Wanting to start playing on the BP field

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cleardiddion

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Well, I suppose the thread title is pretty self explanitory.
I've been sitting here surfing through the black poweder part of THR for a while and it seems to be really a different world of shooting.

I started off with rifles, played around a little in shotguns, but it would be nice to be able to branch out into something a little different and black powder seems to be able to satisfy that particular itch.

I've been eyeballing a 150 dollar starter kit rifle for a while down at the local Walmart; one with a simple rifle, some projectiles, reading material and etc but I'm not sure whether I should go in on it. I don't really know anyone that is into the subject and haven't been really exposed to BP pieces except for a few people who drop by the range on a rare afternoon or two.

So, I suppose I have a few questions:

What's a good starter arm for a person new to BP shooting?

What are some basic pointers?

And does the youth handgun safety act apply to BP pistols (I'm asking this because I am 18)?

Thanks in advance!
 
Reproduction BP revolvers are a lot of fun, take a look at them; www.taylorsfirearms.com www.uberti.com
I don't know much about the Walmart rifles, I think they're traditions, can't be too bad, but it may be worth looking at Thompson Center or any brand with a better rep and higher quality than traditions. For me, any BP firearms with synthetic stocks turns my stomache....I never understood the " I shoot BP because I like the tradition and history of BP, but I want the new composite, lightweight space age polymer day glo stocks" thing that some people do.
It's a little like having airbags installed in a '57 chevy..no match.
Other than that.... you'll find about all the info you could ever need right here in the archives and current members. Revolvers are very fun, substitute powders will never compare to the boom, smoke and authenticity of real black powder, check the links and read up on some different styles of guns and the history behind them.
 
I suggest you read the Black Powder Essentials thread at the beginning of this forum. It contains virtually everything you need to know to get started in this sport.

Since you are 18 the Youth Handgun Safety Act does not apply to you. It does not make any distinction for black powder.

The Wal-Mart black powder starter kits are really not worth the money, in my opinion. I'd rather you purchase the items separately and get just what you need in quality equipment. It will cost more that way but the gear will last longer and provide much more satisfaction.

Traditions (the maker of the starter kits) is the low end of the current retail bp market. Their gear is good but not outstanding quality. Thompson Center is significantly higher quality and cost. I have no problem with buying Traditions equipment as the first bp gear, but not the starter kit.
 
+1 vote for avoiding any "starter kits".

Money spent on the things you will really need and use is money much better-spent than money spent on the cheap "frills" usually packaged in "starter kits".

In the BP arena - the best advice is "Learn Before You Spend".

:cool:
 
Which area of BP.

If you could be more specific in which area of BP you are interested in or what you want to do with this BP firearm, it would help everyone answer your questions. Such as:

1. BP revolvers.
2. Tradional Rifles, Hawkins or Long Rifle.
3. In-line rifle.

I'm assuming you are interested in an in-line because you are looking at a starter kit at Wal-mart. Is this for hunting or just shooting at the range?
 
cleardiddion, I started with a blackpowder single shot pistol (Kentucky style) from Pedersoli. Simple to load and clean, and (for patched round ball) has been pretty accurate.

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I've heard the Lyman pistol is OK, too, I just wanted something with a slightly different style grip. If you can afford a Lyman great plains rifle, I've heard those recommended as good starter traditional black powder rifles. That's my next purchase, anyway, since I can't reasonably afford all the other pretties from Track of the Wolf. (www.trackofthewolf.com, make sure you do NOT have a credit card handy when you visit . . .)

I am currently only using my blackpowder gear at the range, so the single shot patched round ball set works for me.

jm
 
Welcome to the Idea of BP.

Hey there:
Been shooting BP for 20 maybe 25 years now . It's cool. I mainly hunt with BP guns. I have plenty of target guns in center fire. Anyway the really cheap stuff is really cheap and likely more problems then fun. Save your $$$$ till you can get better, you will thank your self. Used BP guns have little resale value. Atleast at dealers. Their is nothing wrong with Syn, stocked guns. Only a traditionalist will say there is. If hunting is your plan , You will soon find that BP guns can be very accurate and powerfull. All I hunt deer with is my Encore . This is an extremely accurate rilfe but not cheap. T/C makes some of the best rilfes on the market. Their are some others with good quailty also. If you want a round ball gun the slower the twist the better she will toss them. Faster twist rates shoot conicals better. The powders out there are many. Real BP or Pyrodex seem to be the most accurate. Some claim accuracy from the clean burn powders , but this has not been my findings. Good luck and I'm sure we will hear more from you.
 
Bp shooting is very addictive. i started out with an inline. Im glad i bought it. its very easy to learn how to shoot. Like others have said its best to go through black powder essentials at the top of this forum. especially the videos. Now after i learned how to shoot black powder i got into shooting revolvers. Wow how much fun has that been. Well like others i have not shot a smokeless rifle or handgun in a while. However i am put to 4 revolvers and 1 rifle. With more to follow. As soon as i get another safe. Its just fun to do and accurate you will see.
 
My vote for strength, simplicity, durability and fun: Ruger Old Army in stainless (both of mine are blued, but you might want stainless for easier maintenance, though they're not really rust-proof).

BP is a hoot, though a hoot in slow motion. Nothing quite like it - you'll really love it, I think!
 
I'm also just a newbie with muzzleloaders. So far I've found a few items to be particularly useful/essential:

1--A good source for FFG and FFFG powder. Fewer places carry the real stuff these days, but after messing with some substitute I'll never stray from the real thing if I can avoid it. Once you go black, as they say.

2--Don't fear the traditional ML's. There's a lot of hype on the in-line muzzleloaders and I don't want to knock them, but IMHO you should start with the real thing. A traditional caplock firing roundball with real black powder. That's the route I'm taking and I don't regret it one bit. If I need a sub MOA rifle I already have it. if I need a stainless waterproof carbine I already have it. The point of BP shooting is to go back to the old ways.

3--That said, I think there are some darn useful modern devices. I like the adjustable powder measures you can move from weight to weight, though I doubt they're authentic. Also the fiberglass ramrod is a godsend and will save you from digging huge splinters out of your hands. Esp. with a rifle there's just too much force for a thin piece of hardwood to tolerate unless you do it just right.

4--I'd suggest starting with a single barrel percussion traditional rifle such as a Hawken style or Penn. style. If you're eyeing a hunt get one with iron sights you like and in the appropriate caliber. I really really love shooting patched roundballs. They're much easier to load than conicals and clean up nicely. bores with a 1:48 or slower twist will likely do better with PRB's and bores with a 1:24 or or faster will do better with conicals. Some are basically shooting modern projectiles.

5--Get a bullet starter and some bore butter. I've used both a great deal.

6--Get a possibles bag together and adjust it as needed. I find it useful to keep some brass tools in mine.

7--Remember each load is a handload. Esp. with real blackpowder you can tinker and adjust as needed. Each rifle will have its own sweet spots.

8--Use internet resources such as youtube instructional videos and the muzzleloader forum. I've found them enormously helpful. They speed up the learning curve by months and years.

9--Unlearn what you have learned. I had to stop myself from using Hoppes and a bore brush on the barrels when I should have been using scalding water. BP is radically different from smokeless. It's slower and has a hard time tossing lead much over the speed of sound but it cleans a lot more like a dutch oven or chimney than a chemistry set. There's not much in it or its cleaning products (saliva, water, urine/mnt dew) that will give you cancer, unlike smokeless.

10--Keep your'n powder dry pilgrim!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaekTWbDzIQ
 
Thanks for the input guys!

I'm mainly looking to use this a range toy. From what I can see I'll either go with a simple single shot rifle or a classic style of revovler.

But the revolver does bring up an issue. Does the standard rules for handguns, having to be 21 and up to purchase from a dealer, apply to black powder handguns?
 
Black powder guns (both handguns and long guns) are not considered firearms under Federal law, per the Gun Control Act of 1968. They do not have to be purchased through a licensee. However, state laws may apply with respect to age. I strongly recommend you go to a local law enforcement official for that information.
 
I am selling a used, but never fired, .54 Hawken rifle. It is made by Investarm of Italy. I would let the rifle go for $200. I have some assy's as well that would go with the gun........cleaning jag, a worm, a nipple wrench, some sabot rounds, grease, cappers, breach plug wrench. I was asking $250........but I think that is too high..........plus I just ordered another rifle and need to pay for it by selling this one. Pictures are here http://s293.photobucket.com/albums/mm62/g4string/


You can reach me at [email protected] or at 815-621-8718
 
If you plan to ever hunt with a muzzleloader, during muzzleloader season, be sure to check your state's hunting regs beforehand. Some states get very particular on what's allowed for muzzleloader season. My home state does not allow in-lines, 209 priming, sabots, gas-checks, jacketed bullets, optics, or powder pellets. They mean traditional only. The new in-line rigs look and function really great, but they're right out (besides, there is no physical reason why a traditional side-lock cannot be just as effective-- the people who make the state hunting rules don't always know these things).

A Hawken-style cap-lock rifle is a fine choice. I got one in 50 caliber (a Lyman Deerstalker - OK, not exactly a Hawken, but close) as my first BP gun, and I still like it. It's simple and it shoots well.

Get something you really like and work with it for a while. Then you'll be hooked.
 
Oh, and one more tip: You want good sights. For a beginner, something with an adjustable rear sight would be grand. You'll want to experiment with different loads, many of which will shoot to a different point of impact. Having the ability to quickly adjust your sights will make things a lot easier. A rear tang peep, or aperture, sight can also make for easier accurate shooting, but again, some states have rules against a peep for muzzleloader season (go figure). The factory sights on my Lyman were apparently designed for a longer barrel, such that the front bead is too large for the rear notch when it's that much closer on my 24 inch barrel. I've learned to live with it, but if I were to take the time to file one or the other, or add a rear tang sight with a new, narrower front post, I swear I could shoot even better with it. The T/C Hawken is looking better all the time, IMO, as it comes with an adjustable rear.
 
Perhaps the best advice for a new BP shooter is "don't go cheap". The best revolvers are probably Uberti (imported under many names). The Ruger Old Army, although no longer made, can still be found. Of the Colt clones the choices are many, particularly in the .44 calibers.

For a good, basic, reliable single shot pistol, the Lyman is hard to beat.

In the rifle arena I once again will point to Lyman. The GPR in .50 or .54 is a hard deal to beat. Either flint or caplock and choice of twist rate. This is a no frills, no BS, good gun. TC is just OK in my book, I don't like the way they rifle the barrel, too shallow.

If cost is of concern, save up, don't go cheap. Remember that BP guns do have a learning curve.

HAVE FUN :D:D
 
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