New at black powder

milesrhit10 · 12-07-2006, 10:56 AM

I have a muzzleloader that was my fathers and i have been interested in shooting it and hunting with it, but im not too sure what all i need. Ishotgun and bow hunt. It's a .54 calliber. What grain of powder should i use? Thanks guys

cayugad · 12-07-2006, 11:18 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: milesrhit10

I have a muzzleloader that was my fathers and i have been interested in shooting it and hunting with it, but im not too sure what all i need. Ishotgun and bow hunt. It's a .54 calliber. What grain of powder should i use? Thanks guys

I take it this is a traditional sidelock rifle. Do you know the make? Normally the .54 caliber will shoot roundball, .530 diameter and patch with between 80-100 grains excellent. I would use Goex 2f, Pyrodex RS, or Triple Se7en 2f. With the Triple Se7en cut your charge back 15%. See if any of them powders work for you.

Also be sure the rifle is clean and de-greased before you shoot it. It should take a #11 cap if it is a sidelock. Pop about four caps through the nipple before you load. Put a patch on your jag, push it down to the breech and pop a cap and then check the patch for burn marks. If there is burn marks, fire is making it through the channel and you should get good ignition.

Wimuzzleman · 12-07-2006, 02:12 PM

I really cant help ya much on your rifle but talke it from me and listen to what these guys on the forumhave to say. They know their stuff. They have helped me alot in the past year.

chucker34 · 12-07-2006, 02:44 PM

Ditto. I am going to be a newbie next season myself and I have got a lot of great info. here. One thing I would suggest is bringing it into a quality gunsmith to have it checked out. I am doing this with my grandfather's 1930s area shotgun this winter to have it examined from a safety standpoint and to have them refinish it for me (rust on the barrell that I don't want to tackle myself) so it performs flawlessly when I begin using it next year.

Sharp Shooter · 12-07-2006, 03:53 PM

Get some .015 pre-lubed patches, .530 roundballs, and some Pyrodex RS. Start out with 80gr of powder. There is a whole list of things you will need to shoot your muzzleloader. Can you post a pic?

milesrhit10 · 12-07-2006, 04:29 PM

Yah i will work on getting that picture. I am in college and my gun is at home. Im not too sure what model or make it is. It seems to be in nice condition but i was going to take it somewhere to have it checked and cleaned. Would you prefer round balls or sabbots? Thanks for all the help.

Sharp Shooter · 12-07-2006, 10:01 PM

For starting out I would suggest a full bore conical. The Hornady Great Plains works great.
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