Loading C&B cylinders for blanks... what's safe?

Mad Mucus · February 19, 2007, 05:58:33 AM

G'day,

I'm wantin' to get some night-time muzzle blast pics of my ROA in action... fill chambers with fffg(20-40gr), top with wax card and compress for blanks? Over lube required?

Thanks,

Mucus

Dick Dastardly · February 19, 2007, 07:51:00 AM

Try this MM,

Your suggested powder charge, card wad, lube soaked paper and top it with another card wad. Compress and let 'er rip. Take notes and report back.

DD-DLoS

Delmonico · February 19, 2007, 12:02:37 PM

I work with a ren-acting group that often uses C&B for blank loads. We use vermiculite over the top, this keeps what comes out to a minimum. For shooting at night for pictures and such the card wad is fine. Never use these in any ren-acting type gun fights, the wads carry further than you would think. Not to hurt anyones feelings but if you are going to do this type of thing get someone who knows how to train folks to do this and make sure everyone involved it well trained and can be 200% trusted. Always have 1 person do all the loading, someone that can be trusted 300%. And if you decide to do something like this always remember, low and to the left and keep the distances far more than a safe distance.

Deadeye Don · February 19, 2007, 12:51:29 PM

Sound advice. That is a big reason I love this website. Everyone is very concerned with safe shooting while still having fun. Shoot safe. Deadeye.

Durango Flinthart · February 19, 2007, 01:05:18 PM

MM,
Amen to Delmonico's advice on having a single person loading all weapons for shootouts re-enactments. For many years I have used Cream of Wheat compressed over powder charges, and because of it I've been called a "Cereal Killer".

It stays in place, does not travel far and is easy to come by. No lube is needed but can be used for that extra safety zone.
Durango

Steel Horse Bailey · February 19, 2007, 04:58:06 PM

Cereal Killer!

Mick Archer · February 26, 2007, 06:14:14 PM

Howdy Pards!

I used corn meal as filler.

Buffalo Springfield

Montana Slim · February 27, 2007, 01:04:42 PM

I suggest florist foam.
For .44 C&B, I use a home-made foam cutter from a .45 Colt case with a "pusher" inside.
Each disc of foam is about 3/8" thick. Load and compress as many as are needed, depending on the amount of powder selected to get a good "bang".

Haven't seen many published articles on loadin' blanks, other than one in the NCOWS rag The Shootist a few years back.

Slim