[MagnumDweeb]

What does the man who has homebrewed AK variants, homebrewed FALs and CETMEs, homebrewed a ppsh43 pistol (ATF paperwork for a SBR was too much of PITA for me personally), a large collection of handguns (mostly Tokarevs, S&W model 19s, and snub nose .357 magnums), a collection of Mosin Nagants, 8mm Mausers Yugo and German, then do when he is looking for the next part of the gun culture to get into. I had thought about doing a short barreled shotgun but I think that can wait till I'm done with law school and get admitted to the bar. I became an NRA certified pistol instructor and NRA member. My drill press stands out in the master bedroom I rent, my uncle has suddenly gotten guarded about letting me use his arc welder(well his wife has), I'm already in reloading, so that leaves Black Powder shooting which I've wanted to do for awhile but couldn't find an excuse to take it up. And of course I saw the Wild Bill Hiccok(*spelling) movie on cable so that didn't help matters.

I'm looking to start off slow and get one of the .44 pistols I keep seeing on gunbroker. I'm thinking one of the Remington clones (has the metal strap over the top unlike the Colt models it looks like) to start. Trouble is, I know absolutely nothing about black powder qualities and what to get and where to get it, where to order quality projectiles, and caps. So any help would be appreciated. I'm thinking I should come up with no less than $500, get a nice used model, get enough shooting materials for five hundred rounds or more, and the usual cleaning and maintenance supplies. I thought about getting one of the reloading benches but unless you are going to do finely measured loads for focused target shooting it doesn't seem like up my alley. I'm looking to shoot playing cards at twenty yards like I do with my model 19s, snubbies, and Tokarevs (granted I have to limit myself to one shot every three seconds to get it), so I don't know if I really need that fine an instrument like the reloading bench. Any help and recommendations are appreciatted.

[arcticap]

The Ruger Old Army cap & ball revolver was recently discontinued after many years of production and are some the most sought after for their accuracy, strength, durability and for the close tolerances of their barrel rifling to chamber dimensions.
If you invest in one and then decide to get a conversion cylinder, they no doubt have the strongest frame & parts.
The ROA is pretty much indestructable compared to any of the Remingtons.
There's an after market C&B cylinder that allows room for loading more powder.
There's even an outfit that uses them for .50 caliber custom conversions! :)

Ruger Old Army instruction manual:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/PDF/InstructionManuals/13.pdf

[madcratebuilder]

I recommend you spend some time reading the black powder section here and at the FireingLine. Lot of info and opinions. Buy the one you like and fits your hand. You well find these are very additive and well have many before long.

I have open tops and full frame revolvers, both are a hoot to shoot. The ROA is one of the best you can buy, Pietta makes a shooters model that is very accurate and has won several world championships.

Owning these Italian revolvers well make you a competent gunsmith before long. I consider them a semi finished kit. As often as not they require some tweaking out of the box for perfect function.

[reverendfranz]

this uberpost, if you havent already seen it, is an excellent answer to your question. http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=223515

Im in a similar boat to you, and have recently purchased an 1860 replica, this forum has alot of great articles and information in this section.