Muzzleloading help

reece1962 · 07-22-2008, 04:26 PM

I have been given a .58 cal muzzleloader which was built by an old gunsmith. However, the gun came with bullets, shotgun primers, and a container of powder marked Nitro 2400. What is Nitro powder? I haven't heard of it, although I am kinda new to muzzleloading. The gun shoots fantastic, makes a cloverleaf at 100yrds. What other powder can be used? Any help would be appreciated.

mosquitofish · 07-22-2008, 04:53 PM

I've been shooting blach powder for a while & I've never heard of nitro??. I shoot Pydrex RS, ffg powder. There are others . in your area? real black powder fouls a lot. I shoot .50 cal 320 gr mini bullet w/ 50 gr ffg. my son uses 80gr w/ the same bullet. he shoots an in line rifle & mine is a hawkens. e

Dickie d · 07-23-2008, 05:11 AM

It's probably a standard 58, but to be safe take it to a gunsmith and he'll tell you what size bullet to use. I echo using the new stuff over plain black powder. I also use "bore honey" as a lub, they say it "seasons" the barrel, whatever that means, but cleaning is real easy with it.

samuel · 07-23-2008, 08:12 AM

The only 2400 powder I know about is made by Alliant powder co. and is a magnum handgun powder,awfuly hot for a muzzle,loader.I think Savage made an inline they reccomended 2400 or 4227 for but it would have to be a very small charge as 15gr,s would be equivelent to 80/100gr,s of black powder.I wouldn't mess with it.The standard load for the old .58 cal. Springfield rifled muskets used in the civil war was 70gr,s black powder behind a minni ball so you will be safe with that load in pyrdex or other BP replacements.There are BP websites on here that will answer all of your questions. sam.

rebel727 · 07-23-2008, 12:15 PM

Nitro powder is smokeless don't use it in a muzzleloader.

rebel727 · 07-23-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

. The standard load for the old .58 cal. Springfield rifled muskets used in the civil war was 70gr,s black powder behind a minni ball

Actually it was 60 grs. for the U.S. Army and 65 for the Confederacy.

samuel · 07-23-2008, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rebel727

Actually it was 60 grs. for the U.S. Army and 65 for the Confederacy.

It,s been so long I forgot.Thats why the union si always charging the rebs in the movies,trying to get closer because they use less powder. sam.

rebel727 · 07-23-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samuel

It,s been so long I forgot.Thats why the union si always charging the rebs in the movies,trying to get closer because they use less powder. sam.

They actually did complain that the Confederates used stronger powder than they did. I use 70 grs. in my .58 Enfield tho.

Bigman · 07-23-2008, 06:19 PM

I have a 58 caliber Hawkens Mountain Rifle. It is a percussion model. I have had this rifle for about 15 years. I shoot Goex Black Powder. Mainly I shoot this for traditional reasons. My rifle shoots and groups the best with 90gr of powder. And a .570 round ball. I like the Hornady round balls the best. Just a suggestion, I would start off with a low poader charge and work up. And keep records of your loads. These rifles are like the new rifles, you have to experiment to see what your rifle shoots best. Good Luck..Bigman

Rex in OTZ · 07-24-2008, 04:02 PM

My guess was bulk Black powder was put in a empty smokeless container, If masking tape was used it dried up & felloff, if you look there may be a hand written note what is in there.

samuel · 07-24-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex in OTZ

My guess was bulk Black powder was put in a empty smokeless container, If masking tape was used it dried up & felloff, if you look there may be a hand written note what is in there.

With "ALL" gunpowder,when in doubt,fertilize the lawn with it. sam.

andrew cochran · 07-25-2008, 11:19 AM

+1 I wouldn't be using Nitro 2400 in that gun. Stick to REAL blackpowder or a good substatute like pyrodex. Stay away from smokeless.

07-22-2008, 04:26 PM	#1
reece1962 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 1 Trader Rating: (0)	Muzzleloading help I have been given a .58 cal muzzleloader which was built by an old gunsmith. However, the gun came with bullets, shotgun primers, and a container of powder marked Nitro 2400. What is Nitro powder? I haven't heard of it, although I am kinda new to muzzleloading. The gun shoots fantastic, makes a cloverleaf at 100yrds. What other powder can be used? Any help would be appreciated.

07-22-2008, 04:53 PM	#2
mosquitofish Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: So. Calif. Posts: 297 Trader Rating: (0)	I've been shooting blach powder for a while & I've never heard of nitro??. I shoot Pydrex RS, ffg powder. There are others . in your area? real black powder fouls a lot. I shoot .50 cal 320 gr mini bullet w/ 50 gr ffg. my son uses 80gr w/ the same bullet. he shoots an in line rifle & mine is a hawkens. e __________________ Earth humor

07-23-2008, 12:15 PM	#5
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 1,515 Trader Rating: (0)	Nitro powder is smokeless don't use it in a muzzleloader. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME!

07-24-2008, 04:02 PM	#10
Rex in OTZ Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Kotzebue, Alaska Posts: 389 Trader Rating: (0)	2400 container My guess was bulk Black powder was put in a empty smokeless container, If masking tape was used it dried up & felloff, if you look there may be a hand written note what is in there.

07-25-2008, 11:19 AM	#12
andrew cochran Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Little town in ARKANSAW! Posts: 1,911 Trader Rating: (1)	+1 I wouldn't be using Nitro 2400 in that gun. Stick to REAL blackpowder or a good substatute like pyrodex. Stay away from smokeless. __________________ If you don't have anything good to say... Don't say it!

07-23-2008, 05:11 AM	#3
Dickie d Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Eufaula, Ok Posts: 54 Trader Rating: (0)	It's probably a standard 58, but to be safe take it to a gunsmith and he'll tell you what size bullet to use. I echo using the new stuff over plain black powder. I also use "bore honey" as a lub, they say it "seasons" the barrel, whatever that means, but cleaning is real easy with it.

07-23-2008, 08:12 AM	#4
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,056 Trader Rating: (0)	The only 2400 powder I know about is made by Alliant powder co. and is a magnum handgun powder,awfuly hot for a muzzle,loader.I think Savage made an inline they reccomended 2400 or 4227 for but it would have to be a very small charge as 15gr,s would be equivelent to 80/100gr,s of black powder.I wouldn't mess with it.The standard load for the old .58 cal. Springfield rifled muskets used in the civil war was 70gr,s black powder behind a minni ball so you will be safe with that load in pyrdex or other BP replacements.There are BP websites on here that will answer all of your questions. sam.

07-23-2008, 06:19 PM	#9
Bigman Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Georgia Posts: 20 Trader Rating: (0)	I have a 58 caliber Hawkens Mountain Rifle. It is a percussion model. I have had this rifle for about 15 years. I shoot Goex Black Powder. Mainly I shoot this for traditional reasons. My rifle shoots and groups the best with 90gr of powder. And a .570 round ball. I like the Hornady round balls the best. Just a suggestion, I would start off with a low poader charge and work up. And keep records of your loads. These rifles are like the new rifles, you have to experiment to see what your rifle shoots best. Good Luck..Bigman