http://www.saami.orgThere's no answer that is going to make people universally happy. Nobody wants the BATF or other government entity foisting themselves into smokepole land that I know of-- nobody.
Yet, those who have been the most successful in the muzzleloading industry have not done
anything significant in the last 20 years to try to make it a better place. When this industry, which continues to grow, shows flagrant disregard for the hunters and shooters that have helped build it, they get whatever they deserve. SAAMI is a voluntary organization; always has been. Certainly it could be expanded to offer a bare minimum of non-invasive standards, if the major players wanted it.
They have given absolutely no evidence that they do. The "Remington Route" is not exactly the best path--
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2001/02/07/eveningnews/main270199.shtmlPressures generated are not a matter of speculation. Anyone can digest independent data on the subject, such as
Lyman's Black Powder Handbook and Reloading Manual, 2nd Ed.,
Copyright 2001 by Lyman Products Corporation. A glance at pages 206-261 will reveal .54 caliber round ball pressures generated at 6000 PSI or so for 100 grain charges of black powder. The highest pressures are 8800 PSI for 120 grains of Elephant FFFg or Pyrodex Select. A 10,000 PSI proof is generous for service loads of 6,000 - 7000 PSI or so-- and, at least the barrels
are proofed.
When we hit 3-pellet, 150 grain Pyrodex loads-- that is an entirely different level of performance and pressure. Again, there is
no speculation at all about this, as p. 172 of the same text shows 27,000 PSI developed by 3 pellets in a 22" test barrel pushing a 240 grain Hornady sabot.
There is no reason to believe that this is "reasonable" in a barrel proofed only to sub-10,000 PSI. Many have gotten frantic about this, and some CVA / Traditions owners apparently feel this is somehow a personal attack of sorts. I don't know all the CVA / Traditions customers, and I am one myself! The number of "yuk-yuk" catcalls that "
hey, my gun didn't blow up today, SO THERE!" has been surprising. Hardly the issue.
There have been unable to state whether their guns are so much as tested to 20,000 or 25,000 PSI-- yet, they direct their customers to use loads that develop
more than even that. That makes no sense, and their response has been as inept and as frightened as could be imagined. So, who knows? They don't care to answer their customers, they have gone "ballistic" when this question has been posed, and whether Toby Bridges, Del Ramsey, Doc White, etc.,-- no recognized expert that has expressed concern over this has been deemed worthy of a straight answer on such a very simple, fundamental level.
This level of incompetence is startling, despite the recent far larger scale problems of Ford Pintos and Bridgestone-Firestone tires. Everybody has their own views on this, and the choice is anyone's to make. When that choice is made, though, it is not just for yourself-- it for your family, friends, and perhaps the fellow shooting next to you. A totally risk free sport (
that is any fun) does no exist, but
needless exposure to just that-- if only to me, in my personal opinion. Hunting and shooting sports are fun, and anything that distracts from that I find, well ( :roll: ) distracting.
