I don’t think that anyone in the Black Powder Cartridge News audience would argue that the year 2020 is not one for the history books. Between the COVID-19 drama and the presidential election, life has certainly been turned on its ear. Shooting competitions have taken a huge hit, with the majority of them having been cancelled. Hopefully, we will have moved beyond the “COVID Crisis” by the time this issue hits the newsstands and we can resume our favorite pastime and discipline. Time will certainly tell. ...Read More >

Shooters who favor the Sharps Borchardt single shot will enjoy this issue’s cover and accompanying article by Robert Saathoff on a fine, old Borchardt Long Range rifle. ...Read More >

It is with a heavy heart that we relate the sad news of Roberta “Bobbie” Gier’s recent passing. It surely seems that lately we are losing too many of the good folks that have made our black powder community so special. Bobbie Gier was one of those people. ...Read More >

First, an admission and a disclaimer: I admit to shooting Damascus antique shotguns. I do so at my own risk and don’t promote the practice. There have been endless debates about this, and I don’t want to pursue it much further here. Let’s get past it in this way – I shoot high-quality Damascus or “twist-steel” guns only with loads consisting of black powder or black powder substitutes. Also, the shotguns I shoot are free of active rust or pitting, have tight actions and show no signs of abuse. They are best quality guns made by known makers. With that said, if you don’t want to shoot Damascus barrels, it’s not a problem. There are a number of good hammer and hammerless double guns to shoot whose barrels are made of “fluid” or solid steel. If you like the idea of shooting a vintage shotgun instead of a modern piece or replica, there are lots of good, steel barrel doubles on the market that will not break the bank. Prewar, field grade Ithacas, Fox Sterlingworths and L. C. Smiths come to mind as well as quality doubles by other makers. At a higher price tag, the classic Winchester Model 1887 lever guns almost all have steel barrels. Winchester did offer twist and Damascus barrels for this model, usually only in the higher grades, but they are rarely encountered today. Replicas of this model are also available. ...Read More >