Took the plunge

[GKChesterton]

Being mostly a WW1/WW2 rifle collector and shooter, I've ordered a cheap CVA Kentucky 45cal percussion rifle having had no experience at all with muzzleloading or black powder. What does a youngin like me need to get started? I see thunderridge has a basics list and I've ordered the "complete muzzleloaders something or other" book. Any starting tips/ wise advice would be much appreciated. :master: Also if anyone knows of friendly stores in the Los Angeles area it would be helpful to not have to get everything online. Thanks!!

 

[quigleysharps]

Welcome. You'll find lots of good folks here to help and lots of good reading. Someone that can type faster than me can fill you in on the rest. ::

 

[Halftail]

GKChesterton,
I'll start off by giving you tips that sort of relate to how I got started.First off,it would be helpfull if you could find an active Muzzleloading club and then join it.Practical experience is the best way to learn.I then bought a book by Sam Fadala,I think it's called The Black Powder Notebook.A very helpful book and I still look at it once in awhile.As far as getting "stuff" for shooting If there isn't any gunshops in your area selling muzzleloading supplies I'm thinking Mail-order or online shops like Track of The Wolf,October Country etc....will suit your needs very well.Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[threefingersjack]

Hey GK, I have a few mil. rifles myself, but there is nothing better than good ol blackpowder. You will love it. The first thing you need to do is keep using the forum there is always someone here to help. Second, it depends on where you want to go with bp shooting ( buckskining,reinacting,or just hunting and shooting) will determine on what you will need. The book you ordered is a good start. If you really get into bp try your hand at making your accessories yourself, there is a great satisfaction in using what you make. Good luck and always keep your powder dry. :front:

 

GK, PM me with an address and I will send you an original CVA muzzleloading guide, that is no longer in print. It's an excellent little book to get you started. They originally came with that rifle, back in the seventies. As previously stated, stick with this site, and ask away, and we'll do our best to answer and confuse ya :haha: Jus kidding, seriously don't be afraid to ask. It won't be long til yer an addict, like the rest of us. Bill

 

[Al Bateman 1]

GKC..Hello & welcome. I too am pretty new to MLs and still ask for a lot of help. You can sure get it here. If you haven't picked up all the basics for your rifle yet, ya might want to check some of the on line sites for what they call starter kits. Even if ya don't want to buy the whole thing, their list will show you what's needed. For an easy look, just click on the Possible Shop banner at the top of this page and click on starter kit. At least this will give ya an idea and a start point. Good luck and hold on, this is more fun than you ever thought.

Al

 

[amccall]

Well being that your log on name is one of my favorite authors I had to reply. I agree with the other posts if you can find a good gun club, this would give you a lot of hands on information will help out a lot. I know at my club I not sure what we do the most, shoot the guns or shoot the ah.., well you know the rest. I do know that if you shoot by yourself and have little experience in ML, then you run into troubles, you might give up on something that is a lot of fun. I did see that you have a Cabela's in Gonzales, LA they should have everything that you need. I hope that you have fun and enjoy yourself. :front:

 

[Pittsburghunter]

Hmm basic supplies to get started :hmm:

A good jag, super jag if you can find one.

A good range rod (don't beat up the one that came with it)

Patch worm very important because you will lose patches.

Ball puller (Tee hee)

Old cotton teeshirts for making cleaning patches

A good black powder solvent

A good lube/oil for shooting and preserving.

Nipple wrench/ spare nipple

I like using a big tackle box for range work. I throw all this stuff in there plus a lot more stuff that I use for all my bp rifles.

And last but not least, bullets/roundball and patches, powder and primers.

 

If you get a fiberglass range rod , make sure you use a bore guide with it . Fiberglass is very abrasive and if you don't protect your muzzle with a bore guide , a fiberglass rod will ruin your muzzle in a short time . I use a fiberglass range rod with a bore guide I got from the plumbing dept. at Home Depot . :thumbsup:

 

[pondoro]

Welcome! GK is also one of my favorite authors.

To start, get a big, cheap plastic toolbox to hold all your muzzleloading junk. There are a bunch of things that you do not want to forget when you go to the range. Leave them in the box and you will never forget them. Some toolboxes have small compartments on the lid - these are nice for patches and caps.

Powder flask, powder measure - obvious. Nipple wrench. Patch extractor. Range rod that is longer than the barrel (the one you got with the gun is the same length as the barrel - when it gets stuck there is not much sticking out to grab hold of).

Lots of cleaning patches.

 

[Zonie]

In addition to Pittsburghunters list you will need:

.440 diameter round lead balls. .445 dia balls will also work, but do not buy any balls larger than that.

Powder: 2Fg or 3Fg black powder, or Pyrodex P or Pryodex RS or 777 black powder substitutes will work.

A powder measure.

cloth patches. Store bought in .015 to .018 thickness. You can also make your own using blue/white or red/white striped pillow ticking from a cloth store or WalMart. Do NOT buy synthetic material. Only cotton will work.

Some lube for the patch is good. Things like WonderLube or TC 1000 work well. If your going to shoot right after loading, you can just use spit to moisten the patch.

A Short starter is very handy. This looks like a wooden ball with a short dowel and a 3 inch long dowel sticking out of it. It is used to start the patched ball into the bore after pouring in the powder.

A powder measure. A adjustable one which loads from 40-100 grains is good but for your gun, you won't be using the 90-100 grain level so if you don't find one with those loads, it's no big deal. Most of your loads will be in the 40-70 grain area.

Welcome to the world of Muzzleloading. I know you will enjoy it.

 

[GKChesterton]

Wow gonna have to print this out. The rifle I ordered was from Track of the Wolf, a 99 dollar one that needed some woodworking done on it. I mostly have Enfields, and from a collecting standpoint--(for myself, not gonna drop any experts outa their seats with my samples) its a amazing lineage meandering back. After this on the horizon (ack first day of graduate school today)would like to save up and put together a revolutionary war era Enfield. I only do target shooting at the ranges now--even manage to get the wife out there.
Rifle arrives tomorrow, and I'm sure I'll be posting some pics--am good with woodworking, but I don't know what it should look like to get it there.

Yes I love GKChesterton---he never fails to do this to me: :crackup: :: :cry:. There arent many authors I'll read over and over again while continuing to be delighted, he is one of them.

Thanks for the overwhelming response!!!!!!!!

Chris