Need some input on getting started

[target]

I'm getting stuff together to shoot an .69 cal 1842 Springfield Musket. It's a repro that I plan on buying towards the end of the month so in the mean time I am getting some stuff together. I have a cartridge box, cap pouch, and sling on the way but what does everyone recommend I grab? It doesn't need to be from the same period as the Musket. I plan on making paper cartridges and such so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Junk Yard Dog]

Bullet mold, you do not want to pay shipping on .69 musket balls. Ball starter, range rod so you can have something easier to ram down the ball with at the range, powder measure, large powder horn. Paper cartridges may be fun now and then, but you have to make them yourself and it's easier in the long run to just load with the measure at the range, especially when you are working up the load it likes best. A large horn because these muskets take large charges and use powder up rapidly. I know it's a smoothbore, but it's made to much tighter manufacturing tolerances than the originals, it will have some degree of accuracy at ranger out to 100 yards. It is possible to maintain some semblance of a group on the target by experimenting with powder charges and patch material just like the Colonial militiamen did with their flinters. People not familiar with muskets will say otherwise, but our ancestors proved it possible to maintain accuracy with a musket once the weapon was properly mastered, and practiced with so long as it's range was not exceeded. Musket caps, these can sometimes be hard to come by, set in a good supply if you find them. Lead, soft lead is best but as the patch and not the ball contact the barrel you can get by with any hardness lead. Patch lube, there are endless recipes for making your own, or you can buy it ready made from Dixie gun works. Fat .50 ammo can, these are great for hauling all your musket great to the range, Goex metal powder cans fit in them. Dixie has the tools such as spring removal clamp, and the hammer puller that make taking down a musket lock so much easier. Nipple wrench, you will need it to remove the cone for cleaning. Tompion, this is a wood, sometimes topped with brass, plug that fits into the muzzle for cleaning. You place a piece of leather over the cone and hold it there with the hammer down, fill the bore with soap and hot water, stick the tompion in the muzzle and shake the musket like you are making a horrible martini. Do this four or five times and most of the fouling will liquefy and come out, then you swab. Proper cleaning rod, any .20 gauge shotgun rod will do, but I use a thick stainless steel rod, one piece of course, these muskets require serious scrubbing, you need a serious cleaning rod. Ball puller, at some point you will forget the powder charge or it will fail to ignite, bad powder, whatever, when this happens you will need that heavy duty ball puller, Dixie has them sized for muskets. If you need .69 musket balls or lead just drop me a line, I have lots of both on hand.

[target]

Thanks for the shopping list. It's going to be a pretty fun rabbit hole to fall down I think.

I've always wanted a musket and the accouterments and this will be a fun start.

I think I will make my powder horns. I have a pair of old bull horns that are about perfect size and are all ready to go.

[Junk Yard Dog]

These big bore muskets suck powder so fast you could just get the can spout and use the steel Goex can as it is for a horn

[bunkysdad]

Hey Target, that sounds great. I can't add anything to what Jim told you, but as a fellow enabler and black powder lover I fully support your purchases. Best of luck buddy. Looking forward to pics later.

[entropy]

A capper made for musket caps, Nipple picks, and a big canvas possibles bag to haul your 'possibles' in.

[target]

Thanks guys. I'll be ordering the Musket soon I think.

[musketjon]

DO NOT POUR THE POWDER INTO THE BARREL FROM A HORN OR FLASK!!!!! Use a measure. If you are pouring from a horn or flask and there is a glowing ember in the barrel, the powder will be ignited instantly and you will be holding a literal bomb in your hand. Not something you want to experience.
Jon

[Junk Yard Dog]

He plans to use paper cartridges.

[target]

Mostly gonna use paper cartridges but I also have a pretty simple measure for when I don't have any made up or if I don't wanna use them. I just got my reproduction cartridge box, strap, and cap pouch from DGW and I like the quality. This makes me hopeful that the gun itself will be pretty nice.