Getting Started...

[chad1043]

Hi Guys,
Besides the rifle, which is a .54 GPR, what else do I need to get going? I am a experienced shooter. I'm 36 and have been shooting since I was 10. I have no experience with BP and would like to have a good starter kit set up. I have a bag and a horn on the way. I know it is a basic question that is open ended, I plan on hunting and doing range shooting. I plan on real bp. Thanks!

[Bigsmoke]

powder measure
short starter
patch knife (even if you are going to use pre-cuts, you can never have too many knives)
Nipple wrench
nipple pick
cleaning jag
ball puller
patch worm
range rod w/bore guide
screw driver(s) to fit screws in rifle
small vice grips or plyers
Bore solvent
gun grease
cleaning patches
speed loaders
and the list goes on.  Pretty soon you will have to use a steamer trunk to carry all the stuff with, and you will need everything you have.  That's what makes it so darn much fun.
Enjoy
John

[Firewalker]

Gee thats my short list John!
Really it doesn't take much but you will happily accumulate as you go on.
Its a magnificent obsession!

[Uncle Russ]

patch knife (even if you are going to use pre-cuts, you can never have too many knives)

I agree with Bob, I like John's "short list" and I do agree on it growing, and growing, and growing, and......

If you think you "might" need it, you will.

Don't be afraid of your list growing, you'll never have too much, it's a natural THANG, part of the Hobie, and part of the fun, so let it grow.
A Muzzleloader has simply gotta have "stuff".

Uncle Russ...

[Firewalker]

Chad, I actually have enough shooting stuff to supply at least 6-8 bags, seriously. I have enough misc. muzzleloader parts to build at least 4 partial rifles that need more parts like stocks and barrels or something. But, I'm always on the look out for stuff I might need, you never know.
Like Russ says ya need stuff.

[chad1043]

Thanks guys. It gets me started looking at what I need.

[chad1043]

OK, one more quick GPR question.. Which GP would you guys suggest? ff or fff?

[Bigsmoke]

Try 'em both, see which works best for you.  personally, I prefer Ffg, but lots of fellows like Fffg.

[Bison Horn]

patch knife (even if you are going to use pre-cuts, you can never have too many knives)

I agree with Bob, I like John's "short list" and I do agree on it growing, and growing, and growing, and......

If you think you "might" need it, you will.

Don't be afraid of your list growing, you'll never have too much, it's a natural THANG, part of the Hobie, and part of the fun, so let it grow.
A Muzzleloader has simply gotta have "stuff".

Uncle Russ...

And if you get a second ML you'll end up with 2 of everything it just grows on ya.

[Swamp]

Chad, my .54 GPR liked 3-F the best. 80grs is what I shot in mine. Good luck, and keep us posted on how your doing.

[Riley/MN]

I would add a bullet board and capper....

Have fun!

[mark davidson]

I like a brass powder canister with a little thumb operated valve on the front for dispensing powder. It is not as cool or as "traditional" as a horn but it is handy and fits in a bag which is one less thing around my neck.  My .54 liked 100grains to 110 grains of 2F Goex with .535 ball and .015 patch. Don't be afraid to pour in some powder and shoot a stout load for hunting if your gun is accurate with it.  I take a spare nipple and wrench and screwdriver to the woods with me in my bag just in case.  A bullet puller and patch worm are common sense to have along.  To me, any knife will work as a patch knife so I don't carry an extra knife just for patches, and I use pre cut patches anyway. Track of the Wolf will have everything you need and are good folks to do business with.  Use the hottest cap you can find! Folks here are great to get help and advice from. Good luck.

[prairie dog]

Hi Guys,
Besides the rifle, which is a .54 GPR, what else do I need to get going? I am a experienced shooter. I'm 36 and have been shooting since I was 10. I have no experience with BP and would like to have a good starter kit set up. I have a bag and a horn on the way. I know it is a basic question that is open ended, I plan on hunting and doing range shooting. I plan on real bp. Thanks!

You are going to love shooting your black powder rifle.  I've been taking deer with mine since 1984. I am going to differ a little from the advice you have gotten so far.

Don't get too much stuff too soon.  Get the basic items you need to shoot the rifle.  Then start going to shoots and rendezvous and see what others are doing and using.  Most shooters are happy to show their gear. This will help you avoid purchasing items you won't be happy with latter.

You have a bag and a horn on the way.  I think you now need;

An adjustable powder measure.
A short starter.
Cleaning jag, patch worm, and ball puller to fit your rifle and ramrod.

Cleaning patches, commercial cleaning solution (or hot water) and gun oil.

Caps, powder, round balls, and patches.

Pre-cut, pre-lubed patches are an easy way to begin.  After you shoot a bit you can decide if you want to cut pillow ticking and use spit lube or any of several other options for patch and lube.

There are other items you will find useful / necessary but the above short list will get you shooting the rifle.  

I shoot 3-f Goex in my 50 cal rifles because it will also work in my pistols. However, I believe I would try 2-f first in the 54 caliber.

By the way, I love my GPR.  You did well getting such a good rifle.

Good luck.

[Firewalker]

I like a brass powder canister with a little thumb operated valve on the front for dispensing powder.

I like these too for hunting.  I take the swivel gate out and replace it with a push button valve.

I am going to differ a little from the advice you have gotten so far.

Don't get too much stuff too soon. Get the basic items you need to shoot the rifle.

Nawwww....buy it all. Your going to wind up with a lot of stuff anyway, you might as well start out with a bang! :rotf  

[prairie dog]

Why not, at worst you will have a good supply of stuff to put on the trade blanket.