Question about Loading

[kevikens]

I am reading a new book on the role of Black troops in the war, mostly about the 54th and 55th (I didn't know there was a 55th Mass. Black regiment). The author cites a happening where a large number of recruits in their first engagement fired off their first volley with the ramrods still in the barrels. A non com orders them to drop the balls down the barrels and hammer the stocks against the ground. Veterans, observing this, found out it worked and they could load and fire faster than by ramming. Now, I know from my study of black powder shooting it is possible, though not safe, that one can do this with the round ball and no wadding or patching but I have never been able to do this with a minie ball in either a Springfield or Enfield rifle musket and I have fired a lot of live ammo from these guns. Never did I have a minie ball just drop down the barrel. I always had noticeable resistance and had to ram. I thought both the 54th and 55th had been issued Enfields. So, reading this, I am wondering if anyone has ever heard of this being done with rifle muskets by troops during the war or were the two regiments using smooth bores with the .69 round ball. Anybody know about this? Thanks

 

[DixieRifles]

Never heard THAT account.
I know a Minie is a little easier to ram home but i cant see this asca feasible way to load a gun.
I imagine the Minie slid down the bore 12 inches or so--- how would you know it fully seated?
So can you see these guys banging yhe butts of their guns on the ground & peeking down the bore to look for the ball.

Again -- for the safety of this Forum and to prevent law suites, I feel like I have to say this:

DO NOT TRY THIS TECHNIQUE.
This could result in a rupture of the barrel and possibly personal injury.