Sorely needed day at the range.

So, this past Monday i had off thanks to the holiday in remembrance of our fallen heroes. I made time to get to the range for the first time since I moved, which is embarrassing since I live less than 15 minutes away from my local range.

About 3 months ago our range in cooperation with the ML club that shoots out of the property set up 3 benches / lanes designated ML only, a nice touch but i thought an unnecessary one as I had until Monday NEVER seen another ML shooter, including unmentionables at the range that I hadn't made arrangements to meet there.

So I take my old rifle up, and set up on the first of the three benches, at the far left end of the range. I got started, enjoying the usual looks from other range goers as I fired my Hawken.
I had two firsts this day.
First number one, not one but TWO fellow ML enthusiasts arrived, completely filling the three ML only stations at the range. Admittedly one was firing a modern inline, but the other was a member of the Mazatzal Mt muzzle loading club and was at the range with his Daughter, her husband and his granddaughter.
We chatted and had a good time, his family coming down to our end to join him. His granddaughter shoots ML too! I thought that was pretty cool.

First number two. Firing bench rest, at 50 yards which I almost always do, I scored a nearly perfect bullseye!! Had there been a dime taped on the center of the target I'd have tagged it!! I took a pic, but its on my phone and I don't feel like uploading it tonight. I've hit near center bullseyes, but this one broke the cross lines in all 4 quadrants! (just wish my group had been as impressive)

Anyhow, had to brag a bit and relate my Memorial day at the range.

It's very therapeutic for me when I get to enjoy the range in the way you described. Our club has its own designated muzzle loader/ shotgun only range that is separate and up the hill from the regular 100 yard range.

There is nothing more annoying than trying to enjoy the slower pace of shooting muzzle loaders while guys right next to me are banging away with AR 15s and Aks. Dont get me wrong I enjoy shooting them as well, but when I'm shooting my flintlocks I dont want to be around the modern stuff.

Most times our ML range is empty or nearly so. I like going there during the week when I can have the place to myself.

Good for you Terry. I hope you get back there soon.

Business gods are happy with me, no time to shoot or fish etc. Owning yer own business is a curse, cant even lie to the boss! Glad you got out and congrats on the center shot!

Sidney Smith said:

There is nothing more annoying than trying to enjoy the slower pace of shooting muzzle loaders while guys right next to me are banging away with AR 15s and Aks. Dont get me wrong I enjoy shooting them as well, but when I'm shooting my flintlocks I dont want to be around the modern stuff.

Click to expand...

And some modern shooters find traditional muzzleloaders and BP smoke annoying. Had a few even ask for it as they setup to my right after being warned, saying it couldn’t be that bad. These folks usually move after I light up a couple 80 to 100 grain loads in a flintlock. I also shoot matches a couple times a month with weapons from the two World Wars of the last century and have gotten used to hot brass coming from my left.....

While a day by myself at the range is great, personally, I do not care what those around me may be shooting. I always show interest in what they are doing and take them up on any offers to try their guns. And I always offer them the opportunity to shoot what I am at the range with. They may not become traditional muzzleloader shooters, but if they enjoy it and think it’s interesting, we at least have another friend of the sport.

Good for you sir.
You should of shot that pesky Wabbit target you imposed upon us!

B.

Never did a dime at 50 yards. But I can do a nickel at 40 on a good day.

Before I joined the club I belong to now I used to go to one of Pennsylvania's public ranges owned by the game commission. More than once I caught flak from people when they got hit with hot particles from the pan of my Flintlocks. I too would warn them and most also took the same stance that it wouldn't be that bad. One shot and usually they'd get uptight and either move or would tell me I had no business shooting " that kind of gun" there. For that and many other reasons I quit going there and joined a club. As I mentioned I also enjoy modern firearms but when I'm shooting black powder arms that's all I want to concern myself with.

The smoke, and occasional flash may be part of the reason they gave us designated benches to the far left side of the range; mind you I'm guessing. You might say it makes more sense to put us far right, but the last 12 benches or so to the left are 100 yards or less only. The benches farther rights and all the way down can shoot to 300, though beyond 200 its just the steel plates they have up there at 300 yards. Also, the bench farthest right is set for the unmentionable that shoots BIG BIG suppositories.

Regardless, the result is I get to shoot somewhat away from the guys rattling out shells and tossing the casings all over the other benches. When its later and they are winding down they start closing benches from the left, so I then have that much more separation. I find this part a two edged sword so to speak. I am away from the ear splitting muzzle-breaks that force me to double up plugs and muffs, but I get fewer looks and inquiries. I do so love sharing my sweet little rifle!

Sidney Smith said:

Before I joined the club I belong to now I used to go to one of Pennsylvania's public ranges owned by the game commission. More than once I caught flak from people when they got hit with hot particles from the pan of my Flintlocks. I too would warn them and most also took the same stance that it wouldn't be that bad. One shot and usually they'd get uptight and either move or would tell me I had no business shooting " that kind of gun" there. For that and many other reasons I quit going there and joined a club. As I mentioned I also enjoy modern firearms but when I'm shooting black powder arms that's all I want to concern myself with.

Click to expand...

When we shoot flintlocks at a public range, we need to aware of the effect of the jet of gas from the touch hole and cap splatter from cap fragments. It is necessary to have a barrier or flash guard set up to block that jet of gas from hitting other shooters. Yes, its more stuff we need to take to the range, but it is a necessity to be a safe shooter that is concerned about the other shooters on the range.

When using a flintlock I try to stay to the far right of the lanes. Not strictly needed because the club where I shoot has adequate space between stations so gas or cap fragments aren't a problem but folks appreciate the consideration. Since I can shoot off times during the week (hurray for retirement) there's usually no crowding anyway.

Jeff

No man really likes another guy handling his gear. But have you noticed the "sparkle" in another shooters eyes when you let him (or her) shoot your muzzleloader?

I'm 74 and for about 64 of those years I shot the fast shooters. MG's, bolts, semi's. I got seriously into MZ guns a little over a year ago and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the idea of tolerating the much slower shooting guns. I realize there isn't a real reason to be in a hurry to load and pull the trigger but my old habits and shooting styles are still nagging at the edge of my brain. I guess I'm just one of those that always seems to be in a hurry. Age hasn't slowed me down in a lot of way. Physically yes, mentally no. Any one else here bothered with this somewhat of a problem?

mushka said:

I'm 74 and for about 64 of those years I shot the fast shooters. MG's, bolts, semi's. I got seriously into MZ guns a little over a year ago and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the idea of tolerating the much slower shooting guns. I realize there isn't a real reason to be in a hurry to load and pull the trigger but my old habits and shooting styles are still nagging at the edge of my brain. I guess I'm just one of those that always seems to be in a hurry. Age hasn't slowed me down in a lot of way. Physically yes, mentally no. Any one else here bothered with this somewhat of a problem?

Click to expand...

Yep.... due to medical reasons (heart and COPD) I can not go as fast as I once could. Mind still wants to do it but... Ticks me off... Sometimes just carrying my stuff from the truck to the bench is exhausting .

When I used to go to the aforementioned public range I would try to get the far left hand table (I'm a left-handed shooter and have a left-handed Flintlock). But the problem with that was if I did not get to this range very early I'm talking like 7 a.m. on a weekend the place would be mobbed and I would normally have to wait over an hour just to be able to sit down. That is but one of the many reasons I quit going to the public ranges I could go on infinitum about all the crazy manure I've seen there and unsafe gun handling practices but that's another story and another thread all together

Huntschool, way back when I lived in Ky and my father in law lived in Ava, Il ., we used to go up there and visit. He had 33 acres with a house and pond on it. Lotsa neat woods and we'd fish the pond and and shoot. Good times then. Are you close to Ava?

mushka said:

I'm 74 and for about 64 of those years I shot the fast shooters. MG's, bolts, semi's. I got seriously into MZ guns a little over a year ago and I'm still trying to wrap my mind around the idea of tolerating the much slower shooting guns. I realize there isn't a real reason to be in a hurry to load and pull the trigger but my old habits and shooting styles are still nagging at the edge of my brain. I guess I'm just one of those that always seems to be in a hurry. Age hasn't slowed me down in a lot of way. Physically yes, mentally no. Any one else here bothered with this somewhat of a problem?

Click to expand...

Actually almost the exact opposite. Especially come spring and summer, SO much of my time is dedicated to high speed pistol shooting (used to be all year but I only take pistol students on my schedule now) that the change of pace is a large part of what I enjoy about the flintlock. If I only get 20 shots in during a range session, that is fine with me, as long as it was quality practice time, not just flinging lead downrange and not really learning anything towards improving my shooting. Really, 10 good shots is fine with me. Ive learned to enjoy the different pace. Very relaxing when I have the range to myself or I'm only sharing it with 1 or 2 other shooters whom I know.
The only reason I don't care for shooting on the range with modern shooters is that it makes it hard for me to concentrate on what I'm doing.

The State Of Texas has a really nice shooting range behind the prison complex that I used to work at. It was put up with your tax dollars by the U S Navy + the Seabees back when that was a Naval Base.All guns were modern except on Fridays when you could bring "your own". But I can no longer use any State facilities as I'm retired. I surely do miss it. I really do wish there was at least one decent range near here.

One thing you can do when shooting your flinter is to staple up a piece of cardboard on a post that you can stand next to when shooting. This will block the discharge from the touchole and the shooters to the right of you have no reason to complain (if you are right handed, of course fasten it to a post left of you if you are left handed). This works good at covered ranges, and the percussion shooters on the line very much appreciate it.
Just sayin .....

Sidney Smith said:

When I used to go to the aforementioned public range I would try to get the far left hand table (I'm a left-handed shooter and have a left-handed Flintlock). But the problem with that was if I did not get to this range very early I'm talking like 7 a.m. on a weekend the place would be mobbed and I would normally have to wait over an hour just to be able to sit down. That is but one of the many reasons I quit going to the public ranges I could go on infinitum about all the crazy manure I've seen there and unsafe gun handling practices but that's another story and another thread all together

Click to expand...

Hi Sidney. Having the same problem you have, being left-handed, I sent my lock to a fellow that made me a shield to keep the hot Jet of gas from blowing out too far. Ted Cash make one for right-handed, but he didn't do left at that time. It did solve the problem,And as far as I know, there's no bad blow-by. Like you it was hard to get the left side.
Squint