer, then insert a second wonder-wad and compress it again. It's the compression that makes the boom!

DO NOT point the gun at anyone or anything that doesn't like noise or sparks.

Be careful and have fun!

Dave

 

[Poor Private]

For a boom in a revolver I use well-lubed wonder-wads stacked one on top of the other. I pour powder (45 grains in a 3rd model Dragoon), then insert a over-lubed wonder-wad, then compress the charge with the rammer, then insert a second wonder-wad and compress it again. It's the compression that makes the boom!

DO NOT point the gun at anyone or anything that doesn't like noise or sparks.

Be careful and have fun!

Dave

If your in your back yard or at a friends house and just using to make noise that may be fine. But if your trying to use them at a reenactment they are strongly frowned upon. They are considered a projectile at most events. This is because they don't disintegrate upon firing. Also you will have to use several stacked up on each other after using the proper powder charge since 1 won't compress enough on the powder (anyway with a wheel gun). Thats why we use oatmeal or COW you can put alot in the chambers without any harm.
But just have fun and be careful is the name of the game.
Cris

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

For regulated events, paper wadding is the way to go, agreed.

I like the by-hand overlubed wonder-wads because it keeps the fouling soft and makes for an easier clean-up.

In any case, always point gun in SAFE DIRECTION!

Have a great day!

Dave

 

[Stormbringer]

Thanx for everyones input. I'm gonna start with 20-25 gn. with a toilet tissue wad and see how it goes. Prolly fire it over the swimming pool just in case! :wink:

 

[bobthemotorcycle]

When my dad was in The World Fast Draw Association they had a class called blanks and they shot baloons.

I recall he filled his case with black powder then used a piece of paper to top it of and then used nail polish to keep it together.

I dont know if that works in a C&B but thats how they did it.

 

[nilo52]

There is a thread on this. It is about a year old or a little less. :v
nilo52