Powder pellets in a caplock rifle???

MacD37 · #1 11-01-2006, 11:46 AM

I saw an article in a magazine the other day, but didn't have time to read it! The caption under a picture of what looked like a TC Hawkin rifle, about useing these powder pellets .

I wasn't aware this could be done, and thought the pellets were only used in IN-LINES, with any success! I have a 58 cal side by side double rifle, and if it will work, it sure would be convenient for re-loading quickly!

What say ye, guys?

Adam Helmer · #2 11-01-2006, 07:09 PM

MacD37,

Welcome to the Forum. I would suggest you contact the pellet manufacturer and the manufacturer of your side-by-side rifle and see if the pellets are a good mix.

Again, welcome to the site.

Adam

petey · #3 11-02-2006, 06:55 AM

I believe there's only one flintlock manufacture/make that will ignite those pellets and that's called the Fire Storm (Thompson Center).

You throw two Pyrodex pellets down the barrel of a regular TC Hawkens without a blown out touchhole and you'll be lucky to get it to go off. Even if you back it with some FFFF. Believe me, we had a fellow in the group do it last year not knowing it REQUIRES loose powder and he had a heck of a time (of course while we all laughed at him for being so silly).

I've been using the cleaner burning Triple 7 lose powder and it's very slow to ignite also, but it's super clean. I can deal with slower than (black powder) ignition, but I can't deal with my gun not going off at all! Don't try it unless you have a gun that says you can.

If you're talking a cap gun, well I'm not too sure about that, but I'm sure the touch hole is the same size so you would get the same result. The feature about the Firestorm is I believe a funeled type touch hole? Not sure since I don't own one...

MacD37 · #4 11-02-2006, 09:33 AM

Thanks guys! My rifles are an old .45 cal Wesson, a .50 cal T/C Hawkin, and a 58 cal Pedersoli double barrel Kodiak, all cap rifles.

It has been more than 30 yrs since I last fired a muzzleloader, and am simply out of touch with all the "NEW" alternative powders, and the in-lines hold no interest for me at all.

In my state we have a special hunting license, that allows a resident to hunt thousands of acres public, and dedicated private land, not available to nonresident, or non license holders. Unfortunently, many of these quite large hunting areas do not allow the use of regular rifles to hunt deer, and boar. You are limited to muzzle loaders, or shotgun in some of the best ones. I hunt mostly with double rifles, but didn't have a double barrel muzzleloader, so the Pedersoli came home with me, but I haven't shot it. I hate cleaning black powder rifles, and that is the reason I haven't fired any of my black powder rifle in years! I guess I better get poping and boiling out some barrels, if I want to hunt the special license!