Christmas comes early for Sarge

[ironsight]

JC, i think you're referring to a missing barrel wedge (or key). Yep they are available but come in different sizes depending on the gun. Most gun shops don't specialize in carrying BP stuff so you might have to order them either directly from CVA or this place:

http://www.logcabinonline.com/

Dixie gunworks is another BP store

http://www.dixiegun.com/

You might also want to get an owner's manual for the rifle from CVA.

Probably the best thing to do is find someone local who shoots these things and can work you through everything.
I'd redcommend starting out with .490" round balls with precut 50 cal .020" patches.
-Black Powder solvent/lube
-50 cal cotton cleaning patches, a whole bunch
-Powder measuring flask
-Ball starter (short loader) to start the ball down the muzzle
-new nipples/wrench, make sure you get the right size threads on the nipples
-#11 percussion caps
-CO2 ball discharger, dry fires happen even to the best of us!
-cleaning jaggs, make sure you get the right size threads to match your ramrod
You can get all this stuff at the local Cabelas or similar Sports Store.
Real BP is something else as its getting harder and harder to find since 911. I'd probably start out with PyroPoop (Pyrodex) which is readily available.

A few more things to consider:
Make absolutely sure you ram the ball tightly against the powder. If there is any air space between the powder and ball, a bulged or worse a burst barrel could result.

Further, as you fire more rounds, the barell will become fouled making it harder to ram the ball down. The chances of not seating the ball properly increases. Either clean the barell every few rounds, use a witness mark on the ramrod or use one of those BP lubes which claims you don't need to swab...never been a big fan of that stuff.

Make absolutely sure you clean the barrel sqeaky clean after shooting as BP and Pyrodex are extremely corrosive. There are as many cleaning methods as there are BP shooters. I use a few drops of dishsoap and hot water then swab the barrel with successive clean swabs until they come out clean. Run some dry swabs to dry the barrel and then swab the bore down with oil. Make sure the oil is BP compatible or if not before firing the next time clean the oil out with a alcahol swab. BP and petrochemicals do not mix once combusustion has taken place. The BP fire turns any petrochemical oils into tar..not good.

Start out with CVA's recommended powder loads for that particular rifle. Don't exceed!
Have a BLAST!!

[JC Edwards]

Wow Thanks for the info ironsight!:)

I will definitely be in touch with you for more advice. Thank you Sir.

[Gfran64]

JC you are one lucky devil. I'm probably getting underwear and socks.

Greg

[Ephrum]

Gfran64 wrote:

JC you are one lucky devil. I'm probably getting underwear and socks.

Greg

From the books I've read, those items have a high value to a soldier as well!

I know.......it's not the same!:S

[JC Edwards]

Ephrum wrote:

Gfran64 wrote:

JC you are one lucky devil. I'm probably getting underwear and socks.

Greg

From the books I've read, those items have a high value to a soldier as well!

I know.......it's not the same!:S

Ephrum does have a point there Gfran64!

Hmmmmmm.....I cannot recall the last time I received underwear, or socks for that matter, for Christmas.

[norb]

Very nice gift!

[ironsight]

Greg Wrote: JC you are one lucky devil. I'm probably getting underwear and socks.
Greg

Ha! Mysery loves company:S
Gift certificates at the local home improvement store is the best i can hope for!:)

[Hancock the Superb]

Best I'm hoping for are some little $5 Civil War men - around 10 of them.

Use them for STRATEGY!

[Jekyll and Hyde]

Hi mate,

Well you know what I said to you about those two gems, just whatever you do don't let me get my hands on them :laugh: I also echo what the others have said, you have a pure diamond in Lisa, you don't need me to tell you to treasure her, as I know you do.

Take care mate and we'll catch up soon

Jekyll and Hyde