In order to load match-grade black powder cartridges it is important to compress the powder. This allows for more powder in the case, as well as improved combustion and accuracy. This article shows how you can make a sturdy drop tube stand with simple tools. .. Read the article

Regardless of how boring and messy it may be, cleaning spent black powder brass is a necessary evil. Hot soapy water has traditionally been used for this, but in the last couple of years ultrasonic cleaners have become increasingly popular. This article shows how ultrasonic cleaners work. .. Read the article

A special year for Norway, 2014 both marks the bicentenary of the Norwegian constitution and – perhaps slightly less celebrated – the beginning of the union with Sweden. This article presents the military black powder small-arms that were used in the 91 year long Norwegian-Swedish union 1814–1905... Read the article

From time to time you stumble across things you can't manage without. One of my things is Jeff Tanners powder dispenser. It's simple, cheap, and best of all: it's incredibly time-saving. I've used mine for a couple of years now, and my old Lyman No. 55 is used less and less... Read the article

The powder horn is the container traditonally used for carrying powder. This container had to be as air and water tight as possible to prevent the powder from attracing moisture. This article shows you how to make your own powder horn using simple tools... Read the article

The smoothbore military flintlock musket was the standard infantry firearm for hundreds of years before the percussion muskets and breech-loading rifles took over from the mid-1850s. This article shows an exploded view of a typical Norwegian-Danish musket... Read the article

The drawing in this article shows the exploded view of a Danish-Norwegian military flintlock with names on the various parts. Note that he translation of this article is not quite finished. .. Read the article

The flint and percussion locks are the most commonly used ignition systems used in today's black powder firearms. Other systems, such as matchlock, snaphaunce and wheellock are also used, but in more limited quantities. This article gives you a brief overview of the different systems... Read the article

It may be discussed whether cast or swaged bullets are best. Of course, both have its advantages, but the disadvantage with swaged bullets is that they are harder to make for the average shooter. However, it is not impossible. This article shows you the simple way to swage bullets using a homemade hammer swage... Read the article

A precondition for good accuracy with minié bullets are properly dimensioned bullets that fit the barrel. Many .58 calibre bullet moulds have a .575" diameter, while the bore diameter of many muskets is .580 or more. This article shows you how to enlarge a bullet mould cavity... Read the article

Most old military longarms had sling swivels, but their original leather slings are usually long gone. Replica firearms are rarely sold with slings, but making a sling that fits you and your musket or rifle is pretty simple. This article shows you how to do it... Read the article

What is black powder shooting? What is black powder used for? Is it something for me? This article is meant as an introduction to the sport of black powder shooting, and it is also recommended as an introductory text to the svartkrutt.net web site. "Svartkrutt" means “black powder” in Norwegian... Read the article