Black Powder.. Safe and Easy If Careful?

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wilder11354
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Post by wilder11354 » Thu. Aug. 21, 2014 6:53 pm

Been looking at BP pistols.. 36 calibers... anyone use them and whats reliability and prcautions with them? besides its a firearm and obvious inhrint dangers?


 
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Post by coaledsweat » Thu. Aug. 21, 2014 7:40 pm

Just play it safe and you should be fine. Be advised BP is very corrosive so clean and oil after use religously. Also, avoid playing with it on humid days, it sucks up moisture and can be problematic.

 
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warminmn
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Post by warminmn » Thu. Aug. 21, 2014 9:04 pm

If you have a choice, and I think your talking of revolvers, get one made all of steel, and full frame, meaning frame over the revolver part. The others are ok, but you can load the full frame ones with more powder, and they will stay "tight"

 
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Post by confedsailor » Fri. Aug. 22, 2014 8:09 am

I do quite a bit of BP shooting, and to be honest I much prefer it to shooting my more modern guns. There are a variety of pistols out there, Dixie Gun Works has about the best selection of cap and ball revolvers you could ask for on the internet. The prices aren't too far out of line, however as with many things if you keep digging you can find a better deal. If you wanted a pistol vice revolver, there are lots of options out there. http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/[/url] imports some very fine guns. I happen to know the owner, Pete Plunkett, and while he's a woodburner, he is an outstanding man to deal with. [url]http://www.loyalistarms.ca/mainpage.php they are in Soviet Canuckistan, but they do have some nifty toys...

Regarding revolvers, +1 to the solid frame, also steel frame is better than brass. I Know you said .36 which means a Colt Navy or Remingtion Navy. Get the Remmie, you'll be happier. Colts look very slick and svelt, but a Remington is much more rugged. Remember to use the recommended size ball, you should get a cut ring of lead from the ball when you ram it home in the chamber. That metal to metal seal will prevent a chain fire. I use a dollop of lube over the chamber mouth as well, but that's more to keep the fouling soft. There is a certain learning curve to revolvers, the single shot pistols are a good bit simpler. If you want to shoot it regularly you will want to cast your own shot. Luckly Lee makes excellent and inexpensive moulds.

 
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wilder11354
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Post by wilder11354 » Fri. Aug. 22, 2014 8:49 pm

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/377590/uberti-18 ... uctFinding

This is what I am looking at. Like the solid frame, caps, and 36 cal. Best thing.. no federal or state paper work.

 
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Post by davidmcbeth3 » Fri. Aug. 22, 2014 9:06 pm

Note ... one can only store 20 lbs of powder normally at home ....

 
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Post by warminmn » Fri. Aug. 22, 2014 9:11 pm

Thats a better brand then I have but pretty much the same design wise. No rear sight makes it a little more challenging. Mine doesnt have that either. You will like it I hope.


 
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Post by confedsailor » Sat. Aug. 23, 2014 8:02 am

davidmcbeth3 wrote:Note ... one can only store 20 lbs of powder normally at home ....
Per ATF you are limited to 50 lbs in total. Amounts greater than 25 must be stored in a separate magazine from your house. The ATF regs are tricky to read, in spots its tough to tell what rules apply to consumers and which are for dealers. There is also a caveat that any state law that is more restrictive takes precedence. I believe NY has one, but I'm not sure, (I don't live there so I don't care :D) I keep about 10 pounds on hand, its easy for me to run up to Maine to KTP or Mainepowderhouse when I need more. Mainepowderhouse will pay for your shipping and hazmat if you buy 25 pounds in one go, look up their website for more details, but at the current prices its 400 bucks tax, tags, and title for 25 pounds of Goex, and he will mix grain sizes in 5 pound lots. (i.e. 10 pounds of 2F, 10 pounds of 3F, 5 pounds of 4F) BTW per the ATF you can not resell black powder, any you buy is for your use alone. So if you were considering splitting a load, just be aware.
wilder11354 wrote:http://www.midwayusa.com/product/377590/uberti-18 ... uctFinding

This is what I am looking at. Like the solid frame, caps, and 36 cal. Best thing.. no federal or state paper work.
Thats a purdy fellow, trust me you will have a ball with it. It does have a rear sight, its a cut in the rear of the frame.

I don't know if you got a chance to look at the middlesex village site, but I will be coordinating a group buy at wholesale prices (appx 33% discount from posted) later this fall just in case you want to get some more smokey pumpkin chuckers...

 
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Post by carlherrnstein » Mon. Aug. 25, 2014 7:18 pm

Cap and ball revolvers are reasonably safe however, they can double. So don't put your other hand in front of the cylinder.

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Tue. Aug. 26, 2014 2:08 pm

I'm beginning to develop an interest in black powder. We have been going to Revolutionary and Civil War reenactments for several years. Just this weekend at the Lexington/Concord historic site we witnessed another musket demonstration.

 
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Post by tjnamtiw » Tue. Aug. 26, 2014 10:26 pm

Been shooting black powder for 50 years recreationally. Been to a couple of Winchester, VA national shoots and truly amazed! I have a .32 caliber revolver, Zouave .58, a .50 flintlock Pa rifle I built, and a couple of hunting .45 caliber. I cast my own balls and minie balls. It is definitely a labor of love since one must really do a thorough job of cleaning after a day of shooting. Sticking the barrel in a tub of hot water and brushing away is part of the job along with a good oiling afterwards.
As to pistol shooting, it is about the messiest damn thing you will ever do by the time you've shot a few cylinder's worth. You are as black as the gun after reloading, smearing fat over the balls to prevent the cross fires, and wiping things down. I haven't shot the revolver in years! :) It does offer a recourse when they come to take away all your registered guns, though.

Shooting the Zouave is my favorite thing, though. I've used it in live turkey shoots quite successfully. They are almost a thing of the past thanks to PETA. For hunting, the big .58 minie ball will stop a deer dead in its tracks. KeBAM. Unfortunately, the N-S Skirmish people won't allow the Zouave anymore. :(

 
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Post by Dirty Steve » Wed. Aug. 27, 2014 4:25 pm

The black powder weapons are a fun to shoot and also hunt with. muzzleloadingforum has a wealth of infomation. The old ways are not terrible. They got us to today. Mother Black is alot of fun if your safe.

 
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Post by confedsailor » Wed. Aug. 27, 2014 11:07 pm

Well Wilder, did you get it yet? You know pictures are obligatory btw...

Anyhow once you catch the BP fever you'll start to crave all sorts of odd looking old guns. Next thing you know you'll scoff at calibers less than 50 and weights under 500 grains. I just got my first matchlock...but I've got a rather severe case.

 
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Post by EarthWindandFire » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 8:21 am

With some research you can find interesting black powder mortars and cannons. For educational purposes only of course, not seeking revenge on unfriendly neighbors. ;)

http://www.blackpowder-cannons.com/

 
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Post by confedsailor » Thu. Aug. 28, 2014 2:20 pm

EarthWindandFire wrote:With some research you can find interesting black powder mortars and cannons. For educational purposes only of course, not seeking revenge on unfriendly neighbors. ;)

http://www.blackpowder-cannons.com/
Dom is a great guy, I have him working on a tennis ball mortar for me.

BTW Mark, did you get that PM I sent you?


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