Traditional Muzzleloading on the Cheap

Ran into a member of our forum and found out they had never owned a BP rifle.... they like the forum but have never had the opportunity to own a BP rifle.  Got me to thinking (dangerous)... How many of us really would like a rifle but have never had the opportunity to get the instruction, or maybe cash together to purchase one?

I know myself BP was always an interesting subject but never really wanted to pursue it... all the effort involved.  That is until I was presented with my first BP Rifle.  Now I am hooked and rarely shoot anything else....

Well, you know I only just got one...I love the sport, love the people and love the history behind it.  I think alot of the problem for people is that money is tight.  Always has been for me anyway, but luckily I have really good friends.  :)

I've been hunting for about as long as I can remember.  I've used bows, CF rifles, reload, cast bullets, but didn't get into Muzzleloading until one day the UPS guy hopped out of his van with a long narrow box from my frend in New Hampshire.  Inside the box was a very nice CVA Hawken type muzzleloader.  Hadn't even gone through my first pound of Pyrodex before I was hooked on Muzzleloading.  You can see by my avatar and signature just how bad I'm hooked!  ;D

I've got one. But somebody is still playing around with it. Someday I'll get it back, then I can go out and see if I even like BP shooting.  dntn

My dad started reloading center fire when i was about 4 and was raised around shooting. when i was about 10, he gave me a kit richland arms 1858 we finished it together, he also bought me several books by Sam Fadala, and said we learn together.

he never got bitten by the bug, but i did, after amassing a collection of revolvers, my first rifle was a Pedersoli Tryon, sold a Ruger 77 to get it, and have been hooked ever since, have thinned down the herd, and rebuilt it again, but have never been without a front stuffer.

I tell my wife it is like her shoes, she has a pair that she wears most of the time, but for certain circumstances you need something different, her response was "But my shoes don't cost $300 a pair!"

At least she understands

Ian

  The BP addiction can and will change your life forever. While I am pretty much flat a$$ broke most of the time, I have still managed to get up a collection of 6 rifles, 1 original musket or shotgun from about 1700(or whats left of it. Not what it even really is but hey I still like it) and 2 pistols. Still always lookin for more an adding to my collection whenever I can.
Voy

That's a good topic Jim.

I don't have one yet.  I just check this site out because Jim is a member and it helps me to find ideas for projects for him.  I like to concentrate on the period dress and food ideas....

I do have a modern in-line BP rifle, but not yet one that makes my heart go "pitter-patter".  I am trying to find a buyer for a Springfield Armory GI Model .45 Auto and then I'll get one!  I have reloaded centerfire handguns for many years and used bows, shotguns, leverguns, and bolt action rifles to take many hogs and deer.  Now it's time to pursue meat-making with the smoky black.  hntr

wish you lived a little closer muler 44, i have a thompson center hawken with a .50 and a .54 barrell,  i would try to work a trade,
but oh well.

Ian

  YIKES!!!!!!!
   Muler44 used those nasty words of BP type description.  But at least he does have a start to the sport as he has the interest and he does have a front stuffer -------------of sorts.
  Muler44, your half way there, now ya just gotta find someone to trade that modern thing to for a side lock and ya got it made.
Now to get serious here, Muler44-- hope ya know that once ya get the real thing your life changes forever and there is no turning back. This is an addiction and is considered to be just as hard to beat as most others are.
I got the bug at about 14 and never had the chance to get into it for real until 92 when I got my first one and while I am not well off and cant afford much, I still have managed to get a total of 9 of em an got rid of all my modern ones. Still want a shotgun, but just aint got the extra $800 laying around for the one I found locally that comes with a nice assortment of rendezvous trade goods as a package deal.
Voy

Yes, I know I used "dirtywords" there, and it pained me to write it  :qz: but they say confession is good for the soul, eh?  I have been drawn to the elegance and beauty of brass, steel, and walnut mated together in form of a sidelock rifle since I first had the opportunity to handle a Hawken replica that belonged to a friend of mine in Junior High.  Never had made it happen for myself, but the time is near.  There is some movement in relation to the .45 Auto and I may be making thick clouds of smoke very soon!  Thanks for the warning, Voy, but it's come too late, I think.  I can't stop now!

Ian, whereabouts are you in relation to Austin, TX area?


Muler

North east Mississippi, near Tupelo, a 7-8 hour drive would put me in Alexandria, La. , about the same for you.
Meet in the middle.
Want pictures?

Ian

Oooff!  That is quite a distance!  I was thinking maybe you meant Waco, Houston, or some such.  Thanks for your interest but I'd like to stick closer to home!   ;D

Troy

i used to live alexandria, if i was still there, it would be about 3 hrs each.
but oh well.

Ian