Hi everyone

[ottawa rogue]

Hi guys, i'm kinda new around here, been lurking for a while.
I'm getting ready to order a huntsman barrel for my pardner.  I'm new to blackpowder, this will be my first one.
what all am i gonna need?  bullets, powder, primers, bullet starter, patches, solvent, possibly a sturdier ramrod, and an assortment of jags/tips.  does this sound like a good start?  am i missing anything?

i'm thinking of starting off with some loose pyrodex to get the hang of this thing, and some cheapshot sabots....no sense spending money to get started.  i can always go out and buy some more before hunting season

[eye shot]

  If your new I would suggest Harvester crushed rib sabots so you don't get dismayed by how hard some of the other sabots go down the barrel. One other thing go to a auto parts store and get some anti-seize lubricant for your breech plug theads.

[coop2564]

Dont shoot over 4 or 5 times before loosening the breech plug I try not to shoot over 3 before I loosen and snug up dont make it tight either just kinda bump it up against bottom.  You will get better accuracy with loose powder and have much better ignition. T7 pellets do not work well in these guns due to breech design. Pryodex pellets work OK but again loose will let you work up a more accurate load for your gun. Your making a custom hand load every shot with a ML  so its important to load same pressure on bullet every shot with loose powder seat bullet very firm on powder with pellets just snug, to tight will break pellet and ruin accuracy.

[ottawa rogue]

sooo, i should stick with the loose powder then?  sounds like a plan.   looks like a powder flask is in order too.  most of my friends shoot the pellets, i could try some of theirs to see how well they work i guess:D

how are these rifles with conicals?  i might try some just to see how well they shoot.
anything to watch out for aside from the ramrod?

one other thing, are the huntsmans D&Td for a scope base?  we have to use open sights for the muzzleloader season here in Kansas, but for the regular firearms season, we can use optical sights

[coop2564]

The barrels are drilled and tapped and come with fiber optic sights williams sights I believe.  You can buy a pour spout for the loose powder cans instead of a flask but will need a volume measurer. I like the ramrod but you will need a few things to make it work.  A 8/32 to 10/32 adator and a jag for pointed bullets and this will make it a little long wtih the adator so grined off the wooden end to fit flush with end of barrel. These are some things you might want to look at. Go to these links.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=001061345
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000307222
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat601638&id=0012634215470a&navCount=1&podId=0012634215470&parentId=cat601638&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601638&hasJS=true
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat200005_TGP&id=0037633216146a&navCount=5&podId=0037633&parentId=cat200005&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat200005&hasJS=true
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_216146&id=0006506214075a

[Keith Lewis]

If you find the stock ramrod a little wimpy and do not want to deal with the incorrect thread and inability to seat pointed bullets you should check out Hubbardoutdoors.com for a replacment rod that is much stronger and two inches longer when extended and has the correct threads and has a relieved end for pointed bullets. I have one and it is super!! As far as a powder flask you may find that it is easier to measure out charges and store them in small tubes or bottles. That way the loose powder is as handy as pellets. At the range I just add a pour spout to the powder cans and use them as a flask it I need to pour powder into a measure. The spouts are usually available at a store that handles black powder stuff. If you decide to mount a scope buy the mount from H&R and you will get the mount and a hammer extension very reasonable and it will have slots far enough to the rear to work with the rifle. There are other mounts available that are supposed to fit but they do not have the rear slot available and will not allow the scope to be mounted far enough to the rear. I know as I bought the wrong one first and had to order the correct one from H&R.

[ottawa rogue]

I saw the replacement rod at hubbard's, looks like a good piece.  i've also thought about buying some speed loaders for the powder and bullet, cabelas has some that look good.  I'm waiting for Bass Pro to open in olathe, kansas-they should have some good deals for grand opening:D

THanks a lot guys,  looks like i'm set
Bryan

[usherj]

If you are looking for a decent flask and measure, check this one out:
 
http://www.prbullet.com/measure.htm

Very well made and it comes with great instructions.

[ottawa rogue]

Hey, i like that, that's pretty slick

[ottawa rogue]

as far as a range rod goes, i've got several carbon arrows laying around.
  i could take one and fill the insert with JB weld, and tap that for 10/32 threads, and add a handle.
they're 32.5" so they might work ok

[MSP Ret]

I would nix that idea of using a carbon arrow for a range rod Ottawa Rogue. You sometimes have to push quite hard on a rod and if the effort is even a bit off of perfectly straight you would end up picking carcon fibers out of your hand, and thats not fun. If you need something cheap and strong for a range rod buy yourself a 3/8" "Ramin wood" dowel 36" long. They are much stronger than carbon, cedar, or cheap pine dowels and I use them for arrow shafts. Please, please don't use a carbon arrow shaft for a range rod, it's very dangerous....<><....

[ottawa rogue]

I thought about that after i posted it, you're right.  i had a gold tip blow up on me last year about 3 ft past the bow, i wouldn't want that stuff in my hand.  i always flex my arrows before every shot, even the aluminums, and this one showed no signs of being bad, no scuff marks on the shaft even
thanks again.
Bryan

[MSP Ret]

It's OK my friend, those pieces of carbon arrows are deadly in more ways than one. I would not want you to get hurt....<><....

[ottawa rogue]

Thanks for your concern, bro.  nice to know that there are guys out there looking out for us noobs