re getting started black powder

[CHRIS HUGHES]

Hi,

My local RFD tells me you have to get a explosives ticket, take a health and safety course.
So please can anyone tell me how to get started and how to go about it.
cheers chris

[DedIdick]

Satisfy the requirements (be a member of a club and have them act as one of your referees). Put in for your FAC for your required firearm.
EG: .44 muzzle Loading revolver

Buy firearm,

Use black-powder equivalents like 777 or pyrodex, then no Explosive licence or HSE RCA document required.

If you decide that you want to use genuine Black Powder explosive, then you will require an Explosives licence and a HSE RCA (Recipient Competent Authority) to transport the black powder.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/information/rca.htm

[CHRIS HUGHES]

Hi,
i was thinking of getting black powder shotgun/musket so as to go on shotgun cert from henry krank,but was not sure of black powder cert.
cheers chris

[enfield2band]

If you are just going to use the gun as a shotgun you do not need to be in a club.
You can apply for an explosive licence from the Firearms dept. and it will be sent automatically. You will then need to copy your FAC and Explosive licence and send it to the HSE in Liverpool who will then send you an RCA document to allow you to carry blackpowder.
If you are going to use a substitute, as previously mentioned, you do not need an explosive licence or an RCA document.

If you are going to use it to fire a single projectile, or less than six pellets, you will need to put it on an FAC as a musket and be in a recognised club.

[CHRIS HUGHES]

I belong to two clubs with a third club less than 3 miles away.
This longs like a long process but looking at it, it should be quite an easy one.
Will try and get my head round it.
Thanks for the advice, i shall be firing a single projectile and use substitute powder.
cheers chris

[markH]

I was under the impression that single ball could be fired on shotgun certificate IF used on approved ranges.

The weapon itself qualifies as a shotgun, and since there are no pre-loaded cartridges there is no need for a FAC from the ammunition point of view.

Once on an approved firing range loading it with a single projectile is no different from using club ammunition in a club rifle.

Obviously it can only be used with normal shot loads outside of approved ranges.

[majex45]

Hi,

My local RFD tells me you have to get a explosives ticket, take a health and safety course.

WHAT? I don't think so. Once you have a firearm (of any section that may be shot) that requires black powder you just have to apply for the Explosives Licence. You will need the special box but you can make that yourself from plans that are on the net.
http://www.black-powder.co.uk/woodenbox.pdf
You then fax the FAC & ExL details to the HSE and they send you back the Transport licence.
Does this make sense, or what? There's some unecessary paper that could be eliminated - Mr Cameron, are you listening?
Perhaps an FAC authorising a muzzle loader could also be the ExL and RCA. Just a thought.