What to bring to the range?

[Darth-Vaj]

Okay thinking about time to shoot my muzzleloader rifle and pistol. What should I bring with me to the range besides the obvious ball, powder, cap and patch? What should I bring to the range? This’ll be my first time shooting blackpowder.

[sghart3578]

You may want to take some way to pull a dry ball.

I also find it helpful to take a patient attitude. I'll explain. On the ranges I shoot at muzzleloaders are rare. Curious onlookers are abundant. It never fails that when I go to the range on days when I don't have a lot of time I get stopped and asked a lot of questions, especially when I shoot my flintlocks. But it's okay. I'm an old timer and I need to slow down and enjoy life. And these guys make a range day interesting.


Steve in N CA

[metricmonkeywrench]

I assume for the rifle you have something like the starter kit with bullet starter, cleaning kit and some basic tools etc.

I also bring a universal Muzzle loader T handled range/cleaning rod (traditions i think), I left it long and use it for all loading and cleaning tasks and leave the "field" one in its mount.

If the rifle is a break open type i would also recommend a spare breech plug, i had a primer jam up some debris into the flash hole that was beyond removal with the wire pick i had on hand.

Lastly is a separate bore brush from the cleaning kit used after about the 3rd shot when i use pyrodex or pellets to knock out the bore crud to extend the shooting session.

[hc18flyer]

In a small tin I carry an extra nipple, wrench, nipple pick, and pipe cleaners. I run a jag and patch with Bore Butter through every 4 or 5 shots, saliva should work too. I use a fine solid copper wire as a nipple pick, or a untwisted pipe cleaner will do in a pinch. Nearly all of my 'failure to fire's events come back to my own negligence. Enjoy your range time, hc18flyer

[Eddie2002]

At my local county range they have a set amount of time when the range is hot. I've been caught a couple of times loading right before they call the range cold. I have started to use my cell phone on it's timer setting so it doesn't happen again and to keep the range officers happy. Not sure where you are shooting but just passing on what I've learned at a county run range.

[RU shooter]

Okay thinking about time to shoot my muzzleloader rifle and pistol. What should I bring with me to the range besides the obvious ball, powder, cap and patch? What should I bring to the range? This’ll be my first time shooting blackpowder.

Gonna need something to measure out your powder ,Your gonna need a lube for your patches take your pick but spit works great and you always have it . You can use the rod that came with the gun but a sturdy range rod is good to have I keep one in the truck when I shoot just in case . You'll need a cleaning jag for your rod and also some cleaning patches .dont ram a dry patch down a fouled bore they like to stick , again spit works well along with water or whatever you really don't need a lot of gadgets just take your time remember powder goes in first .

[mooman76]

Bring too much. Seems you can't have too much stuff to fix a problem like assorted tools. You don't have to have everything on your bench but if it's there in your vehicle you can get to it. Actually as I got older I started bringing extra guns. Seems there for awhile I would quite frequently run into one problem or another or forget something to end my shooting day quick. At least if you have another gun, it isn't a waisted trip.

[carbine]

I carry a CO2 fire extinguisher with a neoprene tip for clearing fouled guns. They sell a smaller version that uses CO 2 cartridges.

[Wayne Smith]

At my local county range they have a set amount of time when the range is hot. I've been caught a couple of times loading right before they call the range cold. I have started to use my cell phone on it's timer setting so it doesn't happen again and to keep the range officers happy. Not sure where you are shooting but just passing on what I've learned at a county run range.

With a flintlock if there is no powder in the pan it is unloaded. With a caplock with no cap it is unloaded - this is standard everywhere, just as a cartridge without a primer cannot fire.

[pietro]

With a flintlock if there is no powder in the pan it is unloaded. With a caplock with no cap it is unloaded - this is standard everywhere, just as a cartridge without a primer cannot fire.

Yeah, but this still being America, range owners have the right to make their own rules (just like this forum), like them or not.

They are a business, so if you differ with the way they do business, you can take your business elsewhere.


Vaj: For a range shooting session, I would suggest that besides bringing the usual suspect, you add a range rod (a RR much longer than the gun RR), a bore cleaner (Like Ox-Yoke), some patches, and a thin wire to clear a fouled ignition channel.

Clean the bore & ignition channel at the range when done shooting - don't put it off until "later" (when the chore could be forgotten, rusting the metal)


.

[oldracer]

I made a sticky in this section a few years ago which is a good place to start. I have found over the years that no matter what I decide to leave home......I'll need it for sure. If your range is like ours here in San Diego, you might be the only black powder shooter there so be prepared. Note according to NMLRA rules the muzzle loader is NOT hot unless the percussion cap is on the nipple. I do the following, if the gun is not charged then I leave the powder funnel in the barrel and if the powder/patched ball are in the gun then I leave the ram rod in place with its maker showing that there is a load.
John

[Darth-Vaj]

I appreciate all the info I can gentleman. I’ll be bringing any and all the tools and equipment in a 50 cal ammo can should the need arise for it.

[sharps4590]

Sure glad 99.5% of my shooting is at home.

[rfd]

Bring lots of safety minded patience, go slow and sure, and think before doing anything.

Always figure on dry balling - it'll happen sooner or later, so be prepared with ball pulling knowledge and tools.

[charlie b]

The muzzle loader is the reason I bought one of those MTM range boxes. It has a bottom section that the rifle can be set in and enough space to hold everything. I kept all my ML tools, powder, primers, bullets and such in that box.

I also kept a one piece stainless range rod in the case with the rifle. I never used the ramrod that came with the gun. I did have to look for tips that had 8-32 threads instead of the ramrod 'std' 10-32. Also used a good muzzle guide.

[mooman76]

I had a box like that. It was actually a Stanley tool box but held allot of stuff. Also I could leave the bottom section home if I thought I didn't need it.

[nightwolf1974]

Yeah, but this still being America, range owners have the right to make their own rules (just like this forum), like them or not.

They are a business, so if you differ with the way they do business, you can take your business elsewhere.


Vaj: For a range shooting session, I would suggest that besides bringing the usual suspect, you add a range rod (a RR much longer than the gun RR), a bore cleaner (Like Ox-Yoke), some patches, and a thin wire to clear a fouled ignition channel.

Clean the bore & ignition channel at the range when done shooting - don't put it off until "later" (when the chore could be forgotten, rusting the metal)


.

True! I own my own range (350yd w/25yd interval targets), and let a "select" group of friends use it. But I don't allow them to shoot glass bottles, use sabotted (sp?) bullets, tannerite, or shoot shot at the 25 yd. target(they can use their own box or something for that).

[Prairie Cowboy]

- separate range box (red tool box) for black powder gear.
- regular range box with targets, tools, cleaning rods, stapler, bore solvent, oil, etc.
- long one-piece stainless steel ram rod/cleaning rod threaded for brass tips.
- brass tips for ramming, cleaning, ball screw, patch worm.
- stainless steel short starter (short version of ram rod/cleaning rod).
- nipple wrenches, screwdrivers, nipple/flash-hole pick.
- adjustable powder measure, powder flask, spare nipples and flints.
- cleaning patches, bottle of water to clean bore, gun oil, roll of paper towels, Windex.
- thermos of coffee.

[Darth-Vaj]

- separate range box (red tool box) for black powder gear.
- regular range box with targets, tools, cleaning rods, stapler, bore solvent, oil, etc.
- long one-piece stainless steel ram rod/cleaning rod threaded for brass tips.
- brass tips for ramming, cleaning, ball screw, patch worm.
- stainless steel short starter (short version of ram rod/cleaning rod).
- nipple wrenches, screwdrivers, nipple/flash-hole pick.
- adjustable powder measure, powder flask, spare nipples and flints.
- cleaning patches, bottle of water to clean bore, gun oil, roll of paper towels, Windex.
- thermos of coffee.

Thanks for the heads up, will definitely bring all the mention items. I sure don’t want the shooting seesion to end to soon.

[fastdadio]

You folks have most of it covered. I'll add that I bring a small trash can to collect my dirty patches ect, and a tube of go-jo waterless hand cleaner and extra towels to clean my hands of fowling soot.