Now that my rifle is on it's way....

[Henry2357]

.... and I'm new to the traditional side. Just wondering what the bare essentials are to take to the range. Some may know from over in the percussion forum I just ordered my first traditional rifle to start my journey. I have read a few threads like, what do you have in your range bag, and others, but just starting out on a budget, what's the bare basic necessities needed. I know balls, patches, powder and caps.
But, from there??? Do you clean at the range, other tools needed? Any guidance will be appreciated.

I have range box for my inline BP rifle, but, I feel with this rifle from the mid 1800's I should be walking up to the range with a bag or something... I just don't invision a mountain man on horse back with a big red tool box strapped to his mount....
:grin: Thanks Joe

 

[coloradoclyde]

Do you clean at the range

Yes!.....or in the field.

Most people hate cleaning their gun...They make a big ordeal out of it....I keep it simple.....I too once hated cleaning, but now it is as enjoyable as shooting..

 

[robinsroost]

If I am going to the range to practice I tote an old tackle box, with all of the things you mentioned plus a can of powder, a short starter, some cleaning patches, a jag, a patch puller, a ball puller, a co2 ball ejector, and some hand cleaner. If I am going hunting, an organized shoot or a woods walk they go in a bag, but exchange the can of powder for a horn. Keep yer powder dry.......robin :hmm:

 

[Henry2357]

?? The cleaning of any firearm has never been on my hit list. Please explain. Is it just caring for your firearm that makes it what it is to you?

 

[Henry2357]

Thanks, basically the same in the bag as in your box.

 

[buford87]

You will need a powder measure and also patch lube...........watch yer top knot.........

 

[Mean Gene]

By cleaning in the field I run a wet cleaning patch down the barrel between shots, in my case I have noticed by doing so has helped with my accuracy. It may only be psychological but it works for me and that's what matters. Of corse give your gun a thorough cleaning when you get home.

If you are gain to be trekking around with your rifle I recommend carrying a type of possibles bag and keeping it light weight, just what you need to get the job done.

Shoot safe and have fun!

 

[Henry2357]

Thanks gents, I guess as time goes on it will become a bit clearer. Joining a local BP club so, that should be a great help also. Joe

 

[hanshi]

While I've never done back flips over the prospect of cleaning a BP gun, there certainly are worse things. I pre-clean before leaving the range and then detail clean at home. In the woods it's usually just one shot so it can wait a bit.

 

[coloradoclyde]

?? The cleaning of any firearm has never been on my hit list. Please explain. Is it just caring for your firearm that makes it what it is to you?

No! In that context it would be drudgery....

I simply have incorporated cleaning into my loading process...I'm hunting or target shooting....I'm in no hurry, It's not like in being charged by a bunch of angry Red Coats.

I'm not talking about simply wiping between shots....I am much more involved than that.

 

[ohio ramrod]

Since you are joining a local club just go to some shoots and see what the other guys are actually using. Most people who start in this game get a whole box full of "stuff" that they don't end up using. :idunno:

 

[Zonie]

Like the others mentioned, you will need a powder measure to measure and transfer the powder to the barrel.
You will need patches (.015-.018 thick tight weave cotton), patch lube (store bought or vegetable oil or Crisco), caps (#11 regular or Magnum), powder (real or synthetic granular powder), balls (usually .010 smaller than the bore size), a cleaning jag to suit the bore size) cleaning patches (any soft patches will work), a loading, cleaning or ram rod that fits the jag threads, something to start the patched ball into the muzzle. Many use a short starter which is a wooden 2 or 2 1/2" diameter ball with two short dowels sticking out of it. (Place the outside of the ball against the patched ball on the muzzle, whack it with your other hand to start the ball, use the short dowel to move the ball down the bore a little and the longer dowel down the bore more.
You can then use your ramrod to ram the ball home to its position on top of the powder charge.)

As for cleaning at the range, I don't bother with that if I am going to be home within an hour or two. I do my cleaning at home with a bucket of water, a little dish washing detergent, some cleaning patches and my brass jag on my range rod.

Don't worry about showing up at the range with modern stuff like a fishing tackle box. No one will care if you don't look like a mountain man.

They will just classify you as one of those whackos who shoots old fashioned guns.

These same people won't tell you but they will be eating their heart out when you group a series of shots inside a 2 inch circle at 50 yards and they can't put 5 shots on the target while they are using a high power rifle with a scope on it. :rotf:

 

[PA16th]

A gun sock for transportation to and from the range.
I would not store your rifle in it but it protects the rifle and conceals it.

Don

 

[SgtErv]

Zonie squared you away with a good list.

I'll just emphasize...a good jag is essential. It's an important part of the accoutrements in my opinion.

Also, a bunch of patches cut up from 100% cotton tshirts are great.

I use a hickory rod and have a little tool that is both a turnscrew and ramrod puller. (It's just a hole in the turnscrew it that'll fit over the rod, then you tilt it and it grips the rod.) This comes in handy very often, especially when cleaning out the "crud ring" before I leave the range.

Welcome to the fun side! This forum is very helpful, so hope to see you around.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

These same people won't tell you but they will be eating their heart out when you group a series of shots inside a 2 inch circle at 50 yards and they can't put 5 shots on the target while they are using a high power rifle with a scope on it.

(They may be silly and say something like you were "lucky")

Another thing is the bragging rights are much higher when you use a traditional rifle, especially (imho) the flintlock. For, you see, those same folks that can barely hit the target will also believe you don't have the power to take a deer with such a rifle or smoothbore. Once you've taken a deer with a sidelock, you don't have to be arrogant about it, just when they make the silly comment about how you have very little chance at taking a deer, you produce your cell phone and a photo of the deer and the rifle along side, saying something like, "You mean like this?" :haha:

LD

 

[Henry2357]

Thanks to you all, I am getting the idea. And your right, pick up a few bare essentials, go to a few shoots and see what folks a carrying. Joe

 

[smo]

The main thing is just enjoy the ride ! :thumbsup:



Flinters are a hoot to shoot for sure.

Be Safe and have fun. :wink:

 

[Cowboy]

Joe, First off, Merry Christmas my friend and welcome to the forum! The only other thing that you might want to consider having for your range box would also maybe be a nipple wrench and maybe a spare nipple. You should have both anyway wether at the range or at home. Comes in handy if and when you "Dry Ball " your muzzleloader. That means accidentally loading with patch and ball but forgetting to add your powder first!

One of the methods that some would use is to remove the nipple and sprinkle a few grains of powder into the firing channel and reinstall the nipple, being sure your ball is fully seated in your bore, cap, and finally shoot the ball out.

Also nipple's eventually go bad so carrying a spare and having a nipple wrench is always a good idea!

Enjoy your new muzzleloader my friend!
Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[rdstrain49]

One item I've not seen mentioned here is a muzzle protector or ram rod guide, call it what you will. This device keeps the ram rod, range rod, cleaning rod from contacting the bore at and near the muzzle. Without the guard/guide the rod will abrade the bore, eventually ruining the accuracy of the rifle. I use a bore guide every time any rod is used whether loading, wiping between shots, cleaning, pulling a dry ball. The only exception might be a reload while hunting, even then I'm likely to use the guide. I even use it on my short starter. My $0.02 spent

 

[Henry2357]

Thanks gents, every bit of information I see appreciated.