91
TMA Raffles and Drawings / Re: 2025 Nov./Dec. TMA Bi-Monthly Drawing
« Last post by Hank in WV on January 01, 2026, 07:14:05 AM »
congrats Salty The TMA is dedicated to preserving the rich and fascinating heritage of the traditional muzzleloading firearms of early America.
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congrats Salty 92
The Campfire / Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RobD!!!
« Last post by RobD on January 01, 2026, 06:26:40 AM »When I saw Kees post to wish you a Happy Birthday, I thought you were having 2 birthdays this year. Would that make you 81 instead of 80 ?
Heaven forbid! It's bad enuf I've hit 80 without adding on yet another
93
TMA Raffles and Drawings / Re: 2025 Nov./Dec. TMA Bi-Monthly Drawing
« Last post by rollingb on January 01, 2026, 01:03:16 AM »The winner of our TMA 2025 Nov./Dec. Bi-Monthly Drawing for $100.00 Cash is,...................
Salty
94
The Campfire / Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RobD!!!
« Last post by No Powder on December 31, 2025, 10:02:47 PM »When I saw Kees post to wish you a Happy Birthday, I thought you were having 2 birthdays this year. Would that make you 81 instead of 80 ? 
95
General Interest / Re: FLUXING
« Last post by Winter Hawk on December 31, 2025, 09:02:14 PM »What John said. Don't over-think it, folks have been casting ball for centuries now. I started out in 1969 with a mold from Dixie Gun Works, their own which was made from a hair straightener. Got a Lyman stove top pot and the Lyman dipper, I still have and use them, except for the mold. Wish they still made those, but they probably used up all the hair straighteners they had.
A suggestion: if you are weighing balls, don't do so individually but do 5 at a time. If the total weight is reasonably close to what you would expect, consider all 5 good. If the aggregate is out by 5 grains, then you may want to weigh them individually to find the culprit. I don't worry about getting them exactly the same. I am not steady as I was long ago and figure that my swaying might even compensate for any out-of-balance bullets flying out the bore.
Enjoy the process, have fun and go shooting!
~Kees~
A suggestion: if you are weighing balls, don't do so individually but do 5 at a time. If the total weight is reasonably close to what you would expect, consider all 5 good. If the aggregate is out by 5 grains, then you may want to weigh them individually to find the culprit. I don't worry about getting them exactly the same. I am not steady as I was long ago and figure that my swaying might even compensate for any out-of-balance bullets flying out the bore.
Enjoy the process, have fun and go shooting!
~Kees~
96
The Campfire / Re: HAPPY BIRTHDAY RobD!!!
« Last post by Winter Hawk on December 31, 2025, 07:31:26 PM »
My, oh MY! I was so wrapped up in Christmas that I didn't see that we have a Christmas Eve baby right here! My apologies, Rob! I truly hope it was a good day for you, and wish you many more.
~Kees~
97
Traditional Muzzleloaders for Reenactors / Re: What muzzeloaders were used ...
« Last post by RobD on December 31, 2025, 06:59:44 PM »Yep, what I read too, that the squirrel guns weren't up to the West's critters and also that long guns weren't fun on horseback and many got bobbed down to 36", more or less.
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Traditional Muzzleloaders for Reenactors / Re: What muzzeloaders were used ...
« Last post by Bigsmoke on December 31, 2025, 06:57:12 PM »Also what I have heard about the NWTG.
Also from what I have read, the Hawken rifle was rather expensive compared to all the smoothies and the rifled trade guns. Only the better healed could afford one, Jim Bridger, etc.
I think the movies in a large part have helped fuel the thought that the Hawken was on every mountain man's saddle. That and the T/C Hawken.
Although the squirrel rifles and long rifles could have made a western trek, they were not up to the task of the larger game found in the west.
That's about all that I have read about the situation.
Also from what I have read, the Hawken rifle was rather expensive compared to all the smoothies and the rifled trade guns. Only the better healed could afford one, Jim Bridger, etc.
I think the movies in a large part have helped fuel the thought that the Hawken was on every mountain man's saddle. That and the T/C Hawken.
Although the squirrel rifles and long rifles could have made a western trek, they were not up to the task of the larger game found in the west.
That's about all that I have read about the situation.
99
General Interest / Re: FLUXING
« Last post by Bigsmoke on December 31, 2025, 06:03:51 PM »A few questions for you experienced LRB casters...
Do you cast with "pure lead?
Do you cast with a bottom pour or a dipper?
Do you flux it?
What do you use for flux?
Do you stir it in and skim from the surface?
If you bottom pour, is it really necessary to flux, mix and skim?
I am trying to get as pure a lead ball as possible. I suspect that impurities in the lead pot affect the weight and accuracy of the ball.
1. Pure lead is all I cast with, as my suppository guns are on a prolonged vacation. They don't even remember the last time they got exercised. Besides, my press and my dies have long gone away.
2. I cast with a dipper as Rob demonstrated. Never heard it called compression casting, but it makes sense.
3. Yes, I flux with a dollop of pure beeswax.
4. Yes, I do stir it in and skim from the surface. It would be kinda awkward to skim from the bottom.
5. Never had a bottom pour furnace, so I don't really know the answer. But I would think that by stirring in the flux, one would catch the crud and it would float to the top. So, that is what I would do.
6. No offense here but I think you are trying to overthink the situation. KISS, my friend, KISS. Keep It Simple Sir.
My opinions here solely. Not to be confused with actual facts. But I think I am pretty close.
I also think that the larger and heavier ball you are casting, the hotter it needs to be. I remember when I was casting for my 8 bore and 4 bore rifles, I think I was near or over 800 degrees. It's been a while (maybe 19 years), so that might not be the actual temp I was casting at, but it was far hotter than for my .530's and my minni balls.
John (Bigsmoke)
100
General Interest / FLUXING
« Last post by Salty on December 31, 2025, 04:10:18 PM »A few questions for you experienced LRB casters...
Do you cast with "pure lead?
Do you cast with a bottom pour or a dipper?
Do you flux it?
What do you use for flux?
Do you stir it in and skim from the surface?
If you bottom pour, is it really necessary to flux, mix and skim?
I am trying to get as pure a lead ball as possible. I suspect that impurities in the lead pot affect the weight and accuracy of the ball.
Do you cast with "pure lead?
Do you cast with a bottom pour or a dipper?
Do you flux it?
What do you use for flux?
Do you stir it in and skim from the surface?
If you bottom pour, is it really necessary to flux, mix and skim?
I am trying to get as pure a lead ball as possible. I suspect that impurities in the lead pot affect the weight and accuracy of the ball.