A family member asked me if I had ever put powder or in my case pellets in the gun then a primer and fired it with no bullet to see what happened. I have not and don't really plan to but it got me curious as to what would happen. Would the barrel explode or would a flame just shoot out? He seemed to think it would just be a big loud flame. Anyone know what would happen?

hehe, 3 things (I have had them all happen to me with loose powder)

1: if you prime the rifle aimed to the ground. you could loose your charge. and just hear the pop of the primer.

2:if you load the gun (loose powder) and pack it. a very loud bang and a lot of smoke.

3:if you load the gun and not pack it. fizzles lots of smoke. very dirty barrel.

have not done that with pellets. only shot 12 pellets loads.

With loose powder, just a dull "whoosh", not loud, some flame or smoke and like Corey said a very dirty barrel.

With pellets, make sure you do it at night. It'll shoot little flaming pellets up into the air.

The re-enactment guys do it all the time. Seat a wad on top of the charge and push down hard to pack the powder. Loud kaboom big flame lots of smoke and the tourists are impressed. Works for cannon too.