[MMgoose]

So I was thinking if I should add a black power rifle to my collection of weapons. Any thoughts on this good or bad!

 

[vicdotcom]

Wouldn't hurt if you had the space and the funds. You never know what you may need. But you might never use it either.

 

[American Chestnut]

You can't make caps so it had better be a flint lock....or I don't know how.
Black powder isn't that easy to make from scratch either. I used to do it as a kid but I bought the sulfur and potasium nitrate. The charcoal is easy. You need s source for the sulfur and refining the potasium nitrate from bat dung or **** or whatever is not that easy.
If you need to stock caps I'd just stock ammo.
To me black powder doesn't make mush sense. I think I'd rather have a long bow.

 

[sailinghudson25]

I dont think blakcpowder rifles are much of an asset to SHTF collection. You always needs something for it to fire. Wheather it be lead, sulphur, flints, or caps. If and when something happens in the US like it did with England. Maybe blackpowder firearms could make sense.

Most of us will likely not outlast our ammo stores. A good blackpowder rifle and basic needs is roughly 400-500 bucks. Buy a case of military rifle ammo and a case of 22lr instead.

A alternative to the blackpowder rifle is a lever action rifle. Most cartridges were originally designed for blackpowder use. Just keep a lead cast and a box of magnum primers around. It's about the same thing, but it offers repeat shots. IF a semi-auto ban comes to town, the lever gun is about the next best thing.

Blackpowder is an excellent addition to a hunter's stock. In most states it allows an extra 25-50 percent more big game hunting time. My only good chance on a legal deer this year was during muzzleloading season.

I would easily take a deer upto 250 yards with my thompson center omega. When I put a scope on it. However it shoots dead accurate with iron sights. 250gr thompson center 50 cal sabots and 100 grains triple seven FFFg.

 

[tgoodman44]

I have a blackpowder rifle and pistol, would be good for hunting saving your very presious ammo for your modern guns for defence.

 

[keeber]

Modern In-line ignition blackpowder guns use 209 shotgun primers, so I feel adding several to my arsenal is founded. I load shotshells so I have plenty of 209s anyway.

 

[MikeK]

I'm a hardcore traditional muzzleloader fanatic. I won't own one of those inline things. What I like about muzzleloaders is that it's simple to make black powder assuming you can come across the ingredients. I've made it myself. It will last forever too. If you get it damp, you can dry it out and it will still work just fine, unlike some other powders.

If you own a flintlock, you don't need to stockpile a bunch of percussion caps either. Rocks that spark are all over the place. Some work better than others, but you can almost always find something that'll work. You need to learn flintknapping to make your own flints, but that's an useful skill you should learn anyway.

Lead is easy to find and always will be. You can melt it in a pot over a bonfire and cast your own balls. A flintlock is just about the most self sufficient firearm there it.

I have a bunch of percussion guns too because they're a lot of fun, and I'm looking to add a flintlock shotgun to the collection someday too. Or maybe a nice fowler.

 

[HNSB]

Unless you're using a flintlock and are prepped to make your own black-powder it doesn't make much sense for SHTF.
If you want it anyway, that's a whole different story...

That said, one of the things on my list is to get a flintlock and learn to make black powder. I am set up to be able to make several thousand rounds of modern ammo, but in a teotwawki, it would be good to not have to rely on those supplies forever.
There is no way I can make modern primers or smokeless powder. A flintlock and black powder would be more sustainable.

 

[sniperfx]

i feel it is a wasted platform. get a better weapon and stock some ammo.

 

[AK47THUG]

How about stocking up on .22 lr rifles?

 

[stant]

i think its a good idea they are simple, fulminated mercury caps are not that hard to make. gun powder or lead balls .its like saying we wont have beer or food or this or that .we did it before you want it bad enough you make it happen

 

[MikeK]

i feel it is a wasted platform. get a better weapon and stock some ammo.

Nobody was suggesting it as a main weapon, only as another line of backups. I think it makes good sense as a backup. Same with air rifles, bows, etc.

How about stocking up on .22 lr rifles?

Stock up on those too! They're cheap now and would be literally worth their weight in gold as a barter item down the road.

 

[Sam43]

Like many of us, I already had a BP rifle in my collection and it would be useful for some hunting to save the cased ammo. If I were starting new and putting together a Survival assortment of weaponry, I would concentrate on modern weapons, ammo and reloading equipment and supplies. There would be no need for BP.

 

[sniperfx]

i would not even use it as a backup weapon. just not very practical as far as that goes. imho.

 

[vicdotcom]

There would be no need for BP.

Trade it to some sheep who never owned a gun before for a few boxes of food or something. :

 

[AK47THUG]

i think its a good idea they are simple, fulminated mercury caps are not that hard to make. gun powder or lead balls .its like saying we wont have beer or food or this or that .we did it before you want it bad enough you make it happen

The problem is that they are not simple. A decent .22 lr and 5 bricks would be sufficient instead of a cumbersome muzzle loader and all the components. Unlike .22 lr, you only get one shot with muzzle loader. In SHTF, you'll be dead because lack of firepower and your enemies will see and hear you thanks to black powder signatures.

 

[MikeK]

The problem is that they are not simple. A decent .22 lr and 5 bricks would be sufficient instead of a cumbersome muzzle loader and all the components. Unlike .22 lr, you only get one shot with muzzle loader. In SHTF, you'll be dead because lack of firepower and your enemies will see and hear you thanks to black powder signatures.

I think you're assuming that a person would have only a muzzleloader. Nobody is suggesting that. Only that having one along with our other guns might make sense long term. For a SHTF gun, I can't think of a worse choice than a muzzleloader. But they're an effective tool for hunting and the ability to make your own supplies might be beneficial years down the road.

 

[MikeK]

i would not even use it as a backup weapon. just not very practical as far as that goes. imho.

I hunt with a traditional muzzleloader every year. Not just in muzzleloader season either. They take deer and elk with ease. That seems pretty practical to me.

 

[Josh C.]

Sounds to me its more of a toy than a tool you will need to survival. So really if you want a blackpowder rifle, have the money for it, and have your other preps squared away. Go for it.

 

[MMgoose]

Thanks for the tips, I was thinking of getting to ADD to my SHTF guns as maybe a hunting rifle, but would not replace my main battle rifle.

I think I will get one and try it out......I will let ya'll know how it works out.