Powder compression

[Kurt]

Hi Kurt,

thx for this topic and the efford you have done to show what happen with different compression levels.
Nice and exporatory Pics also.

i`ve not a experienced shooter like you and the other fellows due to the lack of long range and the opportunity of Matches,Shilhouttes or any others here in Germany.
So i read a lot of Books and in serval Forums to acquire experience in Black Powder Loading and Shooting for me and my short ranges.
The question of Compression seem to be a neverending story and i feel that the thruth will never found.
If i remember that Paul A. Matthews often wrote in his Books that less compression with attention of no damaging the Powder Kernels are necessary to get a good and clean burn but he also told that the old US Goverment Loads are filled with a full compressed Mass of Powder.
in a old Sharps Catalog i read ... loading your Match Cartr. with Powder, set a Cardwad and gently press it down on the Top of the Powder mainly take care that you don`t crush the Powder. Finally set the Bullet with your fingers....

For me i have not found any difference in claen burning on different levels of compession but however on different kinds of Powder Brands.

will keep your further results carefully

thx and regards
Klaus

Klaus.
A lot of the fouling I find varies with the different manufactures. some are harder and heavier. One thing you might try to compare the amount left behind in the barrel is to shoot the powder and PP bullet with out any lube. This will be a better way to see what is left behind with out the lube catching the fouling. You will see a brighter bore if you don't use lube if the shot is fired from a clean bore.
To test the fouling when it was shot through a clean unoiled bore is push a dry clean patch through after that first shot through a clean bore and have a news paper under the barrel to catch what the patch pushes through and also look at the patch and pat attention how moist and the amount or fouling is on the patch and what fell on the paper. Compare it with different powder.
Usually the more fouling that stays on the patch the more moist it burns.

You have to do this shot for shot through a clean dry unoiled barrel with no lube.

Kurt

Klaus.

Ich wurde in Magdeburg geboren. Wie weit sind Sie von dort?
Und haben sie die Stadt seit dem Krieg wiederaufbauen?