Nilo. i'm sorry that you had to drive so long for such a basic supply of modern life as blackpowder... imagine if you had to go that far for fruit or a persian carpet or some fennel ... makes you wonder what our country is comming to ...
seriously- it's too bad but the lefties in (and out) of the beltway have determined that disarming the American population is 'in the public good...' and they will stop at nothing to do so (up to and includinn taking away our water pistols if we stand still for it). The only way to fix this happens on the second Tuesday in November.
as we used to say in Philadelphia, vote early, vote often...
I have to drive a long way, too, and i live here in Vermont, where it's supposed to be easy to obtain just about anything that goes 'bang.' The nearest supplier to me is about an hour and a half round trip, and in another state, so i get BP from the Track of the Wolf, but next year i'll be looking for a better price.
as regards rude salesmen- call 'em down on it... don't be shy: raise a fuss if you're being ill- treated. after all, you worked hard for that money, and if they don't want to have you spend it in their little store, you should explain to the management exactly why, and you should do it in front of as many other customers as you can, and you shouldn't use any colourful words, but you can get darned close. (not that i would advocate any sort of disorderly conduct, but don't take rude people laying down ... it just makes 'em think that they can get away with this behaviour and it makes it harder for the next guy.)
there are a bunch of supplier who will send you BP via UPS-FedEx, and the only downside is the hazmat fee, but if you buy a big shipment (i think 25 pounds is the limit) what you save on the cost per pound will pretty much cover the hazmat fee. try to link up with some other folks to get the best price you can and only get hit once for the hazmat deal.
i tried 'duplex' loads a long time ago, and went back to straight BP- the duplex worked, but it was a pain in the neck, and since i had to use PB anyway, i really don't see the advantage.
as regards flints, Rich Pierce's flints are great- funky looking but highly functional. the Black English flints are also very good- see what works for you and go with that. as regards the sawn agate flints, i cannot understand why anyone would bother unless there was absolutely no alternative. they are generally regarded as a big waste of time and my experience bears this out. (by the way, French Amber flints work as well as black english flints - usually- but they're wicked expensive, so unless you want to spend a bunch of money just to 'look cool,' stick with Rich Pierce or the Black English.)
your trapper pistol will provide you several lifetimes of service if you take good care of it, and once you get the load it likes, you will be surprised with the accuracy, even if it's not the most PC/HC gun around.
never apologise for the gun you have or the fun you're having shooting it, just go out and
make good smoke!
(OK- it's safe to come out now, the cranjy old man is done with his tirade)
