How hard is it to learn?
 

Hello, I don't really know anything about black power but am kind of interested in possibly getting into it. I don't have anyone who knows about this stuff to teach me so how could I lean about it? Is it hard to learn? Is there good books that teach you? How do you know how much powder to use? Which gun and bullet?

Is it worth while?

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

A. It's not hard to learn
B. I'm sure there are some good books, but the manual you should receive with a new ML should give you the basics.
C. It defintely worthwhile; it increases your hunting seasons, and gives you something else to play with (by that I mean you can spend as much or as little time as you wish working up loads, experiementing with different powders and bullets, etc). It also provides a bit more (maybe a lot more) satisfaction when you take an animal, since you have had a larger part in putting together the components.

I'm sure you'll get a bunch of replies to this question.

Good Luck and have fun.

IM jaybe :)

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

I agree with Jaybee you will love this sport once you get into to it. Also the manual that comes with the gun will lead you in the right direction on all of your questions.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

Just do it..I let thinking it would be complicated and the short seasons keep me from getting into muzzle loading for many yrs. and I really feel left out because of all the enjoyment lost that I'll never get back.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

So the manual will tell you how to load it and how much power to put in? Do you need a special scale to measure out the powder? If not how do you measure it?

Also I am very familiar with rifles and am comfortable with them but I have always wondered if muzzle loaders are alot more dangerous to new comers. Is it possible to blow your self up or shoot your self when packing in the power and bullet?

Thanks guys.



[/align]

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

When you think of a muzzleloader, think of yourself as an in the field reloader. If you have ever reloaded shotgun shells or cartridges, you have some of the basics already. It's just that there is no casing. You dump the BLACKpowder, then depending on the projectile you seat that next. After you make your ignition source in the back of the rifle or side if it is traditional, the rest is just pure fun.

Sure there are things you are going to have to learn. Forums like this are a real help in getting started when you do not have someone that can show you all the tricks. The big thing is common sense. If the manual says the max load of your rifle is 110 grains of 2f powder, then they mean it. It does not mean to experiment and see how high you can push the rifle. You are technically making a small explosion when you shoot the rifle. The difference is instead of blowing up, the projectile comes out the end. When it does not that is when you have some real problems.

The manual will help. There are books, video, and forums to ask anything you do not understand. Just decide if you want a traditional rifle or an inline, and before you purchase one, feel free to ask some questions on the board here and decide if this is something you want to get in to. I have a feeling the first time you shoot your black powder rifle they will not be able to get the smile off you for a while. And the hunting with them really makes the whole sport of hunting a new level. Once shot, one kill never meant so much as with a muzzleloader.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

As others have said, "Just do it". Its really not that tough, I learned on my own before I discovered forums, and with Cayaugad hanging around these parts you cant miss.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

These guys are being modest. You want to learn quickly? Keep reading these post. I've been learning for months now, and when you have a question, ask it. Cayugad, tripleseven and a ton of others are great and very helpful. I used borrowed equipment last year and I am hooked hard. Good luck.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

It didddnt take me long to learn. Remember, everyone starts somewhere.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

Not hard to learn but you need to find some written directions (there are several books or magazines that give you the basic information). Try to read alot and understand that real black powder is somewhat more sensitive than smokeless powder and must be treated with some respect. It is possible (as with anything else) to hurt yourself if you do not follow the procedures as they have been developed. There is basically nothing dangerous during loading if you follow directions and do not cap the rifle before you load the charge and bullet. The percussion cap (primer) is the last thing that goes on just before shooting. I started black powder about 40 years ago and then set it aside. I am now coming back and have almost put the centerfire rifles aside now. The rifles and materials have improved vastly in the last few years. The old "traditional" rifles will still shoot with the best of the newer "inlines" but require a lot more attention to detail and actually can be more fun to deal with. There are a few ultra-magnum muzzleloaders available at very high costs but for most of the people that can get within 100 yards of game anything on the market will do the job. Don't get wrapped up in the cheapest thing on the market just to see if you like it as you will soon be buying another that is more like what you really wanted in the first place. Personally I would steer clear of the Spanish rifles at this time CVA and Traditions due to questions as to how they proof their barrels (there are a lot of owners that swear by the spanish rifle but I put mine in the safe and stopped shooting it with anything but minimum charges).

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

As a hobby its a blast. You will find a lot of information
listed here. You can look at threads on different MLers,
powder/bullet combinations, likes & dislikes. What you
can find here would fill several books. And you will not
find a more dedicated bunch of powder burners anywhere.
But as already stated the owners manual, is your
bible for safely using any firearm. Read it...put it down
Read it.....put it down.....read it read it read it then
use it. Welcome to a fantastic hobby.......or should
I say way of life.:D

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

I learned everything I know to date from this site and the helpful guys here. I did alot of reading and asking questions here and then bought a rifle and went to it. Not hard at all. I have had no real problems to date, but an incredible amount of fun. Ask away!
Decide what rifle is best for you and then ask about loading, cleaning, powders, projectiles, shooting tips etc.
Once you fire that first load, you will be elated and hooked for life.
There is no question you could ask that would not get a very precise answer from one of our resident experts here.
There are a few rules for safe shooting but no reason to fear any of it.
If you are referring to the thought of igniting the chargefrom the force ofmerely seating a bullet, I know of no such occurances. Powders must be ignited by coming in contact with something of adequate temperature only, I.E. hot sparks. The pressure form your ramrod is not capable of making such temperatures.
Good luck.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

If you have a range in your area there should be some guys out there shooting ML. ML shooters tend to be on the laid back/nice side. Ask questions and someone will answer.

Tom

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

Muzzleloading is new to me. I only shot about ten times and I AM HOOKED! I understand completely that the safety is number one. I purchased T/C Omega from Gander Mountain and asked them a lot of questions before I shot my brand new muzzleloader. I think it is easy because I asked a lot questions and prepare well. I learned a lot from this forum! Keep reading and you and I will learn more!

Enjoy!!!:)

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

Hard to learn? Not at all. :D

Example:
My sister and her kids are from California and spent this past Christmas with me here in Michigan. These kids did not know which end of the rifle was which before we started.

In a matter ofabout four hours worth of firearmsinstruction, detail dissaseembly and reassembly and training, I had my two nephews (14 & 21) and my niece (15) shooting at 50 yards targets and none of them have ever fired a ML before in their life. My niece and youngest nephew never shot anything before.

They were loading PRB'sthemselves, pulling dry balls on a couple of times and shooting up almostthree pounds of powder over two range outings.

I gave my youngest nephew a used but unfired before my buying it at a garage sale 50 caliber T/C Greyhawk with all the accessories and trimmings for this past Christmas.

My niece was shooting my T/C 50 cal New Englander and my oldest nephew was shooting my Investarms 50 cal Hawken.

My niece outshot both boys every roundand was inside of 5-6" most of the time at 50 yards. A true natural! She wants a rifle of her own. So, I have since pieced together a 50 caliber New Englander of her own. I will ship deliver the rifle and complete accessories personally to her this summer for her 16th birthday.

They had an absolute great time and the kids have been out with their "Pappa" (My stepdad) several times since the 1st of the year shooting the Greyhawk.

I also have a 50 cal T/C Hawken that I am refurbishing for my stepdad as he really enjoys taking the kids and likes muzzleloading as well.

You will get from muzzleloading what you put into it, much like any hobby or activity.

If you invest your time for practice, employ patience, follow the manual that comes with the ML and always ask questions like here on the forum.

Budget-wise you need to determine what you can afford.
For a quality used or new rig and all the accessories andtrimmings, plan on $300-500+ depending on the setup.

There are a couple of routes you could take.

I would suggest a quality used or new percussionsidelock for both targeting fun and effective hunting with PRB's or Conicals to get started with. This will be the least expensive to shoot:
[ul][*]50 or 54 caliber Thompson/Center Hawken, New Englander, GreyHawkor Renegade or[*]Lyman Great Plains or Trade Rifle.[/ul]
Another option would be a more modern inline ML if you mostly wanted to hunt. If that be your flavor then there are a wide variety of quality choices from Thompson/Center, Knight, NEF, Savage and others.

Best of luck and hope to hear of you making smoke soon!

Tahquamenon

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

If your thinking in lines look at this site.

http://mlhunter.com/muzzleloadingfaqinfo.htm

:) Al

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

Sam fadala wrote the blackpowder reloading manual for gun digest. It's a gold mine of info. After reading only that book, you'll know all the basics to staying alive with black powder. Good luck.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

i would only buy a TC HAWKINS.50CAL FLINTLOCK.no in-lines.more of challenge and will kill deer as good as in-line.open sights are way to go if your eyes are fairly good. gun looks good, handles good,lot of fun.also gauranteed for life.great company to deal with.i guess you can tell, i like the HAWKINS,ha. take care.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

I have learned more from this forum and other's about muzzleloading than i have from any book i have picked up. Another great forum to learn from is:
www.muzzleloaderforum.com

Good luck and enjoy!

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

real easy.

get a breech action ML (inexpensive [<$200] easy to use & clean)
drop in 2 pyrodex pellets
drop in a bullet (sabot or powerbelt)
slide down bore with ramrod & seat load
primer in nipple
shoot
(practice safe gun habits always)

it really is that simple. the manulas that come with the guns give all the info you will need.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

You are getting a lot of good stuff here. Before I forget If you are planning on hunting make sure you check the local laws where you plan to hunt as there are some restrictions in some areas as to what you can hunt with (some require open actions, some do not allow sabots, some require .50 cal minimum, some do not allow smokeless muzzleloading rifles like the Savage, etc,). By the way Savage is the only smokeless powder rifle at this time other than some add on barrels from an outside supplier so DO NOT USE SMOKELESS POWDER unless you have the right rifle. The suggestion for a flintlock should probably be set aside for a second or third rifle. I have several caplocks, a couple of inlines and just bought my first flintlock. There is a lot more to deal with using a flintlock.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

http://elitetacticalsources.com/sportsmanDIY.htm not specifically to answer the "how difficult" question, but that page has an amazing amount of linked info on it. No end to the trails.

RE: How hard is it to learn?
 

By the way, Spiffy, I was just at Midwayusa.com and saw that they have a video by Thompson Center that covers the basics of Muzzleloading. It's only $7.99. They also have a more expensive one that includes more stuff.It might be a good idea to see someone else actually loading a ML, rather than just reading about it. Of course, the best thing is if you can find someone who can give you some personal instruction. Just a thought.

IM jaybe :)