advice needed

[Think Twice]

Hello new to the forum and muzzle loading. I just recived 2 muzzle loaders on new years eve . First is a thompson cented hawken in .54 CLEAN..2nd is a cva .50cal hawken pistol. He gave me all his supplies. For the pistol I need to know what patch? and how many grains of pyrodex? The pyrodex says RS on it and the balls he gave me (no pun intended) are. 490. So do I just need. 010 patches?

This is what I'm working with...


Please help, I don't want to blow myself up!!

 

[junkman_01]

First, I have the same pistol in .45. It is called the Mountain pistol.

You should understand that the .50 caliber is the diameter of the barrel across opposing lands (the minor diameter of the barrel). The groove diameter is more than the land diameter and that is what you must consider when selecting a patch thickness.

Most folks use pillow ticking for patches and that runs about .015.
Wrapped around the .490 RB that adds about .030 to the ball diameter.
That makes the ball/patch combo .520. That is a nice tight groove fitting combo for good accuracy. Don't forget that you must lube the patch and that adds to it's compressibility.

A good starting load would be 25-30 grains by volume not weight of Pyrodex RS or 2F BP.

 

[Think Twice]

OK thanks, but a few more questions
What is pillow ticking?
How much lube?
Is the cva grease patch tube he gave me what I'm looking for?
What's the advantage of measuring by volume over weight?
Do they sell the powder sticks (like an inline uses)?

I am completely green to this.

 

[arcticap]

What is pillow ticking?

Pillow ticking is a patch material that's usually .018 thick and has a pattern of blue stripes.

How much lube?

You can buy patches pre-lubed with Bore Butter. Or buy a tube of Bore Butter and dry patches and lube them yourself.
Either rub a dab into each patch by hand so that the Bore Butter can melt into it with body temperature, or place some patches and Bore Butter in a dish together and microwave it for a very short period of time to allow the Bore Butter to melt and wick in the patches to saturate them. Then place them in a plastic bag for storage.

Is the cva grease patch tube he gave me what I'm looking for?

Yes, that's a lube that will work.
So will a patch with a very light application of olive oil, or some even use Crisco shortening.

What's the advantage of measuring by volume over weight?

Black powder and black powder substitute powders should always be measured by volume because each powder has a different weight. Loading by volume allows for the easy and simple conversion between powders.

Do they sell the powder sticks (like an inline uses)?

Yes, but they are not recommended for use with side lock percussion guns such as yours.

So do I just need. 010 patches?

.010 patches could work for a less tight fit and easier loading, or try the .015 patches for a tighter fit and better accuracy.

 

[Think Twice]

Thanks, I can't wait to shoot this thing!!

 

[Busyhands94]

just remember to seat the ball firmly on top of the powder, and If you want a measure that throws about 30 grains you can use a .357 Magnum case. Remember, if you are unsure of something to look it up, Google is your friend.

~Levi

 

[J-Bar]

Get one of Sam Fadala's books on Blackpowder shooting. It will save you lots of time:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=sam+fadala&x=14&y=24