Self taught?? - The Firearms Forum

lefty48 · 01-08-2008, 11:03 PM

I know next to nothing about muzzleloaders but have long had a mild bug about maybe getting one for squirrel hunting. Lately it's gotten a bit stronger.

I have no usable background with topics that are conceivably related, like reloading, or...just dunno even what's relevant.

Is it possible to be self-taught in this area without blowing myself up? If so, how?

If not, why not?

mrkirker · 01-09-2008, 06:29 AM

Do you have ANY firearms experience?

Oneida Steve · 01-09-2008, 08:37 AM

Blackpowder guns were developed back when few soldiers could read or write.

If you can read you can safely use a blackpowder rifle. It isn't all that complicated.

lefty48 · 01-09-2008, 08:59 AM

Yeah, not tons of experience.... I spent a lot of time at ranges as a kid, and took up hunting again a few years ago....Any widely available books, etc., you'd recommend?

armedandsafe · 01-09-2008, 10:25 PM

The Lyman Blackpowder Handbook is the best for a beginner, in my opinion. Sam Falada has some good books out, but seems to assume you know something about the subject to begin with. I strongly recommend his works after you have shot some.

Go to the range and ask around about who shoots dirty and go to them for advice. From 5 of them you will get 10 different opinions, but the differences will be slight. you will find, basically, that there are flintlock shooters, sidelock percussion cap shooters and in-line shooters.

Go to your local store which carries blackpowder guns and start asking to whom you should go for advice. Most stores have somebody behind the counter who will be willing to tell you where to go.

Pops

lefty48 · 01-10-2008, 12:18 AM

Lyman Handbook-- I copy that.... Thanks....

I wanna get the lightest weight and smallest bore replica-type gun possible--- like I said maybe-- for squirrels. Hopefully something that won't blow them to bits...

Oneida Steve · 01-11-2008, 12:59 PM

The Dixie Gun Works catalog is a good read also.

rockhill · 01-12-2008, 08:12 AM

Thompson Center makes some god guns for what you want.
A couple of quick tips: measure powder correctly and seat your ball/bullet firmly. It is best to establish a routine of steps and do not get distracted. Not a lot of fun to charge your gun, short start the ball then forget to seat it properly.
Enjoy th experience

Crpdeth · 01-12-2008, 11:13 AM

Welcome to the forums Rock....

Crpdeth

Pistolenschutze · 01-12-2008, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockhill

Thompson Center makes some god guns for what you want.

Yup, TC makes some excellent ones. I have two of them, one I built from a kit. Black powder is a lot of fun to shoot, but the cleanup can be a PITA.

By the way, welcome to TFF, Rock. Glad to have you with us.

rockhill · 01-14-2008, 07:22 AM

Thanks,
Glad to be part of the community

jjmitchell60 · 01-27-2008, 04:21 PM

Oneida Steve has a very good suggestion, the Dixie Gun Works catalog. Cost $10 I think but is awealth of info. Got to:
http://www.dixiegunworks.com
To order one. they also sell complete guns as well as parts and accourments. Here are 2 other good shops:
http://www.logcabinshop.com
http://www.trackofthewolf.com

zoar · 02-28-2008, 02:59 PM

One word of caution---you may become addicted!

Muzzleloading is far more primative and basic compared to shooting modern guns with with modern ammo. My question is: Do you sharpen your knives with a stone or do you use an electric sharpener??? If you use electric you may want to re-consider your choice to shoot black powder/muzzleloader.... (smile).

Plundering Bill · 03-09-2008, 09:02 AM

Well...if you want to hunt small game with a ML...may I recommend a 32 cal. traditions Crockett rifle. I use it for turkeys and it is a hoot. A few years ago, I found some buffalo ball-ets (sp?) for 32 cal. They are basically prelubed 1/2 ball - 1/2 miniball slugs that do not need patches. I picked up 200 of them and found that the rifle loved them with 35-40 gr of fffg 777. The rifle shoots about 1" groups at 50 yards and the load destroys little meat. Off memory, that ball-et is 70 gr and was zinging out about 1900 fps at the muzzle.

Here in VA, you cannot take a modern rifle/shotgun with you in ML hunting deer season. For years, I often saw loads of turkeys in the woods when deer hunting and they would often come within 50 yards of my stand making a racket while I was waiting for deer. Over time, I noticed that when the turkeys were near and loud, I never saw deer.

However, in VA, during deer season, you can take two ML hunting. To hunt deer, you must meet the minimal rifle/power requirements. But for small game, the old 32 works great. So, I sometimes carry both and now and then take a turkey. That little 32 pill does the job well. Beats the heck out of the 45 cal 275 gr HP powerbelt at 2070 fps MV that I use on deer...that is just way too much on a turkey.

Just note one thing...small cal. ML can be a bit of a pest to clean...especially if it is a more traditional side lock design. But, then again, all who prefer them realize it is a labor of love. Once you are hooked, it takes a lot to turn you back.

Good luck.

dgray64 · 03-25-2008, 08:24 AM

Hi, I'm new here as well, but not new to hunting or shooting, only BP. My question as it relates to this is how far will a BP ball go if you are shooting up at squirrels? So many modern arms bullets go more than a mile and still have some "umph" when they hit ground, I usually only use a shotgun when shooting up. How about BP arms? Will the ball fall soon enough to be safe? Thanks.

Dave

mrkirker · 04-03-2008, 07:26 AM

d-gray,
Weither using blackpowder, the subs, or smokless, one always needs to be aware of what is behind the target. Your round will probably leave the barrel at something close to 1,000 fps, so it will travel a mite before it drops. I've never been pinged by a spent round, but I have gotten a few shot-gun showers, even those little pellets wern't too pleasent to encounter.

Just my two cents.

dgray64 · 04-04-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkirker

d-gray,
Weither using blackpowder, the subs, or smokless, one always needs to be aware of what is behind the target. Your round will probably leave the barrel at something close to 1,000 fps, so it will travel a mite before it drops. I've never been pinged by a spent round, but I have gotten a few shot-gun showers, even those little pellets wern't too pleasent to encounter.

Just my two cents.

Thanks for the reply. That's what I was aiming at. MY steel shed in GA used to sound like a hail storm during dove season. I know .22's and bigger rounds drop harder. Just want to keep folks aware.

Dave

WV SCROUNGER · 07-06-2008, 09:48 PM

SELF TAUGHT....Sure!
that how I learned....been shootin since 1970 and aint had a mishap yett...

44-40 Willy · 07-07-2008, 12:09 AM

I starting shooting the holy black back in the late 70s. A buddy of mine gave me the Dixie Gun Works catalog and suggested I read the entire back portion of it. That got me started and I've picked up most of the rest I know about it along the way.

Some of the best fun I've had small game hunting with a muzzleloader has been with an old Navy Arms 12ga SxS double. Even made my own "speedloaders" for it out of PVC pipe.

01-08-2008, 11:03 PM	#1
lefty48 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 122	Self taught?? I know next to nothing about muzzleloaders but have long had a mild bug about maybe getting one for squirrel hunting. Lately it's gotten a bit stronger. I have no usable background with topics that are conceivably related, like reloading, or...just dunno even what's relevant. Is it possible to be self-taught in this area without blowing myself up? If so, how? If not, why not? --> Last edited by lefty48; 01-08-2008 at 11:06 PM.. Reason: add comment

01-09-2008, 06:29 AM	#2
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Self taught?? Do you have ANY firearms experience?

01-09-2008, 08:37 AM	#3
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Self taught?? Blackpowder guns were developed back when few soldiers could read or write. If you can read you can safely use a blackpowder rifle. It isn't all that complicated.

01-09-2008, 08:59 AM	#4
lefty48 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 122	Re: Self taught?? Yeah, not tons of experience.... I spent a lot of time at ranges as a kid, and took up hunting again a few years ago....Any widely available books, etc., you'd recommend?

01-09-2008, 10:25 PM	#5
armedandsafe Former Guest Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Moses Lake, WA Posts: 10,344	Re: Self taught?? The Lyman Blackpowder Handbook is the best for a beginner, in my opinion. Sam Falada has some good books out, but seems to assume you know something about the subject to begin with. I strongly recommend his works after you have shot some. Go to the range and ask around about who shoots dirty and go to them for advice. From 5 of them you will get 10 different opinions, but the differences will be slight. you will find, basically, that there are flintlock shooters, sidelock percussion cap shooters and in-line shooters. Go to your local store which carries blackpowder guns and start asking to whom you should go for advice. Most stores have somebody behind the counter who will be willing to tell you where to go. Pops

01-10-2008, 12:18 AM	#6
lefty48 V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 122	Re: Self taught?? Lyman Handbook-- I copy that.... Thanks.... I wanna get the lightest weight and smallest bore replica-type gun possible--- like I said maybe-- for squirrels. Hopefully something that won't blow them to bits...

01-11-2008, 12:59 PM	#7
Oneida Steve Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 1,028	Re: Self taught?? The Dixie Gun Works catalog is a good read also.

01-12-2008, 08:12 AM	#8
rockhill Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21	Re: Self taught?? Thompson Center makes some god guns for what you want. A couple of quick tips: measure powder correctly and seat your ball/bullet firmly. It is best to establish a routine of steps and do not get distracted. Not a lot of fun to charge your gun, short start the ball then forget to seat it properly. Enjoy th experience

01-12-2008, 11:13 AM	#9
Crpdeth Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Location: Location Contributor Posts: 8,247	Re: Self taught?? Welcome to the forums Rock.... Crpdeth __________________ Our greatest pretenses are built up not to hide the evil and the ugly in us, but our emptiness. The hardest thing to hide is something that is not there. ~Eric Hoffer

01-14-2008, 07:22 AM	#11
rockhill Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 21	Re: Self taught?? Thanks, Glad to be part of the community

01-27-2008, 04:21 PM	#12
jjmitchell60 Advanced Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Raised in Buzzard Roost near Frog Town in hillls of Kentucky Contributor Posts: 1,471	Re: Self taught?? Oneida Steve has a very good suggestion, the Dixie Gun Works catalog. Cost $10 I think but is awealth of info. Got to: http://www.dixiegunworks.com To order one. they also sell complete guns as well as parts and accourments. Here are 2 other good shops: http://www.logcabinshop.com http://www.trackofthewolf.com __________________ Oath Keepers NOT ON OUR WATCH www.oathkeepers.org 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. "Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote." -- Benjamin Franklin When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes Duty... Thomas Jefferson

02-28-2008, 02:59 PM	#13
zoar Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 2	Re: Self taught?? One word of caution---you may become addicted! Muzzleloading is far more primative and basic compared to shooting modern guns with with modern ammo. My question is: Do you sharpen your knives with a stone or do you use an electric sharpener??? If you use electric you may want to re-consider your choice to shoot black powder/muzzleloader.... (smile).

03-09-2008, 09:02 AM	#14
Plundering Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Richmond, Virginia Posts: 6	Re: Self taught?? Well...if you want to hunt small game with a ML...may I recommend a 32 cal. traditions Crockett rifle. I use it for turkeys and it is a hoot. A few years ago, I found some buffalo ball-ets (sp?) for 32 cal. They are basically prelubed 1/2 ball - 1/2 miniball slugs that do not need patches. I picked up 200 of them and found that the rifle loved them with 35-40 gr of fffg 777. The rifle shoots about 1" groups at 50 yards and the load destroys little meat. Off memory, that ball-et is 70 gr and was zinging out about 1900 fps at the muzzle. Here in VA, you cannot take a modern rifle/shotgun with you in ML hunting deer season. For years, I often saw loads of turkeys in the woods when deer hunting and they would often come within 50 yards of my stand making a racket while I was waiting for deer. Over time, I noticed that when the turkeys were near and loud, I never saw deer. However, in VA, during deer season, you can take two ML hunting. To hunt deer, you must meet the minimal rifle/power requirements. But for small game, the old 32 works great. So, I sometimes carry both and now and then take a turkey. That little 32 pill does the job well. Beats the heck out of the 45 cal 275 gr HP powerbelt at 2070 fps MV that I use on deer...that is just way too much on a turkey. Just note one thing...small cal. ML can be a bit of a pest to clean...especially if it is a more traditional side lock design. But, then again, all who prefer them realize it is a labor of love. Once you are hooked, it takes a lot to turn you back. Good luck. __________________ *Some people are like Slinkies...just the thought of pushing them down a staircase can bring a smile to your face!!!*

03-25-2008, 08:24 AM	#15
dgray64 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 15	Re: Self taught?? Hi, I'm new here as well, but not new to hunting or shooting, only BP. My question as it relates to this is how far will a BP ball go if you are shooting up at squirrels? So many modern arms bullets go more than a mile and still have some "umph" when they hit ground, I usually only use a shotgun when shooting up. How about BP arms? Will the ball fall soon enough to be safe? Thanks. Dave

04-03-2008, 07:26 AM	#16
mrkirker Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 3,067	Re: Self taught?? d-gray, Weither using blackpowder, the subs, or smokless, one always needs to be aware of what is behind the target. Your round will probably leave the barrel at something close to 1,000 fps, so it will travel a mite before it drops. I've never been pinged by a spent round, but I have gotten a few shot-gun showers, even those little pellets wern't too pleasent to encounter. Just my two cents.

07-06-2008, 09:48 PM	#18
WV SCROUNGER Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 3	Re: Self taught?? SELF TAUGHT....Sure! that how I learned....been shootin since 1970 and aint had a mishap yett...

07-07-2008, 12:09 AM	#19
44-40 Willy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: West Tennessee Posts: 213	Re: Self taught?? I starting shooting the holy black back in the late 70s. A buddy of mine gave me the Dixie Gun Works catalog and suggested I read the entire back portion of it. That got me started and I've picked up most of the rest I know about it along the way. Some of the best fun I've had small game hunting with a muzzleloader has been with an old Navy Arms 12ga SxS double. Even made my own "speedloaders" for it out of PVC pipe. __________________ Politicians should wear uniforms like NASCAR drivers. That way we could see who their corporate sponsors are.