1795 Model 1838 Conversion -- 100% NOOB Question!

Amandil

Amandil

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Alberta -- body in Edmonton, soul in the shortgras
Hi All,

I am a complete newb when it comes to blackpowder, as is my Dad.

Dad bought an 1838 Springfield Percussion conversion of presumably the 1795 Model musket. He took it to the gunsmith to make sure it could be fired, and the guy was like "sure, yeah!" So we're gonna.

But how much powder ought we to start with? 60 grains? More? We've got a box of FFg and will be shooting round balls (although there are some of those Minie ball type things too, which don't interest me much).

Thanks, Nathan
 
Make yourself up a few blank paper cartridges and see how she basically functions, is ignition good the ignition channel clear....all that.

Its much easier to dig out a blank charge from a musket that wont ignite;)
Trust me I know.

I presume shes a 69 cal, so start with some 62 cal balls and a nice heavy patch over.....say 50 grains of ffg to start then work up from there, with larger balls and thinner patches or paper wadding from paper cartridges.

Always remember to keep the ball fully seated on the charge, mark your ramrod for confirmation.


If you can post a picture of the old girl, we all love old military arms!



All the best.
 
Sadly, the person with the camera had to leave before we started shooting the flintlock (we were getting them used to regular rifles because one of them wants to start hunting), so no pics yet! :(

Besides, we didn't have any .62cal balls and got really antsy about jamming the .69 balls down the barrel without knowing if they'd ever come out again. So we just burned a bunch of powder and made noise, which was fun! Next time, I guess.

Thanks again! --Nathan
 
Got your blackpowder cleaning methods down pat? Just making sure that you don't end up with a nasty rusty surprise tomorrow!

Also, since you mention that you're new to blackpowder - when you start shooting, if you have trouble with the barrel fouling up and getting hard to ram the ball down, get a section of rubber hose, stick one end into the barrel and the other in your mouth, and blow several moist breathfulls of air down the barrel - it should get wayyyy easier to load, as the moisture softens the fouling.

*********** Mind that you don't end up with the barrel pointing at your head!!!! Get a long enough section of hose!!!**************
 
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