I'm done with blackpowder subs for good!

[Lnk]

I totally agree with you. If I get a deer with my rifle or inline, I switch to my sidelock for the rest of the season. Planning to get a Kentucky long rifle at some point. Inlines are just front loading caseless center-fire rifles so may as well be able to use center-fire powder in them.

Aren't there enough smokeless rifles now. I enjoy the black powder for the nostalgia and the challenge. Loading with smokeless, might as well use a cartridge rifle. How about gun cotton?

 

[FergusonTO35]

The point I was making is, in lines have little to do with traditional muzzleloading and I see no reason to limit them to BP and subs, given that they are already unlimited in every way except using cartridges. Blackhorn 209 is in fact smokeless powder with black powder burn and pressure characteristics. My single shot .45-70 with sights and Trapdoor spec lead bullet ammo is actually more primitive than a modern inline muzzleloader.

 

[Lnk]

The point I was making is, in lines have little to do with traditional muzzleloading and I see no reason to limit them to BP and subs, given that they are already unlimited in every way except using cartridges. Blackhorn 209 is in fact smokeless powder with black powder burn and pressure characteristics. My single shot .45-70 with sights and Trapdoor spec lead bullet ammo is actually more primitive than a modern inline muzzleloader.

I understand what you're saying, just don't see how clouding things any more helps. At least make a "primitive" rifle hunter have to clean it after shooting. Lol

 

[Loony661]

I understand what you're saying, just don't see how clouding things any more helps. At least make a "primitive" rifle hunter have to clean it after shooting. Lol

The states are more worries about license sales, than they are about actual tradition.

 

[Lnk]

The states are more worries about license sales, than they are about actual tradition.

True. Didn't think of that.

 

[beaglebriar]

I’ve had zero issues with T7 pellets in the inline. The flintlock however is BP only for me. Nothing else fires as quickly. Lord knows we don’t need any more time to flinch..

 

[FergusonTO35]

Aren't there enough smokeless rifles now. I enjoy the black powder for the nostalgia and the challenge. Loading with smokeless, might as well use a cartridge rifle. How about gun cotton?

I understand what you're saying, just don't see how clouding things any more helps. At least make a "primitive" rifle hunter have to clean it after shooting. Lol

I agree with you, however "primitive" went out the window a long time ago. Really, the only actual handicap of a modern inline compared to a cartridge rifle is slower reloading. There are a few states which still require percussion caps or flintlocks. I think Pennsylvania has a special season just for flintlocks.

Most of my rifle season hunting is done with a .30-30 lever action with sights or a low power scope, or my single shot .45-70 with only sights. All nineteenth century technology. As said before, I still hunt with my sidelock an awful lot. Planning to use it tomorrow in fact. So, I embrace the old tech side of things too.

 

[blackbruin]

The cleanest burning black powder is swiss by far.
Way cleaner than goex.
No issue getting any powder here in pennsylvania.
Your patch is easy to remover. Trickle some 4f down the touch hole or nipple and pop it out. You have a patent breech. Its .30 caliber. If you use a .30 cal.brush you will clean that small cavity to the main charge.
Best lube i have ever used is bear grease. Better than ballistol or wonderlube etc. Mink oil is a close second. The patch material matters.
Ive been flintlocking with custom rifles for 25 years now. I have a few made by allen martin. Ive made a few with his tutelage.
From a barrel inletted into a plank..look up his work. Allenmartinrifles dot com.
Not cheap but well made and hold their value by far.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks, I trickled some powder into the drum and popped off a cap, cleared it no problem. Probably order Swiss or Schuetzen powder. May get into rocklocks someday, they are pretty sweet.

 

[blackbruin]

Scheutzen is one of the dirtiest. Fyi

 

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks, I'll remember that. I only shoot mild loads in both my sidelocks and inline. 60 grains Pyrodex P under a PRB in sidelock, 60 grains Pyro RS with 370 grain Maxi bullet in the inline. Would I be better off just ordering FFFg for all my rifles?

 

[Master Bud II]

Probably... with the one Exception Being the Maxi-Ball
Bud

 

[Master Bud II]

It Won't Hurt to Try, You'll Probably End Up with Better Accuracy, ( Because of Grater Bullet Upset) But with a slight increase in Recoil.

 

[FergusonTO35]

Thanks. I'm bidding on a cheap fixer upper .45 caliber CVA Kentucky rifle right now. What groove diameter are .45 muzzleloader rifles usually? Are they nominally the same as a cartridge rifle like .45-70?

 

[Master Bud II]

It's A Crap Shoot, Typically You Adjust The Fit With the Patch Thickness.
.440" ball and anywhere Between a .010 - .015" Patch. If You Can't Beat It Down the Barrel, It's Too Tight, If The Center is Burned-out, It's Too Loose... and if you're casting your own balls,
" Spurr " Up ●
I Like going through Buffalo Arms co. ( .com. ) out of Idaho.
I Believe Dixie Gun Works is still around. The Oldest Company in the US. That Deals with Muzzle loaders.

 

[Master Bud II]

The Muzzle loaders, are Closer to a True
" caliber " so that 45 cal. Rifle is ( around ) .450"
Were 45acp is .451" and 45-70 is .458" bore diameter. 50 cal Handgun is .500" 50cal Bp. Is .500" But, 50 Bmg ( Machine-gun ) is .510" Bore Diameter.

 

[Master Bud II]

When It Comes to Stupid Gun Trivia, I'm The Go to Guy " Rain Man " I Worked in The Firearm Industry for ten years Prior to Becoming An Officer. Of 26yrs. Met Many A Great People in Those Years. Many Great Memories, just Not Enough Money ( for guns) and no benefits. Except for two weeks vacation Except for hunting season, or holidays.

 

[FergusonTO35]

The Muzzle loaders, are Closer to a True
" caliber " so that 45 cal. Rifle is ( around ) .450"
Were 45acp is .451" and 45-70 is .458" bore diameter. 50 cal Handgun is .500" 50cal Bp. Is .500" But, 50 Bmg ( Machine-gun ) is .510" Bore Diameter.

Hmm, so that means a .45 caliber muzzleloader should be able to use the various .45 handgun molds, assuming the fit is proper and you can jam it down the barrel.

 

[Master Bud II]

It Has to Be Cast of Pure Lead, or 99/ 1 part tin. And Since that Barrel is a 1 in 66" twist It Will Need to Be a Light Weight bullet No More than 200gr. 185 would be better.

 

[Lnk]

Hmm, so that means a .45 caliber muzzleloader should be able to use the various .45 handgun molds, assuming the fit is proper and you can jam it down the barrel.

Also, look for hollow base bullets if going for groove diameter bullets. You won't be able to fully engrave the rifling on the bullet seating it, but with a hollow base it will obturate and seal the bore. I agree 200 grains max, and pure lead.