Thanks all, appreciate the replies.
With this adding filler thing, I was told it was because you didn't want any airspace with the Goex in the cylinder as this could produce unstable burning and possibly very high pressure.
I also got told it was there to keep the Goex in contact with the flash hole in the nipple to ensure proper and total ignition of the powder.
So then.... is it one of these reasons or is it something totally different?
It seems more and more to me that the
actual real reasons for most of these things we end up doing that have become a "must do" today, have been lost somewhere in the annals of time.
Bushmaster,
Love that box... gotta make one for my Walker... then my son will want me to make one each for his and my 1858 Remy's.
Smokin'Joe I follow Sam Colt's instructions for loading my open top Colt clones. Power, balls and caps. No wads. No filler. No grease. No problems.
I must admit Joe, it seems to have worked rather well like that for quite some years now... so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I do use .457 balls in my Walker and the 1858 Remy's and they are quite a tight fit and always shave a ring off when being loaded and I'm always careful not to put the molding Spru Flat (if the ball has one) against the Cylinder wall as this can cause an air gap.
Cheers All
Gaz