This class will explore the incredible range of black powder arms from flintlock through early black powder cartridges. “What the F do all those F’s mean,” will be answered! The advantages and disadvantages of black powder and black powder substitutes will be covered. We will cover loading patched ball, minnie ball, muskets, paper cartridges, cylinder based arms and black powder metallic cartridge arms. Care and cleaning methods for black powder arms will be demonstrated. Ignition sources and styles from matchlock to caplock and primer based arms will be discussed. Historic and modern equivalencies will be discussed along with the obvious advantages of firing replicas vs. antiques. Dangers of some antique arms will be reviewed. Not covered will be modern “In Line” black powder arms specifically intended for big game black powder seasons.
The course will include both classroom and range time. Students should provide their own firearms and “possibles.” (Possibles are your kit including all essentials for shooting, powder, ball, flint or caps, patch knife, ball starter, nipple wrench, solvent etc.) A list of “possibles” will be provided upon enrollment. NO BLACK POWDER PISTOLS PERMITTED unless they are on your pistol permit. If they ARE listed on your permit by all means drag ‘em along!
This will be a classroom and range course with a half hour break for lunch. Firearms will be brought into the classroom, but “possibles” will be left in the car. Firearms will be checked for charges at the door. This class will have a 10 student maximum enrollment.
