BP Smoke Rings

[Gripmaker]

Have seen this phenomenon many times but can't figure out how it happens. Even saw one rifle that was supposedly "fixed" so as to blow smoke rings at every shot. If so, what needs to be done? Pinache at any price!

[Howdy Doody]

It is done at the muzzle. Convex instead of the more protected concave. If you think you can protect the muzzle from damage a gunsmith can do the job on a lathe for you.
38-40 and 44-40 tend to put out smoke rings naturally, but not consistantly. Some folks that put out smoke rings come under suspicion though. That is because duplex loads tend to blow a hole in the smoke and are illegal for CAS shooting.
For effects I like to just cover the danged place with clouds of smoke personally. 

[hellgate]

I only see smoke rings when the air is almost a dead calm with a VERY SLIGHT headwind that peals smoke cloud back and makes a ring. If there's anything but a slight headwind (i.e. crosswind or strong anything wind) I don't see smoke rings.  I'd sure like to see a gun that can shoot them in all kinds of conditions but almost still air is needed in my opinion more than muzzle shape.

[Fox Creek Kid]

I'd sure like to see a gun that can shoot them in all kinds of conditions but almost still air is needed in my opinion more than muzzle shape.

That's why it's rare as there is a lot of hot air moving at most shoots, mostly in the form of BS. 

[litl rooster]

I only see smoke rings when the air is almost a dead calm with a VERY SLIGHT headwind that peals smoke cloud back and makes a ring. If there's anything but a slight headwind (i.e. crosswind or strong anything wind) I don't see smoke rings. 

ditto.............

[Dick Dastardly]

Smoke rings come and go.  I like to see 'em.  Sometimes I get lucky and get a photo with 'em.  The biggest ones I've seen came from a canon that was fired at "Hang 'Um High".  I get some respectable ones from my 10ga now and then.

Sure makes the heathens sit up and take notice. . .

DD-DLoS

[Noz]

There was quite a flap about smoke rings on the Wire a while back. Seems some BP gamers were trying to produce a reliable smoke ring so they could look thru the middle and see the targets.
Didn't seem to work consistently.
Howdy Doody is correct in how they were trying to do it.

[Silver Creek Slim]

When I am shooting, I never see smoke rings from my guns. I see 'em when others shoot. Others have said they see smoke rings when I shoot. When I watch Western movies, I look fer smoke rings in the gunfights. I have seen smoke rings from horseback.

Slim

[Arcey]

Same, Slim. Ain't got a clue whut come out of the rifle Saturday mornin'. The way the sun was behind the rifle targets, after three I couldn't see nuttin'.

Smoke rings is whut pulled me back to the Darkside after flirtin' with it. Several years ago my kids gave me a DVD player 'n a copy of Rio Bravo. Final scenes ole Stumpy, Walter Brennen, blew away a couple bad guys with a shotgun. First shot blew a smoke ring 'n I heard that cacklin' laugh of his. I ain't shot nuttin' in a cowboy shoot since. Ain't gonna.

Don't make 'em like him no more but they still make Black Powder 'n I'll laugh.

[yankeesharpshooter]

Ahhhh smoke rings...........how I miss em.  It's been a long winter.

Only 1 more month before we start shooting again.

[Lucky Irish Tom]

Yesterdays shoot, Wildcat Will made some smoke rings with Shotgun, rifle and pistol.  They weren't consistent but he made one or two on each stage.  there was a slight breeze and he shoots a caseload of black tamped down by a 250 gr. Big Lube in pistol and rifle.  Shotgun is brass cases with as much powder as it will hold and still allow him to get the shot in over the over powder wad.  They sure were pretty cool though, wish I had brought my camera.