New to blackpowder

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S-357

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So i wanted to get into black powder and i bought a used traditions springfield hawken. I asumme .50cal what dp i need to get me started and where is the best place to get it? Obviously.once i have nailed down the caliber, i will need balls,powder, percussion caps, powder measure etc any info with my vague description would be greatly appreciated
 
All I can share is my own experience with entering BP years ago. I too bought a cheap (but broken) rifle then I started reading and watching videos online. Next? Scan the EE hourly! So many folks get out of BP just as fast as they got into it that there are always awesome deals to be had. Remember that a couple hundred years ago people were using the identical type of gun WITHOUT all the super-high-end cutting edge components that we have available today so before you go talking yourself into that gold-plated powder flask from Track of the Wolf for $325 because some die-hard re-enacter has one, remember that the original users of these types of guns used bear grease as lube, their shirttails as patches and anything close to water tight to carry powder. I personally use paste furniture wax and pure lard as lubricants, brake anti-seize on nipples and breech-plugs and whatever pillow-case fabric that happens to hold my ball tight. When it comes to cleaning I break out my big jug of homemade Ed's Red and have at'er. The name of the game with BP shooting is to get back to the basics and above all else....have fun. Nothing makes me smile wider than smelling melted lard and real BP soot on my hands after a few reloads! ENJOY!
 
handofzeus said:
All I can share is my own experience with entering BP years ago. I too bought a cheap (but broken) rifle then I started reading and watching videos online. Next? Scan the EE hourly! So many folks get out of BP just as fast as they got into it that there are always awesome deals to be had. Remember that a couple hundred years ago people were using the identical type of gun WITHOUT all the super-high-end cutting edge components that we have available today so before you go talking yourself into that gold-plated powder flask from Track of the Wolf for $325 because some die-hard re-enacter has one, remember that the original users of these types of guns used bear grease as lube, their shirttails as patches and anything close to water tight to carry powder. I personally use paste furniture wax and pure lard as lubricants, brake anti-seize on nipples and breech-plugs and whatever pillow-case fabric that happens to hold my ball tight. When it comes to cleaning I break out my big jug of homemade Ed's Red and have at'er. The name of the game with BP shooting is to get back to the basics and above all else....have fun. Nothing makes me smile wider than smelling melted lard and real BP soot on my hands after a few reloads! ENJOY!
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So true^^^. "Once you go black, you never go back." Once you truly get to know your gun and all it's quirks (yes, that is why they are normally named after women) you will amaze people with just how accurate you can be, with something so "primitive". I once took $20 from my son by out grouping his M14 at 100 yards, with my 50 cal flintlock. Just learn to take your time and relax.
 
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vagrantviking said:
http://bcrendezvous.ca and I believe they are active on Facebook too.

I know Nanaimo has a club. Just touch base with the locals and they can point you in the right direction. Clubs often have group purchases too.
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Good advice^^^. I believe that personal coaching beats book self-taught every time. Much faster, safer, and not as much wasted $$$. I did the book self-taught and have a whole box of stuff I wasted my money on. I even have some fun stories about screwing up. There is a BP term called "Dry Balling" ask me how I learned about this? It's not an "if "thing, it's a "when" thing. Normally just when you figure you have this stuff aced; I believe the BP Gods use it as a humbling lesson.
 
CaptainPhillips said:
Good advice^^^. I believe that personal coaching beats book self-taught every time. Much faster, safer, and not as much wasted $$$. I did the book self-taught and have a whole box of stuff I wasted my money on. I even have some fun stories about screwing up. There is a BP term called "Dry Balling" ask me how I learned about this? It's not an "if "thing, it's a "when" thing. Normally just when you figure you have this stuff aced; I believe the BP Gods use it as a humbling lesson.
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Yessir....I went 20 years without dryballing... then did it twice in a year. And another seasoned guy with me did it in one of the same days.
 
Welcome to the dark side.

Maybe not as convenient as a local store, if you can find a truly good one, Track of The Wolf or Gun Works from Sprinfield Oregon are both good for supplie. I haven't found one in Canada that handles BP as anything but a sideline. Some people seem to think highly of Hill Folk but I haven't dealt with them or seen a website.

For info, check out the Muzzleloading Forum. Lots of good folks sharing a LOT of knowledge.

Order a copy of blackpowderaccuracy. Author is very well regarded and can really shorten your learning curve.
 
And there’s more....like bullet casting. I’ve been casting since I started black powder 20+ years ago. Right now I’m using .5 (not .490 or .495) round balls and shooting them unpatched (lubed with crisco).
 
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