Gentlemen
I would like to start a thoughtful discussion, and anyone with data is invited to chime in.
I remember reading in the Dixie Catalog (Turner Kirkland?) stating that at the turn of the last century the Navy did some testing with compression of black powder, and found that at some level of compression, with some mass of powder, they experienced violent explosive ignition. Violent enough, apparently, to destroy or damage their test equipment. No data was given, and no indication of the degree of compression used or the mass of powder used in these tests. Given that it was the Navy doing the testing, I would assume massive amounts of powder compared to what we use, and probably testing to destruction.
We routinely use compression of .5" or greater with no problems. I wonder if anyone has access to the original data and can address the question of when the compression of black powder becomes dangerous?
I am not thinking that we are anywhere near skirting that danger point, and I do not want to start a panic or witch hunt. I am simply curious. The author of the Dixie piece recommended no compression on this basis, and we know that this is wrong. My guess is that we have a pretty wide latitude, but that's a guess, and I for one would like data. I don't want to test to destruction to find out!
Anybody know how to get the Mad Monk to address this?
