Beginner

[captainkirk]

Pulled my dad's percussion gun off the wall where it has resided for over 20 years and want to get it going. It is marked simply "CAL 45" and "blackpowder only" and is a "Kentucky" style rifle with full stock. I disassembled and cleaned it well but could only find the powder measure and ramrod but no other tools for loading. Can some of you more experienced guys give me a nudge in the right direction? I know I'll need a starter, some patches, balls (not sure of size maybe .440)caps and some powder. Not interested in hunting at this point, just want to put a few patched balls downrange. This is my first try at "black" but otherwise I have been loading and casting for rifle and pistol for the last 15 years or so...

[Triple Se7en]

A well-known & respected blackpowder shooter/forum moderator (Bluelk) recently passed-away after a tough fought battle with cancer. He left us a beginner's "Muzzleloading 101" guide... you will also refer to this later-on as you accelerate your knowledge in this fun-loving sport. Put this webpage in your toolbar favorites section.

http://www.realtree.com/bluelk/index.tpl

[Dan Chamberlain]

Triple;

That was a great link.  Thanks so much for posting it.  

Another good read is any of the Sam Fadala books on muzzleloading.  Check Borders Books.

Dan C

[johnt]

Well, yer likley gonna need a new nipple,those things wear out first an cause alot of grief. Theres only three common sizes for #11 cap's so get the old one out and take it with ya to the store. a nipple wrench help's with that but if yer carefull you can still git it out.
Patch an ball for easy beginner stuff?,,I'd try ta find Ox-Yoke pre lubed,or T/C prelubed.I'd keep a loose fit for starters;  .440 ball,use a .010 patch,,445 ball use a .005 patch,,snug is better but that'll come later.
Powder: oh boy!! try to find 777 2f,,loose,, NO PELLETS!! if no 777 then try another of the faux bp just to start. true BP can be messy hard to clean and tough to find, again something to be tryed later.NO PELLETS!!
 
let's see:
Nipple,,,,,,$4
nipple wrench,,,,6
short starter,,,,,6
cleaning jag to fit the rod,,,3
CCI #11 mag caps,,,,,,,3
patches,,,,,4
ball,,,,,,,,,9
powder,,,,,,,12-18

I guess those are just some ideas,IMHO good luck,check in some more.

[captainkirk]

Thank you gentlemen,

The link was very informative, and I appreciated the comments (and est prices) of the third gentleman.  Exactly what I wanted to know.  May be a while before I get to shoot though, Claudette is breathing down our necks here.  Storm of the same name put some water in our house back in '79...

[waksupi]

After a casual dalliance over thirty years ago, the slut black powder took over my life, for better or worse. So far, my first $125 rifle, has since cost me around $300,000 by my nearest estimate.

Beware!

[johnt]

Waksupi :-D ,
   The investment pay's off though,,years of priceless enjoyment!
  Think of all the misfires,dryloads,and ball pulling fun. Not to mention the  hour's of laborios cleaning. Then the search for lube,,Oh Man,and patch.
   Maxiball? vs. Minneball? huh?
  Remember the look on your neibor's face when you ASKED to take the wasp nest?
  Gosh, I love this BP stuff.  

[johnt]

captainkirk,
   Another GOOD site is by mamaflinter, Donna posts here so maybe cruise back and look for a past post by her, if ya can find one, look on the bottom of the post and click the www. Or goog "Beginners Guide to Muzzle Loading" Well written,plain talk,easy reading.
   Does that Kentucky rifle of your's got a little piece of metal bout midway in the stock? Just wonderin,they can be good shooter's if cared for proper.,,
 see ya,,,

[captainkirk]

johnt

Not sure exactly what you were asking about the stock, but the only metal on it in that region are two pins holding the barrel to the stock spaced evenly down its length.  Thanks for all the help guys

Kirk