Is now a good time to get into Black Powder shooting?

I don't about rifles, but BP handguns and essentials for the same (balls, caps) have been hit hard, as well.

Yes.

BP stuff is about the only thing on the gun shop shelves these days. We all may be going this way come hunting season.

Anytime is a good time to get into BP shooting, especially the traditionally styled guns. The beauty of BP shooting is that it the shooter can make his own shooting projectiles and gear. The powder is the only thing that is not readily made, but it can be done. Percussion caps can be made if needed, and there is a current thread on this forum about making your own caps. Of course, if you are shooting a flint lock, powder and ball & patch is all that is required. I wish more people would discover the fun of BP shooting and how you don't have to burn thru hundreds of rounds to enjoy a few hours of shooting.

IMO it's still a good time to get into the hobby of muzzle loading and black powder shooting.
Components aren't that hard to find.
Local gun shops and some online vendors have guns and supplies.
One problem is getting Remington #10 caps for revolvers, but some vendors have them and are charging extra for them.
But #11 caps can be used and do work.
In other words, some places have plenty of caps, balls, powder and the supplies needed, while folks in other places need to hunt for them.

Another problem is that some of the revolver models are scarce because the factories in Italy were closed down and production has been slowed.
But it depends on what make and model that you are looking to buy.
Many Piettas are on back order.
But if a person can make it to a large chain store like Cabela's or Bass Pro, then there's a chance that they can find what they're looking for.
They would just need to check first.

duplicate

Anytime is a good time to start shooting black powder. It may take some work if you look around you will find what you need. I was looking at midway they have a few cap and ball revolvers in stock and some are available for backorder. They have Olde Eywsford fff and rws 1075 caps in stock. If you make an account you can get notified when stuff is back in stock. I have done it with caps and they got back to me pretty fast. They have free shipping on orders over 50.00.

troy fairweather said:

Yes.

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My understanding is that this is just about always the answer to "should I do shooting stuff?"

Dont delay any longer.
BP is the 'A' in the 'ABC's' of shooting.
.....no ffl required!

Oh, just start with a flintlock. You can thank me later.

Traditions has some rifles that include starter kits to get you shooting right away. Their quality is not the best, but their rifles shoot well.

Perfect time to go into black powder shooting.

It would not be if you are looking for a new BP revolver due to the coronavirus-affected slowdown of Pietta and Uberti. You can find such revolvers on Gun Broker but at inflated prices. Most major US dealers (to include EMF, which Pietta owns) are out-of-stock, except for some of the extraneous/engraved finishes. October Country still has some revolvers left from their buyout of Dr. Jim L. Davis' collection but they are not inexpensive.

https://www.octobercountry.com/doc-james-daviss-revolver-collection/

Good luck with your endeavors!

Regards,

Jim

Guys what are you doing!? First buy all the caps, powder, lead, and the gun you have been eyeballing first...THEN tell others its a good idea to start up black powder. Being that gun items are limited We cant let others get their toys before we refill our stock. So...NOOOO! now is not time to get into black powder, the best time for others to join our hobby is after i get the 1860 army and hawken ive been wanting. :-D Im sure others would agree right?

Find a source for powder and caps, cast your boolits. You can even make black powder and shape flints if you want, just like Dan'l Boone.
Except in CA
No hunting with lead in CA

Ernie Bass said:

Can you recommend a good Beginner BP, cost effective. Perhaps with a package with all the needed components to start? And yes the Flintlocks have always interested me, but the cost may be a little steep right now.

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Gunbroker always has a few t/c and cva that are worthy starter guns. Cap guns may be easier to get into first. They may be your best bet.
Dont start out with a cheap flinter.

Well i make my own caps and primers...but i can get caps locally

Ernie Bass said:

Where are you guys buying caps?

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Besides Cabela's in Garner, and Bass Pro in Cary, NC, Sportsman's Warehouse opened 2 new stores in NC for a total of 3 stores.
They're located in Wilmington, Greensboro and Ashville, NC.
Plus there's more of each in neighboring states if you're near a border.
Many local gun shops will carry some.
If you buy a gun from a shop the chances are that they will sell caps too.
There's online vendors, Powder Valley, Dixie Gun Works, MidwayUSA, Graf & Son, Jedediah Starr.

Armored farmer said:

Dont delay any longer.
BP is the 'A' in the 'ABC's' of shooting.
.....no ffl required!

Oh, just start with a flintlock. You can thank me later.

Click to expand...

Not to mention the cost of purchase. Down right cheap for revolvers compared to center or even rimfire revolvers. Rifles or muskets spend a little or a lot.
Black Powder bought in bulk is cheaper, although fewer shots per pound, lead is a scroungable item, bullet or ball molds a cost effective item, only primers can be occasionally hard to find. For me A typical two hour range visit can result in less than 100 shots fired from a 44 or 36 caliber revolver. Rifle or musket a few less I’d imagine.

1st off - their is nothing cheap about shooting black powder. If you're looking for cheap and slow - get a Ruger Wrangler single action and a bucket of 22LR.

Here's what I use to shoot my 44 cal Pietta 1860 Army revolvers:



Not seen in the picture is a pound of Graf's FFFg black powder (in stock).
https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3501
When shooting the powder flask moves away from the shooting area.

I'm seeing Pietta 1851 Navy 36cal revolvers in stock at Dixie Gun Works.
I bought my 1st Pietta 1851 Navy from them back in 2018.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index.../RH0844+Pietta+M1851+NAVY+YANK+CIVILIAN+REVOL

Few years ago, I bought 5000 Remington #10 caps from here. They are currently out of stock:
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/muzzleloaders/caps-and-primers

They do have stock on CCI #10 caps.
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item/000200309/-number-10-percussion-caps-(1000-count)

Note Pietta Revolvers are set up to use Remington #10 caps. This thread mentions that these RMC nipples will accept CCI #10 caps.
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/rmc-square-drive-revolver-nipples.861607/

https://rmcoxyoke.com/product/square-drive-nipples-with-square-drive-wrench/

I would try finding Remington # 10 caps locally "on the shelf" before switching to the RMC Nipples.

Hornady makes the nicest round ball. .375 to .380 diameter is what you want for a Pietta Navy Revolver:
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...t_name/LB0342+Hornady+Swaged+Round+Balls+.375

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...336/product_name/BA0401+Dixie+Cast+Balls+.380

Note these bulk 380 diameter ball are a little harder than true soft lead Hornady Ball. They are harder to load as well.
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Super-Buck-Lead-0000-8-lb_jar-380/productinfo/SBK40/

I like putting a wad between the powder and ball. You can make your own but here's some 36 cal ones to get started:
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...duct_name/PA1004+.36-.40+Revolver+Wonder+Wads

I like putting a dab of black powder lube between the wad and ball. It makes for less mess and the lube goes down the barrel where you want it. I also use this lube on the Colt Cylinder Pin aka Arbor. I can shoot for a week at a time without cleaning as long as my arbor is lubed. You can make your own but to start buy some T/C Bore Butter from Walmart:
https://www.walmart.com/ip/T-C-Accessories-Natural-Lube/23247238

You will also need a capper:
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...t_name/NA7206+Tedd+Cash+Brass+Revolver+Capper

Powder Measure - get one that is set up for rifles like this one. No need to have 2.
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...1204+TRADITIONS+ADJUST+POWDER+MEASURE+W+SPOUT

Flask w/ 24gr spout - about perfect for 36 cal revolvers:
https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index..._id/331/product_name/HA0630+Ideal+Round+Flask

Note I use this one which has a 30 grain spout which is a perfect powder charge for my 44 cal C&B Revolvers.
https://www.amazon.com/Blackpowder-Products-Grain-Spout-Cylinder/dp/B004RC4DVY

Note if you go 44 cal instead of 36 cal - you want .454 diameter round ball and 44 cal wads. Everything else is the same.

Edited add:
Cleaning - water is all you need. I use my ice cold well water coming out of a garden hose to clean my C&B revolvers. I follow that with que-tips to clean the chambers, a patch down the bore with Hoppe's #9 and Ballistol for the final treatment for storage in my safe.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...+Multi-Purpose+Sportsman's+Oil+and+Lube+16+oz.

For the longest time, I used whatever gun oil I had on hand to include WD40 for the final rub down. The key there is to get it out of the gun before shooting.

Mr drobs is right with his above post...shooting black powder isnt exactly cheap...but you can cut costs down once you start buying your own lead to cast your own, and make your own powder and primers....BUT even taking this route requires an investment in tools and supplies. This comes down too how much you shoot and if its worth it to you. You may only shoot 500-600 round balls a year if not way less...and you gotta do the math...is it cheaper to buy the pre made balls or buy the lead, a pot, mold(s), and invest the time and work to cast your own. Same.with powder....do you rather spend $20+ a pound plus hazmat and shipping...or buy the raw materials to make your own? Im down to making my own powder at about 1.80 a pound...and its a little better than swiss. Same with wads...buy or make your own. I dont even use felt wads anymore..now i make very thin lube disks that desintegrate in the barrel and coat entire barrel and keep fouling soft and clean...i do this due to noticing most of my felt wads and thick lube cookies were just being shot out the barrel and only so little is used..also because they are so large and go so fast down the barrel not much time is allowed to melt a large wad... Then i decided to make very thin lube disks due to thinner means it should take less time and heat to melt and lube the bore...and it allows more space for powder/bullet. So i now save money of lube making materials and dont need to spend on felt. With the right research you can do a lot of these things yourself to save money instantly or in the long run...and its fun and very rewarding...but cheap? Not really...but you can always cut costs by making smarter investments and doing research and of course doing work yourself. Has the bullet and primer shortage affected me? Nope. Im not dependent on the market. Also black powder folks tend to do most of the work themselves...whether its gun smithing or making ammo etc.