Let me preface this by saying that your reload mechanics are by far the best that I have seen in a ACW video game ever.
However. No manual I know of instructs you to draw and return rammer like I see the character doing in game, It also does not make any sense from an efficiency perspective.
Here is Hardee's:
5. Draw- RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
160. (First motion.) Half draw the rammer by extending, the right arm; steady it in this position with the left thumb; seize the rammer between the thumb and fore-finger of the right hand the thumb under and the finger over the rammer; fingers extended, palm of the hand to the front.
161. (Second motion.) Clear the rammer from the pipes by extending the arm; the rammer in prolongation of the pipes, palm of the hand to the front.
162 (Third motion.) Turn the rammer by closing the fingers, the little end passing near the left shoulder, turning the back of the hand to the front; steady it by extending the forefinger of the right hand; place the head of the rammer on the ball, the rammer in prolongation of the barrel.
6. Ram- CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
163. Insert the rammer as far as the right, and steady it in this position with the thumb of the left hand; seize the rammer at the small end with the thumb and fore-finger on the right hand, the back of the hand to the front; press the ball home, the elbows near the body.
7. Return- RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
164 (First motion.) Draw the rammer half-way out, and steady it in this position with the left thumb; grasp it near the muzzle with the right hand, the thumb under and fore-finger above the rammer, the fingers extended; clear the rammer from the bore by extending the arm, the palm to the front, the rammer in the prolongation of the bore.
165. (Second motion.) Turn the rammer, the head passing near the left shoulder, the fingers closed, the rammer held between the thumb and fore-finger-nails to the front; insert the rammer, until the hand reaches the muzzle.
166. (Third motion.) Force the rammer home by placing the little finger of the right hand on the head of the rammer; extend the left hand down the piece without depressing the shoulder.
Casey's is exactly the same with the typos corrected
Gilham's
Gilham's is essentially the same as Casey's and Hardee's, with the latter two simplifying the language greatly and being more specific about what the left hand is doing when loading.5. Draw - RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
110. First motion. Drop the right elbow smartly, and seize the rammer between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers shut; draw it smartly, extending the arm, seize the rammer again at the middle between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the movement of the hand, clear the rammer from the pipes by again extending the arm.
Second motion. Turn rapidly the rammer between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, the rammers of the rear rank grazing the right shoulders of the men of the same file in front, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the butt of the rammer opposite to the muzzle but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on the muzzle.
Third motion. Insert the butt of the rammer, and force it down as low as the hand.
6. Ram - CARTRIDGE.
One time and one motion.
111. Extend the arm to its full length to seize the rammer between the right thumb extended and the fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed; with force ram home twice and seize the rammer at the small end between the thumb and fore-finger bent, the other fingers closed, the right elbow touching the body.
7. Return - RAMMER.
One time and three motions.
112. First motion. Draw the rammer briskly, re-seize it at the middle between the thumb and fore-finger, the hand reversed, the palm to the front, the nails up, the eyes following the band, clear the rammer from the barrel by extending the arm.
Second motion. Turn the rammer rapidly between the bayonet and the face, closing the fingers, the rammers of the rear rank grazing the right shoulders of the men in the same file in front, the rammer parallel to the bayonet, the arm extended, the little end of the rammer opposite to the first pipe, but not yet inserted, the eyes fixed on that pipe.
Third motion. Insert the small end, and with the thumb, which will follow the movement, force it, as low as the middle band; raise the hand quickly, a little bent, place the little finger on the butt of the rammer, and force it down; lower the left hand on the barrel to an extent of the arm without depressing the shoulder.
Either way, the left thumb should hold the rammer in place when drawing and returning the rammer. Placing the rammer in the left hand as done currently is strange as it isn't intuitive and was probably harder to animate.
If necessary, I could find or record a video demonstrating the proper way to load as per the manual. I have an 1853 enfield or an 1842 springfield at my disposal.
As well as an original 1863 springfield