A Load Without a Ball?

JMI · October 29, 2011, 03:59 AM

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

zullo74 · October 29, 2011, 04:32 AM

Just point it in a safe direction and have fun making smoke!

Rifleman1776 · October 29, 2011, 08:10 AM

No harm, just dirty.

B.L.E. · October 29, 2011, 08:15 AM

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.

noelf2 · October 29, 2011, 11:03 AM

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.

Old Grump · October 29, 2011, 11:39 AM

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.

robhof · October 29, 2011, 06:09 PM

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.

**4V50 Gary** · October 29, 2011, 06:35 PM

No harm at all. That's how reenactors do it.

Noz · October 31, 2011, 02:19 PM

Use cornstarch compressed with the on board rammer over powder. Fill the chamber full and compress. Turns to dust instantly.

bedbugbilly · November 1, 2011, 09:50 PM

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!

Superdave70_02 · November 2, 2011, 09:29 AM

That kinda makes me wander how many people were shot with a ramrod during a quick reload during the civil war.

oilcan72 · November 2, 2011, 03:09 PM

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

SIGSHR · November 2, 2011, 09:17 PM

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.

ClemBert · November 8, 2011, 04:56 PM

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.

October 29, 2011, 03:59 AM	#1
JMI 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, 11:03 AM	#5
noelf2 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
Old Grump 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
robhof 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
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,831	No harm at all. That's how reenactors do it. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 29, 2011, 04:32 AM	#2
zullo74 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
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	No harm, just dirty.

October 29, 2011, 08:15 AM	#4
B.L.E. 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 31, 2011, 02:19 PM	#9
Noz 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
bedbugbilly 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
Superdave70_02 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
oilcan72 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
SIGSHR 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
ClemBert 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.