Here is a hypothetical situation.
Given that the breech of the nm1859 Sharps will carry as much as 90 grains of 2fg to fill it completely (not counting the additional void in the breech block), and given that a load of say 50 grains is actually used, it follows that there will be plenty of air space once the breech-block is closed.
My question is: Is there likely to be any tendency for misfire, if say before firing, the gun is tilted muzzle down so all the powder runs toward the slug, or conversely, if the muzzle is pointed up, causing the powder to collect around the nozzle of the breech-block. Bringing the gun to horizontal to fire will allow some of the powder to roll towards a flat state, but that will not happen completely. The bottom line is that in one case you will have more powder towards the slug and in the other, more will be to the rear.
Has anyone noticed a problem or difference in performance either way?
Peter Chandler
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