Bit of Advice on BP Pistols for a Newbee Please

[thegreyman]

Alright,

Never really thought of these before as have always regarded them as 'old hat' but in my steadily maturing days, I am getting curious and like the idea of owning a cylinder loading pistol, a-la Clinty's favourite in my dad's favourite film (who's name escapes me - think the pistol is a New Army)?

My club have access to a pistol range once a fortnight, so variation wouldn't be an issue (if I'm allowed to have 50BMG I shouldn't have issues)...

My question is, what sort of costs are involved re: power, bullets and associated bits n bobs, also what specialist equipment (if any) would be required to load up?

All help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Diehard

[tim56]

Hi Diehard. Running costs are not bad but it depends on how much you shoot.
A half decent second hand revolver can be had for £200, TS2 black powder from Peter Dyson costs £13 a 1lb pot and at 20grns a shot lasts several weeks. Caps are about £4 a hundred. Dont know about ball costs as i make my own but i would think around a tenner a hundred. I use semolina as a filler and water pump grease as a lube both which cost next to nowt per shot. Powder philes are about £15 a hundred but last forever and a set of scales to weigh out your powder will see you shooting. You can use a scoop to measure out your powder once you know what size to use saving buying scales so i would expect to be shooting a half decent set up for under £300.
Once shooting with the basics equipment can be picked up second hand as it becomes available. Best to go along to a club that has a group of black powder shooters and talk to them. You may even find they have gear to sell at a good price.
Good luck with it, Tim.
Be warned though, its adictive once you start.

[thegreyman]

Cheers for the info mate

Had a play with a BP rifle the other week which was a strange but intriguing contrast to full bore

Any good suppliers I should deal with?

[tim56]

I tend to use Fenland rural sports in Warboys, Cambs. Thats a long way south from you though or Henry Kranks in Pudsey, Leeds. If you google Henry Kranks they have a good web site with an extensive catalogue of guns + associated stuff. Tim

[thegreyman]

Will have a looksey on Krank's site, thanks again.

[thegreyman]

Got Krank's catalog, excellent amount of gear they sell, shopping list now somewhat expanded and hidden from missus

Need to deside what make 1858 New Army to get now...