Shooting and Rocket Fuels

Fast is our business

Smokeless Shooter’s Blog

This page is devoted to current subjects, news worthy events, or about anything else that provokes a comment from the “Rocket Fuels” staff or guests. Most of the pages in this site will remain about the same over time with updates only when new applications arise or new information can be added to existing files.

The “Blog” page will change as often as the mood strikes to add comments. So if you have a subject that just has to have space of it’s own e-mail it to rickbibby@shootingandrocketfuels.com If the subject is deemed worthy it will be in the blog as time allows.   

Today’s subject concerns the reason this site was formed. The main reason for our existence is “the need to know”. As abstract as that may seem it’s more practical than some might think.

When smokeless muzzle loading was first opened to the general public very little was known. That’s not to say little was known about how to build a rifle. The Savage 10ML was and is a well made, safe, rifle from the beginning. What was unknown was what to do with it after it was produced.

The way loads have appeared and disappeared are a testimonial to the fact that full knowledge of how to load a 50 caliber smokeless rifle was not instantly perceived.

Do you remember when Alliant 2400, Imr-4227, and even Lil Gun powders were suggested loads? They all were at one time and all were deleted for one reason or another.

The deletion of these loads shows that the concept of what and how to shoot has changed over time.

The construction concept of the early rifles was to be much like BP muzzle loaders of that era. Since 50 caliber dominated BP muzzle loading it was chosen for smokeless as well. The 209 inline ignition (with a few differences) was a product of BP muzzle loading also.

The first efforts then were to understand how a 50 caliber smokeless rifle shoots. That need to understand still drives what is written here today.

It was also accompanied by a need to share what is known. If the need to share translates to virtue or vice is unknown. It’s said advise is “worth what you pay” for it. So if your willingness to accept what’s provided here is tempered by a certain skepticism that’s completely understandable.

However the motive and information are open to any and all review. If it proves to be of worth depends on how well it survives in time.  

 

The “Rocket Fuels” page operates with no attempt at a profit. The site has no advertisements, store, or other device to engage in commerce. The information was gathered by volunteers or by hobbyists. Some are employed in the shooting and loading industry but gave of their time and effort to provide this service.

Still the ingenuity, skill, and professional expertise of the contributors should not be discounted. With no motive in profit and no need to please anyone but themselves the idea resource available is immense. Take the idea of a 45 caliber rifle. There is NO way you would ever see mention of this from a commercial enterprise unless it was accompanied by a  price of $1500 to $4000 and reasons you should buy. Even then the information shared would be the minimum required to value the product.

Currently only a few have seen the need to try this caliber. Perhaps the majority are still trying to relate to BP shooting. The technical merits for a 45 caliber rifle are undeniable, the same as technical merits for a 30-06 over a 458 Winchester Magnum for deer hunting are undeniable. You can read (and view videos in the future) about why a 45 has these advantages with no requirement but curiosity.

Here all sorts of information about this subject and more are normal events. There is no fear in sharing information. Yes even subjects often taboo in shooting circles (like duplex loading) are open to this site. What is prized is what works, not what is popular or politically correct.

It’s hoped all will enjoy the site. But don’t expect anything will be held back. If “the need to know” really drives the wheels there is no room to ignore inconvenient facts.