Ammunition question

[Borderruffian]

One last factor, Shane. The black powder made today, or its equivalent, probably burns considerably cleaner than that made in 1860.

ole

I'd say that could be a factor. I wouldn't think that quality control standards even at DuPont would be the same as today's powder standards.

I've read accounts especially from the Valverde, Glorietta Campaigns where Texas Troops complain of having powder issued "little better than powdered Charcol, and near as useful." This however could have been of local or Mexican manufacture since it's been documented that Mexican powder was lacking in quality and had played a role in their defeat in the Mexican War.

 

[johan_steele]

Actually, until recently I was firmly convinced that the POwder of the CW era was. largely, of roughly the same quality as say Goex today. That said I did say until recently... still trying to get good data either way.

 

[Freddy]

Where could I purchase powder and caps for my Model 1861 Springfield that was manufactured in 1862? At any gun shop or dealer?

 

[Dred]

Where could I purchase powder and caps for my Model 1861 Springfield that was manufactured in 1862? At any gun shop or dealer?

You have to buy them both directly as they cannot be shipped. Also alot of states it is ilegal to sell true black powder now. I'm not sure about Mass but my guess would be they are one of those. Youre best bet for caps is a sutler, keep your eye open for events or try to find one in your area, most stores will not ship them and will sell them at the store or events only (PO probably won't ship flammables like that and what not).

Really waht you should do is find an event and shop the sutlers.. if they don't sell black powder directly there should be soem that sell pre-rolled rouunds. That's how I always had to do it until I moved to Oklahoma.

 

[Freddy]

Thanks Dred!
There was a CW reenactment this past weekend about 30 minutes from Worcester and I found out about it in today's paper. Oh well.

 

[johan_steele]

FFg Goex or Elephant is available at most gun shops as are CCI caps. Stay away from Pyrodex. The Minies are a touch more difficult to acquire, I cast my own but many sutlers sell them, problem is quality control, never know what you're getting. THough Lodgewood can get you what you need.

http://ssfirearms.com/
http://www.lodgewood.com/

These are two reputable dealers that might well be able to give you some information. I'm a big fan of Lodgewood... frankly they're some of the most knowledgeable people to work w/ & their customer service is outstanding.

 

[TheColonel]

^^ Also, in my limited experience, Dixie Gun Works (www.dixiegun.com) is a good source for everything except powder. They do sell and ship caps, if your local laws allow it.

 

[cw1865]

Casting?

I cast my own

Really? Tell me more....

 

[johan_steele]

Three four years ago I got several hundred pounds of medical grade lead and a temp control melting pot along w/ a good mold in .5745. I learned the hard way that the first half dozen of each set of bullets have to be tossed back into the pot; it takes a while for my mold to heat up enough to give consistant minies. Nothing like random rounds keyholing to make you scratch your head and question your own competance.

I picked up the mold & handles used and the melting pot at Cabela's. Lead came from an Xray room. I had a set of used sizing dies; which I apparently lost as I can't find them in my garage... I think my daughter might have decided they belonged in her sandbox.

Dixie gunworks sells all the needed equipment... but I've had better luck w/ Lodgewood. At least on the phone w/ them I'm talking w/ a knowledgable individual.

I buy much of my reloading equip from Track of the wolf; had god luck w/ them over the years.

http://trackofthewolf.com/(S(w3dqac455rqkkp4555wbbnnu))/categories/catList.aspx?catID=18

 

[ole]

Whatever happened to good old wheel-balancing weights?

Last time I thought to look, black powder was still available in Illinois gun shops. It might well have changed by now, but black-powder hunting season is very large, so they must be getting it somewhere.

ole

 

[johan_steele]

Whatever happened to good old wheel-balancing weights?

Last time I thought to look, black powder was still available in Illinois gun shops. It might well have changed by now, but black-powder hunting season is very large, so they must be getting it somewhere.

ole

I've never used the wheel weights... hmm free lead. Black POwder is readily available; most gunshops carry some; though there seems to be a lot more Pyrodex of late.

 

[farmboy]

Couple thoughts, a rifled barrel is gonna foul a lot sooner than a smoothbore.
Cookoff in a frontstuffer is unlikely except from a live ember. A lot of shooters swab between shots, which I am sure the troops did not.
There is no way you could get one hot enough to ignite powder just by firing it. You'd have to get it red hot and that ain't likely.

I have fired zillions of rounds of all types over the years from .22s as a kid, a grunt in VN, and a lifetime of collecting /shooting all type arms.

A small amount of water goes a long ways in clearing black powder residue. Nipple picks are simple items to have.

All that drilling would have included training on field expedient weapons maintenence to some degree.

My .02, anyways

 

[johan_steele]

Ok, how to describe compression pulling powder out behind the bullet. When the bullet skirt expands and engages the rifling it creates a vacuum that pulls a lot of the powder out behind it. Water desolves black powder and even a mouthfull shaken a time or two will go a long way in clearing away significant amounts of fouling and a hot barrel will evaporate much of that water away quite quickly.

The reality is a smoothbore fouls much quicker than a rifled piece. If firing buckshot it isn't as noticeable as w/ a roundball.

Cookoffs happen, still do in fact even when firing blanks. there was a reason the manual detailed how to load... and why the loss of part or all of the right hand was one of the most comon wounds of the CW.

I don't know how much black powder live fire you might have done, but my own thoughts changed dramaticly between live fire & powder burning.