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Muzzleloader Basics

WoundedWolf
I never thought the day would come, but I'm actually starting to get interested in blackpowder muzzleloaders. I really know nothing about them so I'm hoping to get some basic direction. I am specifically interested in the "traditional" muzzleloaders. I have a coworker that is involved in the Mountain Man Rendevous stuff, so I am interested in learning about pre-1840s style muzzleloaders, such as the Kentucky Long Rifle. I haven't been able to find any modern firing replicas of these old guns online, so some manufacturer suggestions would be appreciated. I have heard the names CVA and Knight thrown around, but CVA's website appears to be mostly modern looking guns. I haven't found a website for Knight.

Also, I would be interested in the comparison of flint-lock vs. percussion caps. I understand that caps didn't become commonplace until after the War of 1812, so I am curious if they are readily accepted by re-enactors.

Any info is much appreciated.

-WW

wwsm.GIF
"...That the people have a right to keep and bear arms; that a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defence of a free state."

-The Debates in the Convention of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution. June 27, 1788.
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Comments

8 comments

Date Votes
  • gruntled
    www.dixiegunworks.com

    Send for their catalog. Not only do they have everything you might need but by the time you finish reading it you will have learned
    more than we could ever tell you. (It's well over 700 pages.)
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  • steveg
    I have a cva 50 cal its a nice gun for the money they are not to pricie as for flint-lock or percussion go with the percussion cap less pain
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  • richbug
    Remember... powder, then patch, then ball. Always that order, get mixed up and you will have work to do.

    .
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  • codenamepaul
    ...and clean, clean, clean, after that clean some more. Then a little oil.


    Ted Kennedy's car has killed more people than my gun.
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  • Chief Shaway
    Go with a flinter and you won't regret it.
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  • mazo kid
    There are guns out there; just do a search on this or other site for "flintlock", "muzzleloader", "percussion rifle", etc. I picked up a dandy custom left hand flintlock last summer on this site. Emery

    "Well done is better than well said"
    Ben Franklin
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  • r_himmelreich
    I have a CVA percussion, a Rem 700ML (in-line) and a Lyman Great Plains Rifle (flintlock). I like the flint with the traditional round ball. 50 cal is the most popular and that is what I recommend to start out. I use 90gr of FFFg blackpowder and a patched round ball (.490 diameter). I use FFFFg in the pan. It shoots great and flattens deer. Even got an elk with it! If you plan to use only round balls then go with a slow twist - in the neighborhood of 1 in 66". For other conical bullets or sabots you will want a faster twist like a 1 in 28" which is what my percussion and in-line have. Remember to clean between shots with a wet patch and then a dry one then load again. When you get home or better yet at the range, clean the ENTIRE rifle not just the barrel. Rely on your coworker. Ask to shoot his weapons first. Most muzzleloader folks I know jump at the chance to welcome a new member. There seems to be less "my gun is bigger/better than yours" in the muzzleloader crowd. After all, we are going backwards not forwards! Don't get me wrong I enjoy all shooting sports but there is just something about doing it the old-fashion way.

    I started out with the flint then ventured deeper into muzzleloaders. I wanted to hunt like yesteryear and started talking to a guy at the range with a long barreled flinlock. He recommended the Lyman and then we met at the range and started shooting. It is simple and fun.
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  • surbat6
    Excellent advice, Himmelreich. The Lyman Great Plains Rifle in either flint or percussion is a good replica of a fur-trade era gun, a better choice for a buckskinner than, say, a T/C Hawken, because the Great Plains is styled like an early 19th century gun, while the T/C has more modern lines. The slow-twist barrel and round ball would be the choice for a rendezvous (some booshways don't allow conicals).
    As to the choice between flint and percussion, get what you like. I own both types of muzzleloader and I like both.

    "I think of my gun as a tool for converting worthless human garbage into valuable fertilizer." John Dollar in the novel "Bridge City" by Fred Rexer
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