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The Campfire / People of the times?
« Last post by Craig Tx on January 19, 2026, 09:09:16 AM »What happened to the People of The Times section?
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Making the Holy Black Powder / Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by RobD on January 19, 2026, 09:04:44 AM »Today, we call the gun powder made and used before the inception of the 20th century "black powder", mainly to distinguish it from modern gun powder that's mostly nitro based. The ingredients and methods for making black powder are readily available online and libraries around the globe. There is no reason to not talk about and fully understand what is black powder and the many ways it was and is produced.
Why make your own black powder? Availability is not easy these days and there is always the possibility it will cease to be sold. It will be lots cheaper to make good black powder considering its astronomically rising purchase pricing. Self sufficiency - if you have a flintlock gun, all you need is black powder, a rock to make sparks, and either some lead to cast a ball or if the gun is a smoothbore then something(s) to stuff down its barrel.
There are MANY online videos concerning making black powder. Here's one that I like ....
BE AWARE OF YOUR LOCAL LAWS CONCERNING HAVING AND/OR MAKING AND STORING BLACK POWDER
Why make your own black powder? Availability is not easy these days and there is always the possibility it will cease to be sold. It will be lots cheaper to make good black powder considering its astronomically rising purchase pricing. Self sufficiency - if you have a flintlock gun, all you need is black powder, a rock to make sparks, and either some lead to cast a ball or if the gun is a smoothbore then something(s) to stuff down its barrel.
There are MANY online videos concerning making black powder. Here's one that I like ....
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The Campfire / HAPPY BIRTHDAY Ole Scratch!!!
« Last post by Webmaster on January 19, 2026, 04:04:20 AM »YAY for Ole Scratch! - another year notched on yer gunstock! Hope you have a "bang up" birthday!
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People of the Times / Re: 1/17/1821: A Connecticut Yankee in Texas
« Last post by Salty on January 18, 2026, 04:29:35 PM »Great history lesson
Keep em coming.
Keep em coming.
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TMA Postal Shoots / Re: Postal Shoot questions
« Last post by No Powder on January 18, 2026, 11:12:19 AM »Hey Jim, if it's any consolation to you, we don't have a printer either. I have a cousin that lives about 3 miles away, and she prints mine for me. You can make a bunch of copies of the bullseye target, because it's the same every month. But the fun target changes each month so you will have a different fun target each month. Looking forward to your participation.
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TMA Postal Shoots / Re: Postal Shoot questions
« Last post by Jim in Wisconsin on January 18, 2026, 08:47:19 AM »Thanks Nessmuk, we have a ways to go before I need them. I would only need one to make a bunch of copies if they are the same each month.
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General Interest / Re: Tin in your lead
« Last post by No Powder on January 18, 2026, 08:09:34 AM »Just keep scooping Salty. Rainbows are pretty but not when they're on top of the lead pot.
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General Interest / Re: Tin in your lead
« Last post by RobD on January 18, 2026, 07:34:51 AM »I have noticed lately that when I skim the dross I have noticed a green blue purple liquid floating on top.
Any idea what that might be?
Yep, I've noticed it at times as well. Also a gold/tan coloring at times. Could be many things such as what yer fluxing with, or impurities in the lead/alloy or what's left in the furnace pot from a previous melt. As long as it's scooped out all will be as good as it can be.
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The Campfire / Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY rollingb!!!
« Last post by rollingb on January 17, 2026, 08:12:21 PM »Thanks fellas, I had a great day and plan on doing it again next year.
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People of the Times / 1/17/1821: A Connecticut Yankee in Texas
« Last post by Craig Tx on January 17, 2026, 06:46:51 PM »On this date in 1821, the government of New Spain granted Moses Austin a permit to settle 300 families in Texas.
This momentous agreement began the process of Anglo-American colonization in the future state. The elder Austin died, however, before he could fulfill his part of the contract, and his son Stephen F. Austin was recognized as his successor. Although Mexican independence from Spain cast temporary doubt on the future of the contract, a special decree issued in April 1823 allowed S. F. Austin to begin the colonization that led eventually to the Texas Revolution and the Republic of Texas.
This momentous agreement began the process of Anglo-American colonization in the future state. The elder Austin died, however, before he could fulfill his part of the contract, and his son Stephen F. Austin was recognized as his successor. Although Mexican independence from Spain cast temporary doubt on the future of the contract, a special decree issued in April 1823 allowed S. F. Austin to begin the colonization that led eventually to the Texas Revolution and the Republic of Texas.