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Thread: Starting from scratch - whats my shopping list?

  1. #1
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    Starting from scratch - whats my shopping list?

    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?
    Frank

  2. #2
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    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.

  3. #3
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    Shopping List

    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

  4. #4
    davederrick's Avatar
    davederrick is offline With our thoughts, we make the world
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    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.
    "I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." - Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

  5. #5
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    Talking

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

  6. #6
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    A capper is useful too, especially if you have stumpy fingers.

  7. #7
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    What calibre revolver & BP rifle have you put on your application

    Roy

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  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by harricook View Post
    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.
    Frank

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    davederrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Effigy View Post
    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.
    "I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." - Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

  10. #10
    davederrick's Avatar
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    You also need a box to store the black powder in, needs to be an approved design.
    "I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." - Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by davederrick View Post
    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.

    Quote Originally Posted by davederrick View Post
    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?
    Frank

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by Effigy View Post
    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.

  13. #13
    davederrick's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Effigy View Post
    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).

    Quote Originally Posted by John Bedford View Post
    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.
    "I'm all in favour of keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of fools. Lets start with typewriters." - Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959)

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Effigy View Post
    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
    AirArms Tx200 Mk111 .177, HW98 .22, Daystate X2sports .22, Beretta Silver Pigeon V 12G, Thomas Wild 12G SxS hammer, Beretta Trap 12G
    "Happiness is a warm barrel" doctordoom

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by doctordoom View Post
    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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