Need Suggestions

[mickman15]

I am nearing the complettion of my .50 cal! Just need to blue, sand and finish. All I have is the rifle, what do I need now? My guess is a starter, better ramrod, #11 caps, .490 roundballs, lubed round patches, cleaning supplies......? Is there a big starter kit manufacturers provide? ANY suggestions would be very helpful, I am going to stay away from pyrodex initially and start with good ol BP.

 

[cowpoke1955]

This is a good range rod I've been using for over 20 years. It works great on the range and for cleaning: https://www.dixiegunworks.com/prod...=1282&osCsid=09851d44134c35a39138d6fa88edd0c3 . For cleaning just use cut up cotton flannel, dish water soap and water and a plastic bucket (I use those plastic coffee cans). Get a decent shooting bag, powder measurer and a horn. I'm sure others will chime in, because the list can go on. Good luck and have fun :thumbsup:

 

[boar]

You can make your powder measures out of copper tubing. I can make one in fifteen mins. All you have to do is hammer one end flat, put that end in vise and finish it flat,drill hole,trim it round. Then cut it to length on how much powder you want it to hold. You can make them skinny or fat, depends on size of tubing. Dilly

 

[Little Wattsy]

I am nearing the complettion of my .50 cal! Just need to blue, sand and finish. All I have is the rifle, what do I need now? My guess is a starter, better ramrod, #11 caps, .490 roundballs, lubed round patches, cleaning supplies......? Is there a big starter kit manufacturers provide? ANY suggestions would be very helpful, I am going to stay away from pyrodex initially and start with good ol BP.

1st, avoid MY mistake, do NOT buy a whole bunch of ANYTHING until you find out what YOUR specific rifle likes best; Powder type, ball size, patch thickness, etc.....
2nd I REALY like the Traditions flask/measure SET. They are set up so that the measure fits IN the lip of the flask. ELIMINATES the possibility of spillage or overfilling. Very effecient and still brass....
3rd. Get a good range box (like a tackle box) Get a big one right up front.....Test: it should be able to hold a couple cans of powder in the upright position and plenty of room to spare. You WILL fill-er up!
4th. If got $$ to burn I REALLY like the CO2 discharger....YOU will want one some day and you WILL need something to take care of the "dryball" sooner then latter.

Good luck and have FUN! :hatsoff:

 

[rafterob]

A pistol, a revolver, a shot gun, a smoothbore....... :surrender:

 

[MSW]

good suggestions above... i like the tackle box idea and have used them for years, but now i'm getting away from hem in favor of bags- one for each rifle... don't get into this until you've settled into what each rifle like by way of ball / patch combination, though.

you should also get (if you don't already own) a pair of good plugs and shooting muffs. i use my safety glasses (without the geekster side pieces) to shoot 'cause they're comfortable and they work well.

what you really need, though is more powder, more ball, more time at the range...

woooopeeee!!!

make good smoke!

 

[mickman15]

Is there any kind of powder I should use? The book that came with the gun says I should use a .490 ball with BP or if necessary, Pyrodex.

 

[Little Wattsy]

Is there any kind of powder I should use? The book that came with the gun says I should use a .490 ball with BP or if necessary, Pyrodex.

You will hear ALOT of pan banging for "REAL" BP. I like the Pyrodex. IMO try every variable you can to see what YOUR gun will group with best then go buy a case of it.