Black powder gun

[kimbo]

would anyone know if you can still buy a new ruger old army black powder gun to shoot the 25m and 50m matches in australia. I cant find anyone that has them for sale and there are only a couple of second hand ones on the gun sales sites.

[Mike M.]

The Ruger Old Army won’t qualify under MLAIC rules. And they are no longer in production.

[kimbo]

Thanks for that, what gun do people use to shoot black powder matches? Im new to all this and just trying to get started.

[rmca]

For target shooting, under MLAIC rules, you want a close frame revolver.
The two best are, in my opinion, the 1858 Remington New Army and the Roger's&Spencer revolver.
Davide Pedersoli makes a reproduction of the 1858
https://www.davidepedersoli.com/en/prod ... oli-target

Hope this helps

[Spencer]

I think Kimbo is referring to the Pistol Australia Black Powder matches (https://pistol.org.au/wp-content/upload ... -Rules.pdf ).

The Ruger Old Army qualifies for these.

[kimbo]

Yes Spencer the pistol australia 25m match is the one I want to shoot. I would probably buy a new pistol if there is such a thing available but its hard to get any info on gear used for the match.

[David M]

No longer available new, need to look on the Used guns web site.
https://usedguns.com.au/guns/used_lever ... ackpowder/
They go for $1000-$1200, be careful asparts are hard to get.

[kimbo]

Thank you David M, is there any other make I should look at other than the Ruger

[David M]

Couple of Italian 1858 Remingtons, but they all need work to make competitive.
Try for a good used Old Army to start.
My 25m gun's are a well modified Uberti .36 Remington or my very old Hege Remington and well worn .44.

[6string]

Couple of Italian 1858 Remingtons, but they all need work to make competitive.
Try for a good used Old Army to start.
My 25m gun's are a well modified Uberti .36 Remington or my very old Hege Remington and well worn .44.

Pedersoli has quite a presence with the MLAIC.
Are their guns considered competitive “as is”. Or, do they need work?

[David M]

The replica Pedersoli match Remington is competitive in the Aust International 13 shot match, but it will require a good sight set fitted and trigger work to be competitive in the Australian 25m match.
The 25m match is basically a Sport/ Centreline match (40 shot) shot with a Blackpowder gun. See the blackpowder pistol rules or better still visit a blackpowder competition.
A well worked over revolver can also be competitive against the single shots in the 50m event ( Freepistol) with a Blackpowder gun. Lots of fun, dirty fun.

[kimbo]

Couple of Italian 1858 Remingtons, but they all need work to make competitive.
Try for a good used Old Army to start.
My 25m gun's are a well modified Uberti .36 Remington or my very old Hege Remington and well worn .44.

David do you weigh each powder load or do you use a measure of some kind?

[David M]

Two flasks with nozzles, one powder & one filler.
.36 cal is 17g PPP powder & 15g filler.
.44 cal 20g PPP & 23G filler, for 50m I swap the nozzles 23g powder &20g filler.

[kimbo]

thanks David great help, happy new year

[kimbo]

What would be the best filler to use and should I use a wad?

[JariN]

In my opinion wad is useless. Too spongy.

I'm using semolina as filler. It is cheap and easily available here.

Amaranth grain is also used. Some say it is better than semolina because amaranth does not compress like semolina.

[David M]

I use coarsely ground corn or Pallenta, we found that semolina compresses like concrete.
Be careful of the grind size , try to get the fine grind.

[Spencer]

What would be the best filler to use and should I use a wad?

Pistol Australia Rules "2.7.2. Patching material and/or wads must not be used in revolvers."

[Mike M.]

My load is 15 grains of Swiss #2 powder, with Cream of Wheat (farina) filler. Volumetric measure.