Newbie info on muskets

[101stmp]

whats the best place to pick up a scale to weight powder and any info on how to make my own moulds and the places to buy lead from.

[Ken Hansgen, 11094]

Re. scale purchase: I got mine from Midway USA--www.midwayusa.com--or 1-800-285-3701
Re. lead: Watch this BB for best deal, or go to a smelter. You need very close to pure (soft) for minie balls.
Re. mould construction--sorry, can't help you there.

[Southron Jr]

Like most questions in life, it depends on how much your willin ta spend. For someone just starting out you can pick up a cheap scale at most gun shows, lead = follow Ken's advice, and moulds, well here we can help. My dad and I make moulds in our spare time and if you get in touch with us via the BB I can explain more on how to make your own ( if you have about 10 hours access to a lathe) or help you get fixed up wth one. Midway and Dixie Gun Works both have moulds, just not cusom ones like we do. (P.S. don't let the term custom scare you to think that they cost alot, we usually keep the prices down pretty good unless there is some kind of oddball thing you want us to do)

[Ken Hansgen, 11094]

Some more advice--I got a digital electric scale that I use to weigh powder and the bullets I mould--mechanical scales are way too slow for this.

[Lou Lou Lou]

The cheapest method is a set of Lee plastic powder measures. One of the best shooters I know used them for his whole career. $10

[Walt Magee]

Lou they were $10 when you were a younger man. More like $20 now. Time flies when you're getting old.
Walt
P.S. He's right they are the best and the cheapest. Along with a Past digital scale and you got it made.

[Lou Lou Lou]

Dang Inflation. I saw them at a garage sale for $2 last month. Bought 'em. They don't go bad.

[Ken Hansgen, 11094]

You're right,Walt. A saying about that is, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper--the closer you get to the end, the faster it goes!"