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Melnic

40 Cal.
Joined
Dec 2, 2013
Messages
289
Reaction score
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So, This weekend on New years, we grabbed my Son's 50 cal Hawken and I intended to shoot into the air. I loaded with about 20 grains of FFG and then a cap.
If it ignited the BP, I sure did not hear it. We ran 2 more caps and just heard the caps go off. When running a wet patch down, I heard the air push out of the nipple so I knew the powder was gone. I take it I need to load much more powder or stuff a wad or something down next time. I had intended on shooting my Springfield 1863 but will try that next year. What is the secret to firing blank loads other than maybe more powder? I'm ok with a thud and flash more than a boom but would like the knowledge so I can choose what to do next time. Do I need some felt wads or can I ball up a patch? Thx.
 
For parades years ago I just used a good wad of toilet paper on top of the powder. Regulate the amount of powder by how much noise you wanted. That's where you get white rain though.
 
depending on how soon you are going to shoot the load, but a damp paper towel works great, and you dont have to worry about a fire risk.

I use a damp paper towel all the time in my cannon. Provides a good seal, has some weight and wont start a fire.

Fleener
 
back in the 70's where i live, it was illegal to shoot off robust fire works in our county. i started to just use the .50 hawken and 90grns of fff and topped it off with a hunk of wadded up paper towel. this worked great with a very loud report.


also loaded up my old cheap pos .44 cal. bp revolver with 30grns fff and topped that off with paper towel. that also was very loud and never had a chain fire.
 
Spent many years reenacting so I have a little experience with blank rounds(been blank-adapting firearms for over 20 years). 20 grains isn't much but it still should have gone off if the spark passage is clear. I generally loaded 70 grains with no wadding, the wadding being a safety issue. I'd pull the cone and verify the passage is clear. The cap may not be hot enough to throw enough fire to navigate the path.
 
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