Western PA ML "issue"

[jhenry1728]

So, a couple of weeks ago I hit the range late in the day with my Dickert .50 flintlock. I loaded up a blank/ squib first to see how things were working. Flash in the pan. Primed again. Flash in the pan. Tried this several times with the same result. I pulled the paper and dumped out the powder. I checked the barrel and powder was still stuck in the bottom. I was starting to run late and headed home.

When I got home, I tried to figure out what happened. I ran the worm down to see what was going on with little result. I ran down the scraper and got the remaining powder out and proceeded to clean the bore. As I looked at the powder that came out, I noticed something odd.

This past summer, we have been swarmed by the brown marmorated stink bug. They are everywhere and it seems their sole reason for existence is to climb into your house and hide in any cozy area they can. As it turns out, one climbed in my barrel and was smooshed when I rammed the powder down.

Lesson being, if you are swarmed by stink bugs, check your barrel. I have since crafted a tompion to keep them at bay.

 

[Zonie]

Another lesson learned from your experience is:
Stink bugs will never replace real black powder as the Flintlock shooters choice. :grin:

 

[Flint311]

Another lesson learned from your experience is:
Stink bugs will never replace real black powder as the Flintlock shooters choice.

And one more lesson. REAL black powder smells MUCH better than a stink bug, no matter where it is! :rotf: :rotf:

 

[mykeal]

Everybody knows that you have to load a real black powder booster charge ahead of the main charge in a flintlock when using substitute stinkbugs.

 

[kelleyjk]

I would like to see some definitive test results regarding how velocity is effected using, "marmorated" stink bugs as opposed to your standard garden variety stink bugs...

that being said should I measure them by weight or by volume? :shocked2:

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Jim,

Maybe the World would be a nicer place if the Stink Bugs were coated with real black on one side?? :shocked2: .

They could come in two sizes, 30 and 50 grains :shake:

 

[mykeal]

Jim,

Maybe the World would be a nicer place if the Stink Bugs were coated with real black on one side?? :shocked2: .

They could come in two sizes, 30 and 50 grains :shake:

If you read the recent threads about Pyrodex in the Shooting Accessories subforum, they already do. :rotf: :hatsoff:

 

[Ft. Jefferson]

And, they would double as bluegill bait.

 

[Bill Hall]

Stink bugs contain potassium perchlorate, which can corrode your barrel. Real black powder is made from butterflies, which are too cute to contain any corrosives. I'd throw the stink bugs away and stick with the real thing. Bill

 

[jhenry1728]

I wish something would eat these things.

 

[Poor Private]

And on another note:
I always have a tompion in my barrel. I do civ war reenacting and we stack our long muskets in front of our tents, and other locations. I always insert my tompion in the barrel. This is for one very good reason. It only takes a second for a passing youngster to "accidently" drop some gravel, sand or dirt down the barrel. I sure wouldn't like my first shot at pepper the face or body of a feller on the opposing force, or to give my barrel a good sand blasting.

 

[Semisane]

As I understand it, when using stink bugs you need to load a firefly first to enhance ignition.

 

[squirrellluck]

How well do they work as a rust preventative? :shocked2:

 

[Zonie]

They don't work at all as a rust preventative.

Not only that but they leave a horrible 'crud ring' that is very hard to remove.

You guys think that regular black powder fouling is bad but wait until you see some with dozens of legs sticking out of it. :shocked2:

 

[mmahlock]

Ah shucks, you just need to get one these bore cleaners.

:rotf: