Shooting "blanks"?

[mcneill]

Went on a field trip with my daughter's fourth-grade class to the Alamo last week (one of the "fringe benefits" of living near San Antonio). Afterward, I volunteered to her teacher to demonstrate a flintlock and caplock for the kiddos. She seemed really excited to have me do that and said she would work with the school principal to get the proper approval, etc. I have never shot "blanks" with a muzzle loader, but I believe I can do so with a load of powder topped with a patch (or paper wad). Am I correct or is there something else I should do? Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

[jpm63]

You can do as you suggest or my favorite is to use a bit of index card material over teh powder. The key is to keep some powder near the flash channel and not let it get spread out down the barrel.

Practice a few times. You get more of a "foof" than a bang.

Jim

 

[4V50 Gary]

Don't bother with a wad. Just pour the powder down and it'll go bang. I learned this when I was conned into joining the 1st SC at a Rendezvous in Carson City. We lost.

Do play your role well and stress firearm safety. It may be the first and only time these kids get to see a real gun up close and the impression you make will be a lasting one.