Newbie, ammunition question?

[Flatlander35]

Good evening,

I know I can find it if I dig through a few hundred pages, but I figure if I ask here I would not only get a correct answer, but a better answer from folks who do this regularly. I am looking at joining the N-SSA and really want to shoot in at least one event this upcoming year. I have my own musket, bullet molds, and things of that nature, but when I watch the videos of events I am having a hard time seeing what kind of cartridges people use. All I am able to see is that they use a bayonet in the ground to keep the ramrod in.

Do you need to use a traditional paper cartridge from the 1860's, or can you have a separate powder charge and a lubed minie ball while shooting?

How does this work with smoothbores? If I really get into this, chances are I am going to go the smoothbore route next as shooting reactive targets is the most appealing to me and what I read on the webpage states that smoothbores shoot primarily reactive targets as a whole. I'm guessing you need to use a slightly undersized lead ball to counteract the paper from the cartridge? I know speed is the game but do teeth still rule the day or is there a better way?

I know google is your friend, and I have used it... Most of the results were from 8+ years ago so I would like a somewhat more recent reply if possible. Thanks in advance.

[Tim Iannuzzi]

First off, I hope you join. Consider coming to one of the regional recruitment skirmishes if you can, depending on your location. We can provide you schedules and locations for those.

For questions on the cartridges we use, start with this video, part of a very helpful N-SSA new shooter video series developed by one of our team commanders.

https://youtu.be/zP1lZoAREX8?si=l1Om_NmcWVbb-wUZ

[PoorJack]

Good evening,

I know I can find it if I dig through a few hundred pages, but I figure if I ask here I would not only get a correct answer, but a better answer from folks who do this regularly. I am looking at joining the N-SSA and really want to shoot in at least one event this upcoming year. I have my own musket, bullet molds, and things of that nature, but when I watch the videos of events I am having a hard time seeing what kind of cartridges people use. All I am able to see is that they use a bayonet in the ground to keep the ramrod in.

Do you need to use a traditional paper cartridge from the 1860's, or can you have a separate powder charge and a lubed minie ball while shooting?

How does this work with smoothbores? If I really get into this, chances are I am going to go the smoothbore route next as shooting reactive targets is the most appealing to me and what I read on the webpage states that smoothbores shoot primarily reactive targets as a whole. I'm guessing you need to use a slightly undersized lead ball to counteract the paper from the cartridge? I know speed is the game but do teeth still rule the day or is there a better way?

I know google is your friend, and I have used it... Most of the results were from 8+ years ago so I would like a somewhat more recent reply if possible. Thanks in advance.

Here's a pic of basically how we load cartridges today-


It's a plastic tube that contains the powder and the minie is used as a "stopper". There are some that shoot paper cartridges but if you want to have a prayer at being competitive and spend far less time making ammo, this is the way. Smoothbore works the same.

In the team/unit matches, all targets are reactive (if you hit them ). The only traditional paper targets are used in the individual matches.

Bite the cartridge in your teeth. Some do, most don't. No need to.

Ramrod. Many use a bayonet as a ramrod holder. Some don't. They keep the ramrod in the left hand. It's preference and what you are comfortable with.

If you want to get a taste of exactly how we do it, come on out to the Recruit Skirmish in April at Ft Shenandoah. It's an event set up so that new folks can get a taste of how we do things. You'll be taught how we load, how our safety procedures work, fed lunch and then squad up with a group of other new folks and shoot your own mini skirmish against the other new folks.

[bobanderson]

Sent you a private message to get started.

[Maillemaker]

Good evening,

I know I can find it if I dig through a few hundred pages, but I figure if I ask here I would not only get a correct answer, but a better answer from folks who do this regularly. I am looking at joining the N-SSA and really want to shoot in at least one event this upcoming year. I have my own musket, bullet molds, and things of that nature, but when I watch the videos of events I am having a hard time seeing what kind of cartridges people use. All I am able to see is that they use a bayonet in the ground to keep the ramrod in.

Do you need to use a traditional paper cartridge from the 1860's, or can you have a separate powder charge and a lubed minie ball while shooting?

How does this work with smoothbores? If I really get into this, chances are I am going to go the smoothbore route next as shooting reactive targets is the most appealing to me and what I read on the webpage states that smoothbores shoot primarily reactive targets as a whole. I'm guessing you need to use a slightly undersized lead ball to counteract the paper from the cartridge? I know speed is the game but do teeth still rule the day or is there a better way?

I know google is your friend, and I have used it... Most of the results were from 8+ years ago so I would like a somewhat more recent reply if possible. Thanks in advance.

Howdy!

In the N-SSA, for muzzleloading arms, the historical US style of paper cartridge is allowed (from the US 1855 or 1862 Ordnance Manuals). This kind of cartridge is only an envelope for containing the powder and bullet, and the entirety of the paper is discarded - none of it goes down the barrel. The N-SSA does not allow paper down the barrel of muzzleloading arms. (Combustible cartridges are allowed for the Sharps rifle and carbine and revolvers).

Most people, however, use some kind of reusable tube for a "cartridge". These days they are generally plastic, but before they were used people used little cardboard tubes with one end glued shut.

Either way, the upshot is you have a little reusable tube that you pour your measured powder charge in, and then stick the bullet in like a cork. To use, you pull out the bullet, dump the powder down the barrel, toss the tube on the ground (or some people wear a tin cup on their belt and toss it in there), and them put the bullet in and drive it home with the ramrod. After the match, you pick up your tubes on the ground and save them for next time.

If you are going to use the tin cup on your belt make sure you upend it from time to time to dump out the grains of powder that will accumulate in the cup. I had a cook-off in my cup one time. Harmless, but sure gets the heart pumping!

You may find this video useful:

[Flatlander35]

Thanks for the help, all! Tons of good information here, down the rabbit hole I go.

[Keith Williams]

Did he state where he lives?

Keith A. Williams

[Lou Lou Lou]

He is in Michigan. Local Skirmisher has contacted him

[Keith Williams]

Thanks Lou, I was wondering why Bob jumped on it so quickly!

May be the guy will want to join a Confederate Cavalry unit...Lol!

Take care.

Keith A. Williams
You know the team

[John Bly]

Flatlanders are in lower Michigan. Trolls are in northern MI (under the bridge so to say) and Yoopers are in the Upper Peninsula (UP)