I want to start shooting muzzleloader revolvers.

[nick__45]

I had a chance to visit shoot my buddy's Colt replica this weekend and really felt in love with muzzle-loader guns. Anyone into this and can point me to the direction? I learned how to load and apply grease to prevent chain fire. Any good place to buy supply? How does this compare to regular shooting in term of price per round, accuracy, and hit lethality? I am thinking about switching to muzzleloader to hunt as it is more challenging and fun.

Thanks.

[invssgt]

By all means get a copy of Percussion Pistols And Revolvers, by Mike Cumpston and Johnny Bates. It is a veritable encyclopedia of ballistics, user tips and tricks for optimizing your experience with these classic firearms.



http://www.gunblast.com/Bates-Cumpston_Percussion.htm

Cumpston is someone I consider a friend but more than that, he's a knowledgable longtime shooter, an excellent writer- and one who don't turn out 'company line' crap for anybody. If Mike writes it- you can take it to the bank.

[Noah Mercy]

How do, Nick. There's a lot of fun to be had with frontstuffers.

A couple points on cap n ball pistols;

Most chainfires occur from the rear of the chambers and are the result of poorly fitting percussion caps. Since a properly fitted ball will shave off a ring of lead and ends up with an interference fit, there is really no way for the flame front to leak in from the front of the chambers. The grease helps keep the fouling soft and prevents the cylinder from binding up due to the buildup of hard carbon on the base pin.

Most 44 cal C&Bs have about the same energy as a 38 Special, albeit with a larger diameter dead-soft lead ball. The Ruger Old Army is a modern interpretation of a C&B built on the Blackhawk platform and is capable of 357 Magnum energy with conicals. While the Walker is also capable of impressive performance, it is a huge firearm and has the annoying habit of dropping the rammer after firing.

Midway USA, Midsouth, Natchez, and Graf & Sons are good places to look for the actual firearms. Be sure to check their "Clearance" pages...they often have a BP gun or two in there. For accoutrements, I like to shop the places that are devoted to charcoal-burners; Track of the Wolf and Dixie Gun Works are two of my favorites. As for black powder, it is very dependent on your location. If you can't find genuine BP in your area, look towards American Pioneer Powder, Goex Pinnacle, or Hodgdon Triple Seven substitutes. (Ignore Pyrodex unless you like incredibly intensive cleaning and rust.) Another option is to mail order BP from either Graf & Sons or Powder Inc. Go in with a buddy or two and get a case for some serious savings. No matter what, you're going to pay quite a bit to shoot a muzzleloader. I figured about twenty cents per shot with a C&B. (My handloaded 45 Auto costs about nine cents a round for comparison.)

I gotta' get to work, but I'll post more on this tonight. (If you can't tell, I kinda' dig smokepoles.)

[nick__45]

invssgt : thanks for the link to the book. i'll check it out this weekend to see the writing style fit my reading style and it'll be on amazon order asap.

noah mercy: i have to tell you, i enjoyed shooting that BP Colt more than anything else in handgun shooting. granted, shooting my mosin nagant has always been the top of my list w/ AK47 in far second but i think BP is creeping up fast. it is just something about having to work and earn every shot that really make things interesting.

i am thinking about building a portable target system just long rd stick from wally art section as posts and plastic bottle and metal can as targets. shooting paper is just simply too boring.

to all,

how long a typical BP cylinder last? giving the fact that there is no shell to absorb the heat, pressure expansion, and build up? also, is lead the only way to make bullet out off. i am thinking of making copper balls and reuse them by having the target tough enough to capture the ball for reuse. i did that w/ hi power airgun and can do the same w/ BP. i probably need to invest in a good bullet caster (not sure the name).

thanks. and wow to the handload of .45 as it cost about 60 cents per round from shop now.

[cid_ayrbourne]

If you have any reenactors in your area, may I suggest you talk with them? Most reenactors, especially those who do Rendezvous (Mountainman Era), also regularly shoot black powder - both cap & ball and flint.

Also check out Muzzleloader Magazine
http://www.muzzleloadermag.com/

[invssgt]

Originally Posted by nick__45

invssgt : thanks for the link to the book. i'll check it out this weekend to see the writing style fit my reading style and it'll be on amazon order asap.

Good deal. You won't be disappointed.

how long a typical BP cylinder last? giving the fact that there is no shell to absorb the heat, pressure expansion, and build up?

BP runs at lower pressures than smokeless; the gun will shoot loose before the cylinder wears out- as long as you stick with black powder & soft lead.

also, is lead the only way to make bullet out off. i am thinking of making copper balls ...

WOAH! Now you're gonna blow your ass completely up. Don't even think about anything harder than soft lead in that gun. It won't take the rifling, it'll hang in the forcing cone, pressure will spike and then you'll be standing there all smokin' & charred, like Wiley Coyote after a bad Roadrunner doomsday machine.

Be safe- have fun, but be safe first.

[cid_ayrbourne]

BP runs at lower pressures than smokeless; the gun will shoot loose before the cylinder wears out- as long as you stick with black powder & soft lead.

One addition to this. Only use Black Powder and not smokeless powder. I also recommend sticking with 3F at 22grains until you're more familiar with how your individual gun reacts. It's considered the general 'safe load' for most guns.

[nick__45]

I am going to the North South Skirmish Assocation (forgot the name) shooting event this Friday through Sunday. It is Shenandoah, VA and has a lot of blackpowder shooting and competition. I plan to talk to a lot of folks and find someone living some what close to me to be my blackpowder mentor. Most gun owners I know love to take young shooter, especially newbie, under their wings as it makes themselves better shooters from teaching. My first wings experience was from a gun nut in Amelia, VA teaching me how to shoot AK/SKS well. He made it fun and I learned a lot without making stupid mistake. I am hoping to find someone in muzzle loader arena.

Man this stuff is fun. I also want to shoot a gun w/ extremely long barrel but modern firearms are mostly carbine type. I will definitely enjoy shooting some extremely long barrel blackpowder rifles and revolvers. I probably will add an one shot pirate type handcannon to my collection. SWEEEET. And if my wife gives me a hard time, I can tell her these are not guns but relic.

[Frenchy]

Visit Cimarron Arms for some great eye candy.
http://www.cimarron-firearms.com/

[RudyN]

Black powder shooting is a Lot of fun. I did Civil War Sklirmish shooting out here in California for about 7 years. It was a lot of fun. Still have my two reproduction .44 cal 1858 Remingtons and a couple of rifle muskets. You will enjoy it.