Shooting Skills in the Old West: The Cost and Methods of Practice

When contemplating the shooting skills of the Old West as depicted in movies and TV shows, one often wonders if acquiring such proficiency would have been a costly affair. Would it have taken a fortune in the 19th century to acquire enough practice and expertise to perform the feats seen in western films, or were they indeed cheaper than they appear?

The Cost of Becoming a Good Shot

The reality is that acquiring expertise in the Old West would have been expensive, especially when it comes to shooting skills. For instance, to master a shotgun, one would need to fire a thousand rounds a week for several years. At that rate, it would easily surpass the monthly salary of a US Army sergeant, which was approximately twice as expensive as the cost of a thousand bullets back in the day. This made it a luxury that an average worker with a regular job could not afford.

Bullets and Ammunition in the Late 19th Century

In the late 19th century, as centerfire ammo was developed, a thousand bullets would cost around $10 to $20. The average monthly salary of a US Army sergeant at that time was around $20, which further highlights the expense. Even during the Civil War, in 1865, a sergeant made just $17 a month.

reloadable Ammunition and Tools

Despite the high cost of ammunition, men in the 19th century still managed to maintain and improve their shooting skills. They often reloaded their own cartridges using reloading presses similar to the modern Ideal press. Antique reloading presses, shown above, were numerous and varied. The Ideal-style press was particularly popular for loading pistol rounds for use in both rifles and pistols.

Lead, the primary material for bullets, was quite expensive. Therefore, men recycled lead as much as possible. They carried a small melting pot with a long handle, which they would use over a campfire to melt lead for reuse. Bullet molds came in many sizes and capacities, with the single or double bullet mold being most popular, especially among target shooters who cast more than one bullet at a time.

Shotgun Shell Reloaders: Common on the Frontier

In addition to rifle and pistol cartridges, shotgun shell reloaders were also commonplace on the frontier. These reloaders were essential for maintaining the supply of firearms, ensuring that hunters and lawmen had enough ammunition to defend themselves and hunt.

Resources and Further Reading

For those interested in the historical contexts of 19th-century cartridge reloaders and bullet molds, there are numerous resources available online. By searching for “19th Century Cartridge Reloaders” or “19th Century Bullet Molds,” you can find hundreds of pictures and detailed information about these antique tools. Many of these tools were in use even into the early 20th century.

Another interesting point to consider is the cost of a revolver and its ammunition. Some sources suggest that the cost of a revolver and 50 cartridges was about the same, which may indicate that ammunition was indeed expensive, as the figure has stayed with the author for years.

To learn more about the methods and tools used for cartridge reloading in the 19th century, visit the following link or explore related online resources:

Explore Antique Cartridge Reloading Tools

In conclusion, the cost of acquiring the shooting skills depicted in Old West films was indeed high, reflecting the significant investment in time, money, and materials required to master them.