Random Blackpowder thread.

[bigpete]

Awsome work Bigpete, thanks for sharing those pictures. Love the loading block and mini powder horn, looks handy as for a walk around hunt

Its pretty handy. Plus the mini powder horn is flattened so it sits in your pocket better

[bigpete]

Oh,hang on,what you think is a mini powder horn is actually my antler powder measure

[Gamerancher]

[quote="on_one_wheel"]Looks like it's the right time of year for Muzzleloading state championships. Unfortunately I'm not feeling rich enough to renew my SSAA membership and participate. I might head over for a look though.

Done and dusted according to the dates??
I believe the Nationals are on at Para at Easter though.

[on_one_wheel]

Oh,hang on,what you think is a mini powder horn is actually my antler powder measure

Powder measure Even! Even better... I thought it was a minni horn to hold a few charges

[on_one_wheel]

Looks like it's the right time of year for Muzzleloading state championships. Unfortunately I'm not feeling rich enough to renew my SSAA membership and participate. I might head over for a look though.

Done and dusted according to the dates??
I believe the Nationals are on at Para at Easter though.

Your right. Its the Nationals.
I thought I read "Nationals" but the document I downloaded said "State" then I H OT all confused and didn't even notice the date on that paperwork....

Oh well, Nationals are an even better excuse to get out and about for a look

[bigpete]

Oh,hang on,what you think is a mini powder horn is actually my antler powder measure

Powder measure Even! Even better... I thought it was a minni horn to hold a few charges

Screenshot_20220405-175749_Gallery.jpg (364.92 KiB) Viewed 6584 times

Here's the full hunting setup. 7 caps,6 pre patches balls,antler powder measure, and my flattened powder horn that holds enough powder for 10 full power loads

[on_one_wheel]

It just keeps getting better ...

I made a loading block today, just a little 3 ball one.

[bigpete]

I coned the muzzle on my hawken too. Makes loading heaps easier

[on_one_wheel]

I've just finished casting some pure lead, Lee R.E.A.L bullets.
Apparently they shoot best with a lubed felt wad behind them.
Interested to hear what peoples experience is here.

[LawrenceA]

Heard that to but never tried.
With my Trapdoor the wad helps keeps the barrel squeaky clean

[Oldbloke]

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In the absence of a dedicated blackpowder section I thought I'd start a thread here for random blackpowder bits n pieces... I truly wish we had a dedicated section as I'm getting keen on expanding my BP collection and skill set with flintlock and BP shotgun loads.

As requested by Bigpete, here's a picture of my most recent project... here's cheers Bigpete
I wasn't happy with the modern varnish finish on my replica Hawkins .50cal, so I decided to strip the varnish and finish it in oil for a more traditional finish. I'm even considering refinishing the metalwork in a rust brown at a later stage for that proper antique finish... that'll come later.

After a complete breakdown I simply used some heavy duty paint stripper, scrubbed it under water, scrapped of what didn't budge then spent about 3 hours sanding it down in ever decreasing coarseness until the stock was polished with 000 steel wool.
After applying some boiled linseed oil I discovered that Tung oil is far superior, so off I went to town and bought some along with some Gum Turpentine to thin the first two coats... what! $$$ $$$
It's going to be a time consuming process as I'll need 24 to 48 hours between coats.
Unfortunately I don't have any good close-ups from before but it's definitely looking so much better with the natural finish

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I think I will give my old CVA a spruce up too. I've not bothered because the timber is pretty plain but I've changed my mind after seeing the above.

It will just have to wait now as I'm heading off on a trip.

[bigpete]

I've just finished casting some pure lead, Lee R.E.A.L bullets.
Apparently they shoot best with a lubed felt wad behind them.
Interested to hear what peoples experience is here.

I was using them in my .36,they shot well,didn't use any wad underneath. Shot this goat from 40m and head shot the fox at 50m both offhand with the combo

Screenshot_20220407-174424_Gallery.jpg (749.89 KiB) Viewed 6537 times

Screenshot_20220407-174358_Gallery.jpg (418.33 KiB) Viewed 6537 times

[Oldbloke]

New hunting spot?

[dnedative]

I've just added another front-stuffer to the collection. Nice Parker Hale built .58 calibre Enfield 1861, plan on using it at Easter at the Australian Muzzle-loading Championships. This is an event that has been held at Hill End ( NSW ) for the last 60+ years. Unfortunately, it was cancelled for a number of reasons but luckily a club at Gunnedah has put their hand up to host it this year. The programme has been changed to suit their range but I am going to attend despite the lack of any long range events. ( My favourites )

Found out I've got the weekend off so I might drive up, probably shoot my brown bess and the 3 bander
You wouldnt have the contact details? I remember having or seeing an email but cant find it.

[Gamerancher]

Here's the information I received. I sent an email indicating that I was going to attend, Ken got back to me with a "no worries".

AMLChampionships Flyer (1).pdf

(184.21 KiB) Downloaded 591 times

AMLChampioships Program (1).pdf

(391.75 KiB) Downloaded 717 times

[bigpete]

New hunting spot?

Not really

[Gamerancher]

So, after repairing water leaks in our pipeline, feeding cattle, fixing the truck, finishing a knife build and various other jobs that needed doing, I finally got a chance to have a shot with the Enfield. The shoot I'm going to at Easter has a class for Military musket shot off-hand at 25 yards, so I did the first test for that. First shot/sighter is the one high right, then put 5 shots into the black. Pretty happy with the result. Looks like she's a shooter
45gr 2F Swiss, 560gr pure lead Minie', RWS musket cap.

Enfield at 25yards.jpg (62.99 KiB) Viewed 6466 times

[Maxjon]

I think i need another caplock rifle....Watching this topic..

[wrenchman]

I don't hunt with black powder as much as I wish I did sxs 12 gauge me and my son have been working on

[bladeracer]

I think i need another caplock rifle....Watching this topic..

I'm surprised I haven't already commented on this thread, I'm loving blackpowder.
Last year I was shooting Cowboy with 1858 cap and ball revolvers, .38 Special rifles and 12ga Coachgun, all blackpowder. This year I'm shooting blackpowder cartridges in 1873 Single-Action Armys, .38 Special and .44-40 rifles, and 12ga. Coachgun.

It's time-consuming to load the ammo, and it's expensive, but it's so much fun making smoke

I barely had enough black .44-40's to do The Battle of Walkers Creek at Little River last weekend (blackpowder-only three-day shoot). I didn't have time to load black during the week so I bashed together some smokeless for yesterday's club shoot and had a train wreck. Two stoppages in the rifle that required disassembly, and two very light rounds in the pistols that I was sure had not left the muzzle, so I stopped shooting. Turned out that the bullets had gone downrange so the only damage was to my scores

[Maxjon]

Screenshot_20220309-164206_Gallery.jpg

Just thought I'd chuck in a pic of the last thing I shot with a muzzleloader, a bunny from about 30m with my .36 Seneca. This thing hits way harder than I reckon most people would think,especially seeing as the only load that works in it using round ball is 60gn of 2f,and is doing well over 2000fps according to the charts. Also shows the first powder horn I made,plus the shooting bag a mate made for me in trade

Nice work Bigpete! I like the idea of a .36 cal, but i know stuff all about the front suffers!

[Maxjon]

I think i need another caplock rifle....Watching this topic..

I'm surprised I haven't already commented on this thread, I'm loving blackpowder.
Last year I was shooting Cowboy with 1858 cap and ball revolvers, .38 Special rifles and 12ga Coachgun, all blackpowder. This year I'm shooting blackpowder cartridges in 1873 Single-Action Armys, .38 Special and .44-40 rifles, and 12ga. Coachgun.

It's time-consuming to load the ammo, and it's expensive, but it's so much fun making smoke

I barely had enough black .44-40's to do The Battle of Walkers Creek at Little River last weekend (blackpowder-only three-day shoot). I didn't have time to load black during the week so I bashed together some smokeless for yesterday's club shoot and had a train wreck. Two stoppages in the rifle that required disassembly, and two very light rounds in the pistols that I was sure had not left the muzzle, so I stopped shooting. Turned out that the bullets had gone downrange so the only damage was to my scores

Hi Blade, are youba member of the Vmlc? I was chatting to a bloke at the Ballarat Military show that was representing the Vmlc, he was a nice bloke. Made me wanna join on the spot....Might have to get to a shoot....I have a rolling block carbine in 45 colt, but a 45cal ML would be nice...

[bladeracer]

Hi Blade, are you a member of the Vmlc? I was chatting to a bloke at the Ballarat Military show that was representing the Vmlc, he was a nice bloke. Made me wanna join on the spot....Might have to get to a shoot....I have a rolling block carbine in 45 colt, but a 45cal ML would be nice...

I'm not. I do have a .45 Hawken Rifle but I don't shoot any blackpowder competition. The club secretary keeps sending me nomination forms for blackpowder pistol competitions but my 1858's really aren't up to precision standards for that. A mate has two .36-cal pistols, one of which has very nice sights, that I could use. But I haven't found the time to spend working up precision loads for them.

I love shooting blackpowder. I've even shot ISSF club matches with blackpowder .44-40 and .38 Special

[Maxjon]

Hi Blade, are you a member of the Vmlc? I was chatting to a bloke at the Ballarat Military show that was representing the Vmlc, he was a nice bloke. Made me wanna join on the spot....Might have to get to a shoot....I have a rolling block carbine in 45 colt, but a 45cal ML would be nice...

I'm not. I do have a .45 Hawken Rifle but I don't shoot any blackpowder competition. The club secretary keeps sending me nomination forms for blackpowder pistol competitions but my 1858's really aren't up to precision standards for that. A mate has two .36-cal pistols, one of which has very nice sights, that I could use. But I haven't found the time to spend working up precision loads for them.

I love shooting blackpowder. I've even shot ISSF club matches with blackpowder .44-40 and .38 Special

Fair enough....I might get another 45 caplock rifle at some point, if i can find one with a good barrel...