I totally agree that black powder smoke is a wonderful cure for stress. It's also a powerful lure to attract new ML shooters. One day at a local range, I was "exercising" a long flinter that had been neglected for too long (They sometimes sulk when that happens ...) and was just reaching for my horn to pour another charge when I realized I was the object of attention for two youngsters and their Dad, all standing safely back and watching carefully. After several minutes of questions, I asked if they'd like to shoot it and explained that they first needed Dad's permission. They did, he agreed, and for at least an hour they took turns loading and shooting --- off sandbags --- at 25 yards, and with light loads. My ol' Pennsyltucky .50 caliber is a Wolf Haga replica with a 42-inch barrel and she's a mite heavy for 10 and 12 year-old's.
By the time they had to leave, the boys were asking Dad when they could get a ML of their own and he was smiling and nodding (He took a turn shooting too!) and I was grinning myself and very relaxed too.
Shinin' times!
I had a fairly similar experience more than a year and a half back at the range but with a twist. It was all AR builds and flying brass. I was between a bunch of pilots from the nearby Air Force base and a dad and his son and daughter — probably 12 to 14 year age range. They seemed disinterested in him showing them his fancy build. I was taking my time 2 slots next to them at the 100 yard range and when I touched off my smoke pole .50 cal. GPR for the first time they immediately took notice. So did the pilots, who let out a collective “damn” when I boomed the range, rather than that sharp crack. One pilot came over and asked all kinds of questions. After my second shot the two kids kept watching me and asked a question or two, which ****** off their dad. He didn’t appreciate my smoke or the kids’ interest. I guess he wasn’t into history and Olde Eynsford lol.