I'm looking at getting a .54 caliber sharps rifle or carbine. This is the non-brass cartridge type.
I've read many posts about making paper cartridges, etc., and proper loads.
Every source I've read states that black powder arms need to have all empty space in the chamber filled, or over pressure will result. I've also ready that sharps rifles and carbines are often loaded without filling up the chamber.
My question is to what degree must the chamber of the sharps rifle/carbine be filled prior to firing? My understanding is that the standard load for the .54 caliber was 60 grains of powder, but one post I read stated that a fellow could get over 100 grains into his chamber without a paper cartridge (he was just pouring it in behind the bullet).
So what's the consensus?
Thanks!
-John
I've read many posts about making paper cartridges, etc., and proper loads.
Every source I've read states that black powder arms need to have all empty space in the chamber filled, or over pressure will result. I've also ready that sharps rifles and carbines are often loaded without filling up the chamber.
My question is to what degree must the chamber of the sharps rifle/carbine be filled prior to firing? My understanding is that the standard load for the .54 caliber was 60 grains of powder, but one post I read stated that a fellow could get over 100 grains into his chamber without a paper cartridge (he was just pouring it in behind the bullet).
So what's the consensus?
Thanks!
-John