Originally Posted by
Multigunner
Something I've been wondering about, perhaps one of you guys knows the answer.
Would an ignition point at the front of the powder space, just behind the bullet, make for a more efficient propelling impulse of the gases and cleaner burning?
Only reason this comes to mind is that at one time they marketed cartridge cases with a flash tube that ran from the primer pocket to just behind where the bullet base would be when seated. The charge burned from front to back instead of from back to front.
Another question.
Napolean's heavy artillery achieved greater range for the same amount of powder by using a powder chamber much smaller than the bore size.
As the powder first begain to burn and pushed the cannon ball further up the bore the amount of space the powder had to burn in greatly increased. Something like this is achieved with the high/low pressure charge chamber inside the 40mm grenade casings. The powder burns at a high pressure but the propellent gas pressure is released through vents to provide a long steady acceleration rather than a sharp kick in the pants.
I think this sort of breech (the Napoleanic powder chamber) was used on some muzzle loaders, but none that I've encountered so far.
The effect , so far as acceleration of the projectile goes) was similar to a progressive burning powder.
Are any modern muzzle loaders made this way?