Hello All,

[laowho]

Just wanted to introduce myself, and totally new to BP. Learned of this site from a thread @ the Shiloh forums (which I've been unable to join). Purchased a Sporter #1 in 45-70 thru Bill Goodman and have been doin most of my Google searches with a Don McDowell tag line to cut through some unnecessary searches. Have also read some of the blogs of some members here.

Never reloaded before nor cast, but everything has begun arriving today and feel I'm fairly set to begin this long learning curve that seems to have as much arc as these boolits. Learned about BPCRs and Sharps while researchin a Win '94 (1952 in 30-30) that we purchased in the hope that our son will take an interest. We're in central NJ and understand there's a club in south Jersey that shoots 1st Sundays. Otherwise we have a 300-yard range fairly near and a 600-yard range elsewhere.

Really appreciate the wisdom and generosity here, and am lookin forward to learnin more. Been fairly deep into past threads, but only 10-pages worth. Fraid you won't hear much from me but I'll be here readin. And please move this if there's somewhere else that I shoulda said hey.

Thanks

[Don McDowell]

Welcome. Just feel free to jump right in with your questions, stories and all the rest.

[laowho]

Thanks Don. Will do, soon as I narrow things down a bit more. Have about two weeks worth of notes, but I have at least ordered two casts based on summa yer posts elsewhere, the powder you said you liked, etc., and will certainly be askin before I fire her for the first time. Doug

[Mike]

Yes, welcome to the doin's here! Most of your questions can be directed straight to Don but the rest of us might be able to reply now and then too. And one of the earlier things you'll learn is that your .45/70 just won't be enough. You'll end up wanting a special rifle for Quigley, then another one for silhouettes, probably a big boomer for long range competition, and then a separate particular black powder cartridge rifle just for shooting on Thursday. That all adds to the fun. After you've gotten most of the rifles you want, we'll expect you to join the Bullet Mold of the Month club. The best part about getting these new guns and gear is the learning along the way. Keep us posted on how you're doing. Shoot sharp, Mike

[Don McDowell]

Doug there's a pretty good list of extremely knowledgeable and capable blackpowder riflemen here, and they're all glad to give input.

[laowho]

Lol. Sorry if I seemed to lean on Don too much. Not at all, but it did make Googlin a lot easier. Besides, if I remember right, I didn't think Don even had a 45-70. I've also read the articles over at TexasMac's site.

And Mike, I just figured I was gonna get a bore job after a year or two, but if it's another rifle ok then. My wife and I did a Chaco Canyon trip last year and she's still missin it. Figured this was a way to get her out west again. Cheers

[Mike]

Hey Doug, Here's your first un-invited tip. On eBay there is an Ideal bullet mould with handles for #457124, basically the first bullet style for the .45/70. This is for sale on a "buy it now" price of $49.95 with free shipping. (Handles alone generally sell for over $40.) I'd jump on this deal myself if I didn't already have a mould for that bullet. Take a look at it. Shoot sharp, Mike

[laowho]

Mornin Mike,

But last week I ordered the #457125 from BACO cuz I heard they make good molds and because I wanted to compare this 500 gr with the Saeco #645 mold I ordered. Guess I coulda got the 425 gr version so highly touted but figured I might as well use the 500 + gr bullets this rifle likes. I did regret it afterward for not havin a strong 100-200 yd round, but I had also ordered some MBC 405 gr for reloads and some pre-loaded 415 gr from BACO.

But I was glad to see last nite (page 8 I think), at a "If you could have only 1" thread, that my casts should be ok. That thread had me tryin to get the "PJ Creedmoor" (?) too before he retires but the link seemed to dead-end at a "This domain may be for sale" message. Thanks for the heads up. Cheers, Doug

p.s. Guess while I'm at it I should mention that we're starting off with OE 2F for BP and some Lee Shaver Soule/globe economy sights. Also trying out used brass from Ken's--came in last nite and it's all very clean, nice stuff. He advertises "once fired." Plan is to notch and fire the brass since it's only bein used in one rifle, and will probly anneal every other shoot. Also plannin to burnish as per Lee Shaver's steel wool method that I read over at TexasMac's site. Otherwise, lookin forward to experimenting.

[laowho]

Mike,

I'm an idiot! Just had my 3d cup and saw the lite. Goin to look for that mould now. Hey, maybe I'll get the hang of this. Cheers, Doug

Sold! to the man with the handles he didn't get originally cuz he was too cheap. Thanks Mike, I sure owe ye.

Man, rifle hasn't even arrived yet and I'm already 3 moulds in. Really glad to have this tho. But no more buying til I shoot some sumthin, starting...........now.

p.s. Read somewhere that a good way for clean easy drops is to apply some gun blue to the mould. Is this true?

[Dave Roelle]

Hi Doug:

Bullets are the most important part starting point---learn how to cast quality Bullets first !!!!!

Clean the mold --get a hotplate and a flat steel or aluminum plate to place on the burner--get an old loaf pan to cover the plate and use this small oven to preheat for mold------run the hotplate on HI

Practice casting !!!!!!!! It will take several hundred bullets to learn the basics-------you just waste powder shooting inferior bullets

Pick ONE wad and stay with it. They all work pretty well with grease groove bullets

Load 70 grains of whatever powder you have (get a compression die/plug) compress the.powder and wad to seat te.bullet touching the rifling and shoot !!!!!!!

It will take a few hundred rounds to Just get comfortable with the process of shooting BPCR
Experiment and have FUN ------stay simple


Dave