Glass projectiles

swopjan · September 3, 2012, 10:17 PM

Someone on another forum mentioned a guy who used to use glass marbles in a smoothbore musket ~~at N-SSA shoots~~. Has anyone tried this? I'd be interested in seeing load and accuracy data, as well as any problems you may have experienced.

GNLaFrance · September 3, 2012, 10:39 PM

If that someone on another forum tells you something else like that, tell him, "Pull the other one, it has bells on."

Go to the site and check the rules - Section 17, Small Arms Ammunition: Ammunition shall consist of a lead or lead alloy projectile...

http://www.n-ssa.org/NATIONAL/RULES/Rules081307.pdf

swopjan · September 3, 2012, 10:57 PM

Whoops, my mistake. You're right, I imagined the N-SSA part. Still, any luck shooting marbles guys? I imagine they'd be about as accurate as a lead PRB in a rifle, although with less range and power so just plinking ammo.

mykeal · September 4, 2012, 05:59 AM

Of the many factors that affect ballistic flight, weight of the projectile is one of the most important. That's the reason people specify projectile weight when publishing the loads they use. And that's the reason your glass marbles will not work as projectiles in a black powder gun.

bedbugbilly · September 4, 2012, 08:57 AM

The only problem I see is that you could only use "cat eyes" on moutain lions and bobcats. Maybe "steelies" for armor piercing only?

I can't see why anyone would want to even try this? But, as Forrest Gump's Mama always said . . . "Stupid is as stupid does".

Hawg · September 4, 2012, 12:27 PM

I believe it was Roundball over on the muzzle loading forum that was doing it. It's been a few years but you may can go there and do a search on it and find it.

September 3, 2012, 10:17 PM	#1
swopjan Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2011 Posts: 156	Glass projectiles Someone on another forum mentioned a guy who used to use glass marbles in a smoothbore musket ~~at N-SSA shoots~~. Has anyone tried this? I'd be interested in seeing load and accuracy data, as well as any problems you may have experienced. Last edited by swopjan; September 3, 2012 at 10:58 PM.

September 3, 2012, 10:39 PM	#2
GNLaFrance Member Join Date: June 29, 2008 Location: Near Baltimore, the Soviet Socialist Democratic People's Republic of Maryland Posts: 81	If that someone on another forum tells you something else like that, tell him, "Pull the other one, it has bells on." Go to the site and check the rules - *Section 17, Small Arms Ammunition: Ammunition shall consist of a lead or lead alloy projectile...* http://www.n-ssa.org/NATIONAL/RULES/Rules081307.pdf __________________ Guy N. LaFrance Collector of Curios & Relics, Maryland Designated Collector Maryland Shall Issue, GOA, NRA, SAF, JPFO Grand Army of the Frontier, National Congress of Old West Shootists

September 4, 2012, 08:57 AM	#5
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	The only problem I see is that you could only use "cat eyes" on moutain lions and bobcats. Maybe "steelies" for armor piercing only? I can't see why anyone would want to even try this? But, as Forrest Gump's Mama always said . . . "Stupid is as stupid does". __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

September 3, 2012, 10:57 PM	#3
swopjan Senior Member Join Date: August 12, 2011 Posts: 156	Whoops, my mistake. You're right, I imagined the N-SSA part. Still, any luck shooting marbles guys? I imagine they'd be about as accurate as a lead PRB in a rifle, although with less range and power so just plinking ammo.

September 4, 2012, 05:59 AM	#4
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Of the many factors that affect ballistic flight, weight of the projectile is one of the most important. That's the reason people specify projectile weight when publishing the loads they use. And that's the reason your glass marbles will not work as projectiles in a black powder gun.

September 4, 2012, 12:27 PM	#6
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,190	I believe it was Roundball over on the muzzle loading forum that was doing it. It's been a few years but you may can go there and do a search on it and find it.