[LMB] Talking of Rocket Ship Galileo OT:

[Mark Allums]

Marna Nightingale wrote:
  > But what I *understand* is blackpowder. When you fire a Bess you roll
> your own cartridge, and you need to know what's in it. When you fire a 
> modern rifle, taking the bullets apart to see what's in them is 
> generally discouraged...

It can be done, carefully, with the right equipment. (Not a pair of 
pliers and a hammer...)  But you can feel confident that a good diagram 
from an encyclopedia article will give you a sufficient overview.  I 
would suggest a good sporting goods store, with a book rack.  Or Amazon. 
    Wal*Mart might even carry a Shooter's Bible or similar.  Don't try 
setting powder--that *looks* like powder--on fire.  You can try it with 
the little rods like yellow leads for a mechanical pencil, though.  Not 
that I recommend it.

Loading your own cartridges is a big step up in the world of shooting. 
Real enthusiasts take it very, very seriously.

--MArk Allums