Black powder and muzzleloaders

[MrB]

I can't recommend any good flintlock kits but I do wanna add don't get a cheap one flints are a lot harder to make than percussions if you get a cheap one the frizzen won't be properly hardened and it won't throw sparks like it should also you need to have access to real black powder pyrodex and substitutes don't work in a flint
Here's a good video talking about it

Traditions is basically bottom of the barrel stuff when it comes to locks but the kits I've built from them have been good enough honestly. The biggest problems with Traditions is that the fit/finish is terrible and most of their guns are super historically inaccurate appearance-wise. But they shoot fine and are really accurate. But the most well-regarded flintlock kits are Kibler's Long Rifles. They're also considered the easiest kits to build out because they're made and sold by a CNC guy who actually knows what he's doing instead of some Italian/Spanish gorilla in a sweatshop making castings. The price is pretty competitive compared to Pedersoli and other higher-quality kits too. I'd like to get one soon.

https://22lrreloader.com/products/11-percussion-cap-maker

I have one of these. Misfire rate with the formula they give you is about 1 in 10 caps. Also a lot of the time the material likes to fall out of the caps so you should tamp down the compound with an appropriately sized punch after placing it in then spray it with hairspray so it sticks in.
I'm pretty sure the Prime-All stuff that company sells is H48 compound which is what they used for the Krag-Jorgenson back in the Spanish-American war which uses Antimony Sulfide, ground glass, sulfur, and Potassium Chlorate. Might be wrong though since I haven't used my cap maker since the coof ended. At any rate they're corrosive primers so remember to clean up extra good after shooting them.

 

[♦️ King of Diamonds ♦️]

You only see that kind of sentiment online and in YouTube comment sections. Black powder is sort of like the ham radio of guns.

People always say felons can own black powder guns, which is true, but I'm pretty sure percussion caps and powder, although unregulated, still count as reloading supplies, which is illegal for a felon to own.

I can't recommend any good flintlock kits but I do wanna add don't get a cheap one flints are a lot harder to make than percussions if you get a cheap one the frizzen won't be properly hardened and it won't throw sparks like it should also you need to have access to real black powder pyrodex and substitutes don't work in a flint
Here's a good video talking about it

https://youtu.be/tfsLzr0mJ1A

Okay so I did a bit more research and it seems like since Pirate Fashions cucked out of selling actual functioning black powder weapons, the Blunderbusses from Veteran Arms seem like the best bet. However, the one I'm interested in is specifically labeled a "DogLock", NOT a "Flintlock".... what's the difference? Does the DogLock mechanism still have to hold a piece of flint, or does it ignite the spark on it's own?

https://veteranarms.com/shop/muskets/DogLock-Brass-Barrel-Blunderbuss-p207442974

Also- is it just an old wife's tale that you can shove nails. bits of broken glass, pennies, etc. down the barrel of a blunderbuss and it will shoot perfectly fine? While the idea of saving money by shooting actual pennies sounds cool that's not really something I want to risk blowing up in my hands.

 

[Devious Dave]

Okay so I did a bit more research and it seems like since Pirate Fashions cucked out of selling actual functioning black powder weapons, the Blunderbusses from Veteran Arms seem like the best bet. However, the one I'm interested in is specifically labeled a "DogLock", NOT a "Flintlock".... what's the difference? Does the DogLock mechanism still have to hold a piece of flint, or does it ignite the spark on it's own?

https://veteranarms.com/shop/muskets/DogLock-Brass-Barrel-Blunderbuss-p207442974

Also- is it just an old wife's tale that you can shove nails. bits of broken glass, pennies, etc. down the barrel of a blunderbuss and it will shoot perfectly fine? While the idea of saving money by shooting actual pennies sounds cool that's not really something I want to risk blowing up in my hands.

Don't shove random shit into your blunderbuss you can get buckshot really cheap.

It's still a flint ignition mechanism, but I'm pretty sure Veteran Arms hand-fits everything, so I think you'd be in good hands with them. I will say this, though if you don't have access to real black powder (not Pyrodex or 777), don't bother with a flint just get a percussion gun. Making percussion caps would be easier than making powder.

 

[MrB]

Okay so I did a bit more research and it seems like since Pirate Fashions cucked out of selling actual functioning black powder weapons, the Blunderbusses from Veteran Arms seem like the best bet. However, the one I'm interested in is specifically labeled a "DogLock", NOT a "Flintlock".... what's the difference? Does the DogLock mechanism still have to hold a piece of flint, or does it ignite the spark on it's own?

https://veteranarms.com/shop/muskets/DogLock-Brass-Barrel-Blunderbuss-p207442974

Also- is it just an old wife's tale that you can shove nails. bits of broken glass, pennies, etc. down the barrel of a blunderbuss and it will shoot perfectly fine? While the idea of saving money by shooting actual pennies sounds cool that's not really something I want to risk blowing up in my hands.

The flint blunderbuss made by Traditions is on sale right now at Midway.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1026490484?pid=654456

Doglocks have no automatic half-cock position like later true flintlocks and you need to manually engage the dog (safety).

 

[Devious Dave]

This is my Pietta 1858 Remington 44cal
I have a nice sling holster for it too I need to get a 45LC cylinder since caps are hard to come by
I got it for about 200 on GunBroker a year ago it's an older model made in 96

 

[Bilbo Boglims]

I came to the muzzle-loading community for my love of old wheelguns.

I stayed for the cool shit shit like this:

 

[Saint Zacharias]

I came to the muzzle-loading community for my love of old wheelguns.

I stayed for the cool shit shit like this:

View attachment 6326597

This looks cool as shit. Im gonna look into this for sure

 

[Bilbo Boglims]

This looks cool as shit. Im gonna look into this for sure

The manufacturer is American GunCraft, I picked up the pistol variant of it a couple years ago. Its stupid fun to shoot and always starts fun conversations about gun laws at the range.

 

[Belgians in the Congo]

Anyone know where I can find a Lemat repro? They're shockingly difficult to find, I know Pietta made (makes?) some but trying to work with the official importer for Pietta in my country has been hell, might just have one shipped from the US if I can find one, big thanks!

 

[Devious Dave]

Anyone know where I can find a Lemat repro? They're shockingly difficult to find, I know Pietta made (makes?) some but trying to work with the official importer for Pietta in my country has been hell, might just have one shipped from the US if I can find one, big thanks!

GunBroker is a good choice but idk about shipping outside the US. They are really pretty guns but they have fundamental design flaws like the loading lever

 

[Saint Zacharias]

Are there any decent black powder magazines/reading material that y'all would recommend? I'd really like to start understanding what's considered a good deal or item the next time I head to the gun shows in my area.

 

[Bilbo Boglims]

Are there any decent black powder magazines/reading material that y'all would recommend? I'd really like to start understanding what's considered a good deal or item the next time I head to the gun shows in my area.

Only one that comes to mind right off the rip is Mike Beliveau, he writes reviews for off the shelf guns and build logs for kits and custom work. His 1858 Bulldog is a pretty badass bellygat, if I ever pick up a second Remington I will build one.

I also appreciate that he has most his articles backed up on his own site. Though I disagree with the one about the 1851 Colt Navy being the best beginner cap n ball, 1858 Rem Master Race for life.

 

[Devious Dave]

Though I disagree with the one about the 1851 Colt Navy being the best beginner cap n ball, 1858 Rem Master Race for life.

I think the 1851 in a brass frame is probably the cheapest black powder revolver you can get a lot of people might get into black powder then shoot it once and realize with all the maitiance involved it's not for them
The 58 definitely is better though

 

[Saint Zacharias]

The manufacturer is American GunCraft, I picked up the pistol variant of it a couple years ago. Its stupid fun to shoot and always starts fun conversations about gun laws at the range.

Finally looked these guys up and I'm legit in love with them. Definitely gonna save up some change and grab that wood/black barrel set up. Might even become my truck gun.

 

[gildersleeve]

I personally hunt in BP season with a traditions .50 flintlock. Freind comes out with his .58cal cap with his cast minie balls, they're quite a bit larger in person than your modern conicals or balls.
Part of BP shooting is finding the right load for your intended shooting distance. I achieve a good dinner plate sized group at 130 yards with a .490 ball with a .010 patch with a 75gn charge.
I noticed some posters above mention issues with the frizzens being unhardened with traditions rifles. Mine was hardened. But was potentially the exception.
I highly recommend the rifle shoppe http://www.therifleshoppe.com/ for high quality reproductions of historical rifles. I've been eyeing the matchlocks for a long time. Been working on a 3D model for a cast range brass handgonne (with a steel barrel insert, safety reasons) for a fun range toy. But they have them there as well. Handmade parts to order, casting etc.
If you haven't tried go ahead and use your rifle as a shotgun. Load some smaller caliber balls. .38 or .44 cal with a wad on the top and bottom and bam, shotgun. I've used pellets before too and had success bagging grouse and pheasant with it. Haven't bothered using it as a shotgun for deer yet.

If your planning on making your own powder, it's quite easy, just learn how to corn your powder and sift to a standard size. Otherwise you'll have inconsistent powder charges. Works, but poor for accuracy. If you do get a flintlock. Wander around rivers and near rock faces for a flint source instead of purchasing online. Much more satisfying to knapp your flint for your rifle. While the fancy German quartz is great and always produces a consistent and hot spark. It chips easily and doesn't last as long. You can also buy genuine hisorical British flint as well online for funsies. As a huge stash of it was found in the Philippines.

 

[MrB]

I highly recommend the rifle shoppe http://www.therifleshoppe.com/ for high quality reproductions of historical rifles. I've been eyeing the matchlocks for a long time.

I’ve been looking at matchlocks too but people talking about potential years long wait times for the Rifle Shoppe are a bit off putting. I might just get one of the imported pajeet matchlocks from Rajasthan Arms. I figure even Indians couldn’t fuck up literal 16th century technology

 

[Devious Dave]

I’ve been looking at matchlocks too but people talking about potential years long wait times for the Rifle Shoppe are a bit off putting. I might just get one of the imported pajeet matchlocks from Rajasthan Arms. I figure even Indians couldn’t fuck up literal 16th century technology

One of these would be really cool but I don't know if it works well with pyrodex because that's all I have access to
https://veteranarms.com/shop/muskets/Medieval-Handgonne-American-Hasta-Brand-p380105911

 

[MrB]

One of these would be really cool but I don't know if it works well with pyrodex because that's all I have access to

Doubtful. Handgonnes were around early enough that they were meant to be loaded with serpentine powder which is basically just shittier black powder from before they worked out the best manufacturing methods for it during the Renaissance so it burns slower. Homemade hand-mixed black powder would probably do the trick.

https://firearmshistory.blogspot.com/2016/07/black-powder-vi-serpentine-powder.html

This video of some guntubers shooting handgonnes with modern black powder while having a second person light off the touch hole resulted in the powder burning fast enough that they kept getting burned. Pyrodex would probably be even worse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWSZjwP042I

 

[Devious Dave]

I just managed to find 2 tins of CCI#11s at my local academy

 

[SHIGGSHOGG]

Dad accidentally bought like 2K CCI #11s years ago, guess I'm set forever with my TC Firehawk I got from a felon at a yardsale for $50 few years ago. Can't hit shit with that thing though, don't think I'm used to the lock times and hate cleaning the fucking thing.