The 54 with a round ball will work just fine on Kudu. If you get the 1 in 48 twist you would want the maxi ball type bullets. Sabots don't shoot real good with this twist, needing a much faster one.
Don't try to grind that blasting powder, it will get you. Blasting powder is different then gunpowder and detonates rather then burns fast. I would NOT put it in a gun.
Most work in the production of black powder is done with it being wet.

Hi Guys,

I've never owned or even shot a ML before so I am a complete newbie.

Here in South Africa the authorities have de-regulated ML rifles that are antiques or replicas of antiques. In-lines like the Knight rifles are still regulated.

So I am keen to get into this to add another dimension to my hunting and target shooting. I shoot plains game animals, lots of impala, the odd kudu and wildebeest, and mostly up close (less than 100m).

There are a few rifles available out here at dealers and I just want to get your thoughts before I select a calibre and rifle. I'm looking at percussion style rifles only.

Here's what's available:

A Lyman Deerstalker stainless in 54 cal 1:48 twist. What kind of projectiles can I use that will give me good performance on the game I've mentioned above. I trust the twist is fast enough to stabilise the heavy conicals and sabots I am leaning towards. It is also in the price range I am thinking of. The Lyman can also take a peep sight.

Then there is a Ardesa Hawken Woodsman 50 cal with a 1:48 twist

An Ardesa Hawken match rifle in 451 cal with a 1:20 twist. A bit pricey tho'

Lastly Ardesa have two short ML's called the Buckskinner and Deerhunter in 45 cal but these have a slow 1:66 twist, which if I am not mistaken is only useful for round ball type projectiles. (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Then a question on powder. Up here in the bush the nearest source of BP is a dimension stone quarry who use stuff they call Blasting powder. It is pretty coarse. What is the average grain size of FFG?, I am thinking I can take this stuff and grind it up and sieve it, as it will be a whole lot cheaper than getting the proper stuff shipped up from Joburg with the associated HAZMAT licencing fees and police permits. And you can only ship 1kg at a time.

What other stuff do I need to kit myself out with?

If I use Sabots, can I can my own bullets made with harder metal than pure lead, or must they be pure lead?

Is it possible to convert a normal Percussion cap priming system on a sidelock to use 209 primers? (I've seen some posts that allude to this, and I must have over 2000 209's gathering dust in my cupboard)

Cheers

Pete

Pete, I've possibly misread your post so far as rifle availability - are you limited ONLY to those few rifles?



If not, I would suggest you contact Doc White at doc@whiterifles.com http://www.whitemuzzleloading.com/



The man knows his muzzleloaders and has been known to make some up nice traditional stuff that isn't so traditional. And he likes to hunt Africa. http://www.whitemuzzleloading.com/serv01.htm



The rifle I'm specifically thinking of is this one (or similar)





Another rifle you might wish to consider would be the Lyman Great Plains Hunter or even the Davide Pedersoli Mortimer Whitworth.



If you are limited to choosing from only those you mentioned, Lyman quality is quite good from most reports, the only thing I know of Ardesa is they make our "Traditions" brand of muzzleloader. Quality under their own brand name may be better.



I think you should settle on a rifle first. And maybe stay away from that powder you speak of.



The accessories you buy might largely depend upon your choice of rifle. A good range rod will always be nice. You might wish to buy some speed loaders or vials to carry pre-measured charges and loads. Lots of cleaning patches - always lots of cleaning patches. Nipple pick, wrench, patch jag, seating jag, cleaning jag, screw-type jag in case of dry load or stuck bullet, pipe cleaners, toothpicks, and various other materials you'll likely already have. A good carry pouch for your essentials and maybe a few tools. It's always best to be prepared for minor fixes in the field. I'm sure I've left things out and there might well be rifle-specific items you would need, but others will pitch in.



Yes, you most certainly can cast your own conicals but pure lead is as good as it gets for muzzleloaders. Adding much of anything increases hardness and decreases obturation and there goes your accuracy. A fellow named Mose is making bullets just a bit harder with great success but he is adding an annealed copper gas check to insure sealing.



http://sunrisearchery.com/bullet.htm



http://www.warrencustomoutdoor.com/mag-spark.html I haven't a clue as to how well that works. RWS 1075 caps are hard to beat.



Oh, let me add a bit of study material http://www.realtree.com/bluelk/



http://mamaflinter.tripod.com/

Hi Under,

As far as rifle availability is concerned, the only Lyman rifle available is the deerstalker, there are a lot of Ardesa type around but they are all in styles I don't care much for. Also, you can't go into a gunshop and select from about 5 or 6 brands, what the local dealers have done is import only one brand, and a couple of different models. So to select, you have to visit 3 or four dealers and they are pretty widely seperated.

The only "traditional" style of rifle I care for is the Hawken, apart from that I would like something with as modern lines as can be got, short of an in-line style.

The dealer with the Lyman has got all the goodies you mentioned, so hopefully it will be a one stop experience.

I am going down to Joburg on Thursday and I am going to look at all the rifles, hopefully I can bring one back with me.