Black powder charges

[Leadslugga]

I've never shot a black powder gun, but I have some interest in doing so. I like historical type things.

My grandpa has a collection of reproduction confederate black powder pistols and one or two rifles that he used to build from kits as a hobby. They are functional percussion guns, but he never shoots them.

I imagine that when he passes away they will come to me, since I'm the only one in the family who would appreciate them.

What I don't know, however, is how to determine what powder charge to use. I don't know if he kept the manuals with them, since he just built them and then put them in a display case. I could slug the barrels to determine what size ball to use, but I know nothing about determining an appropriate powder charge.

I don't know exactly what kinds of guns are in there since I haven't been there in a few years, but one of them is a pepperbox revolver, one is a single shot pistol with a bowie knife blade under the barrel, and there are three or so more in the case.

How do you figure out what charge to put in a black powder gun? Work your way up? How do you tell if you're using too much?

 

[Digger]

Hi Leadslugga, Try this site and you should find all the info you need
http://www.coon-n-crockett.org/linklist.htm I know that for rifles you can try between 50 and 80 grains of real black powder. I shoot mainly all Flintlock rifles and a flint pistol in .50 cal. In my .50 and .54 cal rifles I use 70 grains of fffg powder for target and competion, and a 100 grainns for Deer hunting.
Hope this helps.
Digger

 

[my-rifle]

What Digger said. The British army used 70 grains of black powder in their Brown Bess, but I don't think you need that kind of power. Another site is

http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.com/

where we discuss all kinds of things like this.

 

[Akajun]

Go and buy the Lyman Black Powder Handbook. Lots of info on all types of muzzeloaders, cap and ball revolvers, shotguns, load data, etc.

 

[Ellis1958]

The back of the Dixie Gun Works catalog has suggested load info for just about anything black powder. May as well get a catalog now as if you shoot black powder you'll be ordering something from them.

Follow this old thread for finding true black powder. Take a trip to Marksville and meet the city judge who is a hardcore Civil War re-enactor.

 

[Pale Horse]

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/produc...d=865&osCsid=5d8d2c4064d4014e2e69047662b71df0

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/produc...d=867&osCsid=5d8d2c4064d4014e2e69047662b71df0

Like these?

 

[Leadslugga]

Yeah those look at lot like the ones he has. But again, it has been a few years since I saw them. Those are probably them, though. I doubt there are too many like that out there.

Of course, he build his over 20 years ago, so they might not be the exact same models or anything.