Getting involved in black powder shooting

[drobs]

What was the last word that didn't show up?

I'd guess CoolDill was going to say Unreliable instead of Dangerous.
But firearms are dangerous if improperly handled.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I'll take this from the top.

1. A couple of pounds of black powder won't be a problem in the USA. Not sure what India's laws are.
2. Unless I miss my guess, you shoot Bullseye pistol. Which means that you will be expecting decent accuracy from the gun so you can deliver some serious performance.
3. My advice for powder is 3F. Swiss is best, Olde Eynsford is of equal quality. Ordinary Goex is good. Avoid the substitutes.
4. Try a charge of 15 grains, with Cream of Wheat on top as a filler. This is a good starting match load. .457 round ball.
5. If you're serious about shooting BP, I'd get in contact with the National Muzzle-Loading Rifle Association or the North-South Skirmish Association. If you're really serious, PM me...I'm with the U.S. International Muzzle-Loading Team. We're headed to Austria this August, and recruiting for the 2021 World Championship team that will be going to Pforzheim, Germany.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Computer issues, gang.

Was going to say finicky. They can make a newbie become soured from cap jams. The single shots haven't so bad a time at this, and can be an easier time to make smoke with.

 

[mikemyers]

I'll take this from the top.

1. A couple of pounds of black powder won't be a problem in the USA. Not sure what India's laws are.
2. Unless I miss my guess, you shoot Bullseye pistol. Which means that you will be expecting decent accuracy from the gun so you can deliver some serious performance.
3. My advice for powder is 3F. Swiss is best, Olde Eynsford is of equal quality. Ordinary Goex is good. Avoid the substitutes.
4. Try a charge of 15 grains, with Cream of Wheat on top as a filler. This is a good starting match load. .457 round ball.
5. If you're serious about shooting BP, I'd get in contact with the National Muzzle-Loading Rifle Association or the North-South Skirmish Association. If you're really serious, PM me...I'm with the U.S. International Muzzle-Loading Team. We're headed to Austria this August, and recruiting for the 2021 World Championship team that will be going to Pforzheim, Germany.

Thank you!
1 - I plan on buying just one can (pound?) of powder, for use ONLY in the USA.
2 - Yes, I try to shoot Bullseye, but I still use two hands (learning how to use one).
3 - Will do as you suggest. Never heard of any of them - where do I order these from?
4 - Will do as you suggest.
5 - I guess I'm "serious" about learning how to do this, but no plans for competition.

I don't think I'll do anything more than read, until I meet up with the local group at their July match. So far, it's all just learning. A couple of weeks ago, I had absolutely no idea of what to do, or how to do it, and the few things that I guessed I needed to do were all wrong anyway. I've had this Ruger for years, and was "always going to" find out what to do with it. Same thing 25 years ago in Michigan, where I went to the shop with the Ruger in the showcase several times, but never felt comfortable about buying it. I guess if I had a friend back then who was involved, that would have made all the difference.....

 

[paul harm]

Mike OTDP is really serious if he's on the US BP team. Congratulations. Did you ever know Jack Lewis. He use to do the gunsmithing on pistols for the team back in the 70's. He also made single shot target pistols for Friendship. I had three of them over the years and made a couple copies of them for deer hunting. Mikemyers, do you come back to Michigan in the summer ? If so, look me up. I live in Attica, half way between Flint and Port Huron. About the only time you'll need to shoot off hand [ one hand ] is if you enter competition. If you want to improve buy a cheap, at least they use to be cheap, Daisy 177 one pump air pistol. I would practice for hours in my basement. It's cheap and quiet.

 

[maint1517]

I had concerns at first as well. But I agree with the many previous posts. This forum and youtube are great sources of information.Learn the proper loads and loading for your revolver. Always follow gun safety rules. As far as powder storage, I believe you've got a lot of great advice here.
And after that, have fun!
Enjoy shooting that Ruger!

 

[swathdiver]

A pound of powder feeding an Old Army 30 grain shots will get you about 230 shots or 38 cylinders worth of shooting. My girls are itching to go shooting and I reckon we'll take them before summer's over but we usually avoid this season due to the heat. We'll probably go in July. Once we get a date picked I'll let you know, open invite.

 

[792mauser]

Like stated above, black powder is safe enough if kept away from an open flame or ignition source. It regularly gets over 115° in the shade here in Arizona. I keep it out in the workshop in a wooden box.