New Years Eve Question

[Steel Horse Rider]

If I want to make a little noise tonight with one of my flintlocks, what do I put on top of the powder? I have never shot anything black powder without a projectile on top of it.

 

[Armored farmer]

You don't have to put anything. The reenactors or not even allowed a ramrod on the field.
Otherwise a paper wad will keep the powder down.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

Thanks, I figured there had to be something to keep the powder close to the breech.

 

[WestKentucky]

I like a ball of toilet paper or paper towel… new of course… tapped down on top of a light charge. Without a bit of resistance it sometimes seems to fizzle rather than pop, and the flash is notably less without the compression too it seems. I may be wrong, but that’s how I do it.

 

[Outlaw75]

Thanks, I figured there had to be something to keep the powder close to the breech.

No, I used to do Civil War re-enacting. We just loaded powder, capped up and fired. Like @Armored farmer said, we weren't supposed to use ramrods on the field. However, if you do stuff a little paper on top of the load it will make a louder bang (we made cartridges out of freezer paper and used to ram them when we were doing public demonstrations).

 

[4v50 Gary]

First post. Powder will go bang. Night time is great b/c you can see the muzzle blast.

 

[1KPerDay]

Wad of tissue paper or newsprint works great and makes more noise than powder alone. Watch for sparks/fires afterward.

 

[ClemBert]

I used to load up a ROA for July 4th with as much powder as it would hold then put a wad on top the press it a little bit. It'll hold the powder and make a bigger bang with the wad. Of course without a projectile it allowed more room for extra powder.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Newspaper or paper grocery bag works. Just tamp it down firm. Watch for fire afterwards.

 

[Rustmangler]

Looking back to how my step dad help me load my 45 cal rifle it should have let lose. I was a stout 12 years old. We added powder a little more and a little more. Then the paper. More then half of the ram rod stuck out. It was amazing! threw me on my butt and a ten foot flame !