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black powder rifle

4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
edited January 2015 in General Discussion
I gave my dad a black powder rifle kit in the 80s, he did a great job of getting it together, but has never fired it. I don't have a clue, I've got some 50cal sabot bullets, and Pyrodex.
But I've never shot black powder, I want to shoot this gun.

Comments

  • fishkiller41fishkiller41 Member Posts: 50,608
    edited November -1
    Drop the ram rod down the muzle.If it goes in all the way to the brass cap,she's empty.
    Drop 2 pyrodex pellets down her and make sure they are seated w/ramrod.If firing saboted bullets of correct cal,no need to patch.Make SURE the sabot id firmly planted against the pellets.(any gaps cause terrible overpressure.
    Affix fulminated Mercury cap by gently squeezing it to be sure it grips the nipple...
    Go to full cock and LET'ER CHEW!![:D]
  • 4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
    edited November -1
    Thanks I was wondering how many pellets to use
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Brownie... Every BP gun is different.
    There's always a "safe" load and then there's the 'best' load for accuracy.
    There's usually a minimum load that you don't want to go short of.

    Always start with the safe load and work up to the max load.
    NEVER exceed the max load for a BP barrel.

    Loose powder is much easier to adjust for 'best' load then using pellets.
    Pellets is easier to load than loose powder.

    In either case... Always clean the bore every couple or three shots.
    Too many shots and the rifling becomes too fouled to grip the patched shot.
    IF you can even get it rammed down the barrel.

    Patched shot is different than a saboted bullet.
    Each has pros and cons.

    BP shooting is quite enjoyable... Take your time and have fun!!!
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fishy makes a good point...

    BEFORE you do anything... Drop your ramrod down the empty barrel and permanently mark it at the muzzle.

    You NEED to be able to identify where you are when loading.
    And whether or not your even loaded at all.

    I always marked 'empty'... And 'powder'... And 'ball'.

    In this way you can't go wrong and double charge your barrel... [bad]
    Or double ram TWO patched balls or saboted bullets... [equally as bad].

    Enjoy...
  • 4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
    edited November -1
    Thanks I was wondering how many pellets to use
  • Chief ShawayChief Shaway Member, Moderator Posts: 6,191 ******
    edited November -1
    First, do the ramrod check to make sure it is not loaded.
    Second, blow down the barrel to make sure the nipple or touch hole is clear.
    If it is a caplock, I'd pop a couple of caps to make sure not only the breech is clear but that it is dry also.
    If loose grains of Pyrodex, I'd start out with 60 grains.
    If pellets, not sure on the grain of pellets you have but, I'd start around 50 or so.
    Bout all of my .50's liked 60 grains of FFFg.
    It is what they liked.
    For hunting, I'd up it to 75 grains and it would still pattern good.
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by 46270
    Thanks I was wondering how many pellets to use

    Unless things have changed, pellets are ONLY used in inline rigs.
    IOW unless you have a inline (and I don't recall any inline kits) you must use loose powder (either black or Pyrodex)
  • RugerNinerRugerNiner Member Posts: 12,636 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I would only use Goex powder and a patched ball if you have a smokepole like mine.
    60 grains FF in barrel and FFFF in primer pan.

    100S.276.jpg
    spn05j5e04xq.gif


    Keep your Powder dry and your Musket well oiled.
    NRA Lifetime Benefactor Member.
  • USN_AirdaleUSN_Airdale Member Posts: 2,987
    edited November -1
    Hawken flintlock rifle, this is NOT my rifle, but looks exactly like mine that i built (i believe it is a photo of mine i sent to TOTW) from quality parts from various suppliers, it is a .54 cal. and has never used anything but DuPont FF in the barrel, FFFF in the flash pan and patched ball, i shot this rifle in many "Mountain Man" and traditional muzzle loading matches, and won many of them i fired this rifle over 50 shots without ever having to clean the bore, spit soaked patches clean the bore from the previous shot.

    early-hawken-fullstock-flint-parts-list_1.jpg

    pellets and sabots are for pussies and the inexperienced, i have more that 50 years experience building muzzleloading rifles (40+) and shooting them, these new fangled "muzzle loaders" are trash and for the lazy and those who want to extend their hunting experience by using a breech loading muzzleloader.

    the above is an OPINION only ! [;)]
  • 4627046270 Member Posts: 12,627
    edited November -1
    Thanks I was wondering how many pellets to use
  • TrinityScrimshawTrinityScrimshaw Member Posts: 9,350 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Unless I missed it You never said if it was Flintlock, or Percussion?

    Trinity +++
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