gtrgy888
Member
Last trip out to the desert I tested wood penetration of 140 grain .36 conicals over 20.5 grains of Old Eynsford with a cereal box barrier between conical and powder loaded for a month. The results were surprising.
While freshly loaded conicals over 21 grains of 4f Goex penetrated 6 boards of 1 inch pine, 20.5 grains of OE loaded one month penetrated only 4 boards, denting the 5th. Disappointing performance to be sure given the reputation of that powder and the use of an oil resistant barrier over the powder. I strongly suspected oil contamination to be the culprit.
Through some experimentation, I may have narrowed down some root causes. I tested the water tightness of both the cones and seated projectiles by submerging each side of the cylinder for 8 hours loaded with both round ball and conicals. To simulate the effect of a poorly fitting ball, I seated a ball, popped it out, then seated it sideways again. The only chamber with detectable moisture leakage was the poorly fitting ball, which showed very slight pooling around the edge. When tested with a pen light in a dark room no gaps could be seen in any chambers indicating a very tight fit all the way around each projectile. All caps ignited after being submerged for several hours except for one, which slipped off upon slight examination and contacted water. The popular assumption that ambient moisture in the air is absorbed into the powder seems suspect given that all chambers maintaining a proper seal appeared to be reliably water tight with simple friction fitting oversized projectiles and undersized, press-fitted caps. Upon taking the gun apart, it appeared the more likely culprit may be the oil necessary to maintain the gun. Despite snapping caps on all chambers and degreasing with rubbing alcohol, each cone, when removed, contained a dollop of lube from the threads that had risen up directly around the pinhole. I believe this unexpected source of lubricant contamination may contribute to most weak ignitions in cap and ball firearms stored for longer periods. This suspicion was confirmed when handloaded conicals loaded for a month kicked less than the same conical and powder loaded for a month in a paper cartridge, which kicked so strongly I initially suspected a chain fire and ultimately remembered that it was the only round loaded as a paper cartridge! The paper may have lessened the powder contamination by acting as a barrier.
Next tests will examine long term power of paper cartridges with conicals. This preliminary anecdote seems to suggest that the historical practice of loading with paper cartridges may have been due to greater long term reliability in addition to convenience.
While freshly loaded conicals over 21 grains of 4f Goex penetrated 6 boards of 1 inch pine, 20.5 grains of OE loaded one month penetrated only 4 boards, denting the 5th. Disappointing performance to be sure given the reputation of that powder and the use of an oil resistant barrier over the powder. I strongly suspected oil contamination to be the culprit.
Through some experimentation, I may have narrowed down some root causes. I tested the water tightness of both the cones and seated projectiles by submerging each side of the cylinder for 8 hours loaded with both round ball and conicals. To simulate the effect of a poorly fitting ball, I seated a ball, popped it out, then seated it sideways again. The only chamber with detectable moisture leakage was the poorly fitting ball, which showed very slight pooling around the edge. When tested with a pen light in a dark room no gaps could be seen in any chambers indicating a very tight fit all the way around each projectile. All caps ignited after being submerged for several hours except for one, which slipped off upon slight examination and contacted water. The popular assumption that ambient moisture in the air is absorbed into the powder seems suspect given that all chambers maintaining a proper seal appeared to be reliably water tight with simple friction fitting oversized projectiles and undersized, press-fitted caps. Upon taking the gun apart, it appeared the more likely culprit may be the oil necessary to maintain the gun. Despite snapping caps on all chambers and degreasing with rubbing alcohol, each cone, when removed, contained a dollop of lube from the threads that had risen up directly around the pinhole. I believe this unexpected source of lubricant contamination may contribute to most weak ignitions in cap and ball firearms stored for longer periods. This suspicion was confirmed when handloaded conicals loaded for a month kicked less than the same conical and powder loaded for a month in a paper cartridge, which kicked so strongly I initially suspected a chain fire and ultimately remembered that it was the only round loaded as a paper cartridge! The paper may have lessened the powder contamination by acting as a barrier.
Next tests will examine long term power of paper cartridges with conicals. This preliminary anecdote seems to suggest that the historical practice of loading with paper cartridges may have been due to greater long term reliability in addition to convenience.
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