Black Powder Rifles and The Apocalypse

**Rick** · 07-18-2014, 07:40 AM

Phil - I can see this very scenario happening. A tornado, hurricane or earthquake wrecks havoc on a town or small region. It happens every year to some extent. You survive and start picking through what's left of your home and you find a firearm or two but no ammo. Even your safe is gone or buried under a pile of debris. You might have a real concern about looting depending on the circumstances and where you are located. I probably would not around here but others might. It seems to me the best thing to do is keep both firearms and ammo in a second or even third secure location. Perhaps at a relative's home miles away, at a storage facility you rent some distance away or even in a cache if you are comfortable with that. That would ensure you have both firearms and ammo. You'll have enough to worry about with rebuilding your life. There's no need to worry about safety and security at the same time.

Another alternative would be to acquire a loaner and ammo from friends or family for a short time.

Real world scenarios.

**alaskabushman** · 07-18-2014, 09:35 AM

One option would be to pick up a cheap single or double barrel shotgun. then purchase one of the conversion plugs that allows you to use #209 primers which essentially converts your shotgun into a muzzleloader. There, now you have a front stuffer capable of handling smokeless powder, and even shotgun shells should you find them.

**pgvoutdoors** · 07-19-2014, 10:45 AM

Thanks for sharing your responses, I thought this may be a good thread to have on the forum. I have no information to believe it would be safe or practical to attempt this. I know how people think and it needed to be addressed.

**hunter63** · 07-19-2014, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by alaskabushman

One option would be to pick up a cheap single or double barrel shotgun. then purchase one of the conversion plugs that allows you to use #209 primers which essentially converts your shotgun into a muzzleloader. There, now you have a front stuffer capable of handling smokeless powder, and even shotgun shells should you find them.

The convertible plugs are made to shoot BP in a modern shotgun.....and can be done......but not the other way around.
You still need a primer and powder.....
BP is a whole harder to find, as it will be in bulk, not a already loaded cartridge.

So although it sounds logical.....

I have ammo, but no gun that fits,....and a BP rifle/shotgun, with a convertible insert or made that way.
This is sounding like an in-line.

I dump the smokeless powder into a modern ML (should be OK right?)....some are actually made for using smokeless powder.....and touch it off with a #209 (shotgun primer)

Everything would have to be exactly right, modern steel muzzleloader made for it,... powder that works (any idea how many options that makes?)...and of course primers.....

Images
https://www.google.com/search?q=shoo...w=1093&bih=498

Best to just put this out of your mind as a bad deal.....

**randyt** · 07-19-2014, 05:02 PM

Years ago I came across a inline 22 caliber muzzle loader that the guy used smokeless as a propellant. I have been reluctant in the past to bring this up in concern it may be taken the wrong way and someone would use smokeless in their muzzle loader.

**alaskabushman** · 07-19-2014, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by hunter63

The convertible plugs are made to shoot BP in a modern shotgun.....and can be done......but not the other way around.
You still need a primer and powder.....
BP is a whole harder to find, as it will be in bulk, not a already loaded cartridge.

So although it sounds logical.....

I have ammo, but no gun that fits,....and a BP rifle/shotgun, with a convertible insert or made that way.
This is sounding like an in-line.

I dump the smokeless powder into a modern ML (should be OK right?)....some are actually made for using smokeless powder.....and touch it off with a #209 (shotgun primer)

Everything would have to be exactly right, modern steel muzzleloader made for it,... powder that works (any idea how many options that makes?)...and of course primers.....

Images
https://www.google.com/search?q=shoo...w=1093&bih=498

Best to just put this out of your mind as a bad deal.....

You are correct in all. My only point really was that a modern shotgun with a #209 conversion plug would turn it into an in-line blackpowder shotgun, not to be used with slugs. The steel the shotgun was made of, being modern, would be capable (steel and construction wise) of handling smokeless powder, since that's what modern shotshells use. Yes, you would have to get EXACTLY the right amount of smokeless powder, I was thinking a reloading scoop from Lee might be a good way to stay consistent. Would I do this? No, not with smokeless. I am kind of intrigued about the idea of turning my old Damascus double barrel into a blackpowder shotgun.

http://www.gunadapters.com/12-gauge-...oader-adapter/

**hunter63** · 07-19-2014, 05:32 PM

Keep in mind that smokeless power is in a shell case....not loose in a barrel.....

Our old buddy Dave C has a vid out using a cut off 12 ga shell in a SS shotgun loaded with black powder.....and I really question that....and gives me the willies every time I think about it.
He cuts the plastic shell off..... as the BP would melt the plastic.....the shell being like your adaptor, holding your primer..

I will stay away from using smokeless in a BP gun.....do do use BP in a modern gun....is a shell casing.....45 lc being one.