Bored with centre fire loads

[East03]

Hello all:

I've been pondering for a long time getting into black powder shooting. About a decade ago I had a chance to fire a friend's Kentucky rifle repro' down in Everett, Wa. My interests are in cap and ball pistols. I see repro' revolvers like Pietta are reasonable, but I'm wondering about the costs of powder, ball, caps, measures, etc. I'm located in the Lower Mainland of BC. Can anybody give me a ballpark starting figure?

 

[M77]

I cannot comment directly on BP handguns, as I am a long gun shooter. Costs depending on your preferences:
Black Powder $18 - $20 a pound, Pyrodex same price, Triple 7 $28 - 35 a lb
Percussion caps about $7.00 per 100
Round ball depending on caliber I paid $13 per 100, now cast my own.
Powder measure anywhere from $8 to $40 depending on style
Of course there will be patches and cleaning supplies and other goodies you will add on. My prices are quoted from Edmonton pricing, but I would think in B.C. cities prices would be close to the same. I got into BP shooting a year ago, I'm hooked and wish I got into it 20 years ago.

Remember a pound of powder is 7000 grains. Divide that by your charge weight (take a bit off for spillage), equals a lot of cheap shooting !

 

[vagrantviking]

Loading for muzzle loaders is usually quite a bit cheaper even than reloading high power stuff.

For cap&ball you only use 20 - 30 gr of powder and don't need patching, just a measure, balls, caps and a $3 lump of Crisco. A loading stand is handy but you can make one and a rod, some old flannel and a bucket of hot soapy water will get it all cleaned up after.

Well worth the investment for the big addictive clouds of smoke that lets you generate!

 

[East03]

Thanks for your feedback. It does look addictive!