Impressions Firing demonstrations advice

[7thWisconsin]

I know I'm a little late to the ball here, but I would definitely recommend wadding and ramming. You've already made the area safe for spectators. You're not firing towards them or an opposing force. Firing having rammed down the charge will give you more bang, and will decrease the chance of a misfire. It will also more accurately demonstrate how musket fire was actually done. If you're using a narrator, the narrator can emphasize how slow, difficult and dangerous the loading process is too. (What we fire reenacting is actually called a "squib-" loose powder poured down the barrel. In the 18th century, it was considered an insult, like a raspberry by musketry if you will. Joseph Plumb Martin talks about firing squibs in the air to insult officers he didn't like.)

 

[Oceanweather]

When firing realistic ammunition how much recoil was there and was not this also dangerous to the gun crew?

I always suspect the movie cannons don't move backwards enough. Yes?

 

[captaindrew]

When firing realistic ammunition how much recoil was there and was not this also dangerous to the gun crew?

I always suspect the movie cannons don't move backwards enough. Yes?

Here is video of a Liberty Rifles/1st Section event using live artillery rounds. Gives you a good visual what it was really like.

 

[1st Section]

Here is video of a Liberty Rifles/1st Section event using live artillery rounds. Gives you a good visual what it was really like.

If anyone is curious, the portrayal here is the Army of Tennessee's 2nd Battalion, Reserve Artillery - all three batteries: the Jefferson Artillery, Barbour Artillery, and Nottoway Artillery - as they conducted live fire target practice outside of their winter Quarters at Dalton in April 1864.

And yes, we were using realistic ammunition.

 

[Oceanweather]

This is really impressive!

I do wonder the cost of creating real ammo with matching gun powder for your artillery.

Reenacting must be an expensive hobby!

 

[Trooper "D"]

Here is video of a Liberty Rifles/1st Section event using live artillery rounds. Gives you a good visual what it was really like.

Impressive video. Only thing missing is the herd of spare horses to fill in for injury and casualty.

 

[Trooper "D"]

This is really impressive!

I do wonder the cost of creating real ammo with matching gun powder for your artillery.

Reenacting must be an expensive hobby!

Outrageously expensive sometimes.

 

[1st Section]

This is really impressive!

I do wonder the cost of creating real ammo with matching gun powder for your artillery.

Reenacting must be an expensive hobby!

Expensive? Maybe a little especially when done correctly. For example, here is what it takes to properly field just two guns -

And the video is depicting a target practice session so (hopefully!) no horse injuries, but yes, we do try to have spare horses on hand.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Expensive? Maybe a little especially when done correctly. For example, here is what it takes to properly field just two guns -

View attachment 573476

And the video is depicting a target practice session so (hopefully!) no horse injuries, but yes, we do try to have spare horses on hand.

The spare horses come to mind as to a story about Confederate Infantry firing into the horse herd so the guns couldnt be taken off the field.

 

[Trooper "D"]

If anyone is curious, the portrayal here is the Army of Tennessee's 2nd Battalion, Reserve Artillery - all three batteries: the Jefferson Artillery, Barbour Artillery, and Nottoway Artillery - as they conducted live fire target practice outside of their winter Quarters at Dalton in April 1864.

And yes, we were using realistic ammunition.

View attachment 573456

View attachment 573460

View attachment 573461

I was thinking that these wagons couldnt hold too much weight without a six horse team.

 

[Trooper "D"]

Expensive? Maybe a little especially when done correctly. For example, here is what it takes to properly field just two guns -

View attachment 573476

And the video is depicting a target practice session so (hopefully!) no horse injuries, but yes, we do try to have spare horses on hand.

Where are you guys based out of?

 

[Oceanweather]

Wow, a way cool renactor unit.

So each person contributes some of the overall kit in addition to their horses and individual uniform?