ORIGINAL: Doegirl75
Expecting my new gun soon! It's a T/C White Mountain Carbine, in .50 cal. I already went to Wally World and got some #11 caps, pyrodex ffg, and some maxihunters (really about the only the conical they had). This is my first sidelock, I'm real excited. Any words of wisdom about sidehammer guns would be greatly appreciated, I'm all ears.
Congrats. You may find that FFFG grade powder is more reliable with the BP substitutes. I've had trouble with the FFG grade powders in a sidelock before. If you can get blackpowder that would be best using FFG but many people cannot find it locally.A tip: afteryou pour the powder down the barrel hold the rifle on it's side, with the nipple down,at a 45 degree angle (muzzle up) and tap the top of the stock at the lock. The idea is to put powder under the nipple to ensure more reliable ignition.
I'm trying to think if there are any more tips specific to sidelocks I can give you but I'm having a brain fart and can't think of any. [:@]