Pulled my dad's percussion gun off the wall where it has resided for over 20 years and want to get it going. It is marked simply "CAL 45" and "blackpowder only" and is a "Kentucky" style rifle with full stock. I disassembled and cleaned it well but could only find the powder measure and ramrod but no other tools for loading. Can some of you more experienced guys give me a nudge in the right direction? I know I'll need a starter, some patches, balls (not sure of size maybe .440)caps and some powder. Not interested in hunting at this point, just want to put a few patched balls downrange. This is my first try at "black" but otherwise I have been loading and casting for rifle and pistol for the last 15 years or so...

You should get a short starter. It can be loaded with the ramrod only, but it is safer and easier to start the ball with a short starter. In addition, as you mentioned, you need caps, balls, patches, a cleaning jag of the right size, a nipple wrench, and of course, powder. If using black, get FFFg for a .45 caliber. Otherwise, use an FFFg equivalent if using a substitute powder. This would be Pyrodex P, or FFFg in CleanShot (American Pioneer), or 777. 60 grains with a round ball is a good starting or target charge in a .45 with most powders, but use only 50 grains of 777 for a starting load.

Try a .445" ball to begin with, and .010" thick TC lubed patches. If you start with .440" balls, you may need a thicker patch, like .015" or even cotton pillow ticking material. You will need a jag and some good cleaning patches to remove all oil from the bore, then pop a couple of caps on the nipple before loading to make sure all oil is out of the breech area first. Hold the muzzle down against a leaf or blade of grass on the ground when popping the caps. If the cap concussion moves the leaf, the breech is clear, and loading can proceed.

I clean my guns by removing the nipple (need a good-fitting nipple wrench for this), and pouring two quarts of boiling water through the barrel. I use NO SOAP or other stuff for cleaning, just plain boiling water. (Wrap a long rag around the barrel to hold the gun with so you don't burn yourself. If the barrel can be removed from the stock, take it out before cleaning it.) While the barrel is still hot, wipe it with three or four clean, dry patches. After it cools to the point that you can touch it, oil it with Break-Free or Birchwood-Casey Sheath for protection. Sheath is good, because it dries, and will not cause possible misfires the next time you load up. Then wipe all visible fouling off the external surfaces using a damp patch or rag, and oil everything outside.

Good luck, be safe, have fun. Once you get good whiff of real black powder smoke, you will be hooked!!

[ 07-16-2003, 18:55: Message edited by: eldeguello ]

Wolfrum1,

There is one more "trick" I'd like to add.

Drill a hole in the side of your ball starter about 3/8" deep and the diameter of your ramrod, so that when you seat the ball you can use the starter ball as a "handle" for the ramrod....

Have fun!,

Bill

There are lots of good places to get the extras but I like www.northernrifleman.com out of Minnisota. derf