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Went up to Dallas this weekend to help my folks with some honey-do's. While we were up there, my dad decided he was out of the black powder game (he doesn't shoot anymore due to failing eyesight and trouble getting around).

He gave me the following black powder weapons:

Pietta 1858 Army 44 cal Cap and Ball Revolver (Bought from Cabelas sometime in the 80's)
Thompson Center Arms 50 cal Hawken (not sure how old it is but probably bought in the 80s)
Dixie Gun Works 30 cal Tennessee Mountain Rifle (also probably bought in the 80s)
(Shown in reverse order below thanks to my lack of photo posting skills)

I shot the revolver and Hawken with him before but it's been a long time. I doubt either one has more than 50 rounds through them. The 30 cal has never been fired.

All that said, I'd like to shoot them. Anyone around Houston shoot black powder? If so, where do you buy powder and supplies and where do you shoot.

Thanks for your help.

PM sent.

Black powder is a fun change of pace. The pistol will work just like the rifles, just grease the cylinders after loading them. This prevents sparks from lighting the cylinder next door.

I have always found the simple stuff at BassPro since I'm out Katy way. I know that Academy no longer sells BP stuff. I guess there wasn't enough market for them.

goose wrote:Black powder is a fun change of pace. The pistol will work just like the rifles, just grease the cylinders after loading them. This prevents sparks from lighting the cylinder next door.

I have always found the simple stuff at BassPro since I'm out Katy way. I know that Academy no longer sells BP stuff. I guess there wasn't enough market for them.

Thanks. There's a BassPro out here on 288 as well. I had them on my list to check out but haven't made it by there.

I appreciate the response.

I have the same revolver I was able to find caps at gander, academy sells nothing bp
please let me know what you find I am wanting to shoot mine. I had to do a bunch of work to it, it was rusted and not taken care of
I got the bore bright but still has some rust around the cap points or whatever they are called. I placed some caps on it and pulled the trigger 6 times and it fired the caps anyway.. (No powder in the cylinder) good luck I am pretty sure that Hotwells allows BP shooting I am in Houston also
Pm me I have the manual downloaded for the revolver if you want a copy?

Gunner4640 wrote:I have the same revolver I was able to find caps at gander, academy sells nothing bp
please let me know what you find I am wanting to shoot mine. I had to do a bunch of work to it, it was rusted and not taken care of
I got the bore bright but still has some rust around the cap points or whatever they are called. I placed some caps on it and pulled the trigger 6 times and it fired the caps anyway.. (No powder in the cylinder) good luck I am pretty sure that Hotwells allows BP shooting I am in Houston also
Pm me I have the manual downloaded for the revolver if you want a copy?

I have been traveling and haven't had time to check but I hear that Bass Pro carries everything I need for supplies. I have also heard that Gander Mountain and Collectors Firearms carry BP stuff as well.

Thanks for the offer on the manual but I have one.

I'll keep you posted on how they shoot. It will be a few weeks for sure.

Thanks again.

TxLobo wrote:Great fun shooting holy black!! .

I can't tell from your picture, but the "30" caliber could be a Pedersoli.. those are made in a .32 and a .36 caliber.

you can shoot Pyrodex, Black Powder or Triple 7 in your guns. (If you use Triple 7, make sure you decrease the load by 15% measured in volume)

Pietta is a well made replica, just some quirks.. your cylinder could take any number of round ball from .451 to .457 .. A good round will shave a ring of lead as it loads into the cylinder, sealing the cylinder.

I use 25 grains of Pyrodex or 30 grains of holy black, topped off by around 10 grains of cornmeal. I don't use any lube on the cylinder.
Nipples, normally 10 or 11 size.. some stock nipples get replaced, so you may check to see which fits the best.


Cabela's and Bass Pro should have a good selection of supplies.. I've found that the further east I go, I'm actually finding BP supplies in Walmart..

Thank you. Good information.

RJGold wrote:

Gunner4640 wrote:I have the same revolver I was able to find caps at gander, academy sells nothing bp
please let me know what you find I am wanting to shoot mine. I had to do a bunch of work to it, it was rusted and not taken care of
I got the bore bright but still has some rust around the cap points or whatever they are called. I placed some caps on it and pulled the trigger 6 times and it fired the caps anyway.. (No powder in the cylinder) good luck I am pretty sure that Hotwells allows BP shooting I am in Houston also
Pm me I have the manual downloaded for the revolver if you want a copy?

I have been traveling and haven't had time to check but I hear that Bass Pro carries everything I need for supplies. I have also heard that Gander Mountain and Collectors Firearms carry BP stuff as well.

Thanks for the offer on the manual but I have one.

I'll keep you posted on how they shoot. It will be a few weeks for sure.

Thanks again.

The BP in San Antonio has a space for everything I need but unfortunately they're usually empty. Hope your luck is better.

Gander Mountain (59 and 99) has modern / hunting BP supplies but not much in the way of vintage / replica stuff.

I'll update as I find results at other locations.