What I take with me to the range for operations and maintenance

[jrubin]

This video which I made goes through my black powder dry box to show what I bring along with the rifle so that I have everything I need when I need it for operation, maintenance and cleaning. 

[galudwig]

I hope you have a thick skin...

[smokinbuck]

Mr. Rubin,
With all due respect; An organized shooting box is the sign of a cluttered mind! Remember, this site is beyond "Muzzleloading 101", for the most part.
Mark

[skillman]

I've been watching this with dread. Time to chime in.
Most shooters carry less and less as they progress. Hopefully, we learn to emulate our forefathers. What they carried and how they shot. That is the goal I believe for most of us. My bags have become smaller and contain less as I have traveled down the trail. Most of the shoots I attend require shooting "from the bag".  This eliminates the shooting box.
I love to see new shooters of black powder and their new found excitement. This is the only way we're going to continue to exist. If you decide to continue down the trail you currently travel, bless you and I hope only the best. If, like many of us, the "historical" bug bites you---Good luck!!! It means many enjoyable hours of research, learning, and conversations with like minded individuals. Here and other places.
Happy shooting and a very Merry Christmas.
Steve

[Marcruger]

I agree Steve. That said, I carry a box to the range. My range is a 45 minute drive, with no facilities. I carry a box full of stuff so I can fix any issue and not have a wasted 1.5 hour round trip. I don't need those tools and resources every time, but then I never know.

 I have also said many times that a blackpowder shooter needs some gunsmith in him. A gunsmith without tools has a hand tied behind his back. 

I have also helped other shooters with light repairs. I make no apologies for my box.  If I am squirrel hunting I don't carry a box!

Merry Christmas and God Bless, Marc

[skillman]

I agree Marc. I drive an old Ford station wagon and the back is often as much a gunshop as a wagon. I too often have a very long drive to a shoot and don't want to waste it.
I find that a little care before the shoot will save me much time and frustration at the shoot. That and a second gun! LOL
My point is that everyone's path is not the same nor should it be. Just enjoy the journey.

Steve

[jrubin]

I hope you have a thick skin...

I loved your comment... Like a brace for shock prelude....

[jrubin]

And now for my real reply. 

With a background in engineering, and with regard to preparation "less is more" does not apply when you loose a whole day because you didn't bring the implementations you might have needed.  I can take that black box, toss it in the back of the car and no matter where I go,I have everything I need for my rifles.  Also, Ive been shooting black powder for over 10 years. While I would not consider myself an elder of the community by any means, id hardly consider myself a newbie.

And while I would bring little more than the ammo if I were going out with a (modern gun), I'd also bring a lot less tools with me if any, traveling on my Yamaha than my antique Harley, mind you, the Hawken wont leave me stranded on the side of the road.

For those who consider the pinnacle of excellence in operations the ability to carry all that you need in a leather bag around your neck, thats all well and good.  If I can get out to the range on a weekend, and not be hampered by the unforeseen, Ill take the box.

[smallpatch]

I take 2 HUGE boxes with me to,the range as well,  BUT, I shoot out of a bag.  The right tools to make repairs are then near by, in my truck. I have tools and parts to make many small repairs, and adjustments, for myself as well as others.
Just to ruffle the feathers a bit...... mine are wood, not plastic.
Sorry, had to do it!

[jrubin]

No, thats totally cool..... And why not.... The point is, when something unforeseen happens, why not do the short walk to the car instead of the long drive to the house and kill the whole day.  If you want to go from the car to where ever and shoot with a leather pouch worth of supplies and perhaps be period correct to the um-teenth degree thats great. But why go out of your way to be unprepared.

[smylee grouch]

Going to the big shoot in Phoenix in Feb. with three big steel tool boxes so hope to be ready for any of the un-forseen. I will have my Possible Bag also for when I shoot those matches but the tool box will be back in the truck with spare every thing.    Oh, forgot the brand new maple shooting box I got from Spiderman will be along too.

[jrubin]

Ill say that ive been thinking of making one of those wooden speed loader boards for 10 rounds.... or get lazy and buy one.  Wood work isnt my forte.   but the project looks easy enough.,

[axelp]

They have plastic speed loaders too if you prefer that to wood.

I mostly shoot from my bag when hunting or at the range, but I will have a few more items packed in my transportation that will help if I have some mechanical issue. Makes sense to have what you need should things happen. I bet the old dead guys who shot muzzleloading competition back in the day did that too. Longhunters usually traveled with packhorses and I bet they also carried a few other items for their shooting irons when out in the wilderness for years on end. They just needed less than we think we do.

I try my best to have most, if not all of my gear historically correct for the gun I am shooting. The reason I shoot a muzzleloading gun is because I like the challenge of old stuff and old ways. If I am shooting my (later 19th or 20th Century guns), I pretty much do the same. That's what makes sense to me and how I enjoy the sport. Everyone should do whatever it takes for them to have fun shooting and to shoot well. If it means a wheeled cart or a whole wagon with a blacksmith shop, so be it.

 

[mountainman70]

I hope you have a thick skin...

I loved your comment... Like a brace for shock prelude....

also, a jug of good squeezins handy is good, if'n ye be a drinkin man.
Being a retired mechanic,I always have gun tools, and often, car tools to fix folks' stuff.
When I first started with Mountaineer Flintlock Rifles, 1976, I came out with the box of stuff,George Suiter,late of Williamsburg Gunshop, was there, and suggested I get a pouch n horn,and learn to use that in the woods. Was good advise,still using same rig I had back then.

Welcome aboard,bro. I about choked on my drinkeepoo with galudwigs comment. Needum skin thick like buffler hide. If ye aint got it now, stick around, it will de---velope.Have a goodun Dave F

oh Lord, he be nuther one of us motorcikle afficinados. Ye need to get a newr Harley,bro, my 06 Deluxe be most dependable scoot I ever had. Do like them panheads, lol

[mountainman70]

I take 2 HUGE boxes with me to,the range as well,  BUT, I shoot out of a bag.  The right tools to make repairs are then near by, in my truck. I have tools and parts to make many small repairs, and adjustments, for myself as well as others.
Just to ruffle the feathers a bit...... mine are wood, not plastic.
Sorry, had to do it!

Yer tools or the box be plastic   8)Dave

[cmakamson]

When on the firing line only those essential items needed to make the gun go bang are present.  However, behind the firing line is a box containing all manner of shooting implements, asscesories, do-dads, and what-nots.

[Candle Snuffer]

When traveling to an event, I take my Range Box with me even though I load from the horn and bag. You never know what you may run in to at an Event, and it's a good thing to have to resupply from.

Now unlike many, you will never see me carry a loading rod on a woods walk, or at a Rendezvous line shoot. I load from the horn & bag using my rifle's ram-rod, the way it should be done (IMHO)... Many a times I've seen and heard some folks say they're a traditional shooter loading from the horn and bag as they carry along a loading rod instead of using their muzzle loader's ram-rod..... hmmmm? 

[Maven]

Range box with everything (and then some!) I need + loading rod for postal match and general target shooting at our range.  For woods walks, a hunting pouch + range rod, but I made and always use a check list for bare essentials for the pouch.

[Darkhorse]

When I started back in '76 I shot everything from the bag and horn. It just felt right. The first time I saw a box was at a match near Atlanta, Ga. It made sense so I started loading out of the box when I shot matches.
All my shooting now is done at home on my own range and I have boxes for each caliber. And range rods for each caliber also. If something breaks or gets out of adjustment I want to fix it right there.
When deer hunting I carry 3 PRB's and a powder charge in speed loaders. When I carry a bag deer hunting it's never large enough for all the stuff I feel like I might possibly need, you can't be prepared if you don't have plenty of stuff. So I no longer carry a bag deer hunting especially seeing as I normally only get to reload 1 shot.
But when squirrel or general small game hunting I do load from the bag and horn. I have a simple, small bag for this, just big enough to carry ball, patch, knife and lube. I like to hunt from a bag and small game usually requires several reloads a day.

[axelp]

It does not take much to keep a gun going for a day of hunting. It will fit in a small bag or even in the pockets of a coat.

[Maineshops]

upload pic

I shoot out of the kitchen window. Everything quite handy and ma finally taught me to take the dishes out of the sink before I clean um😋. Dan

[jrubin]

They have plastic speed loaders too if you prefer that to wood.

There is a guy who makes them out of wood and sells them on ebay for 7 dollars shipped, I couldnt resist and broke down and got one, ill post a picture this weekend.

[RonC]

I am another who has to drive some 30-45 minutes to an outdoor range, so I want to be prepared.

I bring a range box to, what else, the range. In it are shooting necessities like balls, patches, pan primer horn (for flintlocks), nipple wrenches (for percussion), powder measures, primers (for percussion) and cleaning accoutrements. Also, I bring tools, both primitive and modern, a container for the cleaning, patch retrieval and dry ball attachments and cleaning patches. I also carry along a range rod.

In my modern range bag I have ear and eye protection, rags for cleaning, a multitool kit, a spotting scope, my primary powder horn, targets, stapler for targets, wet wipes for cleaning me after shooting, water bottle, protein bar, and other odds and ends.

I carry only loading boards, powder measure, powder horn, patches and patch knife, all in a  possibles bag, to the firing line.
Ron

[Sawfiler]

I must be using the wrong kind of percussion caps. I have never heard of/seen one going off if you drop it. Anybody else had one go off from dropping?

[Candle Snuffer]

I must be using the wrong kind of percussion caps. I have never heard of/seen one going off if you drop it. Anybody else had one go off from dropping?

LOL...  You and me both...

In 40+ years of shooting cap and flintlock muzzle loaders, I have never seen nor heard of anyone dropping a percussion cap and it igniting. I just don't think it's possible.  Might want to edit that part a wee bit...