New Blackpowder Shooter - What to Start With?

Drachenblut

Drachenblut

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Hello,

I am just getting into the idea of shooting black powder, and have done a touch of research into the matter. I am interested in shooting historical/replica flintlock or "copper fulminate" pellet types of black powder rifles, particularly carbines. I spoke to one gentleman in Ontario and he said many replicas are over $1000.00! I am a student, with little money, and am looking for a wood and metal replica of sorts, for less than that amount. What can you suggest?

I am unsure what equipment I need. I have heard you need a powder measure, a mold, a source for lead, a melting set, a carbine/rifle, and a black powder cleaning solution.

Thanks,
Drach
 
you might consider a pedersoli flintlock. They are well made and available for around 500-800. You could also go to as many gun shows as you can. Inexpensive BP rifles are there if you look.

You will need:
Powder. Probably 2F. Get the real thing.
Powder Horn.
Powder Measure. Get one that uses a slide to allow you to change powder charges.

Ball and Patches. You may need to try several different patch thicknesses to find the one the makes loading your gun possible while still giving a tight fit.

To start just buy ready made balls. It will make your introduction much more enjoyable. Casting bullets is a lot of work. But if you think you are ready go for it. Just remember to only use pure lead. NO wheel weights.


Vasoline. To lube your patches.

A range rod for loading your gun. Don't use the one that comes with it. That is for field use.

Cleaning jag. Look for "spinjag" on the internet. They are good for both cleaning and loading.

Patch remover. Looks like two metal prongs. For when you patch comes off during cleaning.

A nipple wrench if you are shooting percussion.

A screw driver if you are shooting flint. You will also need spare flints and leather to put them in place.

A touch hole cleaner. Basically a metal tooth pick for the touch hole.

A small knife because you will find uses for it. Trust me on that one.

For cleaning you need hot soapy water. Lots of it. Use that until there is nothing left to clean. Then use a good gun oil. I have a posting sometime ago on how to clean a BP gun. If you can find it it will give you the basics.

A bag to hold all of it.

When you have bought all of that. Then you are ready to go the range and find out what I have forgotten to mention. Sorry in advance.

Trevor
 
A ball puller is also a handy thing to have - just in case you forget to put the powder down the barrel before the ball. A capper to hold extra caps is a handy item. A "short starter" or "bullet starter" is a "must have" item for me.

Windex is a good cleaning solution.

I use lard as a patch lubricant.

If you have trouble finding real black powder and you have a percussion rifle - I use Pyrodex "replica" powder and find it satisfactory. Several friends use Triple Seven and are happy with it.

Cabela's Fall catalog (www.cabelas.ca) lists several Traditions rifles ranging from $359.99 for a percussion Hawken or a flintlock "Kentucky" to $659.99 for a fancy "Pennsylvania" flintlock.
 
My comments in red.

tbrwlf said:
you might consider a pedersoli flintlock. NOT A BAD IDEA, THOUGH THEIR MILITARY MUSKETS CAN BE PRICEY. SOME OF THE LOYALIST ARMS INDIAN MADE GUNS ARE "OK" AS WELL AND LYMAN MAKES REASONABLY GOOD REPROS OF PERIOD LOOKING HUNTING RIFLES.

You will need:
Powder. Probably 2F. Get the real thing. DEPENDS - FOR PERCUSSION GUNS, BP SUBSTITUTES OFTEN WORK FINE IF THAT IS ALL YOU CAN FIND.
Powder Horn.
Powder Measure. Get one that uses a slide to allow you to change powder charges.

Just remember to only use pure lead. NO wheel weights. AGAIN, THAT DEPENDS. IF YOU HAVE A SMOOTHBORE, WHEEL WEIGHTS WORK JUST FINE. YOU ONLY NEED PURE LEAD FOR PATCHED ROUNDBALL IF YOUR BORE IS RIFLED.


Vasoline. To lube your patches. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND VASOLENE AS IT'S A PETROCHEMICAL (BAD). MAYBE CONSIDER BORE BUTTER OR A MIX OF BEESWAX AND CRISCO. I ALSO SOMETIMES USE BALLISTOL OR HOPPES BP LUBE.

For cleaning you need hot soapy water. Lots of it. Use that until there is nothing left to clean. Then use a good gun oil. BE CAREFUL HERE. YOU NEED TO USE A NON-PETROLEUM BASED OIL. I PREFER BALLISTOL PERSONALLY.
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If budget is an issue grab a lyman deerstalker in 50 cal flint. Halfway between traditional and modern. You should be able to get shooting for well under 500. Being able to shoot balls or heavy conicals makes em useful.

IMHO Flint makes ML alot of fun. Like the man said if god wanted percussion guns he'd a paved the creek beds with caps.
 
You will need to speak to other black powder geeks too - if you are talking about muzzle loaders. While these guys here are scholarly authorities on the subject, so are the fellas over here:

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php

I would also recommend The Black Powder Bible by Sam Fadala. He takes a clinical approach to black powder and cuts through the porkies, wive's tales and hogwash that otherwise pervade the sport. It's a fun read too.
 
The other alternative is to use Black Powder Cartridge rifles , either originals or repros, this segment of the market is growing quickly, I find it more interesting then ML shooting though I do both.
 
Most shooters have their own way of doing things, when it comes to loads, lubes, patches, cleaning ingredients etc.,ect. Asking others with experiance is only good to a point. Buy a good book, Lyman has good ones, Sam Fadala is another author of excellent books. If you can't decide on a flint or caplock, I'd go with the cap's. A flintlock might turn you off the whole idea. Anyhow good luck, it is a great hobby.
 
Seeing as you are in central Alberta I would keep your eyes open at gun shows for Hillfolk musket supplies out of Senlac Sask.You can get a good BP rifle for a reasonably good price,my last one was a nice.45 cal for under $200.Also there are a bunch of BP shooters out of Red Deer that travel the gun show circuit that have some pretty good deals too.
 
What I really would like is a Brown Bess Carbine copy of some kind, in the .76 caliber. I am very attracted to the design and enjoy flintlocks, how much am I looking at and who do I get one from?
 
A flintlock might turn you off the whole idea. Anyhow good luck, it is a great hobby./QUOTE]

Where does this notion come from???? A guy would have to have a pretty short attention span and be pretty mechanically challenged to be stumped by the longest running successful ignition system out there.
The only real draw back is the fact that flinters need honest black powder instead of the substitutes that percussion guns will ignite.

A flinter gives you less pieces to clean and less stuff to buy. As long as you got some powder you got a firearm.

A bess repro in 76 cal would be fun. Start collecting up lead though cause those balls are big!
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Drachenblut said:
What I really would like is a Brown Bess Carbine copy of some kind, in the .76 caliber. I am very attracted to the design and enjoy flintlocks, how much am I looking at and who do I get one from?
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There's an officers fusil on the black powder and antiques equipment exchange but its a 62 caliber. To be honest I do not think you would like a .76. They kick like hell (Newtons law of physics, big ball = big recoil, and a very poor stock design) and use up lead like its going out of style. The Indian made replicas sold by Loyalist are better than most people are giving them credit for. I have had a Pedresoli Brown Bess and an Indian made Charleville and of the two I preferred the Charleville. There must be a black powder faction among the members of a local shooting or fish and game club. See if you can contact them and come to one of their shoots. You will pick up lots of good info and make some new friends.

Cheers, Steve.
 
david doyle said:
A flintlock might turn you off the whole idea. Anyhow good luck, it is a great hobby./QUOTE]

Where does this notion come from???? A guy would have to have a pretty short attention span and be pretty mechanically challenged to be stumped by the longest running successful ignition system out there.
The only real draw back is the fact that flinters need honest black powder instead of the substitutes that percussion guns will ignite.

A flinter gives you less pieces to clean and less stuff to buy. As long as you got some powder you got a firearm.

A bess repro in 76 cal would be fun. Start collecting up lead though cause those balls are big!
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Not sure I agree. The problem with flintlocks is that you need a decent lock or you will have nothing but problems and not enough rock crusher experience to trouble shoot them.

If you are willing to get a decent chambers, siler or L&R locked firearm, then you are probably right, though IMHO the learning curve is greater on getting flintlocks to run reliably under all-weather conditions.
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Glenfilthie said:
You will need to speak to other black powder geeks too - if you are talking about muzzle loaders. While these guys here are scholarly authorities on the subject, so are the fellas over here:

After 15 years of shooting black powder I don't consider myself a scholarly authority but someone who speaks from experience. I have owned dozens of BP rifles, shotguns, and pistols.
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