i didnt know anyone had banned owning or storing blackpowder ?
All states have requirements for storage and some have laws that only alow an X amount to be kept or transported .
Some will even tell you that the patriot act changed these requirements . I don’t believe this is true past the addition of a hazmat fee, which is added if you have it delivered to your door .
You will also find that those regulations very from city , county and state so call your local enforcement and know the law that applies to you
What has change is the Insurance companies amount they charge a company for having it as part of their innovatory and IMO that is the real reason many places no longer carry it . Most time those that do have it you have to ask as they don’t place it out on the shelves .
There are many places on the net that sell BP in bulk or in lb cans and this is another reason small shops are no longer carrying BP as they simply cannot compete
but remember if you order just 1 lb its going to cost a lot because of that hazmat fee which is a set price and applies to the shipment itself NOT each can and is the same no mater if you order 1lb or 25 .
Myself I only shoot BP and between my wife and I we go through around 30lbs a year . BP IMO is a much better product for many reasons
I find that if anything its much easier to get and at a much better price then found at the local gun shops where its often found for 16 to 21 dollars a lb .
Im currently paying in the 8 to 10 dollar a lb range depending if I purchase in a 25lb bag or if I buy in individual cans . I can tell you that even at that price there is a mark up
If you go to the Goex web site , they list their licensed distributors . Find one close to your location .
As to information . What others here are saying is true . Pick up one of Sam Faldala
Older books or one of the new Lyman blackpowder books . These can be found at most sporting goods stores . I would also recommend web sites such as this one and others like the one sponsored by the Traditional Muzzleloading Association
http://www.traditionalmuzzleloadingassociation.com/forum/phpbb2/login.php?redirect=viewtopic.php&p=62875&sid=08a2c5d0d63a60f59c6df59ee4235e1a
I would however recommend that you chose these carefully. Some while having good quality information and experienced folks also have low traffic and it takes time to get a reply . Others have high traffic but low quality info OR they are prone to squabbling, fighting and low moderator control .
Grey beard here has a lot of good Knowledgeable folks and most times well controlled .
As to an entry level gun .
I would say the lyman and TC as well as the Pedersoli’s offered by outlets like Cabalas are most certainly valid recommendations .
However I would also keep in mind that the prices of these are climbing and are now coming very close to a basic customs being offered by some custom makers so weigh your options .
Purchasing USED is also another option for you but you need to know what your looking for and what to watch out for
