Is this all I need to start?

[pepperbelly]

I went to Bass Pro Shop today and picked up:
1) 1# Goex FFg
2) Brass powder flask, tube type.
3) Brass powder measure.
4) Brass capper.
5) .490 Hornady round balls.
6) Pre lubed patches.
7) Pre lubed cleaning patches.
8) Caps.
9) Short starter.
10) Set of jags, etc.
I got the pre lubed patches to use to start. I will get pillow ticking patches and regular lube after I am comfortable loading and shooting the muzzleloader. Since I am new to this I want to keep it simple.
I still need a range rod, but the rod on my T/C hawken will do for now. I also need a possibles bag. I want a powder horn sometime.
Will this do OK to start?
Jim

 

[musketman]

You forgot to buy the gun...

Just kidding, yep, that'll get you going...

 

[pepperbelly]

I need a nipple wrench and pick soon also.
The rifle I have. I must have bored ya'll to death about that T/C Hawken I got for $100.00.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[Old40Rod]

Sounds like you have the basic items... I think I bought all the same things when I started :winking:

The fun comes when you figure out that you didn't need to buy all those things... you could have made them except the caps (and powder unless you are more ambitious than I) ... Although I suppose you could probably find someone on the forum who has tried to make their own caps eace:

 

[pepperbelly]

Right now I want to get the basics down- loading, etc.
Later I will buy dry pillow ticking patches, or just cloth and cut my own. I will probably also make my own lube, etc.
For now I want to keep it as simple as I can since I have never fired a bp weapon before.
I do think I will make one of the simpler loading blocks tomorrow if it rains like they threaten.

Jim

 

[musketman]

I do think I will make one of the simpler loading blocks tomorrow if it rains like they threaten.
Jim

Here is a caliber/drill bit chart...

.36 caliber patched ball-------------------->3/8 inch drill bit
.45 caliber patched ball-------------------->29/64 inch drill bit
.50 caliber patched ball-------------------->1/2 inch drill bit
.54 caliber patched ball-------------------->35/64 inch drill bit
.58 caliber patched ball-------------------->19/32 inch drill bit
.62 caliber patched ball-------------------->5/8 inch drill bit

 

[pepperbelly]

Thanks Musketman. I was going to start with a scrap piece of wood and try different sizes. Since I have a .50 caliber I can try fewer holes.
I have a few pieces of 3/4" 1x4 trim that looks pretty good, a drill and a belt sander.
How many holes do I want to end up with- 10?
I will try to bevel the holes a little. I read something about making the bottom a little larger to fit over the barrel better. Is it worth the trouble?
It started raining just now so I should have some time tomorrow to play with this.
Thanks,
Jim

 

[musketman]

How many holes do I want to end up with- 10?
I will try to bevel the holes a little. I read something about making the bottom a little larger to fit over the barrel better. Is it worth the trouble?

6 is a good number of holes for a ball block, it will also depend on the shape of the block...

Holes can be side-by-side, in a line or randomly spaced...

When drilling, if using a wood bit, once the bit starts to come through the block, flip it over and finish the hole, this will prevent the wood from splitting...

Another way is to clamp the block on scrap wood and drill through the block and into the scrap, both ways will prevent splinters...

Some have recessed the back side a bit for alignment, another way is to have the ball sticking out slightly at the bottom, this will aid in starting the ball even...

If you do recess the back side of the block, you will need it big enough to fit the width of the barrel in... (1 inch, 1 1/4, ect.)

 

[brushbuster]

pepper
one suggestion i have for you is after you initially start the ball flush with the barrel, use the long part of your starter to push the ball down the barrel ,then use your ramrod to push the ball down on top of the powder then seat it with a couple of light taps. if the ball goes down a little tight make short strokes with the ram rod (8" to 10")at a time this will keep your ramrod in one piece ::.
if your not worried about being p/c ,a sectioned aluminum shotgun cleaning rod works very well in the field.at the range i use a synthetic ramrod.
my routine is wipe(patch),powder,patch,ball,seat,cap,or prime,aim ,boooom ,then repeat:: :: :thumbsup: :m2c:
good luck and good shooting

 

[bob1961]

you can get a T/C rod that is sinthetic for your gun....i got one that fits my hawken....here's a pic of my blocks made of popular i have yet to stain em...........bob

 

[shmrck1]

bob1961,
what is that to the right of the loading blocks????
snake-eyes :hmm: eace: :thumbsup:

 

[roundball]

I guess it's either a powder measure...or a 'crack pipe'...
:crackup: :crackup: :crackup: :crackup:

 

[shmrck1]

roundball,
do ya think????? by the way congrats on 1800 post!
snake-eyes :applause: :applause: :applause: eace: :thumbsup:

 

also when using your ramrod keep you grip to about 10 inches above the barrel . don

 

[pepperbelly]

also when using your ramrod keep you grip to about 10 inches above the barrel . don

 

[Aggie99]

Pepperbelly, what shop did you go to? I live in Frisco (north of Dallas), just got started in BP shooting, and can't find a good shop.

 

[pepperbelly]

I went to Bass Pro Shop over in Grapevine right beside Grapevine Mills Mall. I don't know where Frisco is but if you are north of Dallas it should be close. I live in Saginaw on the north side of Fort Worth. I don't think there is an easy way for either of us to get there, but we should be used to traffic.
They have a decent selection of bp stuff, and they have Goex in the back behind the counter.
They have a couple of guys that know enough to help us newbies.
I can't wait until they start building the new Cabela's near the racetrack and Alliance airport. That will be only about 10 miles straight up a FM road for me.
Jim