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We had a chance to shoot a bald monkey's black powder revolver this weekend, oomans, and liked it. It was a .44 Uberti jobby, nitro converted (Anvil ?) We popped some primers on the nipples, poured in some powder from a nice brass thingummy, then dropped a ball onto each chamber and used the rammer to drive it home.

We took up a proper shooting stance, rear paws at 45 degrees and held the revolver in our right forepaw, left forepaw behind our back, and fired 6 rounds. Recoil was a gentle shove and the muzzle didn't flip much, nowhere near as much as a Brownin' Hi-Power or Sig. We made a 5* round group of just over 9 inches at 25 mards, which might not be super impressive but the shower of sparks and oooj clouds of smoke brought a smile to our face.




* We're not sure the where the first round went, it wasn't on the (12x12 inch) paper.

If we were to be converted to the Dark Arts, would we just need to apply for a Blacke Powder licence and then simply ask for a variation for a rifle in .58" calibre ? (We like the idea of an olde style muzzle loading rifle...)

You would also need a licence to acquire and keep black powder, luckily they are free of charge.

I think you also need a wooden storage box for your true black powder to go in, and I have heard (although correct me if I'm wrong) that the local Fire Brigade need to be notified of its location. Otherwise, go for a substitute and save the faff with another license and more storage issues

The fire brigade are not involved---most fire officers consider a can of hairspray to be more potentially dangerous than a can of black powder. The substitutes are rubbish. They give high pressure spikes and are almost unbelievablely corrosive. Black powder is not very corrosive--it earned its reputation in the days when corrosive primers were used.
The substitutes have one advantage---they are more readily available.
Fred

*ikkle brain fries*

We were told that not only were substitute powders better than ye olde sulphurous dragon's breath, they were also more consistent and less corrosive too.

No, the substitutes have all sorts of issues with them. Proper B/P is the way to go, but as said, the substitutes have the advantage of being readily available with no additional certification.

We were about to say, "get ye behind me, Satan," but then, on reflection, we think we'd rather have Satan in full view afront of us, 'tween cross hairs well sighted...

meles meles wrote:*ikkle brain fries*

We were told that not only were substitute powders better than ye olde sulphurous dragon's breath, they were also more consistent and less corrosive too.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

They saw you coming there! What a gullible old badger.

Personally I have too much respect for my black powder guns to use substitutes.

Black Powder substitute is a real oxymoron.

So, would the same apply to a single shot (ie non revolver) muzzle loading pistol like a duelling pistol ? We fancy a muzzle loader, fired by percussion caps, but still aren't sure about the whole black powder route...

What is the reasoning behind not using a tiny charge of modern smokeless powder?