How to start with black powder? - The Firearms Forum

Albtraum · 12-14-2011, 12:37 PM

After watching duelist1954's videos, I think I want a black powder revolver. I have seen them in Cabela's catalogs, and they are surprisingly cheap, and many (if not all) of the ranges here in So-Cal have special Cowboy shooting events. However, I am overwhelmed by all the accessories that go along with the black powder firearm itself. (from glancing through those Cabela's catalogs) What else is needed? I understand you need the percussion caps, lead balls, black powder, and the foam wads, and something to measure and pour the powder right?

What is a good firearm (and caliber) to start with? The only pistols/revolvers I've shot were .22LR, .380 and .357. Not a fan of big recoil. Should I consider used? (pawn shops)

jim brady · 12-14-2011, 01:19 PM

Took me a long time to recover after being bitten by the blackpowder pistol bug. You really don't NEED that much - just the revolver, powder, caps, powder flask with a proper measuring spout and round lead balls of the proper size. Maybe a squeeze tube of crisco or that store-bought grease to seal the ends of the loaded chambers with.

I started with a copy of a Remington 1858 in .44 caliber. Really accurate and strong piece. Easy to shoot and maintain, too. I think you will find that Remington as accurate - or more so - than most modern revolvers. As with almost any blackpowder weapon, the recoil will be very managable. The Colt's revolvers are really cool, but the rear sight is a notch milled into the hammer spur - while the Remington's rear sight is a groove in the revolver's top strap. The Remington is much easier to break down for cleaning than the Colt, in my humble opinion.

After that you can get crazy and find a $20-30 civil war type flap holster, a cap pouch and a pistol belt. Don't need much more than that to get started.

whirley · 12-14-2011, 01:48 PM

Ruger made an excellent old army reproduction. Grease or crisco, in my opinion, is better than the foam plugs to prevent flashover in the cylinder.

01brian · 12-14-2011, 01:50 PM

dustydog · 12-14-2011, 01:56 PM

Would suggest you find a copy of Sam Fadala's book on black powder handguns.Old Sam seems to be forgotten nowadays,but wrote the best general purpose book on black powder handguns in the last 50 years.My vote would be to start with a simple caplock single shot,such as the Crockett .32 cal. pistol,move on to a revolver(I favor the old 1851 Colt Navy,can shoot longer without field stripping,and the .36 ball packs a good punch),then maybe get into some of the more exotic,such as match grade pistols,flinters,and wheel locks.

jack404 · 12-14-2011, 02:54 PM

theres foam plugs ? never seen em , oh well doing fine just here without em

reynolds357 · 12-14-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jack404

theres foam plugs ? never seen em , oh well doing fine just here without em

I did not know you had to have foam plugs or grease. I thought when the cylinder shaved that tiny ring of lead from around the ball that it sealed it just fine. I learn something new everyday.

Would Crisco not be a dirt magnet?

Hawg · 12-14-2011, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whirley

Ruger made an excellent old army reproduction. Grease or crisco, in my opinion, is better than the foam plugs to prevent flashover in the cylinder.

The Ruger isn't a reproduction of anything used in the era. It's a totally modern fabrication. Those "foam" plugs are felt wads. They go between the powder and ball and are less messy than lube over the balls.

Little Rooster · 12-14-2011, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reynolds357

I did not know you had to have foam plugs or grease. I thought when the cylinder shaved that tiny ring of lead from around the ball that it sealed it just fine. I learn something new everyday.

Would Crisco not be a dirt magnet?

I am like you about shaving the ring of lead,If you shave a ring the ball is tight enough to stop any ignition from the front. I still put a smear of crisco over the ball. Aren't bullets lubed with something either moly or some home concocted lube? I smear a little crisco over my .32 cartridges I load with Blackpowder. It does not all melt off when you fire the gun the first round. Can't guarentee that after 3 or 4 shots

ofitg · 12-14-2011, 05:58 PM

Found this online Manual of Arms from 1861 -

http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/books/carbine.cfm

It also includes the drill for loading percussion revolvers - there is no mention of adding lube over the top of the ball - so for what it's worth, the old-timers weren't really too worried about it.

Hawg · 12-14-2011, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ofitg

Found this online Manual of Arms from 1861 -

http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/books/carbine.cfm

It also includes the drill for loading percussion revolvers - there is no mention of adding lube over the top of the ball - so for what it's worth, the old-timers weren't really too worried about it.

Those instructions were for paper cartridge conicals. Robert E. Lee coated the balls in his 51 Navy. You do need the lube whether the gun is prone to chain fires or not. Either over ball lube or lubed wads.

Albtraum · 12-14-2011, 08:21 PM

Thanks everyone for the help. I am going to look for a replica 1858 Remington New Model Army in .44. Another question, do you have to be 21 to buy a black powder handgun? In California?

Buffalochip · 12-14-2011, 08:30 PM

google your state laws.

ofitg · 12-14-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hawg

Those instructions were for paper cartridge conicals. Robert E. Lee coated the balls in his 51 Navy. You do need the lube whether the gun is prone to chain fires or not. Either over ball lube or lubed wads.

Hawg, were those conicals (used in paper cartridges) lubed? Do any records exist? I cannot find a definitive answer in any of my books.

Looking around online, "Gatofeo" posted on other forums that he has spent a lot of time researching this - he states that some contractors dipped the bullet noses in beeswax before sealing up the cartridge packs, but other contractors did not.

jim brady · 12-14-2011, 09:01 PM

Albtraum - I think you are making a good choice on the .44 Remington copy. As far as a 'dirt magnet' using crisco, after shooting a BP pistol you are going to look a lot like a coal miner anyway. Those felt wads are supposed to help in preventing 'chain-fires', and that's great, but the crisco has always been my choice. Have fun!

Rhuga · 01-23-2012, 03:54 PM

The manufactured cartridge sure was a boon to firearms.

brad87 · 01-26-2012, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jim brady

Albtraum - I think you are making a good choice on the .44 Remington copy. As far as a 'dirt magnet' using crisco, after shooting a BP pistol you are going to look a lot like a coal miner anyway. Those felt wads are supposed to help in preventing 'chain-fires', and that's great, but the crisco has always been my choice. Have fun!

And smell like you just took a bath in a sulphur spring too.

Makes it all the more better

dodge · 01-27-2012, 01:14 PM

have'nt shot mine in a while, ruger old army, but it depended on the amout of powder you use ,i liked to keep my ball as close to the end of the chamber as possible, so for just target shooting and a small load, i used the lubed felt wad or wads to make up the differance instead of the corn meal or what ever else they used to suggest using. as far as heavy loads , if i could fit a wad in i used it if not as long as i got a lead ring after loading ,good enough for me. never had a chain fire! my 2 cents

12-14-2011, 12:37 PM	#1
Albtraum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 635	How to start with black powder? After watching duelist1954's videos, I think I want a black powder revolver. I have seen them in Cabela's catalogs, and they are surprisingly cheap, and many (if not all) of the ranges here in So-Cal have special Cowboy shooting events. However, I am overwhelmed by all the accessories that go along with the black powder firearm itself. (from glancing through those Cabela's catalogs) What else is needed? I understand you need the percussion caps, lead balls, black powder, and the foam wads, and something to measure and pour the powder right? What is a good firearm (and caliber) to start with? The only pistols/revolvers I've shot were .22LR, .380 and .357. Not a fan of big recoil. Should I consider used? (pawn shops) -->

12-14-2011, 01:19 PM	#2
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: How to start with black powder? Took me a long time to recover after being bitten by the blackpowder pistol bug. You really don't NEED that much - just the revolver, powder, caps, powder flask with a proper measuring spout and round lead balls of the proper size. Maybe a squeeze tube of crisco or that store-bought grease to seal the ends of the loaded chambers with. I started with a copy of a Remington 1858 in .44 caliber. Really accurate and strong piece. Easy to shoot and maintain, too. I think you will find that Remington as accurate - or more so - than most modern revolvers. As with almost any blackpowder weapon, the recoil will be very managable. The Colt's revolvers are really cool, but the rear sight is a notch milled into the hammer spur - while the Remington's rear sight is a groove in the revolver's top strap. The Remington is much easier to break down for cleaning than the Colt, in my humble opinion. After that you can get crazy and find a $20-30 civil war type flap holster, a cap pouch and a pistol belt. Don't need much more than that to get started. Last edited by jim brady; 12-14-2011 at 01:22 PM..

12-14-2011, 01:48 PM	#3
whirley V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Contributor Posts: 457	Re: How to start with black powder? Ruger made an excellent old army reproduction. Grease or crisco, in my opinion, is better than the foam plugs to prevent flashover in the cylinder.

12-14-2011, 01:50 PM	#4
01brian V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Colorado Posts: 331	Re: How to start with black powder? . Last edited by 01brian; 01-17-2012 at 12:24 PM..

12-14-2011, 01:56 PM	#5
dustydog V.I.P. Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 206	Re: How to start with black powder? Would suggest you find a copy of Sam Fadala's book on black powder handguns.Old Sam seems to be forgotten nowadays,but wrote the best general purpose book on black powder handguns in the last 50 years.My vote would be to start with a simple caplock single shot,such as the Crockett .32 cal. pistol,move on to a revolver(I favor the old 1851 Colt Navy,can shoot longer without field stripping,and the .36 ball packs a good punch),then maybe get into some of the more exotic,such as match grade pistols,flinters,and wheel locks. __________________ EVOLVE,D**N IT! "Lee,you are a man without a country.A gun loving,agnostic,Objectivist social liberal that beleves in personal responsibility.Let's go shoot."Jim Kiley,co-founder of the New England Lead Biscuit Society,1992

12-14-2011, 02:54 PM	#6
jack404 Former Guest Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Australia Contributor Posts: 17,622	Re: How to start with black powder? theres foam plugs ? never seen em , oh well doing fine just here without em

12-14-2011, 05:58 PM	#10
ofitg Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Contributor Posts: 1,447	Re: How to start with black powder? Found this online Manual of Arms from 1861 - http://ehistory.osu.edu/uscw/library/books/carbine.cfm It also includes the drill for loading percussion revolvers - there is no mention of adding lube over the top of the ball - so for what it's worth, the old-timers weren't really too worried about it.

12-14-2011, 08:21 PM	#12
Albtraum Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 635	Re: How to start with black powder? Thanks everyone for the help. I am going to look for a replica 1858 Remington New Model Army in .44. Another question, do you have to be 21 to buy a black powder handgun? In California?

12-14-2011, 08:30 PM	#13
Buffalochip Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 754	Re: How to start with black powder? google your state laws.

12-14-2011, 09:01 PM	#15
jim brady Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,072	Re: How to start with black powder? Albtraum - I think you are making a good choice on the .44 Remington copy. As far as a 'dirt magnet' using crisco, after shooting a BP pistol you are going to look a lot like a coal miner anyway. Those felt wads are supposed to help in preventing 'chain-fires', and that's great, but the crisco has always been my choice. Have fun!

01-23-2012, 03:54 PM	#16
Rhuga Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Henderson, Nevada Posts: 645	Re: How to start with black powder? The manufactured cartridge sure was a boon to firearms.

01-27-2012, 01:14 PM	#18
dodge Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 16	Re: How to start with black powder? have'nt shot mine in a while, ruger old army, but it depended on the amout of powder you use ,i liked to keep my ball as close to the end of the chamber as possible, so for just target shooting and a small load, i used the lubed felt wad or wads to make up the differance instead of the corn meal or what ever else they used to suggest using. as far as heavy loads , if i could fit a wad in i used it if not as long as i got a lead ring after loading ,good enough for me. never had a chain fire! my 2 cents