I want to get into Black Powder.

oddball7465

However, I have no idea where to start.

bingeebob

get some balls

bingeebob

I like "cap and ball" style revolvers, they are pretty simple to load, maintain, and shoot. Check your local classifieds and gun shops for used ones, a lot of people buy them, shoot them once and decide they don't like them...



here is a new one

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0006189&navCount=0&parentId=cat604984&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=catfeatsr&parentType=index&indexId=cat604984&rid=

ofitg

Pick up a copy of the Lyman Blackpowder Handbook, do some reading...

oddball7465

I was wanting to use them to hunt this season. I was hoping for a suggestion of a good beginner gun, and all the stuff I'm going to need to get started.

asphalt cowboy

ofitg made a good sugestion. There are important things you need to know before you even load it for the first time. Things such as safe loading technique and how to properly clean it.

Are you looking for traditional, or inline? Either way, you can't go wrong with a Thompson Center. If you find it's not for you, you won't lose so much on resale.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=167391544
That looks like a reasonable one. Even has the primer convesion. From the look of the rod, it hasn't been used much.

Things you will need, besides consumables are. A good niple wrench, niple pick, and if the rifle has a cleanout screw a quality screwdriver that fits the screw correctly along with cleaning supplies. Rod, brushes, patch jag, patch worm and ball puller.
You can use pre-charged load tubes, so a powder horn or similar isn't absolutely needed. You will, however, need a powder measure. Adjustable measures work just fine and will aid in tuning your load.
A sturdy pouch or shoulder bag is also handy to keep your possibles in.

The Lyman book will give you a good run down on what's really needed.

11b6r

Read the book first. Also, check state game laws for legal firearms- some states have a minimum caliber, some permit traditional sidelocks w/ loose powder ONLY, etc.

IMHO, there are cheaper guns out there, but I like the T/C guns. While everyone is trying to buy the newest, scoped, bolt action in-line 209 primed scoped whatsis, the traditional caplock rifles are lingering on the used market. I have a T/C .50 cal Renegade that will shoot as well as I can shoot. Picked it up for $100 from a guy that just had to go buy the latest toy. Real wood, real steel, real pretty- and shoots REAL good. 370 grain soft lead Maxi over 90 gr of ffG will stop anything on this half of the earth.

EDIT: What Airedale said below- there are 2 kinds of black powder shooters- those that HAVE forgotten the powder, and those that WILL forget the powder. [:p]

allen griggs

Get a Thompson Center Hawken and shoot patched round balls.
Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone used the patched round ball, so this is the great traditional load.
This is also the cheapest shooting you can do.

I have killed 7 deer and 6 wild hogs with the .50 TC Hawken using the round ball, at 100 yards or less it is deadly, witht the lung shot.

USN_Airdale

remember always, "first the powder, then the ball, or the damn thing won't shoot at all"

Bamavol

bingeebob, you stole my line.

melkor

Don't smoke while reloading, don't walk in your socks on carpet before reloading, put a small amount of BP out at a time and keep the can away and not over the stove.

Make sure to soak your brass in water and soap after firing them or they will turn yucky QUICK !

DO not snort the BP. [:0]

Bamavol

One more good point. You can buy a BP gun direct, no FFL required. I have a revolver and a revolver carbine. Both shoot well.