Thinking about black powder...

[speeedracerr]

Anyone here ever tried or uses black powder/muzzle loaders here?

I was just watching some videos on youtube on black powder rifle/pistol and it seems like alot of fun...

How difficult is it to load and shoot black powder firearms, are they dangerous?

Kinda scary knowing that you'll always be shoving ammo down the breech of the barrel.

Is this something a newb like me would like to try or is this just something that only experts should do.

Also... I notice that there are two different kinds of loading, one is the actual black powder for charge and another which looks like earplugs which i assume contains the powder charge?

What are a good starters package to get? Thanks for the help.

[Quemtimebo]

Anyone here ever tried or uses black powder/muzzle loaders here?

I was just watching some videos on youtube on black powder rifle/pistol and it seems like alot of fun...

How difficult is it to load and shoot black powder firearms, are they dangerous?

Kinda scary knowing that you'll always be shoving ammo down the breech of the barrel.

Is this something a newb like me would like to try or is this just something that only experts should do.

Also... I notice that there are two different kinds of loading, one is the actual black powder for charge and another which looks like earplugs which i assume contains the powder charge?

What are a good starters package to get? Thanks for the help.

Blackpowder shooting is tremendously fun! I did it for the first time as a tenderfoot at scout camp. I'll speak to the safety issue first. Black powder firearms are no more or less dangerous than smokeless guns if you handle them properly. Before the EU required barrel proofing of black powder firearms there were some poor quality guns coming out of Spain made by Dikkar under the CVA name, but those days are gone.

There are many high quality guns being made these days. Pedersoli, Pietta, Uberti are three Italian makers that come to mind. There are also a few fantastic American companies like Knight and Thompson Center. I think Savage is still making a muzzleloader, too. Perhaps the most annoying bit is getting the powder and percussion caps/flint here in California. There are plenty of places on the net that ship all of that here. Just be prepared to pay a hefty hazardous materials surcharge.

I'm not a big fan of the modern "inline" rifles, so I'm going to recommend you buy something by Traditons or Lyman. If you get a kit, you can build yourself a fantastic deer rifle on the cheap. http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct...tNumber=126178

[duckman1]

I shoot a modern inline muzzle loader (Knight Long Range) and I love it. It's fun to shoot pretty accurate didn't cost a fortune to buy or get set up.

[jaq]

Like Quemtimebo said, BP is a lot of fun and it is safe if you read and heed the instructions and safety practices.

It is also excellent prep for smokeless powder reloading. There are significant differences, but many of the basic principles are the same.

Go for it - you'll be glad you did

[bronsht]

bp

JAG,
See if your local range has a black powder group and talk to them. Most bp shooters enjoy newcomers and let them shoot their rifles.

If you are ever up in the Bay Area, come to Chabot on the second Sunday of the month and I'll show you how to shoot mine. We are always willing to teach new shooters.

And that goes for anyone who is local (Bay Area) too. We shoot rain or shine.

bronsht

[mls343]

Blackpowder brings a whole new dimension to the shooting sports. I grew up shooting BP, and enjoy it even more the older I get. Fortunately, I've had the opportunity (and still do) get to shoot everything from matchlocks to good old Civil War precussion.

Until you have had a chance to hear a phoot bang of a flintlock, then you haven't lived!

Just my opinion.

Try it - you'll never go back.

[speeedracerr]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I think Im going to check out basspro in Rancho Cucamonga and see if they have any BP.

Not to sure where else I can find these locally around the San Gabriel Valley area.

But, I'll probably get a cheaper one to start to see how I like it. I was think the traditions buckstalker or one of those 1851 new army pistol from cabellas.

[Quemtimebo]

Thanks for the feedback guys, I think Im going to check out basspro in Rancho Cucamonga and see if they have any BP.

Not to sure where else I can find these locally around the San Gabriel Valley area.

But, I'll probably get a cheaper one to start to see how I like it. I was think the traditions buckstalker or one of those 1851 new army pistol from cabellas.

The 1851 Navies are nice guns. Wild Bill carried two long into the days of cartridge arms. I recommend two :P Cabela's has a nice engraved steel-framed one for sale. And I do recommend the steel frame, as it will give you the option to buy a cartridge conversion cylinder later.

[Vee3]

BP shooting is cool. Especially with something like these...

My 1/4 scale 12 ga rifled French 1897...



Soda can bore mortar...



1" cannon...







3" mortar...



If you just want to try it out to see if you like it, I'd recommend an inexpensive single shot cap & ball handgun. Lots of guys get something and find out they really don't care for the 'ritual' of shooting muzzle loaders. Revolvers are neat, but even if you just shoot one cylinder, you gotta take it apart and clean it well so it doesn't rust. That can be somewhat of a hassle.

One nice thing is that you can have BP guns delivered to your door or buy them cash & carry with no paperwork or waiting period.

[CGK60]

Blackpowder is a blast, i have a copy of a 1858 remington & 1851 navy both in 44 cal. Try it you'll like it.

[dixieD]

Black powder is a blast. I like to shoot black powder whenever I want to slow things down and focus on fundamentals. My 50cal Hawken is extremely accurate. The wheel guns are fun but keep in mind they bind up pretty fast with the residue, but that is a plus if you are trying to slow things down a bit.

[scrat]

Black powder shooting is awesome. I am going to be heading to angeles ranges tomorrow with my bp stuff. Taking some vacation days off. Very addicting

[bplvr]

3" Napoleon Cannon and some of us with our .54 Sharps. BP is more addicting than crystal meth............and legal. You haven't shot a real gun till you shoot a flintlock. I just picked up a BP elephant gun that I haven't shot yet. It must be pretty effective cuz you hardly ever see rogue elephants in San Diego.