I realize that this might not be the right forum for this but this one gets the most traffic, so I hope it is alright.
First off, I have absolutely no experience with black powder/muzzle loading firearms....NONE! But, I have wanted a cap and ball revolver ever since I can remember. I love about anything to do with the American Civil War and more in particular the Confederate side of the war.
Here is where I need help and a lot of it.... I need advice on choosing a good quality cap and ball revolver that will last me the rest of my life, but I on the same token I don't want to spend a fortune, lets say under $500.00. I want it to be from the civil war era (not an original, a reproduction) and in .44 caliber. I also have no idea what accessories I need to go along with the revolver. I will be casting my own round balls for the most part from flat stick on WW if that is alright? I know I would need to slug the chambers and the bore to get the correct mold, but about what size will I need. When it comes to slugging the chambers how do you get the slug back out? I know nothing about black powder and what type I would use in said revolver. I don't know what size percussion caps I would need either. I do understand what a chain fire is and a little of how to prevent it from reading on here. Any help you guys could give me I would be grateful, even if it is only directing me to a good website or other source of information. I would however like opinions of brands and models of revolvers that you would recommend.
Thanks in advance for the help. Hopefully I won't blow the revolver up or my hand off!!
Jody