How to Make Black Powder Reenactment Loads

Battle reenactments use weapons that reflect the period of time during which the fighting occurred. Civil War battles are often reenacted for demonstration and memorial ceremonies. The weapons of the era used black powder as a propellant for rifles and pistols. Live ammunition is never allowed on a reenactment field. Blanks must be loaded ahead of time for use during reenactment fighting.

Things You'll Need

  • Formed black-powder paper-cartridges
  • 1/2-inch dowel with hollowed end
  • Black powder
  • Powder measure
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Instructions

    • 1

      Slide the hollow end of a 1/2-inch-diameter wood dowel into the paper cartridge. Push the dowel into the cartridge until it is 1/2 inch from the end of the paper tube.

    • 2

      Twist the end of the tube that extends beyond the end of the dowel. Push the twist into the hollow end of the dowel. Place the end of the dowel on a hard surface. Push it down to force the twist into the hollow end of the dowel.

    • 3

      Slide the paper tube off the dowel. Add black powder to the tube based on the caliber of the rifle or pistol you are shooting in the reenactment. Refer to local reenactment guidelines -- and manufacturer information -- for load amounts.

    • 4

      Crease the paper cartridge above the black-powder load. Fold the paper-cartridge tube between the crease and the end of the tube by thirds. Form a triangle at the cartridge end.

    • 5

      Fold the paper cartridge over the crease. Insert the the triangle-shaped end into the wrapped edge of the tube.