What do I need?

[BADUNAME13]

Just posted this in the "Ruger Old Army thread'

I honestly don't deserve membership, but I can't resist posting my $45 (No, that's not a mistake) Ruger.

Came with Cardboard box and papers.

I actually bought 2 of them for $500. Traded the worse off one for a Colt AR upper and a couple acessories.

Sold em and ended up with $45 in the one I kept.

I'm somewhat ashamed to admit I havn't shot it even though I have owned it over a year.

(I've got a couple BP pistols and rifles... I've shot BP in the past, but not reciently. Maby it's about time I bought acessories, all I've got is a few pounds of BP.)

I've got a Frontstuffer Rifle (.45 cal IIRC, once again, must admit I havn't shot it ether!)

1800's shotgun I was given which I haveto restore. (Pretty poor, but saveable shape

And a Italian copy of a 36 Navy that needs a new Mainspring. (I've got nothing in it like the rifle)

So, so far I've got less than $50 in all of them

But all I've got (Not having shot BP in years) is a few pounds of Pyradix (SP) and a Measure (IIRC, I'll have to check.)

Any recommendations for acessories?

I've cast 'Bullits' before...


Just start with something like this?
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...&search=Black+powder&x=0&y=0&Ntt=Black+powder

Or?

Thanks

 

[GeoffC]

I've got a main spring I'll mail ya for that 1851 36cal..

Find some number 11 primers, theyll work for both, but #10s are better for revolvers..

Get you some Black Powder... FFFG will work for all those black powder weapons.... Pyrodex will work, but its nasty.

Appropriate sized round balls, or bullets, balls for the revolver...

patches or wads or whatever you like... I like wads for bullets, patches for balls...

Get a straight inline capper, itll work for everything.

find a 45 cal cleaning kit.

Soap and water are best for cleaning.

One tube of bore butter(after you load your cylinder, youll put this in the ends of the chambers), itll also be good general lube for the other guns.

I like a traditional flask.


That should do it.


Ohh and some wonder wads for the pistol....some people dont use them, i do.

 

[mykeal]

Cap 'sizes' are meaningless. It's impossible to specify what 'size' your guns take; all you can do is buy some and try them.

There's a sticky thread at the top of this forum titled Black Powder Essentials. You should find all you need to know there.

Cabela's package deals do provide a convenient way to purchase necessary items, but there's no way $55 is a reasonable price. It's only a savings over the individual prices if you buy them one at a time and have them shipped individually as well.

 

[J-Bar]

I recommend you assemble the components separately rather than buying a kit.

A Tedd Cash snail capper holds 100 caps. I find it easier to use on my ROAs than a straight capper. You might have to dress the capper's opening with a few file strokes to get it to fit on the Ruger nipples easily. Your ROA, if it came in a box, should have the factory nipple wrench...the one in the Cabela's kit will not fit the hex head on the ROA nipple. If your wrench is missing you can get one from Ruger, or Midway, or Brownell's. I have no experience with a plastic flask. I prefer the brass ones like you get from Dixie Gun Works. Get a set of flask spouts that pour a range of 20 to 40 grains of powder. Less than 20 grains makes it difficult for the rammer to seat the ball deeply enough. 40 grains is about all you will ever want to cram in there. Or you can use a separate powder measure if you don't like charging from a flask.

You will need balls (.457 for an ROA), and lube (Ballistol and Thompson Center Bore Butter for the gun). You can use Crisco or a dab of Bore Butter over the balls after they are in the chambers in lieu of a wad if you want to. In Cowboy Action competition I use a mixture of beeswax and Crisco over the balls; it's firmer and less runny in summertime.

I have used a lot of Pyrodex and have no problem with it, but my ROAs like Schuetzen instead of Goex if you are going to use "real" blackpowder. FFG works just fine. Pyrodex RS works as well as Pyrodex P. The ROA's, bless their hearts, are not fussy guns.

Remington #10 caps work best on my ROAs, and I use them on my Hawken rifle as well. Seat them firmly on the nipples with a short piece of wooden dowel. Sometimes the Remmies are hard to find, so I will keep some other brands of caps on hand for clearing the nipples and for practice sessions, and save the Remmies for competition.