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From what I've been able to find out about the .58 Springfield Rifle Musket, the hollow Minie bullet that it fired cleaned the barrel to a certain extent because of its very close fit in the barrel as it expanded under pressure. The typical soldier could get off three shots a minute for twelve minutes, loading and firing on his own (which would exhaust the standard issue of 40 paper cartridges).

When the Confederates learned to raise the rate of fire by having one soldier firing at the front while others behind loaded for him, it was found that firing a ball slightly smaller than the bore helped to get it out past the fouling. Some of the fouling would still be carried away by the undersized bullet expanding.

However, I'm willing to bet that after 40 shots the recoil must have been crippling!

AnswerWell, the gun would eventually clog up. The soldier typically carried only 20 rounds and sometimes 40. Also, they had a bullet that was fired that helped clean the bore. This bullet was not hollow base like most Minie's balls but had a solid base with a stud in the center. On this stud was placed a Leather washer. The leather was supposed to help clean out the bore. I have one of these cleaning bullets in my collection.

Also, it doesn't take but 1 minute to ram a wet cloth down the barrel and swab out the powder residue. I do this after every other shot when I'm on the range.

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When did the era of black powder rifles end and cartridge use begin?

i think it was during the civil war ( towards the end of the war )


What Black powder rifles used in world war 1?

none, all the combatants of WW1 had already completely switched to smokeless powders.


Why were Garandoni air rifles not used in the Civil War?

Most men already knew how to use black powder when they entered the war and there was no need to teach them how to use something else. The government was set up to produce Black power not mass quantities of Air rifles


Is gunpowder used in war today?

There are two kinds of gunpowder, "black powder" and "smokeless powder." I put them in quotes because all gunpowder is black, and all of it smokes when it burns. Both are used in modern warfare. Black powder is primarily used as a delay element in other explosives. If you want to build an explosive device that has a time delay between initiating the explosion and the explosion occurring - hand grenades are a prime example - you put a column of black powder between the initiator and the explosive. Smokeless powder is the propellant in every rifle, shotgun, pistol, shoulder-fired rocket, artillery round, etc., etc., etc., used in the world today.


What made US Civil War cannon balls explode?

Some were hollow iron projectiles and filled with black powder. The same powder used to fire cannons and muskets. Time delay fuses were attached. These were ignited by the canon firing, burned a predetermined time, and exploded the powder.

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You need to consult with a lawyer for a correct and current answer.


Why was the paper cartridge designed for black powder rifles and muskets?

To make reloading faster and more accurate.


What is the compartment on the stock of a black powder rifle?

The compartment is for the storage of cleaning patches.


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Will a rifle scope work on black powder muzzle loader?

Yes, a rifle scope can work on a black powder muzzleloader, but there are a few considerations. It's important to choose a scope that can withstand the recoil and vibrations associated with black powder rifles, as they can differ from modern centerfire rifles. Additionally, ensure that the scope is mounted securely and that the eye relief is appropriate for the muzzleloader's design. Using a scope specifically designed for muzzleloaders can enhance performance and accuracy.