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British Firearms (Pre. 1914) >> Muzzle Loading - Military Muskets and Rifles >> historical question: most powerfull pecusion rifle
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Message started by agent00 on 02/13/06 at 12:00pm

Title: historical question: most powerfull pecusion rifle
Post by agent00 on 02/13/06 at 12:00pm

Hi, I am new in this board and my first question is already in the subject line: What was the most powefull military muzzle loading rilfe? Was there on model better than ohters when stopping/wounding power is concerned or where all rilfes equal in power?

Title: Re: historical question: most powerfull pecusion r
Post by Bill_Curtis on 02/13/06 at 2:12pm

For a start, how about the Heavy Naval Brunswick Model of 1840 made at Enfield by Lovell. Calibre .796. Production was limited to 100 examples as it proved to be rather a useless confection which incorporated the obsolete idea that the only way to increase range was to have a bigger ball without realising that elongating from a round ball gave the necessary weight with improved ballistic efficiency. This was, of course, the dawn of the Mini� age with people like Delvigne reaching towards the huge improvements of the 1850s.

Given the constant changes going on throughout the period it can only be realistic to select a given date and then to make the comparisons, so the latter part of your question must remain unanswered. Power in a rifle/musket is also a factor of the combination of range, accuracy and striking force.

Title: Re: historical question: most powerfull pecusion r
Post by agent00 on 02/13/06 at 7:25pm

ok thx for your answer. @ Bill Curtis Have you got the ballistic data of the Heavy Naval Brunswick ?

Title: Re: historical question: most powerfull pecusion r
Post by dbm on 02/13/06 at 8:56pm

I've noticed similar posting on this topic on other forums. Has there been a concensus of opinion reached amongst you correspondents, or is there a top five! :)

David

Title: Re: historical question: most powerfull pecusion r
Post by Bill_Curtis on 02/14/06 at 1:01am

The Heavy Navy took a belted ball suitable to the calibre with an initial loading of 3.5 drams of powder (96 grains) which was later reduced to 2.5 drams (70 grains) the standard rifle load. In other words, a large ball travelling rather slowly. As it was never used in action, any discussion on this rather useless object is not very relevant. I used to own one for very many years and had a mould constructed on the Ordnance records specification. I found that with both the original loads it would not hold a six feet square target at 200 yards. I suppose one could have landed a ball somewhere on a three-decker at the estimated maximum sight setting of 470 yards, but to plonk a mid-19th century Nelson successor, well, perhaps, if you were above the victim and dropped the thing on him.

Title: Re: historical question: most powerfull pecusion r
Post by agent00 on 02/14/06 at 10:54am

@Bill thx again for your infos.