Author Topic: You've convinced me !!! (Read 1478 times)

verbero · « **on:** March 22, 2004, 02:20:15 PM »

Well I've been trawling this forum for a few days now and I think that I've got 99% of my questions answered. I'm going to buy a Pietta 1858 New Army Stainless when the newborn settles a bit more (she is three weeks old).

I'm in France so part of the problem is knowing what I need to ask for in French and wondering whether I can get the same things here that you guys have been talking about e.g. Wonder Wads or if the French postal system is going to allow black powder stuff in the post.

Anyway the first question that I have is this : the club that I'll be using have two ranges, 25M and 50m (about 25 and 50 yards). The 25m is usually busy with other pistol shooters but the 50m is always empty. Can I learn to shoot the above pistol properly in the 50m range or should I start in the 25m range. I've not been shooting for a long long time so I'll have to virtually start from scratch.

(BTW I'm a 1/2 Brit, 1/2 Yank living in France)

crossbow · « **Reply #1 on:** March 23, 2004, 07:19:00 AM »

check out www.tecmagex.com or www.guns2u.com. They are the same company based in Carcasonne and speak English.

verbero · « **Reply #2 on:** March 23, 2004, 01:46:09 PM »

Thanks crossbow, I'm going to buy the 1858 from tecmagex but I hadn't seen guns2u before. Are you a shooter in France ? I've got some other questions specific to France so maybe by email if you like.

crossbow · « **Reply #3 on:** March 23, 2004, 02:34:04 PM »

I know a little about shooting in France,feel free to e-mail

Good time Charlie · « **Reply #4 on:** March 23, 2004, 03:05:27 PM »

would have nothing to do with France! They have been our enemy for years! They think they are relevant in today's world. THEY ARE NOT>

crossbow · « **Reply #5 on:** March 24, 2004, 07:53:46 AM »

With the Jews as your friends you will never be short of enemies,The French are an intelligent sophisticated people who are nobodys lapdogs.They will never be part of greater Israel.

Flint · « **Reply #6 on:** March 24, 2004, 10:38:02 AM »

This thread is leaning in a bad direction, and I will have to remove the comments if you don't drop it............MODERATOR

verbero · « **Reply #7 on:** March 24, 2004, 10:52:31 AM »

I joined to learn, swap experiences and meet people who had the same interests as me in Cap and Ball Black Powder revolvers.

My question still stands : should I learn to shoot my Pietta on the 50m range or the 25m range.

Jeff Vicars · « **Reply #8 on:** March 24, 2004, 11:08:10 AM »

It's the same difference, at 50 just use a larger target until you get tuned in.

The Shrink · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2004, 01:25:07 AM »

Don't forgt that these pistol's were originally sighted for 75yds! Shooting at 50M will cause less high shots and you will be closer to point of aim. Do use a larger bull, and don't expect pinpoint accuracy, but you should be able to accomplish adequate to good accuracy at 50M without serious problems.

Wads you can make, just use wool felt and BP bullet lube to soak the felt, then cut to size with a wad cutter.

Wayne the Shrink

verbero · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2004, 06:38:50 AM »

Thanks for the advice, I've even managed to find downloadable targets so soon I'll be plugging away at the 50m range.

Regarding wads and other , I've gotten a catalogue from what seems to be a fairly professional looking hunting / firearms /outdoors type supplier and I'm looking at the products for cleaning / lubrication etc.

Can anybody give opions on any of the following products :

Lube 103, its in what looks like a plastic case that one gets prescription drugs in (115g).

DR 100 from Hensel, described as grease for balls (hehe) same type container as above (125ml).

Natural Lube 1000, I think that this is from T/C. Yellow toothpaste like tube. (Just to clarify, this item in the above mentioned catalogue DOES NOT have bore butter on the label)

Lupus cleaning products : PFTE oil, grease that has teflon micro particles, in a can of 50 or 100g.

Robla black powder solvant.

Ballistol, oil in a spray can.

Sorry about the long list of products. The only things they have that I've seen you guys talk about are Hoppe's No. 9 Benchrest, something called Hoppe's Moly (spray or paste) and Gatofeo's favourite, WD-40 (which don't worry I won't be using).

Cheers.

The Shrink · « **Reply #11 on:** March 26, 2004, 12:53:59 AM »

Verbero

Save yourself some money. Find a beekeeper and get some beeswax and melt it in a double boiler 50% with Crisco 50%. It'll do everything you need and be less messy than straight Crisco. If you want it harder add more beeswax, softer add more Crisco. If you want to get fancy substitute hydrogenous Lanolin for some or all of the Crisco, but that's unnecessary when shooting C&B.

That's all you will need for lube. Use it on yur homemade patches and on your cylinder pin. You can even store the weapon for a short time with this, but I'd trust a good gun oil for storage, even short term. Clean with water and soap if needed. You shouldn't be getting any leading, so all you have to deal with is the powder residue. If you've shot a lot and the residue is hard, use a brass brush and soap and water.

This is a reasonable application of the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) method and it works. You can make it more complicated, but that's more for the ego than for the gun!

Wayne the Shrink

verbero · « **Reply #12 on:** March 26, 2004, 04:13:17 AM »

One small problem is that as far as I know, Crisco isn't sold in Europe. I have searched everywhere, other black powder users here who read the American forums have also come up blank.

It is possible that it is sold under another name here. If possible could someone supply the manufacturer and ingredients so that I can look for something similar. I'm trying to figure out what the French is for 'shortening' and then I might be able to find a substitute.

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2004, 04:27:03 AM »

I'd be careful of substitutes. Years ago when I was shooting round balls in a M/L rifle we were all using a 50/50 Crisco/Wax mix on our patches when somebody started the rumor that Cisco has salt in it ( it does not ) but I would be wary of any like products whose make up I was unaware of.

MOGorilla · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2004, 07:24:31 AM »

There is a grocer in Belgium that caters to Americans living in Europe. Unfortunately I don't remember where in Belgium or the name of the store. I know I am not really helping, but they had quite a selection of American food, they could be a source. You could try

crisco.com

filmokentucky · « **Reply #15 on:** March 26, 2004, 08:14:31 AM »

Try to find some tallow. Mixed 50-50 with beeswax it makes a fine lube. I have a friend who uses a mix of beeswax and olive oil with good results. I would avoid petroleum products for the most part.
I clean my revolvers with hot water and clean patches-no soap of any kind. I generally take them completely apart so that I can clean the small inner workings. Fortunately, both Colt and Remington revolvers are very easy to dis-assemble and re-assemble. As a result, I've never had any breakage or rusting of internal parts. The hand and hand springs are especially delicate. I believe it to be worth the extra effort. Just be sure to have a good set of parallel ground screw drivers at hand. Hope this is of help.

The Shrink · « **Reply #16 on:** March 27, 2004, 07:20:49 AM »

Verbero

Any animal fat and most vegetable fats will work. You simply need a fat that will survive the trip up the barrel. Lanolin is available through internet orders, it's only a shipping problem. Mutton tallow is often used, beef tallow if it's processed without salt is fine. As mentioned, olive oil will work. If you know a butcher you should be able to get fat raw without processing. Render it to clarify and you have what you need.

At least one of the above options should be available. Rocket science this aint!

Wayne the Shrink

filmokentucky · « **Reply #17 on:** March 27, 2004, 10:09:19 AM »

Wayne is absolutely right! And it doesn't hurt to remember that we're supposed to be having fun here. For me it's hard to beat a day at the range with my Colts or some time spent taking potshots at tin cans or plastic soda bottles. If you can get a hold of some old candle pins, try them at different ranges. A Walker or '60 Army will hit them out to 100 yards if you do your part. A Remington should do the same.

verbero · « **Reply #18 on:** March 27, 2004, 11:31:47 AM »

I'd like to thank those that gave advice and suggestion for my questions. I just wanted to know what I need to purchase so that I can shoot black powder without making a complete ass of myself. I calculate about $700 to get me started (this includes membership fees, and firearms) so I didn't want to make too many mistakes.

I think that part of my confusion was the terminology such as what to use after cleaning, what to lubricate with, and what to soak wads in. I *think* that I understand now. The other problem is of course the quality of advice given : one UK site recommends Vaseline which thanks to crossbow I shall avoid.

Once again, thanks for the advice.

Oh yeah, what's a candle pin ?

filmokentucky · « **Reply #19 on:** March 27, 2004, 01:36:17 PM »

A candle pin is a bowling pin. They used to be made of wood, but now they're plastic. When they get beat up, bowling alleys replace them and you can get the old ones for free if you're lucky. They make great targets for black powder shooters as they will take a lot of abuse. They're about 2 or 2 1/2 inches in diameter and a foot or so in length. There are also ten pins and duck pins which look like stubby ten pins. No reason why they wouldn't work, too.

The Shrink · « **Reply #20 on:** March 28, 2004, 02:27:44 PM »

Verbero

One thing to mention, before you pay membership fees, probably no indoor range will allow BP shooting. Even if they are adequately vented to prevent lead pollution at the targets, they are not usually adequately vented for black power smoke at the shooting line.

I'd limit my memberships to outdoor shooting ranges.

Wayne the Shrink

Jack Crevalle · « **Reply #21 on:** March 28, 2004, 03:16:52 PM »

Animal fats in solid form like lard usually contain salt and should be avoided.

Gatofeo · « **Reply #22 on:** March 29, 2004, 09:19:07 AM »

I have used lard in the past with good results. I don't know if it had salt in it, but what the heck --- you should be cleaning your revolver after use, anyway. Black powder has salt in it, for that matter, and Pyrodex is corrosive (something about percholates, which I don't quite understand).
If you can't find Crisco, use lard. That's what I've done in the past with good results.
Today, I use mutton tallow. This may be even more available in France. Ask your local butcher to save the fat trimmed from mutton. Now, throw the fat into a big pan or soup kettle of boiling water. Boil the heck outta all your fat scraps, then fish out any floaters and throw them away.
Then, turn off the heat and place the pot in a cool place. This time of year, you may be able to place it outdoors overnight and check it in the morning.
When the pot and water are cold, the tallow will have solidified into a big cookie on top of the water. Usually, if it's cold enough, you can tip it sideways in the pot, get a hand under it, and pull it out as one big cookie. Pat-dry the underside with a paper towel and Wah-Lah! The tallow you want!
(Yes, I know that it's spelled voila'! ... but wanted to make you go :eek: )
Heck, you may be able to buy mutton tallow commercially over there. Dixie Gun Works sells it here in the States and it's good stuff.
I would think there are far more sheep-eaters in France than there are in the states; mutton just doesn't seem popular in the states.
Search my name in this website for cap and ball advice. You'll find a lot (Gatofeo is a verbose ol' cat ... heh).
As for France, I have my opinions about that country but I find it rude to express any political opinions in this site.
My mother was from Belgium. I still have many relatives in that country. Mom fought the Germans in World War II as a member of the Belgian Resistance. Her first husband was captured, thrown into Breendonk torture camp south of Brussels, and executed two weeks before D-Day.
Mom was twice imprisoned by the Gestapo for her activities but survived. She met my father, an American G.I., after the Battle of the Bulge --- she was a 27-year-old widow at the time.
I don't agree with all that America does and I generally let my dissatisfaction be known to legislators and those with whom I disagree. But not in here. I come here to share and acquire knowledge. Period.

verbero · « **Reply #23 on:** March 30, 2004, 07:34:36 AM »

The Shrink put forward something that I hadn't thought of before - making sure that the shooting range actually allowed black powder revolvers. Well luckily it does, I was having a couple of days of panic having ordered the pistol on Sunday night and then reading your advice !!

As Gatofeo suggested in an earlier post I shall be getting to know my pistol before actually joining the shooting club. I haven't bought all the necessities either so over the next month or so I'll be purchasing them. The lubrication recipies will also need to be perfected !

Oh yeah, I now have the first few pages in a black-powder binder, you guys have good experiences and knowledge so keep feeding the newbies like myself who would like to come home with all ten fingers and all ten toes after shooting.

Thanks again.

Dalton Masterson · « **Reply #24 on:** April 04, 2004, 05:08:53 PM »

Have fun, and remember that light loads are not good on bowling pins, or your legs. I have caught several ricochets off of bowling pins with my 36. But now I load em up, and have no problem. DM