Reckon, cost is subjective to a great deal many things. Came across several hundred (that’s right, several hundred), pounds of soft lead weights, a few years ago. They’d been used for tractor ballast and were no longer needed. (Those’r’ long gone, now, by the way.) More recently, received a 50lb. ingot of lead, from a party, who was moving out of state. That one’s been kept around. Understand that fishing weights may, also, be melted down as a decent substitute. Point is; there’s a savings on lead purchase, around this camp- as one might imagine.
Got a serviceable pot and good ladle, from separate clean-up jobs. Will be placing an order for two double .454 cal. round ball molds, within the next week (one, for back-up). Have cobbled together a decent burner and stand set-up, from odds-and-ends saved, over the years. Have a half-dozen full, barbecue-sized containers of propane squirreled away. Those came, courtesy of various clients, as well. So, “Rolling my own” will save some over ordering the ready-made ammo.
As one can see, from the above; will even be saving the price of a cooker. Well, for now, at least. Might could weaken, later on out. Upgrade, as it were. First, I want to learn how to actually DO this.
Crisco will serve well, over the cooler months, and over some of the more fancy specialized products. There’s a good thread, elsewhere on this forum, about cutting up felt sheets, for use as wadding. Ordering information is there, as well.
Have a few gallons of Windex and car window washer fluid stashed in the garage. Also, saved from various jobs, over the years. Even have various soaps kept safe, in the dry goods larder. So, clean-up’s a snap.
Most cartridge arms cleaning/maintenance tools seem to have uses for C&B arms, as well. And, yes; have a couple of different caliber kits put together. from salvage.
On the other hand, SoCal seems to have a dearth of real black powder available. As a result, substitute powders are costly, in these parts. Could ride to somewhere it’s cheaper - which costs, too (though, the trip, itself, makes the ride worthwhile. Any excuse…). Still working on getting enough folks together, locally, to make it worthwhile shelling out for the idiocy of HazMat shipping fees. Not planning on making my own BP, before it becomes a necessity (Perish forbid).
Caps are another item, which must actually be paid for. Managed to come across those, this past weekend, at the local gun show. Hint: Get there early, buy in bulk.
In fact, had to make some purchases, this past weekend, for start-up and to repay a debt. So, I know the little that will be spent on firing, cleaning and care, makes this a durned affordable hobby. Well, except for that part about how there’s about a bazillion guns and accessories ‘D like to get my hands on, one day. Soon.
