Intro to muzzleloading books?

Greetings, all!

I already posted my intro post, but I thought I would start a new thread to ask if you had any recommendations for books teaching the basics.

I'm pretty computer facile, and I know there's a buttload of stuff out there in the interwebs, but a physical, tactile book is nice to have at the end of the day, relaxing with a glass of your favorite beverage...

Many thanks!

R

Howdy Rich,

Sam Fadala's book, which has many editions, was helpful to me. There's a bunch of good stuff out there. Black Powder Gun Digest, edited by Toby Bridges, is a good one too. I'm sure they'll be a lot of folks contribute other great recommendations as well.

Welcome to the forum and to shooting BP!
Best regards,
A.J.

Howdy and Welcome from Texas!

Some will not agree with me but there is a wealth of info in Dixie Gun Works catalog. Lots of general info in the back pages. $8.00

Flintlocks: A Practical Guide to Their Use and Appreciation

Eric Bye

Even if flinters aren’t your area of interest it has a wealth of general muzzleloader info that’s invaluable to the beginner. At least it was for me.

Welcome.

Welcome from Winchester, VA!

I can highly recommend Black Powder Rifle Accuracy by Dutch Shoultz.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/155894676912?

Welcome

I have a Fadala book. Sent you a PM.
NW

Rich Lesperance said:

Greetings, all!

I already posted my intro post, but I thought I would start a new thread to ask if you had any recommendations for books teaching the basics.

I'm pretty computer facile, and I know there's a buttload of stuff out there in the interwebs, but a physical, tactile book is nice to have at the end of the day, relaxing with a glass of your favorite beverage...

Many thanks!

R

Click to expand...

Fortunately, traditional black powder technology hasn't changed since Dutch Schoultz did his research for "Black Powder Accuracy" and Sam Fadala wrote the books for Digest Books in the 1980's. The basic information is there. There is a lot of great information in the loading manuals from Lyman. Yes, they were written in the 1980's with some editions of the Gun Digest Loading Manuals making into the 2000's, but the basic information is good even though some of the Lyman performance data was obtained using Curtis and Harvey Black Powder. Pyrodex was a new powder at the time and some information is in the loading manuals, but nothing for 777. And certainly, nothing for Swiss Powder, WANO, Kik or Old Eynsford. Maybe the new incarnation of GOEX by Estes Powder will have an upgraded version of Olde Eynsford.

There's just not a lot of current information on the basics of traditional muzzleloading available in print other than searching out the old printings. Loading quantities (by volume) haven't changed significantly. Cleaning methods are still the same. Weights of round ball haven't changed. use of 100% cotton for patching hasn't changed although use of Crisco isn't used much as there are better lubricants. Some lubricants are no longer available. Many of the rifles described in the loading manuals are no longer in production. That pretty much leaves the Dixie Gun Works catalog as the most current print material although the content hasn't changed much since I received my first catalog over 40 years ago. Prices have changed though. While one may think that we should have some new super solvent that can clean all the fouling from a muzzleloading firearm, lubricate the bore and inhibit rust at the same time, that hasn't happened even though some try.

It is worthwhile to join the NMLRA to receive their monthly magazine, "Muzzleblasts" or and subscribing to "Muzzleloader" magazine.

Dixie Gunworks Catalog gets my vote. Not only a wealth of information, but also a source for many books we all recommend. Hundreds of pages of info in one volume to get your heart pumping. I've found them to be nice people for well over 50 years.

Here's a free one that you can download and read immediately.

https://thegunpsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/thompsoncenter_hawken.pdf

I'd also like to voice support for Sam Falda's Handbook "Lyman Black Powder Handbook and Loading Manual". I have both editions, and they are pretty good, though neither has 777 data and all the data from the first edition is for powders that are no longer made. The formula for GO is different than GOEX.

Used book sites like Abe Books have been a treasure trove for me.

These are a few of the basic I got to read. The NRA /NMLRA book I got when I joined the NMLRA. Thrift Books has a few you may like.

The newer black powder books that I've seen have more emphasis on substitute powders and conical projectiles than do the older books.

If you are looking for info on hunting with a traditional muzzleloader, Rick Hacker did a book on the subject several years ago. The NRA put out a book on hunting with muzzloaders in the 90's that included info on both rifles and shotguns. Neither addresses newer, substitute powders.