Five or Six ?

[BobbyF]

Hi Pards,,

     A question from an obvious rookie. I don't  own nor have I shot any BP  yet. I am beginning to shoot CAS. Do you load six or five, leaving an open chamber for resting the hammer for safety sake?
     Also, other than this forum, can you recommend a beginners "bible" to read to start my education  in BP?
     Thank you for your time and ideas--BobbyF

[Dick Dastardly]

Howdy and welcome BobbyF,

You load five at the loading table and the loading officer inspects your guns.  Hammer down on an empty chamber is the required practice.  The only exception I've encountered is my 1860 open tops with Kirst Konverter cylinders.  These are five shot cylinders with provision for lowering the hammer between chambers to make it safe.

FWIW, I have a sign over my loading bench that says:
Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1
Answers that need thought . . . . . $3
Correct Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5
Dumb looks . . . . . . . . . . . . . Still Free.

DD-MDA

[Paladin UK]

Fer  BobbyF

First up... Welcome pard, glad you've chosen the real path 

No Reeeel Bible as such, but loads of info to be had and I`m sure other pards will add to my offering

http://www.gunnersden.com/blackpowder/index.htm.blackpowder.html

No going back now!!

Paladin (What luvs the HB ) UK

[Slowhand Bob]

It is almost universal in SASS that stages begin with five rounds in the cylinder.  We do have a few five shooters in our SASS arsenals BUT most allow for a sfety slot or pin to rest the hammer over and this keeps us equal UNLESS the stage instructions require loading a sixth round on the clock!

[BobbyF]

Hey Pards,
     Thanks for the loading / safety info, I'm keeping a set of notes from all of the Pards replies. As I get into the BP, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions. Master  Dastardly , because of the possibility of me asking numerous questions, I better go for  " 5 " ans. for $ 5. I have faith in the integrity of this Board. Thanks all and be well--BobbyF

[The Trinity Kid]

Hi BobbyF.  Welcome t' this side o' the world. I know your question has been answered already, but this video has a pretty good explanation for it.



Hickok45 is a great channel.  You won't be disappointed with him.  Another one is duelist1954 which is our own Bottom Dealin' Mike.

--TK

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

This is one of the best references.

You might be able to find a free online copy, somewhere. like here;

http://www.gobookeee.com/search.php?q=complete+black+powder+handbook

For a bound copy;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Complete-Blackpowder-Handbook-Fadala-Sam-/400607202198

Its also available on amazon and abebooks.

The Lyman book is also very good.  Here is an online copy;

http://www.gobookeee.com/get_book.php?u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy5seW1hbnByb2R1Y3RzLmNvbS9seW1hbi9jYXRhbG9ndWUtZG93bmxvYWQvcGRmL0hhbmRib29rcy1hbmQtUHVibGljYXRpb25zLnBkZgpMeW1hbiBIYW5kYm9va3MgJmFtcDsgUHVibGljYXRpb25zIC0gTHltYW4gUHJvZHVjdHMgQ29ycA==

[BobbyF]

Hi TK and Sir Charles,
     What an example of ESP. I'm sitting here having just read TK's post when I got a message that Sir Charles replied. I stopped My reply to Tk and checked. I was going to go to Abebooks when I finished the post to look for the Fadala book. What perfect timing, it was meant to be. Thank you Sir Charles, and thank you TK for the video. It was just right for me and I watched other Hickok45 vids and they were all good and thank you for the welcome. Be well --BobbyF

[Noz]

Look up Capt, George Baylor's articles.