flintlock kit

[Turnup]

We have been down this road before.

I believe the general term "detonation velocity" is a measure of how fast an explosive releases its gases. Gunpowder was preferred in the mines as it was considered a "soft explosive" because its slow release of pressure, compared to other explosives, rendered the rock rather than shattering it.
Semtex has a detonation velocity of 5 mile per second.

Detonation velocity is only used correctly for explosives which detonate. Such explosives are "High Explosives" BP is not.

[enfield2band]

Detonation velocity is only used correctly for explosives which detonate. Such explosives are "High Explosives" BP is not.

If only HE can have a detonation velocity then what is the term that would be used for the fast expansion of gases created when gunpowder explodes? It has obviously been measured for someone to arrive at the figure of 900-950fps. It must have some term attached to it for it to be understood.

[tacfoley]

Watch here as capandball takes part in a local match in Hungary run under the rules of the MLAIC - he is using what I bleeve to be the see-through pan-powder primer - on the shooting line.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCGg6NMCYMU

[Turnup]

If only HE can have a detonation velocity then what is the term that would be used for the fast expansion of gases created when gunpowder explodes? It has obviously been measured for someone to arrive at the figure of 900-950fps. It must have some term attached to it for it to be understood.

That process is termed "deflagration". Google it and there is plenty of information out there

[enfield2band]

That process is termed "deflagration". Google it and there is plenty of information out there

You mentioned nothing about subsonic. Had you done that it would have clarified it at the outset.

This:-
Deflagration and detonation are two ways energy may be released. If the combustion process propagates outward at subsonic speeds (slower than the speed of sound), it's a deflagration. If the explosion moves outward at supersonic speeds (faster than the speed of sound), it's a detonation.

[Turnup]

You mentioned nothing about subsonic. Had you done that it would have clarified it at the outset.

This:-
Deflagration and detonation are two ways energy may be released. If the combustion process propagates outward at subsonic speeds (slower than the speed of sound), it's a deflagration. If the explosion moves outward at supersonic speeds (faster than the speed of sound), it's a detonation.

I am pretty sure I mentioned supersonic in connection with detonation and that BP was not supersonic in post #35. Do I have to spoon feed that it is therefore subsonic? Was not your own statement of 900 - 950 f/sec not a clue? Had you read my post properly you would have understood it at the outset.

[DesG]

many many years ago in basic RAF training I sat through yet another of those horrible training films, but this one fascinated me. When the Russians wanted a new trans siberian canal they dug a deep trench, laid in a 12in sausage of HE, lit the blue touchpaper and stood back. The film we watched was taken from a helicopter a few thousand feet up. The sausage detonated at around 5 miles a second and made a canal. It looked like slow motion as it travelled along the ground. That always stuck in my mind. Interestingly (to me anyway) the detonating shockwave has an angle of about 13 degrees which is also the angle of incidence that a wing stalls at. Education is a wonderful thing.