Best Place to shoot BP first time

[MDFF2008]

Helping my friend look at Black Powder pistols due to her issues with her MM card got me interested in purchasing one. I've been looking at an 1848 Dragoon replica. I see the 1851 Confederate revolvers are cheaper, but I've read that I don't want a brass barrel.

Is Hap Baker the best place in the Baltimore area to shoot?

I've only seen like three public ranges that offer BP, Hap Baker, Elk Neck, and Delmarva Sporting Clays. Cresap also has limited open hours.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I would not recommend a Dragoon as a first revolver, due to the weight - it's a 5-lb monstrosity. My normal recommendation is a Remington, with a Colt Navy as a second option.

I can't speak to the ranges up Baltimore way...it's way north for me. I would suggest getting on the North-South Skirmish Association's BB for advice. We'll try to recruit you, but that's not a bad thing.

 

[toppkatt]

The barrels aren't brass but the frames might be. As long as you don't try to shoot 'magnum' loads even the brass frames will last a long time. I'm not a fan of the Colt revolvers, preferring the solid frame types like the Remington, Spiller and Burr or the Whitney. That said, the Ruger Old Army is a fine, well made revolver, made with good modern steels. Yes they are out of production and a bit more expensive than some reproduction C&B revolvers but they last, even when abused by using 'magnum' loads, at least by C&B revolver standards.

 

[K31]

I would stick with a Remington or Remington like like top strap cap and ball model for your first IMO. You're going to find it's easier to take apart to clean. Which you are going to do after each outing.

 

[Rambler]

I like the non-military versions that have shorter barrels.
Old South Firearms has a lot of interesting stuff and decent prices:

https://www.oldsouthfirearms.com/Traditions1862NoFrillsColtMetropolitanPoliceRevolver.36cal.aspx

 

[Horseman308]

For public ranges that allow black powder, you'll be pretty limited. They all have to be outdoors. Del Marva is WAY better than Hap Baker if it's not much farther.

That's not so much just a black powder thing, but there's just way more options at Del Marva.

And I would also avoid a Dragoon for a first BP revolver.

 

[Threeband]

Get a loading stand.
Get a loading stand.
Get a loading stand.
Get a loading stand.

Revolver Accessories

Revolver Blackpowder Loading and Display Stand See "More Info" for details.

www.oldsouthfirearms.com

Another suggestion:

Get a loading stand.

 

[Melnic]

With a remington new army replica which was my first BP pistol, I prefer the loading stand where you remove the cylinder.
Amazon product ASIN B09LNR4BVJ

 

[MDFF2008]

For public ranges that allow black powder, you'll be pretty limited. They all have to be outdoors. Del Marva is WAY better than Hap Baker if it's not much farther.

That's not so much just a black powder thing, but there's just way more options at Del Marva.

And I would also avoid a Dragoon for a first BP revolver.

I live in Baltimore so Hap Baker is hands down closer. For my friend if we went shooting together, Delmarva is about equal distance.

I want a good, iconic western looking revolver.

 

[Blacksmith101]

I live in Baltimore so Hap Baker is hands down closer. For my friend if we went shooting together, Delmarva is about equal distance.

I want a good, iconic western looking revolver.

The Ruger Old Army is one of the best however it is no longer in production but they are readily available on the used gun market in either blued or stainless.

Ruger Old Army - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

You should also be aware that conversion cylinders are available for many models of cap and ball revolvers which allows them to also shoot conventional cartridge ammunition.

Cartridge Conversion Revolvers | Best Cartridge Conversion Cylinder

 

[Biggfoot44]

I want a good, iconic western looking revolver.

That's pretty much a given for any of them .

As commonly noted , Remington NMA aka 1858 is most congruent and adaptable to modern sensibilities .

That said ( within vaguely practical parameters ) get what you Like/ Inspires you .


Modern Sensibilities make people think they want 4 - 6 inch bbl , instead of 7-8 inch . Don't be fooled . BP is different from smokeless , and those bbls were original length for a reason . They're need for effecent powder burn , and they balance well .

If you ask , everyone will tell you steel > brass frame . And new prices are worth the modest upcharge . But used , you can find very favorable prices on brass . Use discression on light to medium powder charges , and they'll have a reasonable lifespan .

 

[John from MD]

I would stick with a Remington or Remington like like top strap cap and ball model for your first IMO. You're going to find it's easier to take apart to clean. Which you are going to do after each outing.

I second this. The Beals revolver has better sights and is actually lighter than the Colt's.

 

[tjiann]

With a remington new army replica which was my first BP pistol, I prefer the loading stand where you remove the cylinder.
Amazon product ASIN B09LNR4BVJ

I like this one because it works for both my 36 cal Navy and 44 cal Rem Army guns.

 

[K31]

Get a loading stand.
Get a loading stand.
Get a loading stand.
Get a loading stand.

Revolver Accessories

Revolver Blackpowder Loading and Display Stand See "More Info" for details.

www.oldsouthfirearms.com

Another suggestion:

Get a loading stand.

True dat.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I don't bother with a loading stand, never have. But I'm used to loading with premeasured charges...and have this down to a smoothly running science. Hold gun in left hand on half-cock. Take charge tube, open, pour powder into chamber. Take tube of filler (Cream of Wheat), pour filler on top of powder. Take bullet, put on top. Rotate cylinder, ram home using both hands like a nutcracker (keep the barrel pointed downrange). Repeat. A dollop of lube on top, cap, and fire.

 

[Doco Overboard]

I bought some cream of wheat not long ago.
Man is that stuff getting expensive these days.
When I was shooting a lot, I could just about pinch the right amount of filler nearly every time.
But ,I used a loading stand to have both hands free.
I just picked up some BP revolvers on the cheap not long ago for a song.
An older brass Arm’i Remington clone and a steel framed 1860 colt that was never fired.
My loading stand is made from some scrap pine and a few dowels that I made decades ago.
I find them useful and got a kick at the recommendation earlier for their usefulness.

 

[John from MD]

I bought some cream of wheat not long ago.
Man is that stuff getting expensive these days.
When I was shooting a lot, I could just about pinch the right amount of filler nearly every time.
But ,I used a loading stand to have both hands free.
I just picked up some BP revolvers on the cheap not long ago for a song.
An older brass Arm’i Remington clone and a steel framed 1860 colt that was never fired.
My loading stand is made from some scrap pine and a few dowels that I made decades ago.
I find them useful and got a kick at the recommendation earlier for their usefulness.

Cream of Wheat or Corn Meal fillers do two things for you. 1, they give you better ballistics for less than full chamber charges and 2, they scrub the mouth of the chamber, forcing cone and bore to keep the fouling down. I keep mine in old Mustard squeeze bottles which makes applying them easy. Cream of Wheat is more forgiving as it compresses more than Corn Meal.

 

[Doco Overboard]

Cream of Wheat or Corn Meal fillers do two things for you. 1, they give you better ballistics for less than full chamber charges and 2, they scrub the mouth of the chamber, forcing cone and bore to keep the fouling down. I keep mine in old Mustard squeeze bottles which makes applying them easy. Cream of Wheat is more forgiving as it compresses more than Corn Meal.

That’s pretty much it it. Straight up.
Been doing shooting/ enjoying revolvers since I had my original 1860 handed down to me as a kid.

 

[Ptreece]

If you're looking for some black powder revolvers my friend owns a shot that specializes in Black powder and muzzle loading in Essex. It's called Saint Firearms.
Him and I usually go to Elkneck to shoot. It's a bit of a drive but it's worth it.