Ok getting into black powder hunting. Newbie let me have it.

[BigShep85]

I picked up a black powder rifle for numerous reasons, if you have seen my other new posts to the black powder section you know it is a CVA 54 cal old school wood stock etc. a few things came with it to include lead balls, powder primers, powder horn, and things of that nature.

Went to Dunhams today to check out items for this hunting season AND only found 50 cal bullets, no balls of any kind. very few primers none were copper like the ones that came with the gun (probably dont matter) AND no powder either.

Any advice for a newbie on black powder hunting and supplies? Where to get them which is better balls or.....the hollow point bullet things lol I have never shot black powder before in my life.

Thanks guys again.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Based on your description I'd bet you should stick with patched balls, or lubed bullets over Sabots as your twist is probably to slow for the sabot to perform well. Do you know the twist rate of your barrel? It may be marked.

 

[72coupe]

Hey BigShep the real blackpowder is hard to find in some areas. If you can't find it get some 2FF 777 but use it carefully as it is more powerful than the real stuff.

The twist rate of your barrel is important because it limits what sort of bullet you can shoot accurately.

What you are calling primers we call caps. Caps come in several sizes yours probably uses No. 11 percusion caps or less likely musket caps.

I have no experience with 54 caliber but there are references to tell you what size ball you may need and what thickness of patching to use.

 

[BigShep85]

Supplies.....

Any advice on where to pick up primers (stores), balls, or powder, real or the next best thing. No indication of what the twist is on the barrel either.

 

[loose noose]

I've got a .54 Caliber and I use Hornady .530 balls or my own cast pure lead balls .530. They are pretty easy to order thru MidSouth Shooters Supply. I use Goex FF black powder, and I've used Pyrodex R powder. My rifle has a 1:48 in twist which I believe is pretty much standard. I use pillow ticking which measures about .015 with Thompson Bore Butter. Note I've also used hornets nesting when available (make sure the hornets abandoned the nest). I get the best groups using 80 grains of powder, but note I worked up from about 50 grains, going 5 grains at a time. I shot a nice buck a few years ago up in UP Michigan, and another in Northeast Nevada using this same load. Yours might be different, as I shot up to 95 grains of Goex FF in my rifle and noted the groups opening up quite a bit.

 

[Texan Scott]

Lyman makes moulds for .530 and .535 round ball, and .54 hollow-based minis. You could make your own musket balls, shoot black powder, get a buckskin jacket with fringe, and a coon-skin cap. (I'm not really pokin fun - much ) For some people, it's a hobby as much as gettin food, like some folks do the civil war reeancting thing.

 

[BigShep85]

Found some supplies

I found some good supplies in my cabelas magazine the balls were 20 bucks 100, not bad. The percussion caps were 55 bucks for a can of 1000 which is probably enough to last a lifetime but still expensive, I am going to keep looking around.

 

[BADUNAME30]

If yer thinkin 'bout castin yer own balls BigShep, Lee has molds fer 'round $22 with handles fer a double cavity. Less expensive than Lymans and they work jist fine. Use 'em all the time.

 

[Harrod]

I have a CVA50 and I get my round balls and patches from cabelas (but have been looking into cutting my own patches maybe) i picked up my #11 percussion caps at gander mountain. If you have either of those in your area, I also have a local MCsports i can get balls and lube as well as 777. I personally prefer real black and have a store in Michigan (visiting inlaws ) i can pick up the black from. Also Dick's Sporting goods is another good source, and you would be amazed at what you can find in Amazon.com if you look deep enough. Like the other guys said you can always get a lee mold and make your own balls. It's a little easier for me with a 50cal that is a little more widespread than the 54. Good luck to you

 

[loose noose]

Midsouth sells 100 roundballs for $12.85, And #11 Percussion caps for $39.60 per 1000. Also Pyrodex RS powder goes $15.09 per pound. You can use old Levi material for patches, or old linen, flannel, or go to WalMart and get some pillow ticking for about $2.00 for about a yard.

 

[J-Bar]

Go to your bookstore, library, or Amazon.com and get one of Sam Fadala's comprehensive books on shooting black powder guns. Read, study, learn.

 

[CraigC]

I think he needs to get to shooting and hunting before worrying about casting. Perfectly fine round ball is available from Speer and Hornady. I use more Speer. I also prefer to buy pre-cut, pre-lubed pillow ticking patches. Everything you need is at Midway. I would suggest finding a local store for your powder and caps. As a last resort, Walmart carries that stuff.

 

[faustopph]

I have a CVA Frontier Hunter With a 24" barrel and laminated stock and adjustable sights .
Loose noose has it right and has given you a good idea of what will work . Your rifle , like all BP firearms , is an individual . You may find yours works best , most accurate , with more or less powder or some other recipe .

 

[faustopph]

Also . Most of the big box stores including Cabela's and Dunham's cater to what is most popular and now it is .50 inlines . If you can find a local gunshop that is blackpowder friendly or one of the online suppliers , you will have better luck . I shoot cap & ball revolvers in .44 , .36 and .31 , rifles in .32 , .50 and .54 . I can only get a very limited supply of items at the big box stores nearby . Walmart , not much ,Cabela's disappointing , Dunham's not much different than Scheel's . I can get more at the little gunshop 10 miles away , What he does not stock , he can usually get . He also has real Blackpowder and the substitutes .

 

[Pancho]

Hunting where? Hunting what?
Are you hunting in hilly brush or prairie? 25yards or 150yards?
Are you hunting deer, bear, or buffalo?
All of this affects your approach.

 

[BigShep85]

Thanks for all the advice

Hunting where? Hunting what?
Are you hunting in hilly brush or prairie? 25yards or 150yards?
Are you hunting deer, bear, or buffalo?
All of this affects your approach.

Hunting in the mountains of southeastern ky, deer, at as long a distance as I can shoot one with a black powder rifle kidding no further than 100 yds.

Great advice on supplies so far & has already helped out a lot. I believe my best bet would be to go up the road to sportsman's warehouse, I know they will have it I just don't know how much they will want to charge. They have great ammo selections.

 

[Pit4Brains]

!!!

 

[Pit4Brains]

If you're gonna be out stalking in the woods, then you are going to need what's called a "possibles bag" or something similar. You want to have everything you need with you, but at a bare minimum. I actually got my little case at Sportsman's Warehouse a long while back and it has worked out very well.
In my pouch I keep:
1. A pistol starter and rod. This is for seating and starting my ball or maxi.
2. A knife for cutting my pillow tick for round balls. I keep the tick in my left front pocket.
3. A small powder flask with both of my spouts. One spout for round balls and the other for maxis. You put a finger over the spout, invert the flask, actuate the valve. Turn over the flask and voilla! perfectly measured powder every time. No need to measure each charge..
4. A good capping tool. This is indispensable, especially in cold weather. The caps stay dry, right side-up and easily placed on a nipple. This goes in the right chest pocket, near the nipple..(LOL)
5. A nipple wrench with a cleaning pin. Fouled nipples in the field suck.
6. A ball puller. Packing powder behind a nipple sucks.
7. Screwdriver. Self explanatory.
8. Ammo. I only have maxis in this photo but if I.m going out for a stroll for rabbits or whatnot, I'll pack some round balls.









For the range, I'de suggest getting a range rod. They are usually made of some sort of plastic or fiber something and are longer than the rod under your barrel.
Get some good cotton patches and some spray black powder solvent. I like to run one patch sprayed with solvent between rounds while at the range. It not only helps the next round go down a cleaner bore but keeps the barrel somewhat at a clean level when throughout the day. Easier to clean when you get home.

Good luck with the ol' smoke pole!

 

[Nit Wit]

Buy a Dixie Gunworks catalog, the info inside will serve you well.
Go on-line to track of the wolf and check out supplies.
Nit Wit

 

[Johnson1631]

Well, let's see here now. If the ball is not reaching the animal then you are probably not using enough powder. If on the other hand the ball is going high over the animal then you are probably using too much powder...Adjust and put some meat in the pot. Johnson.

 

[Jefferson Herb]

.54 cal

If you have an older style w/1-66 twist,round ball or hollow base minnie.I found a hbm for my .50 and it's terrible.I also have a 1-28 twist,my .54 lyman Hunter has a 1-32 and I've never even tried a round ball.I just cast maxies for it.
Lube,I like the 1000+ myself and it works well...till hot weather sets in. Track of the wolf has a mink paste that is too good for boots,others have their own recipie.
Caps, You will use more than you think.You can clean nipple w/pipe cleaner or wire,but fireing 2-3 caps before loading [first time to clean/burn any residue] and after each cleaning. I prefer musket caps in hunting conditions/weather,and those cost more but much hotter.
Good luck and have fun.

 

[hang fire]

If you live in Kentucky, trad muzzleloading shops should abound to get face to face info and buy your initial supplies..