ORIGINAL: dmurphy317
Phil,
In one respect you are accurate that we "test" our guns each time we fire them. However, most "proof" loads that I have seen published are based on double charge double projectile surviveability, not just normal loads. This implies that the gun has at least a2 to 1 safety margin for the recommended max load.
One poster earlier mentioned that Savage proofs theirs at 1.3 times max recommended load. That seems like a small margin of safety to me as each load can vary due to fouling, loading technique, etc. It has been said that they have tested the gun to >100,000psi. Why would they only proof to 1.3 times their load max if they have that kind of head room?
I think the peak pressure of any load I would put in my muzzleloaders would definitely be below 13,000 psi. Which is probably a third or less than a thirdof the burst pressure of the typical Spanish barrel. I really don't know for sure. I am positive though, that the burst pressure of Spanish barrels is above the pressures one would encounter with 3 pellet loads of projectiles weighing 300 grains or less, PROVIDED, a clean bore which has been broken in and no longer offers unusual resistance to the projectile's acceleration from the bore. That said, I do not feel that a 3 pellet load is safe even though it would normally operate at pressures below the burst pressure of the barrel.
As you concerned yourself, a double loadcould occur. With children being involved you must be double careful. The breech plug in yourrifle has more purpose than just letting the fire in the breech. It also allows pressure to"blow-back"when a problem occurs and will work to prevent a blow up, provided, amodest charge was loaded. In 50 cal., 100 grains is not modest IMO it is a maximum charge and should be respected for what it is capable of doing.
That said, I don't think there is a muzzleloader out there, save maybe the savage that can stand 6 pelletsunder a single 300 grain projectile. It just isn't possible to proof the standard ML rifle to those pressures. Those kind of pressures will push a barrel into plastic deformation and will necessarily ruin the barrel even if it does not burst.
I do still have concerns due to the fact that 2 of the guns I have are for my 2 boys. I would like to have more concrete evidence that they are safe if for no other reason but to satisfy my desire to protect my kids. I would also want the same level of confidence no matter what company made the guns. After all, do we really know that there are more spanish barreled guns (as a percentage of guns manufactured in Spain vs elsewhere) experiencing failure or does it appear that way because there are so many more of them out there?
I have decided that I am going to do some proof testing on one of my CVA rifles. The object is to verify the strength of the gun or blow it up, whichever comes first. I do not want to get into the details at this time as the test plan is being reviewed by an experiencedgunsmithand there may/will be changes in the testing methods discussed over the next week or two. I hope to conduct the test sometime in the next month or so depending on the weather and my schedule. If there are any gunsmiths or experienced gun testers out there that would like to contribute info/ideas/data to the testing, please PM me or email me.
dmurphy,
There is something I would like to do something for you. I would like to design a load for your sons which I have full confidence will operate below 10,000 psi, the proof rating of your Spanish barrels. I don't want to do it half cocked. If you would PM me with details of the ranges you expect to have shooting opportunity, open or scope, where you think the recoil should be in relation to 12 ga. clay load, etc. I will provide you with a load guideline you can test for accuracy with your kids. I will post in a separate post. If they work you can stop worrying about the load itself and start concentrating on teaching your sons safe muzzleloading practices. I would very much like to help.
Happy Hunting, Phil