As my earlier post states I'm getting 3 sidekicks for Christmas gifts. No one in my family has experience with black powder, so I'm putting together a "cheat sheet" to help get them started. This is based on info I've compiled from the forum or other people I've talked to. Let me know what you think and what I'm missing. Thanks,
Muzzleloader Items Notes and Suggestions
Bullets:
Powerbelts Easy to load
Dead Center Accurate but require force to get them down the barrel.
http://www.prbullet.com/pts.htmRam Rod:
XS Power Rod (Stock rod sucks)
http://www.xssights.com/store/blackpowder.htmlBullet starter (Sabots require a bullet starter short ram rod)
Powder:
Pellets (777, Goex, Pyrodex easy to measure)
Loose (Pyrodex, 777, Goex, Americon Pioneer - Measure by volume not weight)
You need a Powder measure if you use loose powder. T/C makes a nice adjustable one.
Cleaning/Lubrication:
Black Off - pre saturated cleaning patches made by Rusty Duck Corp. Clean between shots with these.
Anti-seize - for the breech plug (If you dont do this the plug will stick in the gun; some people also wrap the breech plug with plumbers Teflon tape first and then coat the tape with anti-seize)
Bore Butter Coat the barrel with this to stop rust after cleaning.
Note: Black powder is very corrosive!
Scope/sights:
Rifle comes with open sights.
Williams makes a ghost ring or peep sight for the gun.
Nikon has a nice 2-7x32mm scope that should work well for the gun. It runs between $90 and $109 depending where you find it. Purchase a weaver style mount and rings.
http://theopticzone.com/detail.aspx?ID=2320Accuracy Enhancement:
VeriFlame Allows you to shoot a less powerful primer than a 209 shotgun. There are theories that the 209 shotgun is powerful enough to move the bullet in the barrel before the powder ignites.
http://www.prbullet.com/vf.htmRemington is supposed to make a low power black powder 209 primer.
