Welcome to the TMA - the Traditional Muzzleloading Association
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Recent Posts

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91
Flintlock Long Guns / Re: Golf Ball Shooting Fun.....
« Last post by BlackPowderManiacShooter on February 12, 2026, 09:15:36 PM »
Quote from: Hank in WV on February 12, 2026, 06:15:55 PM
Before I got my eyes rebuilt last year, I tried shooting lefty to see if I could do any better. Very awkward. I pretty much gave up shooting at that point.

We'll....I don't plan on giving it up. I can't hit much anyway.
Shooting is fun, hitting the target is just a bonus.
92
Flintlock Long Guns / Re: Golf Ball Shooting Fun.....
« Last post by Hank in WV on February 12, 2026, 06:15:55 PM »
Before I got my eyes rebuilt last year, I tried shooting lefty to see if I could do any better. Very awkward. I pretty much gave up shooting at that point.
93
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 12, 2026, 04:31:51 PM »
Yup the chemicals and tooling components to make really good holy black are cheap 'n' easy.

Terry's giant "C" clamp produces really GOOD powder - there's really no need to jump through hoops and empty big dollars for what can be made for a fraction of the commercial cost.

I can fully understand any newbie concerns - I was there too, big time - it's not as complicated or dangerous as one erroneously thinks. 

Making the holy black is far less dangerous than not clearing out a bbl that's just been shot and immediately dumping down a full measure of powder - now THAT is scary stuff!  :scared:
94
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by Second-rate Marksman on February 12, 2026, 03:30:09 PM »
Kind of a bummer to have spent hundreds of dollars on equipment at Jake's urging only to find that it's now unnecessary and obsolete, but he's experimenting and learning as he goes, just as we all are.

I've screened powder in the past with decent results, though I had to double my powder charges to achieve comparable velocities as commercial powder. Like I was explaining to Kevin... who really cares if it requires extra powder, though, when you can make the stuff at such a very small fraction of what you'd pay for the commercial equivalent. It's inconsequential, if you ask me. This is how it was done up until the late 1700's, so it ought to be good enough for you and I, right?

I've got quite a bit of Pyrodex from when I was first introduced to muzzleloading. I'm seriously considering using the stuff in my fowler cartridges, with a 10/15 grain "booster" charge of holy black sitting on top of the cartridge, and priming the pan with my priming horn. Thought perhaps I might be able to make my existing black powder go farther this way, although I'm fully aware of the drawbacks.
95
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 12, 2026, 02:38:10 PM »
I have a Rocky's puck die, too big, never even bothered to use it.

I use this one ...

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https://www.ebay.com/itm/135023497542
96
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by KDubs on February 12, 2026, 01:52:30 PM »
I hear ya, live and learn.
 Eric went out and got a 20 ton press and rockysworks pucking die too.
 Wish I'd stuck with Terry's method from the get go but I'm sure that press will sell when garage sale season comes along.  :pray:
 Kevin
97
Flintlock Long Guns / Re: Golf Ball Shooting Fun.....
« Last post by BlackPowderManiacShooter on February 12, 2026, 01:08:05 PM »
Quote from: Hank in WV on February 12, 2026, 10:40:40 AM
I noticed you shoot lefty and drive righty.

Yes, I found out several years ago by not hitting from the RH side to try from the left side.
Amazingly, I started hitting more targets from the southpaw.

I've basically stuck with the LH side ever since.
98
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 12, 2026, 12:49:09 PM »
I had a 20 ton press, what a pain.  I ditched that for a 1 ton press and experienced no difference in powder quality.  My process pretty much parallels Terry's.

99
Flintlock Long Guns / Re: Golf Ball Shooting Fun.....
« Last post by No Powder on February 12, 2026, 12:45:26 PM »
Hank, I think he's one of those ambidextrous guys. Lucky fellow.
100
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by KDubs on February 12, 2026, 12:24:15 PM »
https://youtu.be/j6BEYtz5XHQ?si=IJmSAoW_rJvmsynb
 So Jake has modified his pressing methods.  Guess I didn't need to spend 350$ on a new 20 ton press and pucking die.
This more aligns with Terry on the times gone tech videos where he uses a C clamp to press his powder
 I made a few of the " new" pucks and they are quite hard , ground up a little bit and open air tested it, very fast.
 As soon as I get time I'll test it thru the Chrono and compare it to my older powder from the over pressed method.
Stand by for news!

Kevin
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