Well, to be honest I don't know much about it at all. How do you get into it? How did you learn about it? Did you have someone teach you, or did you pick it up on your own? Basically I wanna know how you got into it, what it requires, and if it'd be good for someone who has only a little experience with guns in general. For some reason I'm drawn to the blackpowder and it sounds quite interesting to me. Any comments or answers would be much appreciated, thanks.
Questions about blackpowder shooting.
- Thread starter brittanyjean
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i first got started with a small single shot i purchased, but now i have graduated to bigger guns. it seemed appealing to me. they are not expensive at all, generally good quality firearms, no FFL or waiting period or any other junk to fill out, loads are totally customizable. you can customize the load you want at the range and make it as light or as heavy as you want. if you want to try the sport out Cabelas has blackpowder guns for great prices. they have a good selection too! http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/_/N-1100199?WTz_l=SBC;MMcat104792580
revolvers are the most fun in my opinion! they outnumber my guns in fact. this is a truly great sport, i promise you will love it
revolvers are the most fun in my opinion! they outnumber my guns in fact. this is a truly great sport, i promise you will love it
Cabela's sale on revolvers are a great way to get into bp cheap. good pistols too. I love my Pietta '60 .44
There are tons of videos to watch to learn how to load. Even better is to find someone that shoots bp to show you. thats how I got into it. As a Gunners Mate in the Navy, my Division mates was heavy into BP. They showed me how then I immediately bought a hawkins rifle followed shortly with a CVA .44
real bp is hard to find so you'll probably be using the substitute.
start by reading the stickied thread in this section of the forum.
use the search to read some more threads in areas you want to learn more about.
ask questions, then ask a few more
what you'll need:
pistol or rifle (duh )
can of powder
measuring flask of some sort
lead balls
wads
primers
cleaning gear, just dont use anything petroleum based. Bore Butter works great.
There are tons of videos to watch to learn how to load. Even better is to find someone that shoots bp to show you. thats how I got into it. As a Gunners Mate in the Navy, my Division mates was heavy into BP. They showed me how then I immediately bought a hawkins rifle followed shortly with a CVA .44
real bp is hard to find so you'll probably be using the substitute.
start by reading the stickied thread in this section of the forum.
use the search to read some more threads in areas you want to learn more about.
ask questions, then ask a few more
what you'll need:
pistol or rifle (duh
)can of powder
measuring flask of some sort
lead balls
wads
primers
cleaning gear, just dont use anything petroleum based. Bore Butter works great.
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- Dec 19, 2002
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- 22,553
I learned how to shoot BP by reading books. Later the internet came along and it allowed me to learn from others.
The easiest route is to find a black powder shoot and hook up with someone there. Alternatively, you can try to find someone here who is close to your location and arrange to go shooting nearby. That'll allow you more exposure without the expense of buying a gun or equipment. Yes, you should stick around and help clean the guns too. After all, it's part of the ritual.
If there's no shoot, then you can try to attend a re-enactment. Some of the re-enactors (but not all) do live firing and are proficient with their period firearms. Many of them are serious into the study of the period too and do a lot of research into that era.
The easiest route is to find a black powder shoot and hook up with someone there. Alternatively, you can try to find someone here who is close to your location and arrange to go shooting nearby. That'll allow you more exposure without the expense of buying a gun or equipment. Yes, you should stick around and help clean the guns too. After all, it's part of the ritual.
If there's no shoot, then you can try to attend a re-enactment. Some of the re-enactors (but not all) do live firing and are proficient with their period firearms. Many of them are serious into the study of the period too and do a lot of research into that era.
My first introduction to muzzleloading was through Walt Disney's Davy Crockett shows of the early 60's. A local swap shop had a spanish made 32 cal. percussion rifle I bought for $25 dollars and I found a copy of the Dixie firearms catalog at a local gunstore. The catalog was my only source of information. I've been muzzleloading since 1964.
I would suggest that you research your area and find a reenacting group, a rendezvous, or a SASS event and experience it first hand. You will get hooked.
I would suggest that you research your area and find a reenacting group, a rendezvous, or a SASS event and experience it first hand. You will get hooked.
My introduction was after seeing a model 1860 Army, I thoughtit was the most beautiful pistol I'd ever seen. Years later I purchased a Peitta 1851 Navyand loved it.
Thanks everyone! Do you think I should get a pistol/revolver or a rifle/shotgun for starting out?
That is a tough choice. I started out in BP with a pistol - a Brass Frame 1858 New Army. My quest was a good all-around gun that I could load several rounds. I wanted to not only get into BP, but a gun that I can carry for self defense. Now, call me crazy, but I firmly believe that a BP revolver is just as good of a SD/HD gun as a modern gun. Believe me when I say that if you don't know how to handle a gun, it will never matter if it's a Glock or a .45cal single shot pistol.
I did months of research before making my decision and it was simple: I already have a rifle (a Winchester 1894 chambered in 30-30) so why do I need another one? I went with the revolver.
I did months of research before making my decision and it was simple: I already have a rifle (a Winchester 1894 chambered in 30-30) so why do I need another one? I went with the revolver.
Brittany, I am now 60 yrs old. When I was in kindergarten, the Mickey Mouse club was all the rage. Toddlers could spell M I C K E Y before they could count. One of the serial movies (a short part or chapter every day) was Davey Crockett. It became a runaway hit. All across the country folks were singing the theme song. At the same time, my father and uncles would go to farm auctions in Berks County PA and buy old muzzleloaders for a few dollars and even shoot them rarely. A really old man, distant great uncle of some kind, still hunted with a muzzleloader as his primary gun. Watching him load and shoot that old musket, made me want one in the worst way. I watched the Daniel Boone TV show in the 1960's, green with envy over those rifles. When I was about 14, I met a guy that actually built a flintlock rifle from parts he bought through the mail. (He was a deputy game warden in PA) But parts were still quite expensive. A few years later, a discount store advertised flintlock pistol kits for $39.00. I drove 80 miles each way to buy one. That deputy game warden and my father made sure I took my time and did it right. It seemed like months to finish the gun properly. When I could finally shoot it, I was probably the only person in the county with a working flint lock pistol. It was an attention getter when ever I went to the range to shoot. I was on a competition shooting team in college and kept up the shooting afterward with muzzle loaders. The history, challenges and education still hasn't stopped after 40 years. For some folks it becomes almost an obsession. I now have a few dozen muzzleloaders, for everything from small game hunting to specialized target shooting. When I started, powder, caps and balls for shooting were cheaper than 22 rf cartridges. (Or so it seemed) I could shoot an entire day at the range and spend less than a dollar or two on shooting supplies.
In general, muzzle loader fanatics are a much different breed than most. I once heard it said, that a man could go to a rendezvous with no clothes, food, gun or shooting supplies and the other buckskinners would see to it that he was sheltered, fed, and had a gun to shoot in competition. And that is indeed probably only a slight exaggeration. Most are eager to help green horns along. They will "lend" items freely and help out whenever they can, short of being taken advantage of.
In today's world of folks who so predominantly think, ME ME, buckskinners represent a society I would rather associate with. The old fashioned concept of being neighborly, which has been lost in so many towns and villages, still goes strong among buckskinners.
In general, muzzle loader fanatics are a much different breed than most. I once heard it said, that a man could go to a rendezvous with no clothes, food, gun or shooting supplies and the other buckskinners would see to it that he was sheltered, fed, and had a gun to shoot in competition. And that is indeed probably only a slight exaggeration. Most are eager to help green horns along. They will "lend" items freely and help out whenever they can, short of being taken advantage of.
In today's world of folks who so predominantly think, ME ME, buckskinners represent a society I would rather associate with. The old fashioned concept of being neighborly, which has been lost in so many towns and villages, still goes strong among buckskinners.
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arcticap
Member
For someone without a lot of experience with guns, I would suggest starting with a rifle, particularly a traditional sidelock rifle that will shoot patched round balls well.
Most black powder clubs are centered around rifles. They're more accurate at longer distances, have more target shooting, plinking & hunting applications and are generally less complicated.
To learn nearly everything there is to know about muzzle loading, reading any edition of The Complete Black Powder Handbook by Sam Fadala would be a great place to start and it can even be purchased as an ebook.
Local libraries may also have informative books about muzzle loading.
Muzzle loading clubs can be found all over the country and their members are often more than willing to help introduce anyone to the sport.
http://books.google.com/books?id=Dz...SXjDpYb8qxyRsg4enCL3d9U1Q#v=onepage&q&f=false
Most black powder clubs are centered around rifles. They're more accurate at longer distances, have more target shooting, plinking & hunting applications and are generally less complicated.
To learn nearly everything there is to know about muzzle loading, reading any edition of The Complete Black Powder Handbook by Sam Fadala would be a great place to start and it can even be purchased as an ebook.
Local libraries may also have informative books about muzzle loading.
Muzzle loading clubs can be found all over the country and their members are often more than willing to help introduce anyone to the sport.
http://books.google.com/books?id=Dz...SXjDpYb8qxyRsg4enCL3d9U1Q#v=onepage&q&f=false
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For myself; a lot of my education came from "lurking" on this very Forum long before joining. Had been shooting for many years, had even competed (mostly revolver competition); and I just wanted to "slow down".
Whacked gave you the best advice before making a purchase: "...start by reading the stickied thread in this section of the forum." After that, I'd suggest you seek out a person or group that is local to you and find a 'mentor'; at least for the first couple of trips to the range.
As for the rifle/pistol quandary; the answer will come easier if you let us know which pattern of firearm (rifle or pistol) you have more used in your "... only a little experience with guns in general." Once that is determined, you'll probably be told to start with whichever one you're most familiar.
OFF-TOPIC question for BHP FAN: I see a 'screwbarrel' and a Remington pocket '31 in your third picture; both guns have interested me for a while. How are they to shoot? I can see me holding onto the screwbarrel for dear life with two straining fingers; but it just looks like a miniscule "ton o' fun"! The little Remmie pattern just plain looks cool; though, since I haven't sold but two firearms out of all the one's I've bought; I'd go a steel frame just for the (real or perceived) longevity factor.
So, having owned and presumably shot both of those pistols, would you still want to buy them today if you didn't already own them?
Whacked gave you the best advice before making a purchase: "...start by reading the stickied thread in this section of the forum." After that, I'd suggest you seek out a person or group that is local to you and find a 'mentor'; at least for the first couple of trips to the range.
As for the rifle/pistol quandary; the answer will come easier if you let us know which pattern of firearm (rifle or pistol) you have more used in your "... only a little experience with guns in general." Once that is determined, you'll probably be told to start with whichever one you're most familiar.
OFF-TOPIC question for BHP FAN: I see a 'screwbarrel' and a Remington pocket '31 in your third picture; both guns have interested me for a while. How are they to shoot? I can see me holding onto the screwbarrel for dear life with two straining fingers; but it just looks like a miniscule "ton o' fun"! The little Remmie pattern just plain looks cool; though, since I haven't sold but two firearms out of all the one's I've bought; I'd go a steel frame just for the (real or perceived) longevity factor.
So, having owned and presumably shot both of those pistols, would you still want to buy them today if you didn't already own them?
Loyalist Dave
Member
for me, I started with a caplock musket, but many folks start with reproductions of Civil War revolvers as they are cheaper than most caplock rifles or muskets. I was at scout camp, and they showed me how they worked, let me shoot one, and I was hooked. Later I puchased my own rifled-musket kit, which I still own, then I got some revolvers, and now I do flintlocks exclusively.
IF you have a BP club near to you, go visit. They will be happy to help you. If not close enough for a visit, then you might try emailing them, and they will probably give you a contact person who can help a bit over the phone.
Muzzleloader Magazine Find a Club
LD
IF you have a BP club near to you, go visit. They will be happy to help you. If not close enough for a visit, then you might try emailing them, and they will probably give you a contact person who can help a bit over the phone.
Muzzleloader Magazine Find a Club
LD
Yuma, the ''Hero'' .41 you see is not actually a screw barrel, there's no lug, and no key, so it's just your average large bore pocket rocket ... shoots really well though, minute of card table accuracy can be expected. The Remmie is a sweet heart, quite powerfull with 3f T 7 or 4f Goex, no sign of frame stretch. I'm useng an empty .32 rimfire case as a measure, cut down, it holds about 10 gr.
J-Bar
Member
I shot cowboy action matches with smokeless ammo for years, finally fired a friend's single action army revolver with .45 Colt blackpowder cartridges and now compete with bp guns 80% of the time.
Do not buy anything until you shoot a variety of guns. Some will fit your hand better than others. Visit a cowboy action shooting club near you to check out different models. Make it a state or regional championship match for the best variety...vendors will be there selling guns, as well as competitors. Explore SASSnet.com for match locations and match schedules.
Do not buy anything until you shoot a variety of guns. Some will fit your hand better than others. Visit a cowboy action shooting club near you to check out different models. Make it a state or regional championship match for the best variety...vendors will be there selling guns, as well as competitors. Explore SASSnet.com for match locations and match schedules.
chicharrones
needs more ammo
I'm a black powder newb, so I'll give you my version. I have admired black powder guns for decades but I never got into it until MC Gunner put up a thread about a Cabela's sale back in August (I think). Honestly, it was the too-good-to-pass-up pricing that made me jump in.
Because of my background shooting most types of smokeless guns for nearly the last 40 years, I only wanted a percussion cap repeater. That meant for me a Pietta 1860 revolver and that was mostly just on looks. Being an old school design without a top strap and using a barrel wedge is what I wanted. That's because I wanted to have a gun as far removed as possible in design compared to other smokeless revolver types I already own.
I did research the 1860 fairly heavily before I bought it though. After I bought it, I had to read and read and read everything I could absorb on the internet before I actually shot it a couple weeks after receiving it. Thanks a ton to the information here at THR.
I found my powder, lead balls, caps, flask, nipple wrench (w/ pick), and powder measure at a local shop that specializes in reloading smokeless ammo.
I have much to learn, but I felt confident enough to trundle off to a local gun range and try this cap & ball "art" on my own. I did take along a friend of mine, but he is a smokeless only shooter and had no advice to give.
After shooting the 1860, I discovered I still have much to learn. Perhaps, that is the point of it. There are many little things I take for granted shooting smokeless guns that I have to consider more carefully with a cap and ball gun. Like dunking perfectly good steel into hot soapy water. I would have never dared to do that until now.
Fingers McGee
Member
Shot my first cap and ball revolver when I was 17. A friend had one & we used to go out in the woods of SC and make smoke shooting at palmettos and other targets of opportunity. That got me started. I always liked the mid century guns of the 1800s. Really got heavily involved when I joind a muzzleloading club and started doing rendezvous' and other reenactments. Was mentored by a grizzled old rendezvouser who expanded my knowledge and helped me become proficient.
Best thing you could do is to find the nearest BP club - as stated in previous replies - and apprentice with the most knowledgeable person there. For cap and ball revolver shooting, attend a SASS match and seek out the Frontiersmen there.
Best thing you could do is to find the nearest BP club - as stated in previous replies - and apprentice with the most knowledgeable person there. For cap and ball revolver shooting, attend a SASS match and seek out the Frontiersmen there.
Years and years ago, I fired a black powder muzzle loader in boy scouts. I can't recall any details about it other than a lot of smoke.
Fast forward years later, I got a Traditions Buckskinner .50 caliber muzzle loader for my birthday, which happens to conicide with late season muzzle loader for deer.
Nice little carbine, I can usually hit the broad side of a barn with it, from the inside.
More fun to shoot than it is to hunt with. PITA to clean. I could run a full box of patches through it after soaking it for an hour with heavy duty oven cleaner and it'll still come out soiled. But it's got a beautiful laminated stock. she looks better than she shoots.
I've always got firearms related projects on the back burner, and finally completed one, more or less, with a home built black powder single shot "bubba backyard pirate boarding pistol."
After letting that thing loose in the back yard, I'm totally hooked. The sound ffffpt-BOOM, the smell and the cloud of smoke, along with the .50 caliber divot in a chunk of 1" lexan in the yard.... freakin' sweet.
Fast forward years later, I got a Traditions Buckskinner .50 caliber muzzle loader for my birthday, which happens to conicide with late season muzzle loader for deer.
Nice little carbine, I can usually hit the broad side of a barn with it, from the inside.
More fun to shoot than it is to hunt with. PITA to clean. I could run a full box of patches through it after soaking it for an hour with heavy duty oven cleaner and it'll still come out soiled. But it's got a beautiful laminated stock. she looks better than she shoots.
I've always got firearms related projects on the back burner, and finally completed one, more or less, with a home built black powder single shot "bubba backyard pirate boarding pistol."
After letting that thing loose in the back yard, I'm totally hooked. The sound ffffpt-BOOM, the smell and the cloud of smoke, along with the .50 caliber divot in a chunk of 1" lexan in the yard.... freakin' sweet.
robhof
Member
I also was inspired by Disney shows; Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone. Built a 44 kit pistol back in the 60's and actually took some rabbits with it. I left it when I joined the USAF and got into modern guns and about 12 yrs ago, helped my brother clean out storage from our old house and found a 3/4" bore cannon we bought from DGW with some powder and fuses. We fired it and now 11 b/p guns and counting later I'm hooked again.
Brittanyjean... Warning.... Black Powder is highly addictive, I got interested about a year and a half ago and now I have 12 guns..most of them are black powder.
I got interested in a 1851 Colt reproduction but here in Canada they are "restricted" that means that I had to take a 4 day safety course,pass two exams and apply for a RPAL (Possession and Acquisition..Restricted) Licence.
Here is a picture of my Cap and Ball Revolvers:
I got interested in a 1851 Colt reproduction but here in Canada they are "restricted" that means that I had to take a 4 day safety course,pass two exams and apply for a RPAL (Possession and Acquisition..Restricted) Licence.
Here is a picture of my Cap and Ball Revolvers:
Fingers McGee
Member
Very nice arrary Skinny. The second one from the left looks like an original Manhattan. IINM from L to R: Pocket Model .31 Colt w/5 inch barrel; Manhattal .36 w/5.5 inch barrel; Pietta '51 Navy; ASM Pocket Model .31 Colt w/6 inch barrel; Pietta 'Fantasy' .44 Navy; EIG or FIE Griswold & Gunnison.
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