INTRODUCTION

THE EXPANDED and revised edition of THE GUN

DIGEST BLACK POWDER LOADING MANUAL was born of

necessity. There were new guns to test; there was new

information to address. Of course, the old guns are in-

cluded-there is no such thing as an obsolete muz-

zleloader. Blackpowder firearms, cared for, last forever.

You may own a model that is no longer in manufacture,

but that doesn t mean it s no longer functioning. Pe, r-

haps here you ll find a pet load for that old friend. You

may have located a good muzzleloader in the used-gun

section of your favorite emporium that you need a load /

for. Or maybe you re seeking a pet load for one or more

of the many fine new frontloaders that have emerged in

recent times.

This revised edition is designed to help make the

muzzleloader work for you. You ll see how the loads were

derived, why certain data were included, and why other

facts were sidestepped. Basic loading skills as well as

propellants are covered. A discussion of blackpowder pres-

sures from the first edition remains a topic here. Them is

information on the functions of the cloth patch, accuracy

loads and power loads. New and useful blackpowder bul-

lets have come out since the first edition, many of which

are discussed in the all-new Chapter 9. A new chapter on

lubricants for muzzleloaders, plus facts about twist, shot-

gun loads and patterns and loading the blackpowder

cartridge are subjects you ll want to read about. New infor-

mation on screw-in chokes, wads and shooting steel shot is

also discussed this time around. Preparing blackpowder

shotshells for old-time breech-loading scatterguns is in-

cluded, as well as a much expanded chapter on ballistics,

math and formulas for blackpowder shooters.

The heart of this revised manual is the loading data,

provided for a wide range of sootburners. Besides the addi-

tion of 37 new firearms, recommended uses for each load

are included. Notes on blackpowder loading accessories are

a bonus guide for the shooter looking for special accoutre-

ments. And a new Manufacturers Directory with. names

and addresses of pertinent blackpowder companies~ ~erves

as a convenient shopping guide for the muzzleloade~m.

Combine chapter information with chronograph~ load-

ing data and you re on the way to better blackpowder

shooting. And that s what this book is all about.