The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Using a powder charge below published data on a machine gun

oldpapps · July 11, 2013, 10:54 AM

I don't have a 'full auto'.
I do have classic and vintage (some very vintage) weapons.

My (useless and very opinionated) view is that I want to be able to shoot that old beast for a long time. To do this, I specially load soft wimp loads that are far from being taxing on the weapon. Example: Marlin .38S&W, 5 shot top break revolver. This is an 1880's black powder weapon. I won't even fire factory .38S&W stuff. Is this weapon anything more than a curiosity? A very light loading of 231 under a lead 9MM 124 grain bullet (don't look for accuracy with a bullet that is .005 undersize). This is an extreme, but you get the idea.

I agree that for 'just play time' shooting, lightened loads that function the action would be in order.

I also don't think that a listed 'Maximum load' is a challenge.

Load with care and enjoy,

OSOK

July 11, 2013, 10:54 AM	#8
oldpapps Senior Member Join Date: September 22, 2011 Location: Middle America Posts: 518	I don't have a 'full auto'. I do have classic and vintage (some very vintage) weapons. My (useless and very opinionated) view is that I want to be able to shoot that old beast for a long time. To do this, I specially load soft wimp loads that are far from being taxing on the weapon. Example: Marlin .38S&W, 5 shot top break revolver. This is an 1880's black powder weapon. I won't even fire factory .38S&W stuff. Is this weapon anything more than a curiosity? A very light loading of 231 under a lead 9MM 124 grain bullet (don't look for accuracy with a bullet that is .005 undersize). This is an extreme, but you get the idea. I agree that for 'just play time' shooting, lightened loads that function the action would be in order. I also don't think that a listed 'Maximum load' is a challenge. Load with care and enjoy, OSOK