Starting from scratch - whats my shopping list?

[Effigy]

In anticipation of my FAC coming through, what should my shopping list be?

I've put down for a revolver and a rifle but what else do I need?

Wads, Pyrodex, cleaning kit and.....?

I plan on casting my own and have bought a Lee Prod Pot, so I will need a ball mold and a Minie mold.

I'm new to all this, so what's your advice guys?

[John Bedford]

Best thing to do is to speak to regular BP shooters at your club & see what they use.

A basic (VERY!) starter list would be:-

Caps
Powder and flask (or phials + scales)
Filler (if used)
Balls (+ patches for rifle)
Over ball grease (if used with revolver)
Powder drop tube and ball starter (for rifle)

Cleaning rods/brushes
BP solvent
WD 40
Light oil

ALWAYS wear safety specs - caps tend to fragment on firing and a sliver of hot metal in the eye is bad news!

Hand wipes (wet ones) - BP shooting is a messy business.

[Flashinthepan]

Just to add a few items to John's list.

a bucket or bowl for cleaning
a roll of 4x2 cloth for cleaning.
a "safe T " unloader - beats having to pull a ball!
leatherman type multi tool

Good shooting and enjoy yourself

Nigel

[davederrick]

My 2cents.

Over ball grease - Dont bother just use wads in a revolver, much cleaner.
Filler - I've used it & not used it & didn't see much difference. Some insist, I dont.
Minie bullets - only if you want to, they aren't more accurate but tend to shoot higher than balls due to extra weight. I used to shoot them, gone back to balls.

[john paul]

You'll need a nipple key, and pipe cleaners to clean the nipples.

[ShootingChannel]

A capper is useful too, especially if you have stumpy fingers.

[harricook]

What calibre revolver & BP rifle have you put on your application

Roy

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[Effigy]

Originally Posted by harricook

What calibre revolver & BP rifle have you put on your application

Roy

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I've put down for a .44 revolver and .45/.451 rifle, but I'm going to ask the FEO if I can change that to .577/.58, when he comes for his visit.

[davederrick]

Originally Posted by Effigy

I've put down for a .44 revolver and .45/.451 rifle, but I'm going to ask the FEO if I can change that to .577/.58, when he comes for his visit.

Check with the range(s) where you intend to shoot them. Some ranges limit calibre/muzzle energy. My local range won't allow any BP over .50.

[davederrick]

You also need a box to store the black powder in, needs to be an approved design.

[Effigy]

Originally Posted by davederrick

Check with the range(s) where you intend to shoot them. Some ranges limit calibre/muzzle energy. My local range won't allow any BP over .50.

The other guys shoot .58 so it must be ok I guess.

Originally Posted by davederrick

You also need a box to store the black powder in, needs to be an approved design.

I thought that only applied to 'gun powder' and not Pyrodex or one of the other substitutes?

[John Bedford]

Originally Posted by Effigy

The other guys shoot .58 so it must be ok I guess.



I thought that only applied to 'gun powder' and not Pyrodex or one of the other substitutes?

Correct - the revised storage rules apply to "real" black powder.

The substitutes (pyrodex, Triple 7) need no special storage, nor an explosives licence.

[davederrick]

Originally Posted by Effigy

The other guys shoot .58 so it must be ok I guess.

Probably so, but I have seen certain club people flouting range limits & rules they ought to know about. (No names).

Originally Posted by John Bedford

Correct - the revised storage rules apply to "real" black powder.

The substitutes (pyrodex, Triple 7) need no special storage, nor an explosives licence.

As the man in Orthopedic shoes said "I stand corrected". I knew the licence wasn't needed, but thought the box was. Thanks for clearing it up.

[doctordoom]

Originally Posted by Effigy

I've put down for a .44 revolver and .45/.451 rifle, but I'm going to ask the FEO if I can change that to .577/.58, when he comes for his visit.

With the revolver ask for .44/.45, very annoying if you see a nice Ruger Old Army in .45 and the RFD says "no sorry, your FAC variation says .44"
Enjoy the dark arts of black powder, it's addictive
ATB John

[harricook]

Originally Posted by doctordoom

With the revolver ask for .44/.45, very annoying if you see a nice Ruger Old Army in .45 and the RFD says "no sorry, your FAC variation says .44"
Enjoy the dark arts of black powder, it's addictive
ATB John

Thames Valley wont let you put a 'range' (ie 44/45) down it has to one or the other

When I pointed out to the FEO that both the 44 Remmy NMA & the Ruger OA will both shoot 457 ball or 460 bullet - the guy just glazed over & said ...... please put 44 or 45..........

Any way - I put 44 - bought a Pietta NMA & then swapped it for a Ruger Old Army in 45 cal 6 months later !

Roy

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