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Google "Artilleryman.com" and check out the Safety Rules.
That tube (barrel to the uninitiated) was probably made by South Bend Replicas. For firing blank rounds and salutes, you can use FG powder but it is best to use Cannon Grade powder for firing projectiles.
Be careful when firing blanks as you should point the Gun only at an open area and NEVER let anyone stand in front of it as small pieces of unburnt powder, wadding and such can and will cause injuries.
SPONGE THE BARREL BETWEEN SHOTS. Make up a seperate loading rammer with a "U" shaped end so that the loader can stand to the side of and behind the muzzle when loading and not in front of it. At the same time of sponging and loading, a person with a leather "Thumbstall" MUST block off the vent hole tightly so no air can enter the bore and possibly cause ignition of the charge while it is being loaded. RAM THE CHARGE firmly to the back of the bore, and put a wad in to hold the powder charge in place. (Also, must use a wad if a loud noise is desired.) If a projectile is going to be used, make sure the projectile is up against the wad and powder charge. If newspaper is used for wadding, it should be soaked in a potassium nitrate (saltpetre) solution and dried so that it burns up and is consumed when fired.
If you can find a copy of "Round Shot and Rammers," buy it. It gives a lot of information on muzzle loading artillery in North America, particularly the American Civil War period.
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