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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,679 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,679 Likes: 1 |
I haven't done anything with a muzzle loader in 15 or 20 years, did a lot in the 80's, 90's and into to 00's. Time to return. I dug my TC Renegade .50 out this morning and started going through my gear, looks like I am pretty complete, but I have a few questions.
First off, I have some real Black but also some Goex Clear Shot and APP CleanShot. Question: Do those last two load 1 to 1 by volume as Black? IOW, if I set my measure to, say, 90gr Black, will it throw the Goex and APP to a safe and more or less equivalent charge?
If I hate the substitutes, is there any reason I shouldn't load them in .44 Special or Magnum cases and play with them in one of my handguns? I've done that with Black long ago, worked just like it should; lots of smoke, lots of stink, lots of boom, it was lovely.
I broke the original ramrod back in the Jurassic and replaced it with an unbreakable synthetic which has a tip on the bullet end but no ferrule on the other end. I'd like to use it with a T-handle or ball at the range, do any of you know where to find a ferrule?
Besides Track of the Wolf, where are my best online sources?
Thanks in advance.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 55
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Feb 2024
Posts: 55 |
Do you have a good supply of #11 percussion caps? They are next to impossible to find and if you do they are rediculously expensive.
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1,944 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1,944 Likes: 3 |
The substitute powders are designed to match 1:1 with Holy Black by volume, so yes, set your volume measure to your desired charge and shoot. They do NOT match 1:1 by weight though. The subs are generally lighter by weight, but take up the same volume.
Per your ramrod ferule. ToW is usually my go-to for any parts, but there's also MuzzleLoader Builders Supply, Log Cabin Shop, Dixie Gun Works, and a host of others that show up in a Google search. They're all good supply houses.
Did you consider drilling a shallow 3/8" hole in the ball of your short starter to place over the end of your ramrod to seat bullets easier? I do that anyway regardless if the rod is bare end or not. Makes it stupid easy on the hand to get the right seating pressure and I don't have anything like a T handle to keep track of.
If I need to do any cleaning or pulling at the range I have a long brass range rod that will withstand any abuse I can dish out, where a normal ramrod is best left to just load with.
I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children may live in peace. ~~ Thomas Paine
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,679 Likes: 1
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,679 Likes: 1 |
Thanks, men,
Yes, I understand it's measured by volume not weight, just wanted to confirm my memory for safety's sake. I'll take a look at the starter, I did some DIY stuff back in the day.
Sadly, I don't have a lot No. 11's.
'Four legs good, two legs baaaad." ---------------------------------------------- "Jimmy, some of it's magic, Some of it's tragic, But I had a good life all the way." (Jimmy Buffett)
SotG
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Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1,944 Likes: 3
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 1,944 Likes: 3 |
On the caps.....
Look up "sharpshooter 22 LR reloader".
He has a cap maker kit on that site. We bought one and fiddled with it some. We tried the hammer route with it, but I think using it with a vise or arbor press would work a lot better. Heck, maybe i could even rig up something with my Rock Chucker press.
Make your own caps. Form the cup out of heavy beer can aluminum, then stick a dab of priming compound in it. Pretty rave reviews across the muzzleloader specific forums on the thing. Someday I'll mess with ours a little more. I'm more prone to shooting a flintlock than needing caps though.
I prefer peace. But if trouble must come, let it come in my time, so that my children may live in peace. ~~ Thomas Paine
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 14,048 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 14,048 Likes: 1 |
those subs being this old, may just go phzzzzz. both deteriorate with time. really, I would use them to fertilize the roses.
the consolidation of the states into one vast republic, sure to be aggressive abroad and despotic at home, will be the certain precursor of that ruin which has overwhelmed all those that have preceded. Robert E Lee ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,107 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 19,107 Likes: 5 |
Most replacement ramrods I have bought and used, all cane one length. A ferrule was supplied for the one end that you cut. Sometimes ther were sold separately. Be sure not to get a fiberglass one.
The Mountain Man store in Manitou Springs,CO has them.
If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles
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