[Low-Tech/High-Tech] Looting and Improvising arms and armour in Victorian London

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Icelander

Do such proof loads have bullets? I know they reach a peak pressure of x2.5 the expected working pressure, but is there is a projectile in the cartridge?

I'd imagine having a projectile in the cartridge would make it easier to achieve a high peak pressure (as the bullet forms an imperfect seal), thus reducing the amount of powder needed. As the lead for the bullet is probably cheaper than the extra powder needed to make up for it - and unlike the powder the bullet can be reclaimed and recast - I think it would actually be most efficient to indeed use bullets.