A Load Without a Ball?

J

JMI

Inactive
Is there any harm done by firing low power loads (15 grains or so) without a ball in my new Pietta Model 1858 New Army? I just want to make some noise and smoke without having to worry about projectiles (other than the wad). Anything I should be aware of?

Thanks

Jim
 
Re-enactors load powder only all the time with no ill effects. I think they are required to use cornmeal plugs instead of wads for safety. A cornmeal plug disintegrates into dust.

Even with no wad, a blank load can injure at close range. One of my favorite methods for killing wasp nests is to shoot them with a 12 gauge at point blank range using 80 grains of FFFg. It doesn't just kill the wasps, the nest just completely disappears.
 
There's no harm. More powder gives more fire though (fun at night). You still have to compress the powder with a wad of some kind, or you'll get no boom.
 
I take toilet paper, fold it and roll it into a bullet sized plug. It disintegrates right after leaving the barrel, we have used this as a prop gun in plays and the flash/smoke and bang are impressive from a stage inside a theater.
 
robhof

I've killed mice at close range; 4' to 6' with 15gr and corn meal. Great for shed use, when you don't want to add ventillation to the walls.:D
 
Use cornstarch compressed with the on board rammer over powder. Fill the chamber full and compress. Turns to dust instantly.
 
As stated - no harm but you will have "foul" . . . ooops . . i meant fouling. Just a note though on the use of something to coverr the powder. Cornmeal "plugs" will turn to dust - if you use a felt wad, just remember that at close range, that wad is a "projectile". When I was active in reenacting years ago, they were banned and I believe they still are. The same way as ramrods were to remain in camp and not be on the field - if some "ninny" were to leave it in his barrel and shoot - that too would be a "projectile". It's just common sense. Have fun and enjoy!
 
Superdave

I reenacted Civil War for many years, at one event they had a live shoot, the group I was with were firing at a plank we were supposed to cut in half. The guy next to me kept saying "where is my ramrod?" Sure enough after the session was over we found his ramrod down range and twisted uo like a bow tie. I remember we had a good laugh at that one.

oilcan72
 
At the Civil War reenactment at Monmouth Battlefield in 1991 a Union drummer boy had his drum pierced by a tompion. When I did CW reenacting those who carried a revolver usually sealed the chambers with wax, something solid enough to stay in place but that would quickly dissipate when they fired.
 
I do it for Forth of July. Except I like more smoke-n-boom so I crank it up to 20 or 30 grains. I've used aluminum foil before but be aware that is a dangerous projectile at short distance. Best to use one of the other fillers that others have pointed out. Just make sure you seal the cylinders with something so you don't get a chain fire flashover.
 
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