unloading with air or gas?

[tla9]

This is a new concept to me. So, how much compressed air pressure is needed to blow out your load? Will this work on a flint with touch hole in place?

What about Co2? Is there a specific device made for this purpose? (flintlock)

Thanks in advance.
Clayboy

 

[roundball]

This is a new concept to me. So, how much compressed air pressure is needed to blow out your load? Will this work on a flint with touch hole in place?

What about Co2? Is there a specific device made for this purpose? (flintlock)

Thanks in advance.
Clayboy

Yes, when you buy a CO2 discharger, you also specify/buy the adapters you need...caplock, Flintlock, etc. The adapter is designed to slide into the vent hole and seal it well enough for a quick blast to bloop out the load...they work great.

Got mine through Cabelas but caution against buying the CO2 cartridges that the manufacturer lists along with it as they charge about $5 each for them.
I bought a bulk box of 16 gram size (below) that brought the price down to a dollar something each.
http://www.gas-depot.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17

 

[2172]

agree with Roundball but would add that the CO2 devices are more effective with percussion guns than with flint...mainly because if you're ejecting a dry loaded ball, you've probably driven it down far enough to block the touch hole...if you've got a patent breech, that's not a problem. Another point is that the devices work a lot better if someone has not tried to remove the ball with a worm first...it appears that the worm expands the ball to an even tighter fit. I tell you this as the custodian of our club's device, and, I'm sorry to say, a user..Best,Hank

 

[Joel/Calgary]

Got mine through Cabelas but caution against buying the CO2 cartridges that the manufacturer lists along with it as they charge about $5 each for them.
I bought a bulk box of 16 gram size (below) that brought the price down to a dollar something each.
http://www.gas-depot.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=17

You can also get them at a (usually) reasonable price at bicycle shops that carry CO2 tire inflators. And sometimes those tire inflators will work for caplocks as-is - I got one that does musket-cap nipples and works with T-C flintlock adapters. Haven't tried it on anything that takes #11s yet.

Joel

 

[tla9]

Thanks for the replies, guys. I'll definately check it out because depending on when and where, unloading by firing isn't always preferred and it seems cleaning would be alot simpler then if the charge was fired to unload.

 

[Zonie]

A small thought about using an air compressor.

I've heard that some folks have had success with using them to blow a load out of their gun but most of them found that they had to remove the nipple of a percussion gun and apply the air pressure directly to the threaded hole the nipple screwed into.
Flintlock shooters had a little poorer luck unless they removed the vent liner.

I think the reason for this is an air compressor usually is set for about 100 PSI and getting that low of a pressure thru the small constriction of a nipple is difficult to do. Also, with an air pressure of 100 PSI, the maximum push on the rammed ball would be only 22.9 pounds for a .54 caliber and 15.90 pounds for a .45.

One of those little CO2 cartridges has about 800 PSI of pressure in it so it can blow a lot of gas thru small holes very rapidly.

 

[BrownBear]

One of those little CO2 cartridges has about 800 PSI of pressure in it so it can blow a lot of gas thru small holes very rapidly.

Does it ever! You had better be darned careful where you point the barrel when you apply the CO2, because that ball is going to come charging out the end with lots of enthusiasm.

Here's a side note to using any air source, including one of the CO2 dischargers. They leave behind a fair bit of powder. One of my hunting pards didn't realize that and popped a cap to make sure the nipple and flame channel were clear. They were, except for a fair bit of powder. Made quite a ruccus in his garage along with a bunch of smoke. His wife was not amuzed!!!! :cursing: