What's in your possibles bag ???

[Tylden]

I'll be getting a cap and ball revolver soon, and probably a black powder rifle at some point later on down the road and was wondering what all I"m going to need as far as accessories, extra parts, tools, etc. So....what's in your possible bag / tool kit ???

 

[Cap n Ball]

Combo nipple pick/wrench and tweezers. Extra caps, spare cylinder and a couple of nipples. Spare hand spring. Bullet mold and a rolled up one inch wide strip of lead. Turnscrew and a good pocketknife or a leatherman multi tool. Small block of beeswax for waterproofing. Short cleaning rod sections with jag, ball puller and a small packet of patches. Wonderwads or cornmeal. Little squeeze bottle of olive oil. Shop rag. A few band-aids, some safety pins, tube of burn cream and a 'cutter' snake bite kit.

(Many of these items are if I'm going to be out in the field somewhere for a length of time rather than at the range. Band-aids are always a good idea anyway.)

 

[Tylden]

Thanks CapNBall, it's been a LONG time since I've shot blackpowder and it's helpful to learn from others. One thing I've learned over the years, you always pick up useful tips, tricks, and innovations from others in the sport that may not be on the obvious list. Of course, the first thing is to actually find the gun I'm looking for LOL....probably have to order it. Then it's time to start putting together all the accessories.

 

[Cap n Ball]

Your welcome. The spare hand spring I mentioned is just about the only part on any of my revolvers that has ever broke. The ones that come with Pietta made guns are pretty notorius for being weak. My gunsmith replaced several of mine that had broken with new springs he fashioned from flattened piano wire. He guaranteed that they would never break and so far he was right.

If I'm not using paper cartidges the powder flask I use is a cylindrical type rather than the flattened bottle style. It fits easier in my hand and can be carried in a leather loop on a belt. I carry my shot in a leather drawstring bag.

BTW, I lived in Louisville for several years while I was in the Coast Guard. Visited Frankfort many times. Nice town.

 

[Dr.Rob]

You'll spend almost as much on doo-dads for your range kit/possibles bag...

Just a few items: cleaning supplies... BP Solvent, oil, bore butter patches, pipe cleaners, mild detegent, rags, nipple picks, jags, a little funky LED light that can be dropped down the bore... a 20 ga shotgun 'fuzzy full length clening rod' for the .54, one more in 12 ga for the .12 ga... bore snakes in .44 and .36 cal...

And the 'neat' itmes... fancy powder flasks/horns, patch boxes, patch knife, holster, slings (a must have for a hunter) , presentation box, fancy possibles bag...

and the practical 'in the field' items: speedloaders (they are NOT all made the same, I've folded three in half) the bullet puller, flask of powder, powder measure, Shot snake, mini cleaning kit, nipple bands (rubber ring that fits over the nipple for a waterproof seal), caps, knife, bullets, spare nipples, wedge puller, plus all the OTHER stuff normally in my 'go bag'... like TP, gorp, a camera, space blanket, matches, a poncho (very useful in BP season), paracord, deer drag, whistle, spare skinning blade, surgical gloves I always forget to put on, sierra cup, water purification straw, camelback etc etc etc.

Plus the whole bullets/powder/shot thing.

There is a reason muzzle loaders don't bring a lot of guns to the range... they are hauling a tacklebox full of crap.

 

[squirrel-shooter]

Been a long time sing I had a C&B pistola so wont elaborate on that too much, I do have a number of sidelock rifles so will make a list of items needed to shoot the rifles on the range and in the field.

Possibles Bag for field use

Short Starter
Cleanin Jag
Bullet Puller
Patch Worm
Powder Measure
Wedge Puller or Tenion Pin Punch depending on rifle
Nipple Wrech
Flask
Speed loader's for follow up shots
Screwdriver set that fits all screws
Patches and patch box if shooting roundball
Patch/Bore Lube
Bore cleaning patches, pre-soaked
Bore clening patches, dry
Nipple Pick
Small knife

Shooting bag/box contents for Range use (including the above items)

Good range rod
Speed Loaders
Spare nipples
Anti-seize lube
Bore Solvent
Lots of cleaning patches
Large rag for back pocket
Container of water and soap for washing hands

Cleaning Items
Two Pails (1 for hot soapy water the other for hot clean water)
Tooth brush
Lots of rags and swabbing patches
Denatured alcohol (helps remove moisture after cleaning and prior to lube)
Favorite lube

Prior to leaving home for a hunt or shoot, I swab the bore and flush the chamber/nipple's out with Denatured Alcohol to remove the preservative/lube oil. Then swab the bore lightly with *insert favorite* natural lube or Olive Oil to protect the bare metal during transport. This ensures positive ignition on the first shot which is especially important if the first shot is to be taken at game animals.

squirrel-shooter

 

[50 cal gal]

Something I have found helpful are baby diaper wipes. Good for a quick hand wash where no water is available.