Black Powder Muzzle Loaders - Hunting & Target Shooting

[Campfire]

Bill,

Sorry to read about your archery store closing, I do hope circumstances have picked up for you.

I can totally understand the interest in shotgunning for quail, pheasant. I have a soft spot for black powder vintage side by side shotguns, I have a couple which are black powder shells.

Been keen on some of the pheasant , quail shooting holidays advertised in SA, Tas & NZ. Something I'm keen to do in the next couple of years.

How do you find the Mathews Bow to shoot, I've never fired one.

Cheers

Campfire

[uncyspam]

There was talk of a Cowboy Action club starting up around Canberra a while back - which I'd love to try myself... black powder is too much maintenance if you ask me.

Oh yeah, there was a moral here... Bevan at Fyshwick Firearms knows a thing or three about Blackpowder, I suggest giving him a call to see what they can fit you up with (if you are anywhere in the area still....)

[Bill]

I honestly dont know how it shoots as I have only shot 3 arrows through it.
But I do plan to spend some time with it in the yard this weekend.
Why does everyone say that black powder is to much maintenance?
Cleaning a side lock or percussion cap black powder is simple as.
Stick a small piece of wire down the touch hole to remove any particles.
Dump boiling hot water down the barrel, swish around, empty, repeat till clean water comes out.
Run an oily rag down the barrel and around the outside of the rifle and then lock in the gun cabinet.
When ready to use again just run a couple dry patches down the barrel then have fun.
Now if you shoot an inline muzzle loaderjust pull out the breech plug and clean it like a modern rifle.
It isnt really that much harder to clean a black powder than to clean a modern firearm...
Bill

[Campfire]

Why does everyone say that black powder is to much maintenance?
Cleaning a side lock or percussion cap black powder is simple as.
Stick a small piece of wire down the touch hole to remove any particles.
Dump boiling hot water down the barrel, swish around, empty, repeat till clean water comes out.
Run an oily rag down the barrel and around the outside of the rifle and then lock in the gun cabinet.
When ready to use again just run a couple dry patches down the barrel then have fun.
Now if you shoot an inline muzzle loaderjust pull out the breech plug and clean it like a modern rifle.
It isnt really that much harder to clean a black powder than to clean a modern firearm...
Bill

Totally agree with what your saying there Bill.

I never saw the cleaning and maintenance side as drama. Quite easy when you get into a routine / technique.

Cheers

Campfire

[Tjupurula]

Hi Campfire
As a person who has never been into spear fishing and the like, although I enjoy rod fishing, could you please tell me just what kind of range and what accuracy you get underwater ?  I cannot even begin to estimate those factors.
Regards
Tjupurula