Muzzle-loading blackpowder question.

[Caliga]

In addition to the Kentucky rifle replica, I've fired a repro Springfield 1855 and one other one at another Civil War reenactors event (might have also been a Springfield), and then one out in New Mexico that was at like a recreated fur trappers' camp... no idea what model it was.

Generally speaking I think I prefer firing my moden smokeless semiautomatic with 25 round magazines.

[grumbler]

Someone writes about men peeing into the musket barrels to loosen up the gunk and allow them to keep firing.  Can't recall the book or circumstances though - could have been Napoleonic.  At a guess, Swords Around a throne, which has those kinds of details.

[DGuller]

Someone writes about men peeing into the musket barrels to loosen up the gunk and allow them to keep firing.

Ewww.    I wouldn't want to be shot by that musket.

[Caliga]

Is there a musket you would want to be shot by?

[grumbler]

Is there a musket you would want to be shot by?

:whoosh:

[11B4V]

Someone writes about men peeing into the musket barrels to loosen up the gunk and allow them to keep firing.  Can't recall the book or circumstances though - could have been Napoleonic.  At a guess, Swords Around a throne, which has those kinds of details.

Doesnt sound to far out there. Battlefield expediants.

[citizen k]

and then one out in New Mexico that was at like a recreated fur trappers' camp... no idea what model it was.

Was that at Philmont by any chance?

[Caliga]

Was that at Philmont by any chance?

Correct. 

[mongers]

Someone writes about men peeing into the musket barrels to loosen up the gunk and allow them to keep firing.

Ewww.    I wouldn't want to be shot by that musket.

[Mr.Penguin]

I remember reading how an average soldier, doing the time of muzzle loading rifles, rarely firer more than 5 shots doing a battle as they usually would try and force an end to most engagement with a bayonet change...     

[Brazen]

In the English Civil War Society we'd clean out our muskets after a battle. There's simply no time during. But for misfires and blockages you use a corkscrew device called a worming rod to root out unfired black powder and wadding.

BTW, in a rapid-fire situation, you simple bang the end of the musket down to ram the ball home. Less powerful but keeps the shot rate up.

[Berkut]

BTW, in a rapid-fire situation, you simple bang the end of the musket down to ram the ball home. Less powerful but keeps the shot rate up.

Probably not possible with a rifled musket though.

[Syt]

BTW, in a rapid-fire situation, you simple bang the end of the musket down to ram the ball home. Less powerful but keeps the shot rate up.

I learned that watching "Sharpe's Rifles" when he trains the raw recruits with their smooth bore muskets. 

[Malthus]

BTW, in a rapid-fire situation, you simple bang the end of the musket down to ram the ball home. Less powerful but keeps the shot rate up.

Probably not possible with a rifled musket though.

Apparently it could be done if you left off the patch of greased leather that the bullet was wrapped in.

At least, if the Sharpe series counts as an authority. 

[derspiess]

BTW, in a rapid-fire situation, you simple bang the end of the musket down to ram the ball home. Less powerful but keeps the shot rate up.

Probably not possible with a rifled musket though.

Definitely not possible with a pre-1850s rifled musket.  It took a lot of effort to push the tight-fitting round ball down the barrel.  Also I guess not possible with Minie balls, since they were still somewhat snug, though not nearly as tight.