I know this subject has been done before, but I have not seen either a definitive answer based on fact or any reason behind a writer's opinion.
Supposedly, when using black powder, failure to seat the bullet firmly on the powder (whether in a muzzle loader or in a metallic cartridge) will result in the gun blowing up. Always, no exceptions. Even 1/10" gap between powder and bullet will destroy the gun.
Now my problem is twofold. It was pretty common in the old days to load less than a full charge of black powder or to not seat the ball/bullet down on the charge. We have examples with the .45-55 carbine load and the 28 grain load in the .45 Colt. No wads or filler was used, yet, I have not seen any reports of those guns blowing up. I have myself loaded percussion revolvers and ML rifles with less than the recommended charge and the guns didn't blow up. I have loaded BP cartridges with light loads of BP and the guns didn't blow up.
So, either the "uncompressed powder causes the gun to blow up" is untrue, I have been lucky, or there is some factor I am missing. So, 1) can anyone state that they have personally had a BP gun blow up and have certain knowledge that it was due to an uncompressed (but otherwise safe) load of BP?
2) Can anyone offer any reason why that would happen, not just once, but apparently all the time, for perhaps tens of thousands of times?
3) If it has happened, and happens all the time, how come warnings seem to be limited to internet chatter, not to loading books or BP canisters?
Jim
Supposedly, when using black powder, failure to seat the bullet firmly on the powder (whether in a muzzle loader or in a metallic cartridge) will result in the gun blowing up. Always, no exceptions. Even 1/10" gap between powder and bullet will destroy the gun.
Now my problem is twofold. It was pretty common in the old days to load less than a full charge of black powder or to not seat the ball/bullet down on the charge. We have examples with the .45-55 carbine load and the 28 grain load in the .45 Colt. No wads or filler was used, yet, I have not seen any reports of those guns blowing up. I have myself loaded percussion revolvers and ML rifles with less than the recommended charge and the guns didn't blow up. I have loaded BP cartridges with light loads of BP and the guns didn't blow up.
So, either the "uncompressed powder causes the gun to blow up" is untrue, I have been lucky, or there is some factor I am missing. So, 1) can anyone state that they have personally had a BP gun blow up and have certain knowledge that it was due to an uncompressed (but otherwise safe) load of BP?
2) Can anyone offer any reason why that would happen, not just once, but apparently all the time, for perhaps tens of thousands of times?
3) If it has happened, and happens all the time, how come warnings seem to be limited to internet chatter, not to loading books or BP canisters?
Jim