newbie question

[milkmaster]

Although I am not new to modern firearms, I am however new to front stuffing weaponry. Within the next week I should have a T/C Hawken rifle and a Traditions Trapper pistol show up at my front door. So now what do I do with them? The many threads I have read here and other forums have suggested some trial and error will take place to find the best diameter bullet and thickness patch for each weapon. Both are .50 caliber, so I am hoping to find some commonality with the different cleaning supplies, ball pullers, and other parts of the bag of tricks to make these things work well. I do not hunt. I shoot for pleasure and try to hit a target or two. I more enjoy the mechanics and workings of the differing designs. I have talked to several BP shooters, and each seems to have their own best practices for one reason or another. It is hard to know who to listen to on this subject.

So here is my question....

What is the best book to buy that will give me an overall view on what to do first, second, etc on loading and shooting the new black powder arms I have bought? I do like pictures and FAQ type books. I am looking for "THE" golden rule book on having fun, remaining safe, while shooting my new black powder arms. I also would not mind subscribing to a good magazine for the same reasons.

Yes I know the first rule is to stand behind the gun when you shoot it! har har

 

[George Holton]

Muzzleloader is better than Muzzleblasts for good info. Have fun.

 

[redriverclerk]

Speaking as someone who just started shooting again this summer after 20 years...

You can read all you want and listen to everyone. What it comes down to is find what works for you by trying different things. My new rifle took about 200 rounds before it seemed to hold any real pattern. Then I tried different powder levels and patch sizes (I may still change patch sizes just to see). I've done many 10-shot comparisons with these factors to see what works best. I have the same model rifle as my father (who's been shooting for 30 years), yet the two rifles are as different as night and day for how they shoot...

Good luck and enjoy your new shooter. It'll get addicting.

 

[Zonie]

I think you would find Lymans Black Powder Handbook helpful.
Not only does it give a lot of good advice about muzzleloaders but you will have a treasure of loads and ballistic data for muzzleloading guns.

Both of your guns will do well shooting a .490 diameter roundball with a patch.
The same patch can be used in both guns with the .490 diameter ball however, the patch thickness that the rifle likes (about .015 to .018 thick) will be difficult to get started into the pistol barrel.
This isn't because it is dangerous, it is just because it is difficult to get a good grip on the pistol to get a tight fitting ball/patch started.

The pistol would probably be easier to load using a .010-.012 thick patch.
By the way, the patches must be pure cotton. Man made fabrics will melt and foul the bore.

Your other things like cleaning jag, ball puller etc should work well with both guns.

The reason you get so many folks telling you that you will have to "find" the best load is because it is a fact. Like the .22 rimfire, each gun likes one load better than other loads and your dealing with over 12 variables at the same time.
The variables are powder brand, granulation, amount, patch thickness, ball size, patch lube, barrel size and weight, rifleing depth and rate of twist, nipple (for percussion guns), range and the fickle ways of Mother Nature.
Each of these will effect the guns accuracy. That is one of the reasons why we enjoy this hobby/sport as much as we do.

Good luck with your shooting and don't be afraid to ask us any question you may have.
We pride ourselves on this Forum with being helpful and friendly. There are no dumb questions and giving the same answer we gave last week is just part of the fun.

zonie

 

[arcticap]

Any edition of "The Complete Black Powder Handbook" by Sam Fadala. :winking:

 

I will be surprised if you are satisfied with "just one book". The two mentioned, Lyman's and the one by Fadala are good, no, great, for a person just starting out. It will probably go downhill from there.

Vic

 

[windwalker_au]

vic are you the guy i used to talk to on goex forum that got the pedersoli rocky mountain hawkin .54 if you are how is the hawkin.
bernie :grin:

 

[ldykeman]

The book that comes with T/C muzzleloaders is a great place to start (and note I said "start"). It contains safety, loading, and cleaning information specifically for your T/C gun. If you are buying them used, give T/C customer service a call and they will send you a copy.
Edited.... I just went to the T/C website and found that you can download many manuals there. The one I was talking about is entitled "Shooting Thompson Center Sidelock Blackpowder Muzzleloading Firearms". This is the link to that manual:[url] http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals/current/Shooting_TC_BlkPwdr_Guns_Man.pdf[/url]

Larry

 

[CrackStock]

Contact Dutch at:
[url] http://www.blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/[/url]

He has a great system and information. His targets and humor are worth the effort and minimal cost.

I also support the NMLRA and suggest the MuzzleBlasts as a good resource from a helpful organization.

CS