Black Powder Shooting

This Day in History - March 5th.

2012-03-05T00:01:00.002-05:00

The Confederacy's Breckinridge assumes command in Virginia

On this day in 1864, General John C. Breckinridge takes control of Confederate forces in the Appalachian Mountains of western Virginia. The native Kentuckian was a former U.S. senator, U.S. vice president and runner-up to Abraham Lincoln in the 1860 presidential election. Breckinridge took over the obscure Western Department of Virginia, where he managed forces until he was elevated to the Confederacy's secretary of war in the closing weeks of the Civil War.
Born in 1821, Breckinridge practiced law, served in the military during the Mexican War (1846-48) and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives at age 30. In 1856, at age 35, Breckinridge became the youngest person elected U.S. vice president; he served under President James Buchanan. In the 1860 presidential election, Breckinridge represented the southern wing of the Democratic Party, which had split during the convention over the issue of slavery. He finished third in the popular vote behind Lincoln and Stephen Douglas, who represented the northern Democrats. (With 72 electoral votes, Breckinridge finished second behind Lincoln in electoral voting.) Although he lost the White House, his home state's legislature selected him as U.S. senator shortly after the election.
During the summer of 1861, Breckinridge remained in the Senate, supporting secessionists' views as the war escalated. In September, Kentucky declared itself a Union state. Having literally become a man without a country, Breckinridge fled to the Confederacy and joined the army. He was made commander of the so-called Orphan Brigade, a collection of Kentucky regiments with soldiers who found themselves geographically cut off from their native state. His unit suffered significant casualties at the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee in April 1862, but went on to fight in most of the battles in the Western theater.
After taking control of the Western Department of Virginia, Breckinridge led forces at the Battle of New Market in May 1864, where his army routed a Union force. In October, troops in his department were victorious at the Battle of Saltville, but the victory was tarnished when the Confederates began killing black soldiers during the Union retreat. Breckinridge also served during Jubal Early's 1864 Shenandoah Valley campaign.
In February 1865, Confederate President Jefferson Davis tapped Breckinridge to be secretary of war. He showed great ability in that capacity, but the Confederate cause had become hopeless. Breckinridge oversaw the evacuation of Richmond, Virginia, in March and fled southward with Davis. Unlike Davis, however, Breckinridge successfully escaped the country through Florida and traveled to Cuba. He eventually went on to Europe, where he spent several years before a presidential pardon allowed him to return to Kentucky. Breckinridge worked as a lawyer until his death at age 54 in 1875.

New Gun Cases have arrived

2012-03-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

Not to long ago I had requested a pistol case and a rifle case made and I mean handmade by a good friend Kathy and her daughter April who do their best to make a living at this. K & A Embroidery can be contacted via Facebook.

Here is my pistil case that holds either my 1860 Colt or my 1858 Remington.

Here is the rifle case I had made which will hold my CVA muzzleloader/.243,

These were made with a heavy canvas outter shell and a lamb's wool lining, very protective. The end flaps have a canvas strap that wraps around from both sides and ties closed. I also had my nickname embroidered on both.
I would highly recommend that if your interested to contact them.

Black Powder Emporium becomes a .com

2012-03-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

Not to long ago I created a forum that was mainly for black powder shooting and firearms but, I then added new sections such as an archery section and will be adding others as I go along. This was a big step for me as I have always wanted to do that but for some reason never did.

The old address was http://blackpowderemporium.freeforums.org and now the new address is http://blackpowderemporium.com so I am as you can tell a bit excited.

I am told that it might not be totally accessable to new visitors for up to 12 hours but, no worries it will be if it is not already.

I hope you would all find it interesting enough to become a member so please feel free to stop by.

14th Connecticut Civil War Regiment Re-enactment at Abraham Nichols Park.

2012-03-02T00:01:00.001-05:00

Trumbull One Book One Town 2012 Kick Off Event:

14^th Connecticut Civil War Regiment Re-enactment at Abraham Nichols Park. Sun. March 4, 2-4pm. The 14^th Regiment, Company G, Connecticut Infantry re-enactors will demonstrate drill and firing of muskets, as well as discuss their authentic uniforms, equipment, rations, and how they were used by the soldiers during the War. Alan Crane and the Volunteers will set up an encampment, and demonstrate cooking over a campfire! Held outside, rain or shine. Additional parking at Fairchild Nichols Library, The Nichols Improvement Association, and Nothnagle Park. Partner event with the adjacent Trumbull Historical Society, which will be open until 5pm.

Location: Abraham Nichols Park, 1860 Huntington Tpke., Trumbull, CT. Details available at the Trumbull Library System 203-452-5197 or at the Trumbull Historical Society (203) 377-6620.

New Bullets to put through my CVA Apex

2012-03-01T00:01:00.001-05:00

I just received some bullets I bought from Jonathan at Frontier Muzzleloading and I can't wait to try them out. The first pack is of Harvester Saber Tooth Belted Bullets which are 270 grain and a package of 300 grain. These are also full bore bullets.

Saber Tooth Belted Muzzleloader Bullets offer excellent expansion and take-down POWER, with superior accuracy.

Then he through in at no extra charge 15 rounds of 300 grain Harvester Scorpion PT Gold bullets ( which I want to say thank you). These looked really nice so I will be trying them as well.

Scorpion PT Gold Polymer Tip Bullets offer greater accuracy at longer ranges than hollow point.

The new Black Powder Emporium forum

2012-02-29T09:36:00.000-05:00

Just when we thought the new black powder forum was up and running I realized that there were to many problems with the new server so we had to switch.

I want to welcome you to the new "Black Powder Emporium".


http://blackpowderemporium.freeforums.org

This is a forum that is all about black powder shooting and has modern and traditional firearms as well as a section for those who enjoy archery shooting as well. I encourage all to stop by and register. It is free and has already got a good member base to it with a lot of great guys who love what they do.

Read one way but Meant another

2012-02-28T13:44:00.000-05:00

Here is a plate my son bought me from a truck stop that I had on my truck at one time. I suppose you can read this two different ways but it is kinda catchy.

Making Ingots from Lead Tire Weights

2012-02-26T00:01:00.001-05:00

Decocking (Uncocking) the Revolver

2012-02-25T03:39:00.000-05:00

If you have your revolver in the full-cock position and change your mind and don't want to shoot, carefully follow these steps:

1) Make certain that the revolver is pointing in a safe direction.

2) Make certain both hands are dry and not impeded in any way, gloves, bandages, cold, etc.

3)Fully draw the hammer back with your thumb and continue holding it fully rearward while pulling the trigger backward. Hold the trigger and hammer back in this position.

4)While holding the trigger back, slowly lower the hammer downward past its half cock notch (half-cock notch loading position) until it rests on the cap.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE LOWERING IT TOWARD A LIVE CHARGE!
Be careful and keep the firearm pointed in a safe position.

5)Pull the hammer back until it clicks on the half cock notch (half-cock notch loading position). The cylinder is now free to rotate.

6)Make the cylinder rotate until the empty and unprimed chamber is lined up with the hammer.

7)Slightly draw the hammer rearward and pull the trigger. When the
hammer past its half-cock notch (half-cock notch loading position),
lower it slowly down against frame.

New addition to my Gun Cabinet

2012-02-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

Here she is a 1858 Remington - nickel plated and engraved .44 caliber.

This and my Colt 1860 Army were the top new revolvers that were the most widely used during the civil war.

The Remington New Model, was a percussion revolver manufactured by Eliphalet Remington & Sons in .36-(Navy) or .44-(Army) caliber revolver used during the American Civil War. The Remington revolver was a secondary, supplemental issue firearm for the Union Army until the Colt factory fire of 1864. Due to the fire, the preferred Colt 1860 Army was not available for some time, and large numbers of the Remington revolver were ordered by the U.S. Government as a substitute. It was expensive and those who could afford it remarked on its its durability and ability to quickly reload by switching to another pre-loaded cylinder.
It saw use in the American West, both in its original percussion configuration and as a metallic cartridge conversion.

Cleaning my 1860 Colt Revolver

2012-02-22T00:01:00.001-05:00

Over the weekend I was recharging my mini dehumidifiers and decided to pull out my 1860 Colt revolver and check it and I am sure glad I did. I guess I didn't clean it good enough (shame on me) cause it was pretty nasty looking. So, you can bet what I am doing this morning.

1860 Colt Army 44 - black powder revolver

Right now I am taking apart and cleaning everything the way it should have been cleaned the last time I had it out which is piece by piece.

dirty cylinders

I am running down these with a brush and soaked patch to get them back to the way they should be.

dirty nipples - threads are rusty

The next pic is of the barrel, That was the only thing that did not look to bad.

Here she is all cleaned and ready to shoot. I will have to pay more attention to this the next time she goes out.

Shooting Colt's 1862 Police Revolver

2012-02-21T00:01:00.002-05:00

Breech Plug Cleaning

2012-02-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

Nothing effects the performance of your muzzleloader more than the breech plug. When you are using a high performance powder like Blackhorn 209, it is very important that your breech plug be as clean as possible. Normal use leads to primer fouling buildup in the flash channel. This fouling is extremely hard and can lead to poor accuracy, misfires, and hangfires. Primer residue cannot be adequately removed with a brush, pick or pipe cleaner so we recommend a thorough and regular cleaning of the breech plug before using Blackhorn 209. The use of a drill bit assures a perfectly cylindrical flash channel, which promotes a consistent ignition and better overall accuracy. Be sure you use the correct diameter drill bit for your breech plug and DO NOT remove any metal from the breech plug during the cleaning process.

The following cleaning procedures will ensure your muzzleloader performs at its best when using Blackhorn 209.

Insert a drill bit suitably-sized to fit the flash channel and GENTLY TURN BY HAND to remove excess fouling/buildup.
Use a torch tip cleaner of the appropriate size to clean the flash hole.
Use solvent to remove any remaining residue (we recommend Blackhorn 209 Cleaning Solvent by Montana X-Treme).
Dry with compressed air or ensure the flash channel and flash hole are completely dry before use.

NOTE

T/C, Traditions and most Knight breech plugs use a 1/8″ drill bit
For CVA use a #32 drill bit. Numbered drill bits are machinist bits and can be found at various online supply houses like ENCO, or search “numbered drill bits” for more

Why I Carry a Gun

2012-02-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

I don't carry a gun to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don't carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I'm evil. I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.

I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.

I don't carry a gun because I'm angry. I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I AM inadequate.

I don't carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.

Police protection is an oxymoron. Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess. Free citizens must protect themselves.

Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

Fishing & Hunting show this weekend

2012-02-18T08:27:00.000-05:00

Tickets

SHOW HOURS: PLENTY OF ON-SITE PARKING!

Friday, February 17th, 12 noon - 8 PM
Saturday, February 18th, 10 AM - 8 PM
Sunday, February 19th, 10 AM - 5 PM

TICKETS:

Available at the door. All tickets include free admission to the seminars.

Adults $12.00
Children 5-12 $4.00
Under 5 Free
Tax Included
Cash only is accepted. An ATM is available at the Connecticut Convention Center
The box office closes 1 hour prior to the published show closing times.

Granted this particular show has mostly fishing vendors but there is a fair amount of hunting vendors as well.

Turkey Hunting Seminar

2012-02-18T00:01:00.000-05:00

Turkey Hunting Seminar - March 10th 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Provides "A-Z" turkey hunting information including: calls, site set-up, equipment, camouflage, & hunting safety. Participants should bring lunch. Participants who bring their own turkey shotgun, appropriate choke and turkey hunting ammunition will be permitted to pattern their shotgun after the close of the classroom phase. Participants who plan to shoot should bring eye and ear protection, also. Pre-registration required. To register, call 860-675-8130. Location: Fairfield County Fish and Game Club, 310 Hammertown Road, Monroe, CT.

CVA 12 gauge double barrel

Blackhorn 209 for the In-line Shooter

2012-02-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

Blackhorn 209 is a low residue, high performance propellant for muzzleloaders and black powder cartridges that consistently shoots at higher velocities and with greater accuracy than all other muzzleloader powders. In fact, if you compare our benefits with other powders, you will quickly see that Blackhorn 209 absolutely smokes the competition…

Are you fed up with the false claims of our competitors? They promise “low hassle and high performance” – yet shooters are still missing too many targets and spending more time cleaning their guns than shooting them! These other muzzleloading powder manufacturers have been claiming superiority and then delivering mediocrity for far too long. If you compare the data side-by-side, you’ll clearly see why Blackhorn 209 is undeniably the best powder in muzzleloading!

MSDS Information: - pdf reader is required to view this.

New Black Powder forum opens up

2012-02-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

I wanted to make mention of a new black powder forum that has just started up. the forum may be new but the rapidly growing member s are not.

http://blackpowdertime.proboards.com

I would like to take this time to invite any and all to stop by and sign up. Some of these members have been shooting black powder for quite some time and there is a wealth of information to be had.

Shooting Colt's Lightning Rifle

2012-02-14T00:01:00.001-05:00

video from the duelist1954

Fioccchi 616 Primer's for Muzzleloading Shooters

2012-02-13T00:01:00.000-05:00

On the black powder forum I go to they all talk about primers in one form or another but they never really mention Fiocchi Primers to much. I use them from a recomendation from Carlos at Ed's Gun Shop and have had excellant luck with them.

Fiocchi #616 209 Shotshell Primers (1000/box)
Perhaps our lab's favorite multi-purpose 209 primer. The very same primers used in Fiocchi's world-class ammunition, these primers are made to exacting tolerances and produce accurate and consistant results in our lab and field tests. Due to metric conversions, they are about 0.001" larger in diameter than other 209 primers, which makes them great for tired, slightly oversized primer pockets in previously-fired hulls.
While most of Fiocchi's ammunition is loaded at their plant in Ozark, Missouri, Fiocchi is also importing ammunition and reloading components from their plant in Italy. All Fiocchi products are loaded to either C.I.P. or SAAMI industry specifications.


C.I.P. - Common Industrial Protocal

Demonstration of an American Flintlock Long Rifle

2012-02-12T00:01:00.001-05:00

Someday I would like the opportunity to add a flintlock to my small arsenal. This video will give the basics of the flintlock.

Frontier Muzzleloading, the Aerolite & New Mexico

2012-02-11T00:01:00.001-05:00

I spoke to Jonathon and he was saying that the Aerolite shoots good on the range but when it comes to deer hunting it is a totally different bullet as far as knock down power.

Battle of Gettysburg - Culp's Hill

2012-02-10T00:01:00.002-05:00

This is one of the area's at Gettysburg that interested me for some unknown reason so that is why I am featuring this right now.

By mid-morning of July 2, the XII Corps arrived and fortified the hill. Brig. Gen. George S. Greene, who at 62 was the oldest Union general on the field, was a brigade commander in the division of Maj. Gen. John W. Geary. As a civil engineer before the war, he had a natural understanding of the value of defensive works. His division and corps commanders did not believe they would be stationed at Culp's Hill very long and did not share his enthusiasm for constructing breastworks, but they did not oppose his efforts. He set his troops to the task of felling trees and collecting rocks and earth to create very effective defensive positions.
The Union defensive positions on July 2 began in the north with artillery batteries on Stevens's Knoll, followed by Wadsworth's division of the I Corps, Greene's New York brigade in positions running north to south on the upper slope, and the brigade of Brig. Gen. Thomas L. Kane connecting to Greene's line behind breastworks on the lower slope. Behind these front lines were, from left to right, the brigades of Col. Charles Candy, Col. Archibald L. McDougall, Col. Silas Colgrove, and Brig. Gen. Henry H. Lockwood, extending past Spangler's Spring and through McAllister's Woods. (The latter three brigades were from the XII Corps division of Brig. Gen. Thomas H. Ruger, who was filling in for Brig. Gen. Alpheus S. Williams, temporarily in corps command.)
That morning, Confederate General Robert E. Lee ordered attacks on both ends of the Union line. Lt. Gen. James Longstreet attacked with his First Corps on the Union left (Little Round Top, Devil's Den, the Wheatfield). Ewell and the Second Corps were assigned the mission of launching a simultaneous demonstration against the Union right, a minor attack that was intended to distract and pin down the Union defenders against Longstreet. Ewell was to exploit any success his demonstration might achieve by following up with a full-scale attack at his discretion.

Ewell began his demonstration at 4 p.m. upon hearing the sound of Longstreet's guns to the south. For three hours, he chose to limit his demonstration to an artillery barrage from Benner's Hill, about a mile (1,600 m) to the northeast. But despite this demonstration, Ewell did not hold the attention of Army of the Potomac commander, Maj. Gen. George G. Meade. Meade was occupied with the fierce fighting on his left flank and was scrambling to send as many reinforcements as possible. He ordered Slocum to send the XII Corps in support. It is unclear whether he ordered the entire corps or instructed Slocum to leave one brigade behind, but the latter is what Slocum did, and Greene's brigade was left with the sole responsibility for defending Culp's Hill.
Greene extended his line to the right to cover part of the lower slope, but his 1,400 men would be dangerously overextended if a Confederate attack came. They were only able to form a single battle line, without reserves. Only three of the five brigades of Union troops that were dispatched from the hill saw combat. The remainder of Geary's division marched down the Baltimore Pike and missed a key right hand turn. By the time they realized where they were, the crisis on the Union left flank and center had subsided.
Around 7 p.m., as dusk began to fall, and the Confederate assaults on the Union left and center were slowing, Ewell chose to begin his main infantry assault. He sent three brigades (4,700 men) from the division of Maj. Gen. Edward "Allegheny" Johnson across Rock Creek and up the eastern slope of Culp's Hill. The brigades were, from left to right, those of Brig. Gen. George H. Steuart, Col. Jesse M. Williams (Nicholl's Brigade), and Brig. Gen. John M. Jones. The Stonewall Brigade, under Brig. Gen. James A. Walker, was occupied with Union cavalry on Brinkerhoff's Ridge to the rear.

As the fighting started, Greene sent for reinforcements from the I Corps and XI Corps to his left. Wadsworth was able to send three regiments, and Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard on Cemetery Hill was able to send four—altogether 750 men, who served as Greene's reserve and help to restore dwindling supplies of ammunition.
On the Confederate right flank, Jones's brigade of Virginians had the most difficult terrain to cross, the steepest part of Culp's Hill. As they scrambled through the woods and up the rocky slope, they were shocked at the strength of the Union breastworks on the crest. Their charges were beaten off with relative ease by the 60th New York, which suffered very few casualties. Confederate casualties were high, including General Jones, who was wounded and left the field. One of the New York officers wrote "without breastworks our line would have been swept away in an instant by the hailstorm of bullets and the flood of men."
In the center, Nicholls's Louisiana brigade had a similar experience to Jones's. The attackers were essentially invisible in the dark except for brief instances when they fired, but the defensive works were impressive, and the 78th and 102nd New York regiments suffered few casualties in a fight that lasted four hours.
Steuart's regiments on the left occupied the empty breastworks on the lower hill and felt their way in the darkness toward Greene's right flank. The Union defenders waited nervously, watching as the flashes of the Confederate rifles drew near. But as they approached, Greene's men delivered a withering fire. The 3rd North Carolina "reeled and staggered like a drunken man."

Two regiments on Steuart's left, the 23rd and 10th Virginia, outflanked the works of the 137th New York. Like the fabled 20th Maine of Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain on Little Round Top earlier that afternoon, Col. David Ireland of the 137th New York found himself on the extreme end of the Union army, fending off a strong flanking attack. Under heavy pressure, the New Yorkers were forced back to occupy a traversing trench that Greene had engineered facing south. They essentially held their ground and protected the flank, but they lost almost a third of their men in doing so. Because of the darkness and Greene's brigade's heroic defense, Steuart's men did not realize that they had almost unlimited access to the main line of communication for the Union army, the Baltimore Pike, only 600 yards to their front. Ireland and his men prevented a huge disaster from befalling Meade's army, although they never received the publicity that their colleagues from Maine enjoyed.
In the confusion of fighting in the dark, the 1st North Carolina, brought up from the reserves, fired on the Confederate 1st Maryland Battalion by mistake. (In Gettysburg National Military Park, the monument to this battalion refers to the "2nd Maryland" so that it would not be confused with the two Union regiments named 1st Maryland in Lockwood's brigade.)
During the heat of the fighting, the sound of battle reached II Corps commander Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock on Cemetery Ridge, who immediately sent additional reserve forces. The 71st Pennsylvania filed in to assist the 137th New York on Greene's right.
By the time the rest of the XII Corps returned late that night, Confederate troops had occupied some of the Union defensive line on the southeastern slope of the hill, near Spangler's Spring. This caused considerable confusion as the Union troops stumbled in the dark to find enemy soldiers in the positions they had vacated. Gen. Williams did not want to continue this confused fight, so he ordered his men to occupy the open field in front of the woods and wait for daylight. And while Steuart's brigade maintained a fragile hold on the lower heights, Johnson's other two brigades were pulled off the hill, also to wait for daylight. Geary's men returned to reinforce Greene. Both sides prepared to attack at dawn.

Third Day:

On July 3, General Lee's plan was to renew his attacks by coordinating the action on Culp's Hill with another attack by Longstreet and A.P. Hill against Cemetery Ridge. Longstreet was not ready for an early attack, and the Union forces on Culp's Hill did not accommodate Lee by waiting. At dawn, five Union batteries opened fire on Steuart's brigade in the positions they had captured and kept them pinned down for 30 minutes before a planned attack by two of Geary's brigades. However, the Confederates beat them to the punch. An attempt by Lee to hold off the start of the fighting was fruitless. Ewell sent back a terse reply by messenger: "Too late to recall." Fighting continued until late in the morning and consisted of three attacks by Johnson's men, each a failure. The attacks were essentially a replay of those the previous evening, although in daylight.
Since the fighting had stopped the previous night, the XI Corps units had been reinforced by additional troops from the I Corps and VI Corps. Ewell had reinforced Johnson with additional brigades from the division of Maj. Gen. Robert E. Rodes, under Brig. Gens. Junius Daniel and William "Extra Billy" Smith and Col. Edward A. O'Neal. These additional forces were insufficient to deal with the strong Union defensive positions. Greene repeated a tactic he had used the previous evening: he rotated regiments in and out of the breastworks while they reloaded, enabling them to keep up a high rate of fire.
In the final of the three Confederate attacks, around 10 a.m., Walker's Stonewall Brigade and Daniel's North Carolina brigade assaulted Greene from the east, while Steuart's brigade advanced over the open field toward the main hill against the brigades of Candy and Kane, which did not have the advantage of strong breastworks to fight behind. Nevertheless, both attacks were beaten back with heavy losses. The attacks against the heights were again fruitless, and superior use of artillery on the open fields to the south made the difference there.
The 1st Maryland Potomac Home Brigade (despite its name, a regiment of inexperienced recruits) was badly shot up struggling for a stone wall crossing the open field parallel to the line of works. Geary replaced them with the 147th Pennsylvania of Candy's brigade, which charged successfully, giving the field the name "Pardee Field" after the Pennsylvanians' Lt. Col. Ario Pardee, Jr.
The end of the fighting came near noon, with a futile attack by two Union regiments near Spangler's Spring. General Slocum, observing from the distant Powers Hill, believing that the Confederates were faltering, ordered Ruger to retake the works they had captured. Ruger passed the order to Silas Colgrove's brigade, and it was misinterpreted to mean a direct frontal assault on the Confederate position. The two regiments selected for the assault, the 2nd Massachusetts and the 27th Indiana, consisted of a total of 650 men against the 1,000 Confederates behind the works with 100 yards of open field in front. When Lt. Col. Charles Mudge of the 2nd Massachusetts heard the order he insisted that the officer repeat it. He was then quoted as saying "Well, it is murder, but it's the order." The two regiments attacked in sequence with the Massachusetts men in front, and they were both repelled with terrific losses: 43% of the Massachusetts soldiers, 32% of the Indianans. General Ruger spoke of the misconstrued order as "one of those unfortunate occurrences that will happen in the excitement of battle."
Despite receiving reinforcements and attempting his assaults again, Johnson was repulsed with terrible losses from one end of his line to the other. Colonel O'Neal wrote that his brigade "charged time and again up to their works but were every time compelled to retire. Many gallant men were lost." The losses at Culp's Hill included approximately 2,000 men in Johnson's division, nearly a third. An additional 800 fell from the reinforcing brigades on July 3. The XII corps lost about 1,000 men over both days, including 300 men in Greene's brigade, or one fifth. Alpheus Williams summed up the futility of this fighting: "The wonder is that the rebels persisted so long in an attempt that the first half hour must have told them was useless."
One of the sad stories of the war involved the Culp family. Two of Henry Culp's nephews were brothers: John Wesley Culp and William Culp. Wesley joined the Confederate States Army and William the Union Army. Wesley's regiment, the 2nd Virginia Infantry, fought at Culp's Hill, and he was killed in the fighting on his family property on July 3. Ironically, he allegedly was carrying a message from another soldier, just deceased, to "Ginnie" Wade, the only civilian killed during the battle. (His brother William was not present at Gettysburg and survived the war.)

Information supplied by Wikipedia:

Barnes Spitfire T-EZ verses the Powerbelt Aerolites

2012-02-09T00:01:00.002-05:00

I finally made it out to see what both these types will do out of my CVA Apex 50 cal. I know before the 2011 muzzleloader season I had sighted in with the Barnes and was very pleased shooting at 100 yards but I have never really compared the two until today.

Here is a quick look at the two and what kind of powder I was using and what I clean with.

Barnes Spitfire T-EZ 250 grain saboted bullet is on the left and Powerbelt's Aerolite 250 grain full bore bullet is on the right.

This target is my first three shots using the Barnes bullet. I did not clean between shots and I used 95 grains of BH209.

My next three shots were with the Powerbelt's and like before I did not clean between these three shots and I also used 95 grains of BH209

There was no scope adjustments made at all and the only cleaning was done between the Barne's and when I switched to the Powerbelt's and that was only two dry patches.

This next pic was my last two shots at still 100 yards with no adjustments. I obviously decided to stick with the Powerbelt Aerolites. Next time I think I will see what the difference is between the Aerolite 250 grain and the Aerolite 300 grain.

12 Pound Napoleon Artillery Cannon

2012-02-08T00:01:00.001-05:00

This Day in History - February 7th.

2012-02-07T00:01:00.002-05:00

Feb 7, 1862:

Rebel reinforcements ordered to Tennessee's Fort Donelson

On this day in 1862, one day after the fall of Fort Henry on the Tennessee River, Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston, commander of Rebel forces in the West, orders 15,000 reinforcements to Fort Donelson. This fort lay on the Cumberland River just a few miles from Fort Henry. Johnston's decision turned out to be a mistake, as many of the troops were captured when the Fort Donelson fell to the Yankees on February 16.
During the fall and winter of 1861 to 1862, the Union Army and Navy penetrated through Kentucky and into Tennessee. Led by General Ulysses S. Grant, the Yankees were gaining crucial advantages by controlling parts of the major rivers in the upper South. Johnston sought to stop the bleeding of lost Confederate territory by strengthening the garrison inside Fort Donelson. In retrospect, his mistake was in not providing enough support to Donelson. Johnston wanted to buy time so he could gather his forces from eastern Kentucky and Tennessee to Nashville, which lay south and east of Fort Donelson. If Johnston had concentrated his force at Donelson, he would have had a significant advantage over Grant. Instead, Grant surrounded the fort and sent a squadron to attack from the river. On February 16, 1862, the Yankees cut off the fort from the south and forced the surrender of 15,000 Confederates.
After the fall of Fort Donelson, Johnston gathered his remaining forces to northern Mississippi. On April 6, 1862, at the Battle of Shiloh in Tennessee, the Western armies clashed in one of the most destructive battles of the war. Johnston was killed in the Confederate defeat.

Preparing to Melt Lead

2012-02-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

I am finally preparing to melt lead for the first time. There was a couple things I needed and I am finally waiting for them to arrive.

This was one of the two final items that i think I needed.

Clean Cast Lead Flux

Lead fluxing made easy. No more using rosin, paraffin, tallow, bullet lube, and other homemade concoctions. CleanCast is non-smoking, odor-free, and it really works. Only a small amount is necessary to prepare even a 20 pound lead pot for bullet production. Separates dross from your valuable bullet alloy and improves the consistency of the melted lead to eliminate variability during your casting session.

I did manage to score a bunch of wheel weights to melt from a local garage but, I heard they can be hard so I also wanted to melt some pure soft clean lead to to see the difference.

These are not the exact two I ordered but they equal a 1/2 pound each of pure 99% soft lead.

I have the melter, I have the mold, I have the ladel, safety glasses and masks so real soon I am going to try it.

I do want to eventually get another mold for .454 round ball, those go to my revolver.

Handling Lead can be Hazardous to your Health

2012-02-05T00:01:00.000-05:00

Thought I would post this, I found it while I was searching for articles about cast you own lead bullets which I plan to start real soon.

Lead Safety

Lead is a cumulative toxin known to damage the nervous system and reproductive system. Lead is also known to cause cancer. You can greatly reduce your exposure to lead by simply washing your hands immediately after reloading or handling lead, and before eating, drinking or smoking. With proper handling precautions, casting bullets and reloading are safe and enjoyable hobbies.

Handling Lead Bullets
Cast lead bullets develop an outer layer of lead oxide. Lead is relatively soft and the lead and lead oxide can be abraded from the surface of the bullet and transferred to the surface of your fingers when you handle lead. The lead can then be ingested when eating, drinking, smoking, or placing any other items into the mouth including chewing gum and tobacco products. The most common cause of lead poisoning is from ingesting lead.

Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling lead or lead containing products prior to eating, drinking, or smoking. Keep your fingers out of your mouth when handling lead. Additional protection can be provided by wearing latex or nitrile gloves when handling lead.

Casting Lead Bullets
Melting lead in large quantities and casting lead bullets offers more opportunity for lead to enter the body and there are some special lead handling precautions that are particular to lead casting, in addition to the general lead handling precautions mentioned above.

Always cast lead bullets outside. Do not contaminate your home or workshop with lead residue which can persist for years and provide a continuous source of exposure to lead.
Before starting to cast lead, cover all work surfaces with heavy duty aluminum foil. At the conclusion of that casting session, gently roll up the aluminum foil with all the lead contaminates and dispose of it properly.
Keep the temperature on the lead pot as low as possible. Lead melts at 621°F. Lead boils at 3180°F, but significant amounts begin to evaporate above 900°F. Any lead vapor quickly forms a very fine lead oxide powder and can be inhaled. If your bullets have a frosty appearance, the lead is hotter than needed. This also causes slower cycle times as you must wait longer for the lead to solidify before dropping it from the mold, and you are more likely to drop the bullet while it's still soft, causing it to deform. If the molten lead doesn't fill the mold at temperatures low enough that the bullets aren't frosted, try adding 1/2% tin to the alloy to lower the surface tension. It's also possible that the lead is contaminated with zinc and must be discarded.
Fluxing is the process of adding a pea sized chunk of flux while stirring the molten lead and skimming off the grayish brown powdery contaminate residue that floats to the surface. This dross contains a large percentage of lead oxides in a fine powder that can be aerosolized and inhaled. Wearing a dust mask is a good idea, but you can limit exposure by keeping your head well away from the dross at all times, not breathing while skimming the dross, and keeping the dross in a glass jar or metal can with a lid.
Position yourself so you are upwind of the casting operation. This allows the wind to carry the lead contaminates away from you instead of carrying them toward you. When designing an outside area for lead casting, keep in mind that in the northern hemisphere the prevailing winds flow from west to east.
After casting lead, it's a good idea to take a shower, being sure to thoroughly wash your hair, and wash your clothes.

Handling Primers
Primers are slowly becoming lead-free, but the majority of primers still contain lead, and many shooters and reloaders are not aware that new and spent primers are a potential source of lead contamination. The same technique is used to reduce exposure to lead in primers, but in addition to washing lead residue from your hands, you should also be careful to avoid inhaling fine dust from new or used primers. When reloading, the yellow dust you might find in the priming station is a toxic lead compound. Clean the effected parts with a disposable towel dampened with a good cleaner. Do not use a can of compressed gas to blow off the dust as it will become airborne where it can be inhaled, and will then settle as a contaminate on adjacent surfaces.

Shooting
Shooting outside seldom results in a significant exposure to lead, although shooting ranges can become so contaminated with lead that local ground water quality is adversely effected. In addition, lead shot from shot guns poses an additional risk to wildlife that might accidentally ingest it.

Indoor shooting ranges often pose a serious health risk by not providing sufficient ventilation. The ventilation system should positively draw gun smoke from the shooter toward the target, where it should be vented outside, or filtered using a method that removes almost all smoke and fumes before returning it to the shooter. If you have a sore throat after shooting, or you have a lot of congestion the next 48 hours with black or gray phlegm, the ventilation is not nearly adequate. You should advise the owner of the shooting range and refuse to shoot there until the problem is corrected.

Tumble Cleaning Brass Cases
When reloading ammunition, using a tumbler with a mildly abrasive medium to clean the brass is a common practice. The inside of the case and particularly the inside of the spent primer contains lead compounds. Tumble cleaning removes these fine particles and they remain in the cleaning media. They can become airborne when sifting brass to separate it from the cleaning media. If airborne, these lead compounds can be inhaled. They will also settle onto adjacent surfaces and concentrate there as lead contaminates. Most people won't think about lead contamination when cleaning brass, and will be less likely to follow lead safe practices.

Place a used dryer sheet in the vibratory cleaning media to collect the fine black dust that's generated during vibratory bowl cleaning. This will make your cleaning media last longer, and will help prevent lead contamination. Dispose of the dirty dryer sheets properly. Replace the cleaning media when it starts to become gray. Don't sift brass through an open colander to separate the cleaning media. Use a covered rotating basket style separator and always keep the lid closed while the basket is spinning. Keep the lid closed for a minute after rotating the separator basket to allow the dust to settle. Clean the area around the tumbler and media separator after every use, by spraying a cleaner on the surface and wiping the damp surfaces with a paper towel. Be careful not to stir up the dust and allow it to circulate in the air.

Cleaning Firearms
Shooting deposits lead in the bore of a firearm. This occurs to a much larger degree when shooting cast lead bullets, but because of the lead content of primers, some lead deposits will form even when shooting copper jacketed bullets. Any place powder residue collects is a potential source of lead. A mildly abrasive bore cleaner will mechanically remove lead deposits without dissolving them. The more common chemical bore cleaners will dissolve or suspend the lead compounds in solvent which migrate deeper into skin, under fingernails and into cuticle tissue. Dispose of dirty patches and other cleaning materials properly and wash your hands thoroughly before eating, drinking, smoking, etc. Nitrile gloves can reduce exposure to lead and other harmful chemicals when cleaning firearms.

Special Precautions For Women and Children
Male reproductive processes are damaged by high serum lead levels, but female reproductive processes are more permanently damaged by exposure to lead.

Children and fetuses are developing, and lead interferes with proper physiological development. Nerve cells are particularly affected by high levels of lead, and most structures of the body rely on nerve cells to function properly. There is no safe level of lead for a child's mental development. Average serum lead levels correlate to lower IQ when compared to children with below average serum lead levels. The less lead, the better.

The human body slowly excretes lead, but it also stores lead in bones. It's possible for serum lead levels to return to normal after a large exposure, and then spike again when the body uses the store of bone calcium to heal a fractured bone or during pregnancy when a developing fetus increases the requirement for calcium. There have been documented cases where a woman was exposed to high levels of lead, recovered, and later had a child with lead poisoning because the prior exposure stored lead in her skeletal system.

Summary
In general, the best strategy to avoid lead poisoning is consistent attention to maintaining a clean workplace and following some simple hygiene practices. Be mindful of the lead fumes and be particularly careful about lead oxide dust and the places it will settle.

Lead poisoning is cumulative, so any reduction in lead intake will help prevent lead poisoning. The human body maintains a normal blood lead level of about 5 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dL). 10 ug/dL is generally recognized as the early stage of lead poisoning, with anything above 20 ug/dL requiring an immediate chemical cleaning of any lead contaminated environment or removal from that environment. Serum levels of 40 ug/dL usually require chelation treatment to remove lead from the body, in addition to the previous elimination of environmental lead contamination.

The following sites provide more details about general lead handling safety.

http://www.lasc.us/LeadSafety.htm
http://www.midwayusa.com/static.exe/getstaticpage?page=lead_warning.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead_poisoning

Shooting th 44 caliber 1851 Navy

2012-02-04T00:01:00.001-05:00

Up coming Post

2012-02-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

I will be do a upcoming post on shooting results with my CVA Apex 50 caliber. I will be shooting the new Powerbelt Aerolites full bore bullets with 250 grains compared to the Barnes Spitfire T-EZ 250 grains saboted bullet.
When I was preparing for deer hunting I had sighted in usinng the barnes and 95 brains of BH209 so that is what i will start with.

PowerBelt AeroLiteTM Bullets borrow many of the PowerBelt Platinum’s technical advantages – such as its plating technology, fluted gas check, and aggressive taper. However, the AeroLite bullet itself is completely different on the inside, being specifically designed to deliver optimal performance when used with standard (100 grain) propellant charges – the charge used by most hunters. The AeroLite has a much larger hollow point cavity than either the Platinum or Copper PowerBelts.

This larger cavity maximizes expansion capability while eliminating weight from the core of the bullet, allowing the bullet to be substantially longer than standard projectiles of similar weight. A longer bullet length produces more stability in flight and therefore, greater accuracy. A super-hard polycarbonate AeroTip fills the void of the oversized hollow point and serves to both optimize aerodynamics in flight and control expansion on impact. All of these AeroLite technologies are fine-tuned to perform best at “standard charge velocities” (1800 FPS or less on impact) – providing “magnum performance” without the “magnum recoil.” This does not mean, however, that magnum charges can never be used with AeroLites. In hunting situations where long-range shots are the norm, Aerolites may indeed be the best choice – even with a 150 grain load.

verses

Spit-Fire T-EZ™

Barnes’ NEW Spit-Fire T-EZ muzzleloader bullets load easier, even in tight bores. A new sabot reduces the ramrod pressure required to load and seat these .50-caliber, flat-base bullets. T-EZ bullets deliver the same match-grade accuracy all Barnes’ MZ bullets are famous for. The 100% copper bullets feature a polymer tip that enhances expansion and boosts BC for superior long-range ballistics. They expand at both close and extended range, creating six razor-edge cutting petals that maximize shock and penetration.

Visiting Gettysburg National Military Park.

2012-02-02T00:01:00.002-05:00

A few years ago I took my family down to Gettysburg and we liked it so much that we ended up going back 3 years in a row. There is so much history there that you just can't see it in one or two days.

A New Birth of Freedom

The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the Civil War, the Union victory that ended General Robert E. Lee's second and most ambitious invasion of the North. Often referred to as the "High Water Mark of the Rebellion", Gettysburg was the war's bloodiest battle with 51,000 casualties. It was also the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's immortal "Gettysburg Address".

THE MUSEUM AND VISITOR CENTER

Begin your visit to the park at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center with its 22,000 square-foot museum gallery of interactive programs, multi-media presentations, and exhibits featuring relics from one of the largest museum collections in America. Tour the battlefield park from here with a licensed battlefield guide in your car or on a bus, or explore the battlefield and cemetery on your own. Whatever you choose, this is the place to start your Gettysburg experience!

PARK EVENTS AND RANGER PROGRAMS

Gettysburg National Military Park offers a complete day of Ranger Programs during the summer months (mid-June through mid-August) that focus on the Battle of Gettysburg, the National Cemetery and Gettysburg Address, activities for young visitors, evening campfire programs, and special Ranger-led Battlewalks. Weekends are special with living history groups and band concerts. Ranger Programs continue during the winter months with our and the . Get informed! Visit our Ranger Programs page, 2012 Schedule of Park Events and Plan Your Visit pages.

147th. Pennsylvania Infantry

They fought on Culp's Hill

20th. Maine

They fought on Little Round Top

They are just a couple of the units monuments and plenty more to see. I would highly recommend visiting.

Write to

Gettysburg National Military Park
1195 Baltimore Pike, Suite 100
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania 17325

Phone

VISITOR INFORMATION
(717) 334-1124 ext. 8023

PARK PROTECTION OFFICE
(717) 334-0909

Fax

(717) 334-1891

Read more:

Making of a Ramrod

2012-02-01T00:01:00.002-05:00

When I acquired my Springfield Hawken in a trade it did not come with the original ramrod which was ok but, it was to flexible for my liking so I am making a new one that is more on the traditional side.

What I did was get myself a nice hard wood dowel in the proper diameter and put 2 coats of a clear polycrylic on it for protection from the elements. I also ordered two ends for it. One piece has a inside thread of 8/32 and the other a inside thread of 10/32.

This will be cut to the proper length which I will match with the replacement rod which you can see on the work bench.

Treso solid brass beautifully made ramrod end and tip Thompson Center, CVA style, for 3/8" diameter rod and the ramrod tip has 8/32 threads . Muzzleloading or black powder. These beautiful ramrod ends are made in Colorado USA.

These two pics show a 3/8 hardwood dowel that has been polycrylic coated to withstand the elements and the powder residue and now I am just waiting for the brass end pieces to show up so i can cut to length and attach the pieces.

Beware of the Copper Fouling

2012-01-31T00:01:00.002-05:00

This pic is for the shooters who use copper saboted bullets in their muzzleloader.Without the proper cleaning that these types of guns need the fouling will eventually mess up your rifling.

Like me I use copper saboted bullets in my modern inline so that is why I give it a good brushing when I clean it.

I will often brush it a few times to loosen up the copper with the proper copper removal liquid and then with a swab tip before I send dry patches down.

I would like to hear from you and find out what you use and if you do anything different.

Black Powder Cannons and Mortars

2012-01-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

I found this website on Black Powder Times forum and thought I would share it with you. I really like these and the pricing is very reasonable. I plan to order a couple.

CIVIL WAR FIELD CANNON

* 3/8" bore [ 36 caliber ]

* 6 3/4" barrel length

* 4-3/4" diameter wheels

* Hand built & constructed entirely of steel .
TIG welded assembly.

*Barrel lifts off for easy cleaning.

*Barrel machined from solid steel round stock.
PRICE: $ 90

CANNON BARREL KEY CHAIN
ORNAMENT

*Functional*
Fires a .177" steel BB with black powder.
3" long.
Steel construction.
Key ring included.

Sawyer rifle barrel             $15
Naval barrel                       $25
All other styles                   $20

FLAT BASE GOLF BALL MORTAR

Bore diameter                 1-3/4"
Barrel length overall       5-1/4"
Powder chamber size      3/4" diameter x 1" deep

*Adjustable Elevation*
*Heavy Duty Steel Construction*
*1/4" Thick Barrel*
*Will launch a golf ball 200+ yards!*                            PRICE: $80

.188" BORE "BB" MORTAR          New design!
2-1/2" Barrel Length
.Fun little mortar, shoots BB's!

                                                     PRICE   $20

Adjustable elevation
Barrel machined from solid steel round stock
Will fire .177" BBs

Also available in 1/4" bore [.265"]

For ordering please contact me via phone or E-mail
                   PHONE NUMBER    PH# 610-469-9204
                   Phone hours: 9 am to 5 pm E.S.T. Monday - Friday
                   9 am to 12 noon E.S.T. Saturday

                           Email address: cannonfab@hotmail.com
        WATCH MY VIDEOS ON YOUTUBE. Type   "cannonfab" in search box.

                  Mailing address:              Dominick Carpenter
                                                               P.O. Box 386
                                                              Elverson, Pa 19520
The items on this page are carefully built one at a time. These items are not mass produced in large quantity and I operate strictly on a first come, first serve basis. Your order can usually be processed within one week. Please contact me for delivery schedule.

PRIVACY POLICY NOTICE:   WE DO NOT SHARE ANY INFORMATION WE GET FROM YOU WITH ANYONE!

The Artilleryman, A must have Magazine

2012-01-29T00:01:00.000-05:00

Here is a magazine that was recommended to me seeing as I am interested in the artillery aspect of the civil war.

The Artilleryman is a quarterly magazine for people who collect and shoot cannons and mortars primarily from the 1750-1900 time period. Content includes cannon safety, artillery history, places to visit, book reviews, shoot reports, how-to articles, and artillery news U.S.and abroad.

Magazine Editorial, Subscriptions,
Free Sample, and Advertising: 800.777.1862

Fax: 802.889.5627

e-mail The Artilleryman

Artillery Safety Rules
A Service of Civil War News:
National Safety Rules and Procedures
For Shooting Muzzleloading Artillery

GENERAL INFORMATION

The following safe shooting procedure presumes the crew is firing blank charges or projectiles with a muzzleloading artillery piece made (or altered) to modem safety standards. (If firing blanks skip Step VII and see Safety Rule 10.) The bore should be lined with seamless steel tubing with a minimum 3/8-inch wall thickness and a yield strength of 85,000 p.s.i. or greater. The breechplug should be threaded and pinned; welded and pinned breechplugs can be equally strong but require expert installation by competent manufacturers. Sand-cored bores are not recommended for shooting. The vent should be drilled in a threaded copper bolt similar to original cannon vent liners of the 1840-1865 period in order to provide an unbroken passage through the casting and the liner, into the bore.

SAFETY ZONE

Establish a 50-foot wide safety zone between the spectators and the gun. No one is to be forward of the muzzle at any time. Only crew members or authorized personnel are to be in this zone.

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

Two men minimum. Ammunition box with self-closing lid restricted to opening at no greater than 80-degree angle. Vent brush or cleaning device. Vent pick. Thumbstall. Heavy leather welder's gloves. Leather haversack for use as ammunition pass box and another for priming materials. Rammer. Wet sponge. Dry sponge. Worm. Water bucket. Primers. Priming power device (if used). Linstock and slowmatch or lanyard. Stopwatch. Gimlet. Individual safety containers for powder charges, high intensity flashlight.

TEN-STEP STANDARD PROCEDURE

I: Clean The Vent

Clean the vent as the first step in each cleaning, loading, firing sequence. Use a .22 caliber or appropriately sized bronze cleaning brush on a suitable rod and brush the entire vent twice. If no brush is available, the alternative method is to run the priming pick or gimlet up and down the vent twice, twisting it to make sure the vent is completely free of powder bag remnants.

II: Stop The Vent

Seal the vent with thumb pressure during the entire cleaning and loading procedure. This means no air should escape the vent from the time the worm enters the muzzle until the rammer is removed after the projectile has been seated. Use a leather thumbstall or heavy leather glove to protect your thumb and make a tight seal.

III: Worm The Bore

Using a tool with two sharp steel points which replicates an original cannon cleaning worm, worm the bore twice. Give two complete turns of the worm at the breech each time to pick up any powder container remnants and to loosen any powder residue. The worm should fit closely so the points will pick up debris easily.

IV: Wet Sponge the Bore

Sponge with a wet (but not sopping) tight-fitting sponge with a head of lambs wool or wool carpeting over a wooden cylinder affixed to a shaft at least one foot longer than the bore. The end of the sponge head should conform to the shape of the breechplug (hemispherical or flat).

Seat the sponge against the breech with hand pressure and give two full rotations of the shaft. Withdraw the sponge half-length, twist, then reseat against the breech and give another two full rotations.

Remove the sponge. If any powder container remnants or unburned powder comes out with the sponge, repeat the entire process, starting with Step III: Worm.

V: Dry Sponge The Bore
After wet sponging, the same procedure is used with the dry sponge. The dry sponge is cleaned and dried off periodically with an absorbent towel-type rag. (The purpose of the dry sponge is to remove excess moisture from the bore; if water is left in the bore it may cause incomplete burning of the next powder charge, leaving dangerously glowing residue.)
VI: Load Powder

Use a plain wooden pole without a head, or with a smoothly tapered head, so that it might force the hand open should a premature ignition occur. Staffs should be dense hard wood (ash or maple). Painted cardboard tube rammers are safer than wood and can be obtained in heavy-duty long lengths which are durable but will disintegrate into less dangerous pieces.

Mark the rammer in advance in two places, one to show the amount of shaft which should be left sticking out the muzzle when the charge is fully seated and the other to show when the rammer is fully seated at the breech.

The ammunition chest should be located 25 feet behind the gun. Powder charges should be prepared in advance as specified in Safety Rules 1 and 2 below, wrapped in heavy-duty aluminum foil. Each charge should be kept in an individual safety container within the chest to prevent them from breaking open during transport or accidental upset of the chest. (Fiberboard military shell cases or fuse cans or similar tightly sealed containers are recommended.)

Open the chest only long enough to remove one safety container and transfer it to a leather haversack. (Do not open chest following warning that a gun is about to fire until 10 seconds after that gun has been discharged. This is to prevent hot vent debris from falling into chest).

Carry container within leather haversack to the gun. Do not proceed to load unless 3 minutes has elapsed since the gun was last fired (even though cleaning procedure has been completed). Use a stopwatch.

Open safety container. Remove foil-wrapped charge and place it in muzzle with one hand while wearing heavy leather welding gloves, hot stove or foundry worker's gloves.

Wearing the heavy gloves, stand to the side of barrel with as much of your body as possible behind the plane of the muzzle. Grasp rammer underhand, with one hand, thumb-to-the-side. Seat the charge lightly with smooth, short strokes. Do not pound the rammer against the charge.

Immediately upon feeling the charge reach the breech, drop your hand away, releasing the rammer. After 10 seconds and after ascertaining the charge is fully home (according to the rammer marks) remove the rammer, one hand, underhand, thumb-to-the-side. This may require grasping and releasing the shaft a few times. At no time should more of the body than absolutely necessary be forward of the muzzle face and never in front of it Never have two hands on the rammer.

VII: Load Projectile

The projectile loading procedure is the same as that for powder. The rammer is operated with short strokes, one hand, underhand, thumb to the side, until the mark shows the projectile has been fully seated.

As with all muzzleloaders, to avoid bursting the barrel it is essential there is no air gap between powder charge and projectile when the gun is fired.

When the rammer is removed, after the projectile is seated, the vent may be released.

VIII: Pick The Charge

To insure ignition, pick the powder charge wrapper through the vent with a pick or gimlet held by the shaft, between glove protected fingers.

The pick should not be so long that it reaches the bottom of the bore when fully inserted so as to avoid making pits under the vent

IX: Prime

Priming the vent depends on the type of ignition to be used. Typical systems are: linstock and priming powder, fuse, priming quills, friction primers, .22 blank, and percussion cap.
X: Fire The Gun

The man designated to ignite the charge (the No. 4 man in Civil War period drill) calls out "Ready to Fire" in a loud voice to alert other crews on the line that his gun is about to fire and to notify the gun captain that the piece is primed. At this call, any open ammunition chests are immediately closed. The gun captain makes a quick visual inspection of the range forward of the muzzle to make sure no one (photographers, children, pets, etc.) is in danger and then commands "Fire". The primer is then ignited.
Priming powder, fuse and priming quills are ignited with a linstock which is long enough to allow the cannoneer to stand outside the wheels. The linstock holds the burning slow match made of cotton rope impregnated with potassium nitrate or lead acetate to make it burn.
If a lanyard is used to ignite friction primers, or to activate a lock using percussion caps or blank cartridge, it also should be long enough to allow the cannoneer to stand outside the wheels and out of the way of recoil.
Start your stopwatch to be sure at least 3 minutes elapses before powder is reloaded.

MISFIRES

If the primer ignites, but the gun fails to fire:

Command: "Do not advance, the primer has failed." Start stopwatch. Wait 3 minutes.

When 3 minutes has elapsed, step inside wheel from the front of the axle so you will be out of recoil path should the gun discharge unexpectedly. Do not get in front of muzzle at any time. If gun is less than full-size or barrel under 5 ft. this position might put you in danger of muzzle flash so you will have to work behind the axle. Use good judgment. Estimate recoil distance and stand well back from axle.

Wearing gloves, use a gimlet to clear the vent. Grasp by shaft only. Keep head away from vent. When vent is clear, reprime and fire.

If three attempts fail to fire the gun, use a C02 fire extinguisher (with horn removed) to blow down vent and force powder (and projectile) from the barrel. If C02 is unavailable, flood bore and vent with water and worm after thorough soaking.

TEN BASIC SAFETY REGULATIONS

1. Maximum blank powder charges for properly constructed guns of 3-inch bore or larger should not exceed 2 oz. of Fg grade or 3 oz. of Cannon Grade GOEX black powder per inch of bore diameter. Maximum powder charge for bore of more than 2 inches and less than 3 inches should not exceed a total of 3 oz. Fg or 4 oz. Cannon Grade. Use reduced loads with projectiles. (See North-South Skirmish Association regulations for a guide to projectile weights and powder charges.)
2. Prepare powder charges in advance using light-weight plastic baggies with end twisted closed. Leave 2 inches of twist; cut off excess plastic. Fold twist to bag. Enclose bag in a triple layer of double-thickness heavy-duty aluminum foil (six layers total). Take care not to break plastic baggie. The bag prevents escape of powder dust and keeps granules from getting trapped under folds of aluminum to help insure complete burning. (Aluminum foil wormed out after firing often yields unburned powder although this may appear impossible to those familiar with smaller caliber guns.)
3. All crew members should wear ear protection devices.
4. No one should cross in front of the muzzle at any time during the cleaning, loading or firing procedure.
5. The ammunition box shall be located 25 feet behind gun and attended at all times or locked. The interior shall be lined with a non-sparking material and the box itself shall be stoutly constructed of wood or metal.
6. No smoking at any time within the safety zone.
7. No drinking alcoholic beverages for 10 hours prior to serving on a cannon crew. Any crew member showing signs of the effects of alcohol or other drug should be replaced.
8. Projectiles shall be constructed so that they easily pass through a sizing gauge with finger or thumb pressure only. The sizing gauge to be a length at least 1.5 times the length of the projectile and in inner diameter no greater than bore diameter when the barrel was new.
9. Projectiles should not weigh more than one half the weight of projectiles used in original issue guns of same bore diameter.
10. When blank firing no wadding should be used nor should be necessary for a realistic report.

EIGHT KEY POINTS FOR SAFE SHOOTING

A. Always allow 3 minutes between firing and reloading next powder charge! There is a valid reason for every rule and procedure contained herein. Follow them and make this a safe sport.
B. Use black powder only. Inspect your gun tube regularly for signs of stress.
C. Maintain the 50-foot safety zone with a rope or string marker.
D. Walk. Do no run. Work at a smooth steady pace.
E. Train your crew. Run through a dry fire evolution at least twice before commencing operations with live charges each day. Be sure each crew member performs his duties smoothly and accurately.
F. Make sure each crew member has knowledge of procedures and safety rules.
G. Have the No. 1 man (rammer) repeat the step instructions as they are called out by the gun commander (or No. 3 man tending the vent). This serves as a procedural check so that none of the 10 steps are omitted by error. Memorize this sequence: 1. Clean vent, 2. Stop vent, 3. Worm, 4. Sponge, 5. Dry sponge, 6. Load powder, 7. Load projectile, 8. Pick charge, 9. Prime, 10. Fire.
H. Use good common sense. If something is done wrong, STOP. Think it through. Then act to correct it. The stop and think approach gives more opportunity to avoid accidents than the press onward-out-of-sequence method.

WARNING:

Loading and firing antique or replica muzzleloading cannon is a highly dangerous activity, likely to result in death, dismemberment or serious injury. Structural integrity of the barrel, powder charge preparation, premature discharge as a result of burning embers remaining in the barrel from previous cannon fire, reliance on others to follow proper procedures and other unforeseen and unanticipated conditions may contribute to accidents, serious injury or death. The authors and publishers of these Rules and Procedures specifically recommend you do not engage in this activity unless you are thoroughly trained by competent instructors, and fully aware of the potential for injury or death. DO NOT RELY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN TO PROTECT YOU FROM THE DANGERS OF ENGAGING IN THE LOADING OR FIRING OF ARTILLERY. This document is ONLY a summary of what the publishers consider the essential safety rules and procedures they themselves follow when engaging in this extremely hazardous activity, and which have been adopted in part by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Dept. of Public Safety, the North-South Skirmish Association, the American Artillery Association, the Union and Confederate Volunteers, the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and other such groups which participate in the loading and shooting of antique artillery for recreational and historic demonstration purposes. You should be forewarned that SEVERAL DISMEMBERMENTS AND FIVE DEATHS HAVE OCCURRED in the United States and Canada since 1975 to persons while loading or shooting antique artillery or replicas. In addition, gun tubes have failed, sending fragments in all directions at high speed and causing damage and injury. If you decide to engage in this activity, use only black powder in Cannon Grade or Fg grade. Just because the color of the powder is black it doesn't mean it is "Black Powder." Know your propellant and get it from a reliable source in labeled containers.

These rules were compiled by The Artilleryman magazine and reflect a consensus of safety procedures developed from historical records and practical experience of many present shooting organizations. They were written and edited by Matthew C. Switlik, author of The Complete Cannoneer; George McDonald II, late commander Clark's Battery, N-SSA; Bernard Kurdt, commander, 120th N.Y. Volunteers, N-SSA and Safety Officer, Union and Confederate Volunteers; and C. Peter Jorgensen, The Artilleryman editor and publisher.

Battle of Brandy Station

2012-01-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

The Battle of Brandy Station was the largest cavalry battle ever fought on the North American continent. of the 20,000 soldiers involved, about 17,000 were of the mounted branch. Brandy Station is also the first battle of the war's most famous campaign - Gettysburg.

The Confederates had planned for June 9, 1863, to be a day of maneuver rather than of battle. Two of the army's three infantry corps were near Culpeper, six miles southwest of Brandy Station, poised to move into the Shenandoah Valley and thence up to Pennsylvania. Major General J.E.B. Stuart, at Brandy Station, was to screen this movement with his 9,5000-man cavalry division, while the remaining infantry corps held the attention of the Union Army at Fredericksburg, 35 miles southeast of Brandy Station.
The Federals knew that Confederate cavalry was around Culpeper, but its intelligence had not gathered information of the sizeable infantry force behind the horsemen. Army of the Potomac commander, Major General Joseph Hooker, interpreted the enemy's cavalry presence around Culpeper to be indicative of preparations for a raid of his army's supply lines. Accordingly, he ordered his Cavalry Corps commander, Brigadier General Alfred Pleasonton, to "break up Stuart's raid in its incipiency."
The Confederates apparently did not expect any harassment from the enemy cavalry, for the day before the important screening mission was scheduled to take place, the Southern troops conducted a grand review for General Robert E. Lee at Inlet Station, just two miles southwest of Brandy Station. Meanwhile, 8,000 Federal cavalryman organized into three divisions, and about 3,000 Northern infantryman were preparing to disrupt the Confederate plans.
About 4:30 a.m. on June 9th, Brigadier General John Buford's column on 5,500 soldiers splashed across the fog-shrouded Rappahannock River surprising the Confederate pickets at Beverly's Ford. Nearby Southern horsemen from Brigadier General William "Grumble" Jones' brigade, awakened by the sound of gunfire, rode into the fray partially dressed and often riding bareback. They struck Buford's leading brigade, commanded by Colonel Benjamin F. "Grimes" Davis, near a bend in the Beverly's Ford Road and temporarily checked its progress. In the fighting Davis was killed.
Davis' brigade had been stopped just short of where the Confederate Horse Artillery was camped and was vulnerable to capture. Cannoneers swung one or two guns into position and fired down the road at Buford's men, enabling the other pieces to escape and establish the foundation for the subsequent Confederate line. The artillery unlimbered at the Gee House and at St. James Church -- structures located on two knolls on either side of the Beverly's Ford Road.

Read more of this famous battle:

This Day in History - January 27th.

2012-01-27T00:01:00.001-05:00

Jan 27, 1862:

President Lincoln orders armies to advance

On this day in 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issues General War Order No. 1, ordering all land and sea forces to advance on February 22, 1862. This bold move sent a message to his commanders that the president was tired of excuses and delays in seizing the offensive against Confederate forces.
The unusual order was the product of a number of factors. Lincoln had a new secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, who replaced the corrupt Simon Cameron. The president had also been brushing up on his readings about military strategy. Lincoln felt that if enough force were brought to bear on the Confederates simultaneously, they would break. This was a simple plan that ignored a host of other factors, but Lincoln felt that if the Confederates "...weakened one to strengthen another," the Union could step in and "seize and hold the one weakened."

Gen. George McClellan

The primary reason for the order, however, was General George McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac in the East. McClellan had a deep contempt for the president that had become increasingly apparent since Lincoln appointed him in July 1861. McClellan had shown great reluctance to reveal his plans to the president, and exhibited no signs of moving his army in the near future.

Lincoln wanted to convey a sense of urgency to all the military leaders, and it worked in the West. Union armies in Tennessee began to move, and General Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Henry and Fort Donelson on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, respectively. McClellan, however, did not respond. Lincoln's order called for strict accountability for each commander who did not follow the order, but the president had to handle McClellan carefully. Because the general had the backing of many Democrats and had whipped the Army of the Potomac into fine fighting shape over the winter, Lincoln had to give McClellan a chance to command in the field.

Cleaning a Black Powder Revolver

2012-01-26T00:01:00.002-05:00

My preference of cleaning products is Butch's, you can find the link in my side bar.

Tip of the Month

2012-01-25T00:01:00.002-05:00

Leaving a Charge in your Muzzleloader

I like others don't like to blow off a load at the end of a tagless hunting day so I leave a charge in the barrel. But, the thing that some guys or girls forget that if you are out all day the gun will be cold and that is where the tip comes in.

DO NOT bring it in the house with you because once the gun warms up it creates moisture which could interfere with the charge you left in. It doesn't always happen but there is a chance. What I do is leave it in the case and either lock it in my trunk or leave out on the locked porch.

By leaving it in the cold you take away the chance of moisture getting at the powder and creating a OH !@#$ if you go to try and shoot a trophy buck or doe the next day.

"Preserving the Outdoors"

Dehumidifier's are the answer to preventing moisture soaked Powder

2012-01-24T00:01:00.000-05:00

Now that the season is over some of you might not shoot or want to shoot as much as others so you need to keep your ammo in a cool dry place, especially your black powder. Now I plan to in the furure stock up on all my ammunition but for now i can store all mine in a small place but I still want to keep any moisture from getting at it so I use small dehimifiers. One with the ammo in a seperate location and one in the cabinet with my guns.

You might recognize this box, it is usually sold by Walmart stores and it is the perfect size for me right now. All I had to do was instal a locking latch to keep the contents as less accessable as possible.

In here I keep my pistol powder, my rifle powder and my primer caps along with my .243 ammo. What else you see is a Remington compact Dehumidifier which I keep in there for moisture collecting.

Remington® Mini-Dehumidifier

Remove moisture in any enclosed space, like your gun cabinet or safe, with Remington's® Mini-Dehumidifier. Uses colorless, odorless nontoxic Water Glass crystals to constantly absorb moisture from the air. Every 30-60 days, the indicator window will turn pink when the unit needs regeneration. Simply plug it in to a standard electrical outlet for 10-12 hours, and the indicator window will turn blue when it's recharged and ready to go again. The average life span is approximately 10 years.

This unit is very easy to recharge, all you do is slide out the plug and stick it in an outlet for approximately 24 hours which is enough to recharge the crystals inside.

In my oopinion this is a valuable piece to assuring your powder and ammunition stay dry and ready for use.

Handling and Storage of Black powder

2012-01-23T00:01:00.001-05:00

Handling and Storage Precautions:

Avoid impact, friction, heat, sparks and open flame.
Never smoke while handling black powder.
Never handle or use black powder after drinking alcohol or using mind-altering drugs.
Keep containers tightly closed when not in use.
Do not mix black powder with any other type of gunpowder.
Do not purchase or accept black powder that is not in its original, factory sealed container.
Do not dispense black powder directly from the canister, flask or horn into the firearm.
Do not dispense substantial amounts of black powder in close proximity to the firearm.
Learn and obey all laws and regulations regarding quantities of explosive material and methods of storage.
Do not store black powder in the same area with other flammable materials.
Do not store black powder within the reach of children.
Store black powder only in manufacturer approved containers.

post data from:

WARNING! Black Powder is extremely flammable and explosive! Fire or explosion can cause serious bodily injury or death. Keep out of reach of children. Keep away from heat, sparks and open flame. Avoid impact and friction.

Black Powder rating per Grains

2012-01-22T00:01:00.000-05:00

I know that when I first got into black powder shooting it was confusing as to what the different grain sizes meant. Recently I sold a muzzleloader to a new black powder shooter which is why i decided to do a post like this. It really is interesting why there are so many different types like Fg, FFg, FFFg & FFFg.

Muzzle velocity- the speed of the projectile as it leaves the barrel.

Muzzle velocity is determined by many factors: caliber of your firearm, size and weight of the projectile, amount of black powder, granulation of the powder FFg, FFFg, etc, thickness of your patch, patch lube and barrel length. In short, within limits, the more powder, the lighter the ball, the tighter the fit in the barrel the higher the muzzle velocity.

photo from wikipedia

Example from left: Black powder for muzzleloading rifles and pistols in FFFG granulation size. Coin (diameter 24 mm) for comparison.

Black Powder comes in various grain sizes designated Fg, FFg, FFFg and FFFFg. The more F’s the finer, smaller the grain size and the faster the powder will burn and the higher pressure it generates in your barrel. In a 54 caliber rifle, sixty grains of FFFg creates the same pressure at the breech as one hundred grains of FFg. Sixty nine grains of FFFg provides the same muzzle velocity as one hundred grains of FFg –Lyman data. These are linear relationships, so you can use these ratios to determine how much FFFg it takes to replace your FFg load. Since both granulations cost the same per pound, you can see why a Scotsman might use FFFg.

Fg is recommended for shotguns and cannon, FFg for rifles over 50 caliber, FFFg for rifles less than 50 caliber and pistols. FFFFG is for priming your flintlock. FFFg and FFg will work as priming powder, but it can be a little slower to ignite. They did not have superfine FFFFG, or at least it wasn’t common for the “common folk” in days of the American Revolution, so if you want to be strictly period correct…….

Muzzle velocity also depends on the tightness of the ball and patch in the barrel. If the fit is loose, gas will escape around the ball and lessen the force accelerating the ball. The British Brown Bess musket used in the days of the American Revolution was about 75 caliber and they used a 69 caliber ball without a patch. The idea was not to fire accurately at long range but to fire quickly, create a massed fire at short range- probably about 60 yards. The British infantryman could load and fire 3 times a minute. The undersized ball loaded quickly- until the barrel became choked with fowling. But they didn’t usually get in long firefights. They usually fired a volley, advanced several yards, reloaded, fired another volley and then charged with their bayonets.

With a rifle gun, we also want a tight fit so the rifling creates a spin on the ball. The spinning ball is more stable and flies straighter – like throwing a football. That’s why rifle guns are more accurate than smoothbores beyond say 50 yards or so.

With a muzzleloader you need to know where your ball impacts at different ranges- 20 yards, 50 yards, 100 yards etc. so you can change your point of aim to hit the target.

Information supplied by Trappers for Starved Rock:

The Revolver of Major Sam Logan

2012-01-21T16:33:00.000-05:00

I thought this was very interesting especially because there are so few revolvers like this out there with actual proof of it's history.

Confederate Ships drive away Union Ships

2012-01-21T00:01:00.000-05:00

Jan 21, 1863:

Rebels recapture Sabine Pass

On this day in 1863, two Confederate ships drive away two Union ships as the Rebels recapture Sabine Pass, Texas, and open an important port for the Confederacy.
Sabine Pass lay at the mouth of the Sabine River along the gulf coast of Texas. The Confederates constructed a major fort there in 1861. In September 1862, a Union force captured the fort and, shortly after, the port of Galveston to the southwest. The Yankees now controlled much of the Texas coast. In November, Confederate General John Bankhead Magruder arrived to change Southern fortunes in the area. Magruder, an early Confederate hero in Virginia, was assigned the difficult task of expelling the Federals from Sabine Pass and Galveston.

Magruder's efforts paid quick dividends. He recaptured Galveston and then turned his attention to Sabine Pass. The decks of the two Rebel ships, the Bell and the Uncle Ben, were stacked with cotton bales. Sharpshooters were placed behind the bales and the ships steamed towards the two Union ships, the Morning Light and the Velocity. Some of the sharpshooters became seasick and had to be removed, but the expedition continued. The Confederates chased the Yankee ships into open water, and the sharpshooters injured many Union gunners. Both Union ships soon surrendered. Magruder's victory reopened the Texas coast for Confederate shipping.
The Union tried to recapture Sabine Pass later in the year, but the effort was thwarted when less than 50 Confederates inside the fort there held off a much larger Union force

Butch's Bore Shine is the one

2012-01-20T00:01:00.003-05:00

I wanted to show you what I used to clean all my muzzleloaders with, this is some real good stuff and easy to purchase when it comes to availability.

http://www.butchsboreshine.com/home/

Benchrest rifles fire many more rounds and undergo much more frequent cleaning than any other firearm. For maximum accuracy, their bores must be surgically clean; yet, they can literally be "cleaned to death" if the wrong cleaner is used. This is why Butch Fisher developed Butch's Bore Shine. Butch's products all deliver benchrest levels of cleanliness and protection for any firearm, even black powder models.

Since it's introduction in 1999 this product has literally set the market back on its heels. Butch's has received nothing but the highest praise from competitive shooting circles. Butch's is a non-abrasive chemical solvent specifically designed to remove all forms of Bore Fouling including copper with an absolute minimum of effort. It will quickly remove carbon build-up even in that "difficult to clean" throat area. It will easily remove lead, wax and even plastic from shotgun wads. However, unlike most powder solvents, Butch's can also control the copper fouling and by pushing a few patches soaked with Butch's will control copper build-up. Butch's is safe to use on carbon and stainless barrels.

Butch's Black Powder Bore Shine

Benchrest clean for black powder guns
Butch's New Black Powder Bore Shine was developed specifically for the Black Powder Shooter who asked for a better, faster way to clean their rifles. Butch's Black Powder Bore Shine comes from a special cleaning solvent used by the U.S. Military. This New Black Powder bore cleaner, like the original Bore Shine does it all. Removes Powder, Lead and Plastic Fouling faster than any other cleaner. Best of all it is odorless, non-toxic, non-flammable, biodegradable and protects against rust and corrosion. You can't find a better cleaner for black powder anywhere.
WEIGHT: 11 oz

After cleaning, protect your firearms with Butch's Gun Oil
Butch's Gun Oil is an ideal bore protectant and conditioner, especially when used with Butch's solvent. It is a proprietary blend of natural oils that withstands the intense heat, friction and pressures produced in a firearm's chamber and bore. The product's rust inhibitor provides the absolute maximum in corrosion protection for both regular and stainless steel firearms. In addition, this oil is also a superior lubricant instantly making gun parts work noticeably smoother.
WEIGHT:
4 oz

New Handi-Pak Containers!
Now, shooters can get Butch's Triple Twill Patches in a more convenient sized package. Each handy and protective screw cap container holds plenty of patches at a lower price than the original bulk packs. The screw cap containers are reusable.
WEIGHT: 3.4 oz

Redefining the Interchangeable Barrel Rifle

2012-01-19T00:01:00.001-05:00

The CVA Apex

The new APEX is, quite frankly, the best break-action, multi-barrel interchangeable rifle system on the market today. Just by shouldering the APEX, the serious shooter will notice a vast superiority to its competitors in both balance and fit. But the real test comes with the shooting. And it is in the shooting that two very important features make the APEX really shine. First, every APEX barrel is made by Bergara Barrels™, which are among the most accurate production barrels made in the world today. Second, APEX’s ambidextrous butt stock is designed specifically for scope shooting, with a height of comb that positions the shooter perfectly in line with the optics. The result is a rifle that shoulders and points as naturally as your favorite shotgun – just like it’s an extension of your body.

50 caliber muzzleloader

As for versatility, the APEX can be quickly and easily set up with a wide range of Bergara Barrels in 14 different muzzleloading, center-fire, and rim-fire calibers. Plus, every APEX features CVA’s patent pending E-Z OpenTM breeching mechanism, which, due to its trigger guard actuation, is extremely simple to operate. And its innovative trigger design provides an incredibly clean, crisp pull that is adjustable from approximately 3 to 4.75 pounds. And for ease of cleaning, the APEX features the patent pending CVA QRBP (Quck Release Breach Plug); the only such system that really works after the gun is fired. Every APEX also includes a Quake® Claw® sling and a custom DuraSight® Z-2 Alloy™ rail mount.

Specifications:

chambered for .243 caliber

416 Stainless Steel, Fluted, BERGARA BARREL™ 27” in Muzzleloader, 25” in Center-Fire
1:28” Twist for Muzzleloader, 1:9”-1:20” for Center-Fire, 1:16” for Rim-Fire
Ambidextrous Synthetic Stock with Rubber Grip Panels – Black or Realtree APG™ Camo
CrushZone® Recoil Pad
DuraSight® Rail Mount
QRBP - Quick Release Breech Plug
Reversible Hammer Spur
Quake® Claw® Sling
7.5 lbs. Total Weight in Center-Fire, 8 lbs. in Muzzleloader
40” Overall in Center-Fire, 42” in Muzzleloader
14.5” Length of Pull
Lifetime Warranty

Remington's New Army 1858

2012-01-18T00:01:00.002-05:00

Here is one revolver that I would like to eventually get.

Remington Army 1858

The Remington New Model, was a percussion revolver manufactured by Eliphalet Remington & Sons in .36-(Navy) or .44-(Army) caliber revolver used during the American Civil War. The Remington revolver was a secondary, supplemental issue firearm for the Union Army until the Colt factory fire of 1864. Due to the fire, the preferred Colt 1860 Army was not available for some time, and large numbers of the Remington revolver were ordered by the U.S. Government as a substitute. It was expensive and those who could afford it remarked on its its durability and ability to quickly reload by switching to another pre-loaded cylinder.^[1]
It saw use in the American West, both in its original percussion configuration and as a metallic cartridge conversion.

Overview

The Remington was a single-action, six-shot, percussion revolver produced by E. Remington & Sons, Ilion, N.Y., based on the Fordyce Beals patent of September 14, 1858 (Patent 21,478). The Remington Army revolver was large-framed, in .44 caliber, with an 8 inch barrel length. The Remington Navy revolver was slightly smaller framed than the Army, and in .36 caliber with an 7.375 inch [Beals Navy 7.5 inch] barrel length. There were three progressive models; the Remington-Beals Army & Navy (1860–1862), the 1861 Army & Navy (1862–1863), and the New Model Army & Navy (1863–1875).^[2] The three models are nearly identical in size and appearance. Subtle but noticeable differences in hammers, loading levers, and cylinders help identify each model. The 1861 Remington actually transitioned into New Model appearance by late 1862, slowly transforming throughout 1862, due to continual improvement suggestions from the U. S. Ordnance Department.^[3]^[4]
By the time of the Civil War, most percussion revolvers were fired with commercially made combustible cartridges, constructed of a powder envelope (usually paper cartridge) glued to the base of a conical bullet. The treated envelope self-consumed upon firing. To load a combustible, a cartridge was dropped envelope first into each chamber and seated firmly with the loading lever, the process continuing until all six chambers were loaded. After all six chambers were loaded, placing a percussion cap on each of the six nipples at the rear of the cylinder readied the revolver for firing. The six chambers of a revolver cylinder could also be loaded one chamber at a time, by dropping in a powder charge from a flask, followed by seating either a round ball or conical bullet in each chamber, using the loading lever. To help prevent chain firing (also known as "cross-firing") of the black powder charge and to reduce black powder fouling, grease (such as tallow) was often put into each chamber on top of the loaded projectile. Combustible cartridge bullets were already pre-greased with beeswax, so the greasing step was unnecessary. The final loading step was capping as in the combustible cartridge loading method described earlier.

Production history
Manufacturer	Remington Arms
Produced	1862 to 1875
Number built	Approx. 132,000
Specifications
Weight	2 lb, 13 oz (1.27 kg)
Length	13.25 in (337 mm)
Barrel length	8 in (203 mm)

Cartridge	Powder & ball or Paper cartridge with conical bullet
Caliber	.36, .44, .38/100 (converted), .44 Remington (converted)
Action	Single action,
Muzzle velocity	550-1286 ft/s
Effective range	sighted in at 75 yards
Feed system	6 round cylinder
Sights	Fixed Post, Top Strap

History of Colt's Manufacturing Co. during the Civil War

2012-01-17T03:01:00.000-05:00

1860–1865: American Civil War

The American Civil War was a boon to firearms manufacturers such as Colt's and the company thrived during the conflict. Sam Colt had carefully developed contacts within the ordnance department signing the very first government contract for 25,000 rifles. Colt's Factory was described as "an industrial palace topped by a blue dome" and powered by a 250-horsepower steam engine. During the American Civil War Colt had 1,500 employees who produced 150,000 muskets and pistols a year. In 1861 and 1863 the company sold 107,000 of the Colt Army Model 1860, alone, with production reaching 200,500 by the end of the war in 1865. In 1855 an employee of Colt's, Rollin White, came up with the idea of having the revolver cylinder bored through to accept metallic cartridges. He took this idea to Colt who flatly rejected it and ended up firing White within a few years. Colt historian RL Wilson has described this as the major blunder of Sam Colt's professional life.

The Civil War made a huge fortune for the company, becoming America's first manufacturing tycoon, but Sam Colt did not live to see the end of it. He died of rheumatic fever on January 10, 1862 and his close friend and firearms engineer, Elisha K. Root, took over as Colt's company president. On February 4, 1864 a fire destroyed most of the factory including arms, machinery, plans, and factory records.On September1, 1865 Root died leaving the company in the hands of Samuel Colt's brother-in-law, Richard Jarvis. The company's Vice-president was William B. Franklin, who recently left the Army at the end of the Civil War. With the Civil War over and no new military contracts Colt's Manufacturing had to lay off over 800 employees.
The company found itself in a precarious situation, the original revolver patents had expired and other companies could produce copies of his designs. Additionally, mettalic cartridge revolvers had been gaining in popularity, but Colt could not produce any because of the Rollin White patent held by rival, Smith & Wesson. Likewise, Colt had been so protective of its own patents that other companies were unable to make revolvers similar to their design. As the Rolin white patent was nearing expiration, Colt moved toward developing a metallic cartridge revolver.

Samuel Colt founded the Colt's Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company in Hartford, Connecticut.
Colt purchased a large tract of land beside the Connecticut River, where he built his first factory in 1848, a larger factory called the Colt Armory in 1855, a manor that he called Armsmear in 1856, and employee tenemant housing. He established a ten-hour day for employees, installed washing stations in the factory, mandated a one-hour lunch break, and built the Charter Oak Hall, a club where employees could enjoy games, newspapers, and discussion rooms. Colt ran his plant with a military-like discipline, he would fire workers for tardiness, sub-par work or even suggesting improvements to his designs.
In an attempt to attract skilled German workers to his plant, Colt built a village near the factory away from the tenemants which he named Coltsville and modeled the homes after a village in Pottsdam. In an effort to stem the flooding from the river he planted German osiers, a type of willow tree in a 2-mile long dike. He subsequently built a factory to manufacture wicker furniture made from these trees.

Info from Wikipedia:

"God made man, but Samuel Colt made them equal"

Tomarrow's Day in History - Janaury 17th.

2012-01-16T10:35:00.000-05:00

Jan 17, 1865:

Sherman's army is delayed by rain

On this day in 1865, Union General William T. Sherman's army is rained in at Savannah, Georgia, as it waits to begin marching into the Carolinas.

In the fall of 1864, Sherman and his army marched across Georgia and destroyed nearly everything in their path. Sherman reasoned that the war would end sooner if the conflict were taken to the civilian South, a view shared by President Abraham Lincoln and General-in-Chief Ulysses S. Grant. Sherman's men tore up railroads, burned grain stores, carried away livestock, and left plantations in ruins. The Yankees captured the port city of Savannah just before Christmas, and Sherman paused for three weeks to rest and resupply his troops.

sherman's army in Washington

After this rest, Sherman planned to move into the Carolinas and subject those states to the same brutal treatment that Georgia received. His 60,000 troops were divided into two wings. General Oliver O. Howard was to take two corps and move northeast to Charleston, South Carolina, while General Henry Slocum was to move northwest toward Augusta, Georgia. These were just diversions to the main target: Columbia, South Carolina.

As Sherman was preparing to move, the rains began. On January 17, the Yankees waited while heavy rains pelted the region. The downpour lasted for 10 days, the heaviest rainfall in 20 years. Some of Sherman's aides thought a winter campaign in the Carolinas would be difficult with such wet weather, but Sherman had spent four years in Charleston as a young lieutenant in the army, and believed that the march was possible. He also possessed an army that was ready to continue its assault on the Confederacy. Sherman wrote to his wife that he "...never saw a more confident army...The soldiers think I know everything and that they can do anything."

Sherman's army did not begin moving until the end of January 1865. When the army finally did move, it conducted a campaign against South Carolina that was worse than the one against Georgia. Sherman wanted to exact revenge on the state that had led secession and started the war by firing on Fort Sumter.