Author Topic: Black powder shootin' (Read 4209 times)

sonny · « **on:** February 07, 2017, 09:55:05 PM »

Been thinking that I should get into black powder rifles but only since 1982.. lol

But where to go? The big box stores don't have any.I checked out the websites of a few gun shops but it seems pickings are slim.
So,anyone know of a shop that has a selection of Black powder rifles?

I don't want this new inline stuff but rather the traditional rifles like a Hawkins.. (see pic)

LeverAction · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2017, 06:16:59 AM »

Wolverine Supplies, Virden MB has one, it's a Pedersoli so it is one of the best, but pricey . Ellwood EPPS in Ontario has a big selection of all kinds, also Marstar Canada, out of Ontario has a few. Tradition's is one of cheaper ML and not a bad gun. I have 2 Pedersoli's and one Tradition. 45 Cal and 50, all percussion. Very poor for any supplies up here, Cabelas does have a bit, real black powder ect. I do play a bit in the traditional BP so may be able to answer a few question more questions if you need sonny.

BruceW · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2017, 10:54:20 AM »

My suggestion if going percussion just find one you like and it'll be fine. (unless of course you come across a J. Browning Mountain Rifle; beautiful rifle that'll shoot a 3" group from 150 yds all day long).
Flintlock different story, don't go cheap or you'll be disappointed, the cheaper rifles have soft frizzen's in my experience and you'll just buy yourself frustration. I guess you can replace the frizzen, but why? A wormhole is nice for cleaning. I've never had a better quality one but Have had a cheap one.

Other thing I'd suggest is never use gun oil. After cleaning with moose milk swab the barrel with Olive oil. The horror stories about black and gummy are in my experience from using regular oil in the barrel.
Do this and cleaning is no worse than cleaning a smokeless rifle.

Lot's of different recipe's for moosemilk, I just put some murphy's oil soap in a bottle, add windshield washer anti freeze till it turns a nice shade of green, maybe add a little windex or whatever strikes my fancy that's under the sink, then as far as the inside of the barrel pretend this is hoppe's, finish with olive oil.

Making your own patches is another way to help the barrel stay cleaner as well, just mix some beeswax with olive oil, coat patches, let dry. I don't even cut them out, just set the ball and cut off the fabric at the end of the barrel before pushing it home.

Actually best advice would be to buy one of Sam Fadala's books, he's like the god of black powder instruction books; can't go wrong with one of his books. Get one with loads for all different rifles and you're away.

Oh, and you'll need a possible's bag, value village you can find a purse that'll work; mine's camo. Look for 2g at gunshow's. Gooex or french are my #1 and 2 choices. Wasp nest Will keep your powder dry.

BP is a Ton of fun. Then all you'll need is a buffalo robe and a coonskin cap.

LeverAction · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2017, 12:57:59 PM »

Good advise BruceW, I do most of what you talk, keeping the old stuff pole clean is the most important thing you can do. There is work involved, but the fun out weigh's the work. I am always learning, even after a number of years playing with it. It is a dying sport though most young guys are going commando, just different times and I guess that's way it's hard to find gun's in every store.

sonny · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2017, 02:54:41 PM »

Thanks for all the info guys.

I looked at those Pedersoli rifles and they are nice but I think I would like to hold one in my hands before I forked over that much money for one.
As for keeping them clean I won't have a problem with that.Heck it can't be worse than stripping down a SVT 40 after shooting corrosive ammo in them.
Might have to hit up some gun shows this year.

Walleyes · « **Reply #5 on:** February 09, 2017, 04:47:41 PM »

Look like a fun one sonny. Can't wait to see the big smoke pics of that one.

coachman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 09, 2017, 08:38:44 PM »

You now need some coal burning pistols and we can go out and play.

sonny · « **Reply #7 on:** February 09, 2017, 09:53:07 PM »

Quote from: coachman on February 09, 2017, 08:38:44 PM

You now need some coal burning pistols and we can go out and play.

lol...that would be fun but first let me wait a couple weeks before my long gun gets here.

And then I have to learn about it..

coachman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 10, 2017, 08:20:48 AM »

I need somebody to shoot them with, I have had them over a year and have not shot them yet, I do have a 50 cal. trade rifle to play with also. It is a safe queen having owned it since the early 80's and I haven't put 300 rounds thru it. Black powder was hard to find in the late 80's early 90's so I started using pyrodex. It is not marked like Black powder FF, FFF so you need to read up on it.

LeverAction · « **Reply #9 on:** February 10, 2017, 10:00:36 AM »

Cabelas has Black Powder in stock most times. FFF and FF. Pyrodex can be found most any where I found. I am a fan of real black powder, I use FFF in my 45 Cal and FF in my 50. But I shoot round ball and patch only so if you are going to play with other bullets you can go from there. The real black powder has a lot more clean up to it, but I'm a fan of big smoke and the smell of the real stuff. I play with my loads quite a bit to find the sweet spot for each gun and size of round ball. It is pretty basic when loading and using a BP just need to take your time and stay to the load table until you understand it. Also clean, clean, clean it' s not a gun you can take home on Sunday after shooting, and clean on Tuesday. I use the old hot water and bath tub method, then a moosemilk ( everyone has their own idea of what a moosemilk should be).

coachman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 10, 2017, 10:54:22 AM »

Them place's where not around when I started shooting, As long as we had our own store is was no problem with powder. Pyrodex had a problem with production for a few years, they had to keep rebuilding there plants for some reason. I always take a jug of hot water to the range if I am going to shoot more than 10 rounds and wash the barrel out when it starts to get tight. I like having to wait until the smoke clears just to see what you hit, and it is a nice smell.

LeverAction · « **Reply #11 on:** February 10, 2017, 11:09:12 AM »

True there was a time when it was a hard find. Wholesale use to have it back when they where a real gun store, but then starting selling fashion's not gun supplies. Still can't seem to get BP from them. My wife just loves giving me a big hug and kiss after I shoot BP(not) I just smile and hold her tight, kinda like a fart hug.

sonny · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:12:50 PM »

Moosemilk... now that's something that I have to google.

LeverAction · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2017, 09:22:16 PM »

Hardest part of getting the right moose milk is chasing the cow while trying to squeeze the tit.

coachman · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2017, 10:44:11 PM »

I turn the milk in butter, bore butter, it works not bad. I used moose milk years ago and forgot all about it when the kid wanted to shoot the 50. With the pistols you need to seal the lead in so you don't set the next round off by accident, so bore butter is used there also.

LeverAction · « **Reply #15 on:** February 20, 2017, 02:52:29 PM »

Nice, nice ,nice. In your "wasp nest" looks like you have lead round ball (bullet) .50 cal or .0490, a ball starter, a primer holder and a jig to go on you ram rod to clean the gun.

Walleyes · « **Reply #16 on:** February 20, 2017, 04:15:18 PM »

Congratulations to the proud papa, beautiful addition to the family.

Fun looking new toy sonny.

sonny · « **Reply #17 on:** February 20, 2017, 04:26:35 PM »

Quote from: LeverAction on February 20, 2017, 02:52:29 PM

Nice, nice ,nice. In your "wasp nest" looks like you have lead round ball (bullet) .50 cal or .0490, a ball starter, a primer holder and a jig to go on you ram rod to clean the gun.

Yeah it was darn nice of the guy to send all those goodies with the rifle.I wasn't expecting the power measure or 59 round balls. BTW those were not in the original box so I don't know if they are .490 or .495.
Gonna get some black powder tomorrow and try it out.

Yup Walleyes it should be fun.

BruceW · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2017, 04:33:32 PM »

You'll be happy with that one Sonny, I had one identical to it.

LeverAction · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2017, 08:31:24 PM »

Ok, I thought that was only done with pellet style black powder guns? New to me, never used it before.