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Reloading black powder cartridge question

jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
edited March 2002 in Ask the Experts
Supposing I don't want a full charge, loaded right up to the bullet, or want a gas check of some sort. I believe I am right in saying that I can use a filler, like corn meal? So I fill the case (let's say 3/4 full), then top it off to the bullet seat depth with cornmeal, and seat the bullet. Right?
"...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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Comments

  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would do that to the extent that the black powder will be as compressed as it would be, were it a full charge.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jon, I've never done it myself. In my collector BP ammo, usually a lighter charge will *be* a lighter charge, noticeable in the weight / sound / feel of the round. When this practice was being advocated, roughly 1920 - 1960, there were two schools of thought. One that it helped w/ ignition and the other that under the wrong circumstances it essentially raised the projectile weight. I don't know the answer or if it were ever resolved, but my instinct would be to try it w/o the extra filler first. The BP match shooters would always elevate their muzzles to bring the powder to the same consistent spot in the bottom of the case and they probably forgot more about shooting BP cartridges than anyone today will ever learn.
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  • jonkjonk Member Posts: 10,121
    edited November -1
    Iconclast, it is my understanding that when shooting black powder, the case MUST not have any air left, or you can get two flame fronts meeting head on, leading to explosion. This is why muzzle loaders must have their ball/bullet seated all the way. This is why military black powder rounds are slighly compressed, instead of just seated. Am I wrong here?
    "...hit your enemy in the belly, and kick him when he is down, and boil his prisoners in oil- if you take any- and torture his women and children. Then people will keep clear of you..." -Admiral of the Fleet Lord Fisher, speaking at the Hague Peace Conference in 1899.
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  • MIKE WISKEYMIKE WISKEY Member Posts: 10,035 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    YOU ARE CORRECT THAT THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY AIR SPACE IN A BLACK POWDER LOAD. A GOOD 'FILLER' IS REGULAR COTTEN, DON'T USE DACRON AS THIS TURNS 'PASTIC' UNDER PRESSURE AND CAN CAUSE A 'RINGED' CHAMBER.
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  • Rafter-SRafter-S Member Posts: 2,173 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    All my experience with shooting BP is with frontloaders in competitive matches. It was customary to put Malt-O-Meal over a 20-grain powder charge (in a .44 percussion revolver) to make the ball seat flush with the end of the cylinder.In rifles, you NEVER leave a space between the charge and the ball. The ball is pushed firmly (not packed) against the charge.It would seem logical that a BP cartridge should not have a space between the powder and bullet.
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  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    K, I was confusing BP & smokeless practices here - no excuse, sir! Although in my own defense I would note I was on the groggy side of tired at the time. Thanks for straightening me out, guys.
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  • v35v35 Member Posts: 12,710 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Black powder burns very dirty if not packed. I would use a solid filler as you originally intended not cotton. That you are adding to bullet weight is meaningless when shooting light charges.
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