October 29, 2011, 03:59 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: October 25, 2011
Posts: 6
|
A Load Without a Ball?
Is there any harm done by firing low power loads (15 grains or so) without a ball in my new Pietta Model 1858 New Army? I just want to make some noise and smoke without having to worry about projectiles (other than the wad). Anything I should be aware of?
Thanks Jim |
October 29, 2011, 04:32 AM | #2 |
Junior member
Join Date: August 8, 2009
Posts: 374
|
Just point it in a safe direction and have fun making smoke!
|
October 29, 2011, 08:10 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 25, 2010
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 3,309
|
No harm, just dirty.
|
October 29, 2011, 08:15 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 20, 2008
Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX
Posts: 2,603
|
Re-enactors load powder only all the time with no ill effects. I think they are required to use cornmeal plugs instead of wads for safety. A cornmeal plug disintegrates into dust.
Even with no wad, a blank load can injure at close range. One of my favorite methods for killing wasp nests is to shoot them with a 12 gauge at point blank range using 80 grains of FFFg. It doesn't just kill the wasps, the nest just completely disappears. |
October 29, 2011, 11:03 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 14, 2008
Location: Stuart, VA
Posts: 2,473
|
There's no harm. More powder gives more fire though (fun at night). You still have to compress the powder with a wad of some kind, or you'll get no boom.
__________________
Liberty and freedom often offends those who understand neither. |
October 29, 2011, 11:39 AM | #6 |
Member in memoriam
Join Date: April 9, 2009
Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in
Posts: 3,144
|
I take toilet paper, fold it and roll it into a bullet sized plug. It disintegrates right after leaving the barrel, we have used this as a prop gun in plays and the flash/smoke and bang are impressive from a stage inside a theater.
__________________
Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster-- |
October 29, 2011, 06:09 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 16, 2007
Posts: 712
|
robhof
I've killed mice at close range; 4' to 6' with 15gr and corn meal. Great for shed use, when you don't want to add ventillation to the walls.
|
October 29, 2011, 06:35 PM | #8 |
Staff
Join Date: November 2, 1998
Location: Colorado
Posts: 21,833
|
No harm at all. That's how reenactors do it.
__________________
Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. Molon Labe! |
October 31, 2011, 02:19 PM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 25, 2009
Posts: 643
|
Use cornstarch compressed with the on board rammer over powder. Fill the chamber full and compress. Turns to dust instantly.
|
November 1, 2011, 09:50 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 19, 2009
Posts: 3,287
|
As stated - no harm but you will have "foul" . . . ooops . . i meant fouling. Just a note though on the use of something to coverr the powder. Cornmeal "plugs" will turn to dust - if you use a felt wad, just remember that at close range, that wad is a "projectile". When I was active in reenacting years ago, they were banned and I believe they still are. The same way as ramrods were to remain in camp and not be on the field - if some "ninny" were to leave it in his barrel and shoot - that too would be a "projectile". It's just common sense. Have fun and enjoy!
__________________
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 |
November 2, 2011, 09:29 AM | #11 |
Member
Join Date: February 27, 2011
Posts: 47
|
That kinda makes me wander how many people were shot with a ramrod during a quick reload during the civil war.
|
November 2, 2011, 03:09 PM | #12 |
Member
Join Date: August 28, 2009
Location: NorthWest Indiana
Posts: 47
|
Superdave
I reenacted Civil War for many years, at one event they had a live shoot, the group I was with were firing at a plank we were supposed to cut in half. The guy next to me kept saying "where is my ramrod?" Sure enough after the session was over we found his ramrod down range and twisted uo like a bow tie. I remember we had a good laugh at that one. oilcan72 |
November 2, 2011, 09:17 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 13, 2005
Posts: 4,700
|
At the Civil War reenactment at Monmouth Battlefield in 1991 a Union drummer boy had his drum pierced by a tompion. When I did CW reenacting those who carried a revolver usually sealed the chambers with wax, something solid enough to stay in place but that would quickly dissipate when they fired.
|
November 8, 2011, 04:56 PM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 2, 2009
Location: Orlando
Posts: 936
|
I do it for Forth of July. Except I like more smoke-n-boom so I crank it up to 20 or 30 grains. I've used aluminum foil before but be aware that is a dangerous projectile at short distance. Best to use one of the other fillers that others have pointed out. Just make sure you seal the cylinders with something so you don't get a chain fire flashover.
|
|
|