Making more ammo stuck on a low tech world.

AlexanderHowl · 11-08-2017, 09:50 AM

Modern firearms do not use black powder and the rifling would probably erode quite quickly due to the acidic nature of the remnant propellant (shotguns are probably the only exception). Current propellants of nitrocellulose (single-base) or nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose (double base) and neither of them are going to be produced outside of a late-TL5 industrial base. Nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin are also quite dangerous to make, which is why you need trained chemists supervising the process.

A random adventurer is not going to be able to create TL8 ammunition under most circumstances, even with a spaceship. The components required as materials are just too sophisticated to be made by hand. I might allow it if there was a Mining component, a Refinery component, and four Factory components in series making the components for the next Factory in series, but that is a lot of work for ammo.

The materials required are nitrous acid (easily created in the Refinery), cellulose (any woody plant will do), antimony, copper, and tin for the brass for the casing, and lead or steel for the bullet, and mercury for the primer. If you lack detailed knowledge, start with small amounts of propellant to avoid bursting the firearm.

11-08-2017, 09:50 AM	#15
AlexanderHowl Join Date: Feb 2016	Re: Making more ammo stuck on a low tech world. Modern firearms do not use black powder and the rifling would probably erode quite quickly due to the acidic nature of the remnant propellant (shotguns are probably the only exception). Current propellants of nitrocellulose (single-base) or nitroglycerin and nitrocellulose (double base) and neither of them are going to be produced outside of a late-TL5 industrial base. Nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin are also quite dangerous to make, which is why you need trained chemists supervising the process. A random adventurer is not going to be able to create TL8 ammunition under most circumstances, even with a spaceship. The components required as materials are just too sophisticated to be made by hand. I might allow it if there was a Mining component, a Refinery component, and four Factory components in series making the components for the next Factory in series, but that is a lot of work for ammo. The materials required are nitrous acid (easily created in the Refinery), cellulose (any woody plant will do), antimony, copper, and tin for the brass for the casing, and lead or steel for the bullet, and mercury for the primer. If you lack detailed knowledge, start with small amounts of propellant to avoid bursting the firearm.