First, I'm sorry for the poor quality pictures, but it's the best I could do at the time.
I recently purchased a Traditions .50 caliber Kentucky Long Rifle. For those that don't know, the Traditions KLR is supposed to be a fully functional reproduction kit that the buyer assembles. However, I found this particular one fully assembled on clearance at Cabellas. It was half-off because it was a display model and it was missing one of the three brass ramrod guides.
I mainly just wanted a nice antique (or antique looking) rifle to mount above the fireplace mantle. That being said, I've never owned a "display only" gun and I definitely want to shoot it! Below are some of the pictures of the work I did on it. I sanded the stock and stained it, adjusted the trigger (would only halfcock, wouldn't lock all the way back) and re-assembled it. I know it's not great, but it was my first time restoring/renovating a firearm.
Now on to the point of this thread:
I bought the proper ammo, powder, a measuring flask, patches, and a ball-starter, but I've never actually loaded or fired a muzzle loader before. I've read a few books, and watched a couple of YouTube videos, but you guys have never steered my wrong before, so... any tips for a first time muzzle loader?
I recently purchased a Traditions .50 caliber Kentucky Long Rifle. For those that don't know, the Traditions KLR is supposed to be a fully functional reproduction kit that the buyer assembles. However, I found this particular one fully assembled on clearance at Cabellas. It was half-off because it was a display model and it was missing one of the three brass ramrod guides.
I mainly just wanted a nice antique (or antique looking) rifle to mount above the fireplace mantle. That being said, I've never owned a "display only" gun and I definitely want to shoot it! Below are some of the pictures of the work I did on it. I sanded the stock and stained it, adjusted the trigger (would only halfcock, wouldn't lock all the way back) and re-assembled it. I know it's not great, but it was my first time restoring/renovating a firearm.
Now on to the point of this thread:
I bought the proper ammo, powder, a measuring flask, patches, and a ball-starter, but I've never actually loaded or fired a muzzle loader before. I've read a few books, and watched a couple of YouTube videos, but you guys have never steered my wrong before, so... any tips for a first time muzzle loader?