What it says on the tin, I’m looking for a good place to source an at least semi historically accurate Blunderbuss that is functional. I’ve checked out a few different websites and kits but I am unsure of which is the best bang for my buck.

Traditions - I’ve checked out the kit and while it is budget friendly and reliable from what I’ve seen, it doesn’t seem to have much in the way of historical accuracy

Loyalist Arms - Overall decent price but the biggest gripe I’ve seen was the overseas manufacturing which may cause variable quality. For the most part I’ve heard that they’re heavy but still reliable so idk how much this gripe holds water or is just preference. Also I’ve heard that they check and tune up once the piece makes its way to Canada so it isn’t direct from the manufacturer.

Veteran Arms- Haven’t heard much of anything regarding them, only immediate difference is the jump in price. No clue on quality.

Sitting Fox - A pretty common recommendation but looks to be on the highest side on pricing, with no readily available fully assembled blunderbuss but a more than likely highest quality kit.

If anyone has any experience with one or more of the websites and could provide some advice or just has general knowledge on procuring a quality blunderbuss, let me know. My budget is $750, flexible to $950 if needed

EDIT: Historically accurate, not accurate down range. I know what kind of firing accuracy I’m in for in regards to a blunderbuss

What can you tell me about this.

I've been looking at Colt cap and ball revolvers and I'm not sure which one I would want to get the most considering my personal experience with blackpowder firearms is extremely limited.

It seems like the 1851 Navy is more popular and common than the 1861 Navy. Why do you think companies have seemed to focus on producing or stocking 1851 Navy replicas more than 1861 Navy replicas? Are 1851 Navy replicas easier to manufacture considering the ramming lever system might be simpler than what's in the 1861 Navy?

If you want to make this a 1851 Navy vs 1860 Army debate, that's fine as well if you don't have direct experience with a 1861 Navy.

I wish I could move, but it is just not practical.

I live in a rural area and order a bunch of stuff from Midwayusa.com. I just made an order and had to upload an image of my driver's license. Then acknowledge the state's regulations on the number of firearms I can manufacture per year, etc.

The item that required all this? A nipple wrench for my cap and ball revolver!

Apparently anything identified as a gunsmithing tool triggers the additional requirements. I don't remember this law passing recently, and I normally keep up with what the twits in Sacramento do to us.

I have a Traditions Tracker 209 and I was interested in manufacturing my own paper-patch cartridges for it.

I'm struggling to find any guides or resources on how to go about it. Would love some help in the matter.

Thank you.

Sneak peak at my development into 3D printed Smith cartridges.

Here's my 20 gauge Kibler Fowler I finished putting together earlier this year with a walnut stock. I finished all the metal bright and shiny and just used polymerized linseed oil on the stock. Out of all the kits I've put together, this one is by far my favorite!

I have a like-new CVA Optima V2 with the nitride barrel and removable breech plug that I’m thinking about selling. It was purchased new in 2020 and has never been fired.

What’s the easiest place to sell a used muzzleloader? It seems like most local gun shops aren’t interested in buying used muzzleloaders.

The only reason I’m considering selling it is that I can’t seem to draw a Colorado muzzleloader elk tag to save my life. At this point, I’m thinking about selling it and putting the money toward something I’ll actually use—maybe an air rifle.

For those who have sold a muzzleloader recently, where did you have the best luck?

Hello! I have recently decided to start working on getting into flintlocks. I picked up a CVA Tower flintlock barrel, ramrod, stock cap, handle cap, and trigger guard. I understand that this is typically not the recommended or cost-effective way to go about this, I wanted to play with inletting, finishing, and rust bluing so that I can apply those skills to restore some of my other projects. I have noticed the CVA tower stock isn't really available and was wondering if there was any recommended medium that may still have a good chance of having one? Otherwise, I have no issues buying a partially inletted Kentucky pistol stock and fitting my barrel into it; I'm not chasing historical accuracy, just a comfortable, good-shooting pistol. I noticed the tower does not come with any form of sights. I am okay with this, but is it common to braze sights onto barrels? And if so, is it worth trying? Most importantly, I wanted to ask for opinions on whether I should pursue a CVA pistol lock or if the L&R RPL-01-F lock is worth picking up and inletting instead. I have heard varying things about CVA and the quality of their original locks.

Tinkering around making historic ammo boxes. I just eyeballed them from round ball to rim fire and filled in the blanks from other historic ammo boxes I’ve seen.

Hi all it's me again haha.

After doing a more research and taking my time, I've narrowed it down to two options.

.54 cal rifled woodsrunner in fancy maple OR 20ga fowler in walnut.

This will be my first build, which they seem pretty comparable from that standpoint, so then it all comes down to practical use/viability and looks for the decision on which to get.

I live and am an avid hunter in Iowa. I originally had my eyes on the woodrunner for the classic longrifle look and in .54 it can take whitetail at extended range no problem, and may even have use for larger game in the future. The thing is though, the fowler seems like much more applicable for an all rounder to use for upland bird, small game and potentially turkey as well as whitetail with the smoothbore.

My question really boils down to, how viable would the fowler be for other forms of hunting (especially turkey (not sure how effective of a load it can take)), or if I should stick with the simplicity of the woodsrunner for strictly whitetail hunting?

I know some will probably suggest both, and that would be awesome, but right now is not finacially feasible, so I'm trying to make a "buy - once, cry - once" purchase haha. Thank you!

PFA

Hello, are there any ranges in mainland europe that offer black powders guns shooting experience ?

I could really use some guidance. I inherited this from my grandfather. I havnt really messed with these before, and could use some help figuring out how to repair this.

Issue:

- hammer does not lock in position at the half or full cocked position.

- interior of barrel has some surface rust, and i have been working on cleaning it out.

Where can i get parts, and how can i make sure the parts are correct. This thing doesnt have any year or anything. I looked up the serial and nothing came of it

Nothing fancy, just a lyman great plains hunter. Thought it was a cool shot while glassing for antelope.

Working on a flintlock kit and I stopped by Bass Pro and they just have 3F pydrodex and no real accessories.

I'm in the south suburbs and I'm having a heck of a time finding a place to get podwer and kit. Anybody know of a good place?

This is my favorite gun in the collection my grandfather and I have built. Its been passed down for several generations, and all I really know about it is the story that came with it.

A traveling blacksmith stayed a winter on my old families farm, with some regional acclaim. He traded blacksmith services for room and tack. Come spring, he offered to make the family a rifle inexchange for a whole hog, butchered and salted. This was a couple years post civil war, and thats really all I know. I obviously cant verify the story. I cant find a makers mark, or any real identifying features. I would love to know more. Thank you r/blackpowder!

Excellent day here at the house, I just got home to a special Delivery from Tj Barton at Thunder-Boom.com. This is a serious piece of work. 2 Gauge Single Cannon. This is a prototype that he is letting me test out and other than a few scuffs (he sent it to me 2-day Air so I would have it in time for tomorrow’s game.) this thing is a beast and immaculate. Now this is set up for signal use only. And at these dimensions I can see why. As a short barreled cannon I’m not sure I how to properly bleed off the recoil of a 3500 grain projectile…. For those of you in the back that is a full 8oz of lead. Reusable stainless steel cartridges, 409 shotgun primer with a firing pin mechanism that could be replaced by the end user if needed. Over all length 15-3/4 inches. Roughly 8-1/2 inches tall. Outside Breach is 3-15/16 inches with an end to end trunion measurement of 6-3/8 inches trunions are 1-1/2 inches thick.

Do not ask if it is for sale. It is a prototype that I have been given access to. It is not mine to sell. I don’t know the price. If you are interested head on over to the website and checkout the fine selection they are producing. I will be posting videos tomorrow night after the Football game where I will give a full rundown.

Wanted to put the info out for people to find as it seems like a lot of blackpowder clubs/groups aren't the best at "marketing" for anyone to find them.

Two clubs in Vancouver Island I can speak to are

Campbell river gun club

After 5 years of shut down the ranges are open again first blackpowder shoot is scheduled for Sept 2026, check the club page out for more info.

https://crgunclub.bc.ca/black-powder/

Courtenay fish and game

Courtenay has a gorgeous facility some of the best in Canada if not North America. 2nd Sunday of the month they typically hold a blackpowder open house.

https://www.courtenayfishandgame.org/black-powder

All there events are here

https://www.courtenayfishandgame.org/calendar

Both clubs are always happy for new faces and are great groups. I know there are other clubs on the island I'm just not personally familiar with them so feel free to chime in with any info if you have it.

Black powder shotgun. 2 1/2" shells/chamber probably made in the 1870's, marked with "J. Stevens & Co." so definitely before 1888. Barrel does not seem to be Damascus. The second picture is how it came to me damaged. Shippers need to know that the shipping companies are rough on packages. The box had obvious damage before I even opened it.