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Hi everyone

I have a notion to get a black powder rifle as one of the guys I worked with had shot a couple and said it was great fun so here's the question, what should you buy as a first black powder rifle?

Are there any out there that are easier to use and clean than others?? What caliber is easiest to buy bullets for and are there any restrictions on owning and using one? I had a look online and found the MLAGB site so had a read through their info so that's about all the knowledge I have.

Would one be cleared for target practice on private ground or do you have to shoot on an approved range??

Any advice will be appreciated.

Regards
Alan

Hi Alan

they certainly are a lot of fun. As for which one, now there's a question :)
Any BP rifle will need a slot on your FAC if you wish to shoot it. There are also smoothbores with fall into the shotgun category so you would only need a SGC.
You have a choice of a BP cartridge rifle or a muzzle-loader. For the latter you can split that into percussion, flintlock or something even earlier.
Cartridge rifles are easier to clean, as you can clean using a rod from breech to muzzle (or I find it's easier with my Martini Henry to go from muzzle to breech) With a M/L all cleaning has to be done from the muzzle and is a bit more involved. To start with, I'd advise a percussion rifle rather than a flintlock, as getting the flint to work reliably is an art in itself. Also with a flintlock you have no option other than to go for a BP cert as Pyrodex isn't really an option for them.
Calibres are a matter of choice, balls can be easily sourced for most popular ones.
Next factor is price. Just like any firearm, there's a huge selection.

My suggestion would be to look for a good, used percussion M/L. A friend bought a Parker Hale P1860 rifle from Kranks in May. He paid around £350 for it, looked like it was hardly used and came in its box with the sergeant's tool. When he bought it he had a choice of several. I'd be surprised if they didn't have a selection of used other models too. I think that a lot of people who buy one get put off with the cleaning, so they don't shoot it as much as they thought and end up trading it in.

Do some searching and see if you can decide on what style you like the look of. I'm biased but I can't see beyond the .577 Enfield family.

As for where you shoot it, that comes down to the suitability of the ground in the opinion of your FLD.

The above are my thoughts, others will have different, or maybe even similar thoughts.

I just noticed you're in Caithness. There are clubs in Tain, Strathpeffer or even us at Cawdor who shoot BP. Maybe a wee run down the A9 for a visit might help you decide

Donald

Cheers Donald

I'll speak to Gregor at Tain to get his opinon, need to pop in anyway for some ammo on my next roadtrip. Time for some more searching on google but thanks for your advice.

Regards
Alan

I'll have one or two up with me if you want a wee play, will have cannon as well.

dromia wrote:I'll have one or two up with me if you want a wee play, will have cannon as well.

That's the best way forward, get your hands on some and see what's involved. I know it's a long way, but we are having a BP shoot at Cawdor on Sun 27th Aug. You'd be more than welcome.

Gregor used to have a very nice P/H Enfield, but someone bought it

Good luck

Donald

MrD wrote:

dromia wrote:I'll have one or two up with me if you want a wee play, will have cannon as well.

That's the best way forward, get your hands on some and see what's involved. I know it's a long way, but we are having a BP shoot at Cawdor on Sun 27th Aug. You'd be more than welcome.

Gregor used to have a very nice P/H Enfield, but someone bought it

Good luck

Donald

Thanks for the king offers guys, much appreciated and will try to wangle a trip down the road me thinks.

All the best
Alan

King offers..??? - meant kind offers .

My advice is to turn back now while you still can!

The whiff of black powder does strange things to an individual, you will sit in the pub after a day at the range sniffing your fingers with a silly grin on your face, you will develop a strange obsession with nipples and lube. Really serious black powder exposure can lead to the spontaneous cultivation of a huge Victorian moustache, like mine!

Depends how much you value your sanity at the end of the day.

legs748 wrote:My advice is to turn back now while you still can!

The whiff of black powder does strange things to an individual, you will sit in the pub after a day at the range sniffing your fingers with a silly grin on your face, you will develop a strange obsession with nipples and lube. Really serious black powder exposure can lead to the spontaneous cultivation of a huge Victorian moustache, like mine!

Depends how much you value your sanity at the end of the day.

That is so true..... For years I only had a ROA and my Martini Henry........ I now have a Zouave smoothbore, P/H P58 rifle, a Le Page pistol and my flintlock pistol is coming next week. More addictive than chocolate

Donald

MrD wrote:

legs748 wrote:My advice is to turn back now while you still can!

The whiff of black powder does strange things to an individual, you will sit in the pub after a day at the range sniffing your fingers with a silly grin on your face, you will develop a strange obsession with nipples and lube. Really serious black powder exposure can lead to the spontaneous cultivation of a huge Victorian moustache, like mine!

Depends how much you value your sanity at the end of the day.

That is so true..... For years I only had a ROA and my Martini Henry........ I now have a Zouave smoothbore, P/H P58 rifle, a Le Page pistol and my flintlock pistol is coming next week. More addictive than chocolate

Donald

Indeed! I have my P/H P58, pietta 51 navy sheriff, Pedersoli Gibbs and have just bought a lovely P/H .451 volunteer two band! Just a flintlock pistol and a decent Brown Bess replica to find then I'm done! (Honest!)