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Speaking of bullets...

By The Armorer on May 30, 2008 | | Comments (35)

(which I did, yesterday)...and the supply nightmares associated with... what with the doom and gloom of Wolfwalker, Canoneer #4, Kevin, et.al., regarding the pending collapse of the Republic, and the fear by El Borak, Terry and others of the overall collapse of civilization, a fair number have expressed the desire to retreat to the Castle, break open the Arms Room, and fort up.

Oddly enough, I'm not quite that down about things, but it never hurts to be prepared. There is a problem, however.

The Castle Arsenal is not an Armory. It has many weapons, to be sure... but it has many calibers, too.

Some of the Calibers of Argghhh!

And there are at least 6 calibers not therein represented. So, you're going to have to put in orders for which weapon you want issued to you - and then you're going to have to BYOBullets. I suggest you get your reservations in fast - the 7.62 NATO, 7.63x39, 7.62x54, .303, 30-06, and 5.56 weapons will go fast. If you need some help checking out the available calibers - click here.

Who's going to carry a flintlock? And somebody is going to get stuck with the muff gun, the Webley .25ACP.

Oh. The two rounds at the extreme right - those are a 60mm and 81mm mortar cartridge, not shotgun cartridges. I just realized I left out the 12 gauge riot gun cartridge... No, don't ask. The M97 is spoken for. SWWBO has it.

Update: Since Argent asked in the comments, "What's the fluffy thing..." I thought a little larger pic was in order. AW1 Tim adequately explained what it is - a .57caliber paper cartridge - but here's a picture. Argent: On top = fluffy. On the bottom = paper cartridge.

Civil War era paper cartridge for .57 caliber weapons.

Simply put, you took paper, sufficient to hold the bullet and powder charge, and laid it on a flat surface. Put your bullet on it (to the left in the shot), and the powder behind it. Wrap up the paper and tie it off. In action, rather than up-end your musket, grab your powder flask, measure in the powder, drop your flask (on a sling, of course) reach into your box and get a bullet, etc, you grabbed a cartridge, bit off the end, poured the powder down the barrel and then stuffed the bullet, paper and all, into the muzzle and rammed her home, the paper acting as a wad. Made things simpler and faster - always good to simplify when you are going to ask people to do it under great stress.

And you really don't want to be the person getting the Webley. It's *small*.

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35 Comments

By Argent on May 30, 2008 7:04 AM
What's the fluffy thing at the front left?
 
By ry on May 30, 2008 7:12 AM
I'll take one of the modified flintlocks. I felt I could actually see the sights and target simu. with it because of it's length. Besides, I'm sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo-breath-ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow on the trigger so a semi-auto or otherwise would be a waste of time.
 
By Boquisucio on May 30, 2008 7:13 AM
***Wildly raises his hand*** Me - me - me!!! I wanna Diddle Cricket aka .25ACP Webley. If it was good enough for K, in MIB, 'tis good enough for me. BTW - Love them 60mm Zero Charges.
 
By AW1 Tim on May 30, 2008 7:16 AM
The "fluffy thing" appears to be a paper cartridge for either the .577 Enfield P-53/58 types, or mire likely a .58 for the M1855/61/63/63 et al series. Although, to be honest, the US Arsenals changed production in 1861 to a >57 caliber projectile, so as to serve both the Springfield and Enfield series weapons. Similarly, they went with a .53 caliber to as to serve both the US ,54 caliber series and the foreign .55 arms which were being imported in some quantity. For keeping heads down, the Springfield/Enfield weapons are pretty good. Although it takes around a minute to reload, it can still penetrate 6" of seasoned white pine at 1,000 yards :) Soft lead, unjacketed, slow velocity and high mass makes for quite an impression on the target. Easy to clean, too. Just hot water and rags and some sweet oil to wipe it down with before you put it to bed. respects,
 
By BillT on May 30, 2008 8:31 AM
The M97 is spoken for. SWWBO has it. She's on the night shift? Need any 20 mike-mike?
 
By Parrothead Jeff on May 30, 2008 8:53 AM
I can't recall everything you have there, but I'll take either a Mosin-Nagant (91/30 or M44 preferably) or a Steyr M95 :D !
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 9:01 AM
All of those are available, Jeff. However, you have to stand many feet to either side of me if you're going to shoot the noisy ones.
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 9:05 AM
No, Bill. Not that one. And SWWBO doesn't do nights. That's for the newbies. This one (albeit an original, not a repro like the one in the link).
 
By BillT on May 30, 2008 9:47 AM
At least nobody will try to stick a *scope* on it. Except maybe ry...
 
By Terrymum on May 30, 2008 9:52 AM
Knowing my own skill set, I may have to volunteer to pass the ammunition (and cook!!) rather then be on the front lines, if it's all the same to you. I used to be a good shot with a rifle, but that was years ago. I have no idea if my poor eye sight would now mean I can't hit the broad side of a barn, but it's not unlikely. I will do what my leaders tell me to do, including shoot at people/things. However, unless you just need cannon fodder in the shape of an old woman with a few good years left in her, I think I will not claim a weapon. I'll take what you give me and do what I am told. Will that work for you??
 
By Misty on May 30, 2008 10:06 AM
Ah, heck, I'll take the flintlock. I have a fair history of beating people with blunt objects.
 
By Neffi on May 30, 2008 10:16 AM
No1 MkIII, please... SMLEs are *classy*, old boy.
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 10:21 AM
With or without the magazine cut-off, Neffi? Terry - you get the Webley.
 
By Barb on May 30, 2008 10:31 AM
Hmmm - I want the weapon with the largest capacity, of course :-) But since I've been playing hooky from class, the Armorer will have to edumacate me on the options in that area. Whatcha got that fires one of the 7.62 sizes and has a high-cap clip?
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 10:34 AM
Barb gets the matchlock. "Clip" indeed. Ha-RUMPH! If she abases herself properly, I *might* allow her to have the 3-round Berthier M1890 carbine. If she *really* abases herself properly, perhaps the Bethier M1916, with the 5 round, CLIP-fed magazine. But that's about it. Hey! I didn't get a ha-RUMPH outta that guy!
 
By Barb on May 30, 2008 10:44 AM
Heh -- I admitted to playing hookey, didn't I??? Geez - are you going to make me take Ry's place in the dungeon? Hmmm ... Cheetos!
 
By ry on May 30, 2008 10:45 AM
Randolph Scott.(Moment of silence)
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 10:46 AM
Heh. You *coulda* had the crank-fired belt-fed M1919A1 in 7.62 NATO, with Ry as your AG, but noooooo, not now. Not after you commit the clip/magazine heresy!
 
By GunTrash on May 30, 2008 10:50 AM
Seeing the price of Wolf or Bernaul 7.62 x 39 nowadays, you can't imagine how often I pat myself on the back for stocking up with dozens of spam cans of it that I purchased during the late 90s. It's doubled in price since. I'm usually not that smart.
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 10:57 AM
That explains your upcoming rotator-cuff surgery then... all that back-patting. ;^ )
 
By BloodSpite on May 30, 2008 11:14 AM
I'll bring my own sidearm. But I'm a fair hand with a long rifle, failing that gimmie a mortar. I'll keep the neighborhood kids out of the yard ;)
 
By Alan Briley, RN on May 30, 2008 11:43 AM
I have a 1903-A3 Springfield, several .308 bolt actions, 2 AR-15's, a stainless Colt Commander, a commander size Para Ordnance in .45 ACP, .357 revolvers (5 r 6?), .32 ACP's, an SKS, numerous .22RF and .22WRF, MK4 Enfield in .303 British, hand & a half sword, calvary saber, katana, khukhri, multiple fixed blade knives, improvised explosives knowledge, .... Maybe I'll share...?
 
By Barb on May 30, 2008 12:06 PM
Fine ... I'll just bring my own shotguns and sidearms. :-P
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 12:08 PM
And ammo! Don't forget to BYOB!
 
By ry on May 30, 2008 12:51 PM
Oh, great. NOw people are bringing their own. That means I'm going to get stuck on the building of defenseworks(earthworks, trenches, nasty trap holes) detail. Man(kicks floor). And I'm not going to ride the Trebuchet in the Bailey to be the Airborne of Argghhh!, period. There's still not enough cheetos in KS. And if we're all holing up at John's, I think we need a bigger goat.
 
By Alan Briley, RN on May 30, 2008 12:58 PM
ry, I'll help with the breastworks, moat, sniper hides, OP's, and other defensive positions. Building and placement of booby traps, clearing fields of fire, range cards, pre-positioned coordinates for H&I fires, and other errata. Just don't make me an officer. Grunt or any NCO position would be appreciated. Plus, I love to parachute...! Alan
 
By CDR Salamander on May 30, 2008 1:25 PM
Happiness is .... ammoman.com baby! Free shipping!
 
By J.M. Heinrichs on May 30, 2008 4:10 PM
Arsenal= where you make them. Armoury= where you keep them. Sorta like the difference between clip and magazine. Cheers
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 30, 2008 4:29 PM
True enough - except that in the US, we've been inconsistent with that. Like fusilier and fusileer. We have had arsenals where we stored things, and armorys where we made things. And Castle Argghhh! is a manufactory. Well, more accurately (and legally, as we've paid no Special Occupation Tax as a manufacturer or gunsmith and do no work for others or original building from scratch), an assembly, finishing and rebuilding facility, including both firearms and ammunition.
 
By Kevin on May 30, 2008 5:14 PM
BM-59, tanker model. Hands down my favorite 'long gun'. The Italians finally did something right besides pasta. Take a M1 Garand and add a magazine to it. Fantastic lil' weapon in 7.62. Easy to maintain, deadly accurate and comes to point in a second. Love my M1A1, but I'd chose the BM anyday. It's a joy to shoot and has the round to knockdown. None o' that sissified .22 stuff here, 7.62 IS stopping power. And, isn't that what we want?
 
By steveH on May 30, 2008 11:24 PM
I hope Springfield/Enfield users can do better than 1 aimed shot per minute; good troops could manage three shots/min with flintlock muskets a couple generations earlier, and the Minié ball made loading the later muskets faster. Even I could manage two/min with a flintlock, until I ran out of cartridges, and I'm old and shaky. (I was shaky before I got old, but still...) Even after fouling started to get in the way, two shots per minute ought to be doable with a Springfield type musket.
 
By SezaGeoff on May 31, 2008 7:25 AM
Given that the AmmoMan.com doesn't seem to have any 303Br in stock, I better bring over a few bandoliers with rounds in stripper clips to the party! Will about 500 do? I can't remember if you have a N04 Mk1 T, but if you do I'll have that. I always used to tell my mates that if things went to hell, they could come here for a rifle and a bandolier, and bring me back more rifles and ammo after using the donations!
 
By AW1 Tim on May 31, 2008 8:54 AM
steveH , Well, the problem with the 2-3 rounds per minute is that it never did happen. The "3 rounds per minute" but that historians keep talking about is a myth. It is based upon the bench trials conducted for the M1855 series under ideal conditions and with properly sized and prepared cartridges. There is also a world of difference between a smoothbore and a rifle regarding fouling issues. It's true that a soldier could, in all likelihood, get off 10 rounds or so at 2 rounds per minute when well trained. However, the fouling built up so fast that after the initial bundle of 10 rounds, loading became progressively more difficult. At Glendale and Gaines Mill, for example, there are numerous accounts of soldiers being unable to use their rifle muskets because of fouling issues, of men loading a round by pounding the rammer against a stone or tree, and letting fly with both cartridge and rammer. The US Army's solution was to adopt the William's Patent cleaner bullet. For those unfamiliar with it, it was a standard minie round with a zinc washer at the base through which passed a metal slightly cone-shaped rod. When fired, the rod was driven into the washer's center, which expanded the washer and scraped the barrel clean of fouling. It also kicked like a mule. One or sometimes two of these rounds were included in every packet of 10 paper cartridges. The Army's mistake was to wrap them in blue or green paper, rather than the ordinary colour paper and the men could easily distinguish them and toss them away. Some things never change L) Anyway, over the course of an engagement, although initial rate of fire may be higher, the average is 1 round per minute, or even less, dependant upon the conditions and the ability of the men to clear fouling. Respects,
 
By John of Argghhh! on May 31, 2008 9:47 AM
Geoff - I do, indeed, have a (T). Looking for the transit case and scope can, if any are laying about.
 
By ry on May 31, 2008 2:17 PM
Except maybe ry... Heh. I'm well known for being 'unconventional'.
 
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