Newbie Tip
Posted: Wed May 04, 2011 9:45 am
One of the most reliable rounds I shoot in my .50 '63s consists of a 60 gr .54 calibre Pyrodex pellet wrapped with a sized/lubed Lyman 515141.
I discovered early that I needed to expose the base of the pellet to ensure 100% reliable ignition, the base of which is coated with a smear of BP.
BTW - this cartridge has several historical precedents, many such 'compressed' charge rounds being developed during the Civil War; in both breech loaders and Minie rifles.
Recently, I had a couple of failures to fire due to 'cool' caps and paper rounds that resisted the flash. Usually I use a piece of paper towel as a base, but these rds used the same tracing paper as the tube.
So, for the remaining rds of that type, I coated the bases with white glue using a Q-tip and sprinkled on some FFFg.
Later I got smart and dipped the bases in some glue and then in loose powder. This makes for PDQ ignition - every time!
Today I'm going to experiment with waterproofing some rounds by spraying them with clear Varathane. This will also stiffen them somewhat in the bargain.
Again, there is an historical precedent for this, many Civil War rounds being coated with 'Collodion', nitrated cellulose dissolved in alcohol and ether.
I discovered early that I needed to expose the base of the pellet to ensure 100% reliable ignition, the base of which is coated with a smear of BP.
BTW - this cartridge has several historical precedents, many such 'compressed' charge rounds being developed during the Civil War; in both breech loaders and Minie rifles.
Recently, I had a couple of failures to fire due to 'cool' caps and paper rounds that resisted the flash. Usually I use a piece of paper towel as a base, but these rds used the same tracing paper as the tube.
So, for the remaining rds of that type, I coated the bases with white glue using a Q-tip and sprinkled on some FFFg.
Later I got smart and dipped the bases in some glue and then in loose powder. This makes for PDQ ignition - every time!
Today I'm going to experiment with waterproofing some rounds by spraying them with clear Varathane. This will also stiffen them somewhat in the bargain.
Again, there is an historical precedent for this, many Civil War rounds being coated with 'Collodion', nitrated cellulose dissolved in alcohol and ether.