BP shooters and Model Rockety: Could this be the start of a beautiful relationship?

[Wawyasto]

I've been thinking a lot about this Goex/Estes thing and the parallels between both hobbies is uncanny.

1. I don't know a single shooter who hasn't built a model rocket as a kid, doesn't dabble in it today or just thinks model rocketry isn;t neat.

2. This high power rocketry guys and the shooting community in general have shared a similar adversarial relationship with BATFE moving the goalposts in regard to rocket motor and firearms.

3. Their communitiy's interests and goals are as diverse as ours. Hobby to competition, buying ready made rockets and rifles to building historically accurate models of each. Often you can find the same woodworking and machine shop tools and skills are used in making both.

4. Your model rocket club's launch site would usually make a good rifle range when they're not using it. Our rifle ranges, with large, flat, well mowed and devoid of tress make for great rocketry launch sites when we're not using them.

Maybe it's time for model rocketry and BP clubs to find each other, have a cup of coffee at each other's meetings and make medicine. Thoughts?

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have always said we should look for things we have in common with others rather than pointing out the differences. Too much of today's problems are caused by people who think their way is the only right way.

 

[DixieTexian]

I've mentioned it before, but a Brown Bess's bore diameter is just about right to fit a model rocket engine if you really want a beautiful relationship between the two sports.

 

[Wawyasto]

I've mentioned it before, but a Brown Bess's bore diameter is just about right to fit a model rocket engine if you really want a beautiful relationship between the two sports.

LOL!

I like where you're going with this...

 

[appalichian hunter]

Cruise missiles anyone.

 

[jefair1]

The fins don't fit down the barrel.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

1. I don't know a single shooter who hasn't built a model rocket as a kid, doesn't dabble in it today or just thinks model rocketry isn;t neat.....


4. Your model rocket club's launch site would usually make a good rifle range when they're not using it. Our rifle ranges, with large, flat, well mowed and devoid of tress make for great rocketry launch sites when we're not using them.

.... Thoughts?

TRUE I've done model rockets, AND done them with my kids....,

As for the range..., Model Rocket launch sites here in the East Coast are middle and high school ball fields and public parks for the most part... 'cept for the rocket-candy DIY builders who are on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Can't be shootin' muzzleloaders in parks and school property. As for the ranges here on the East Coast, all of those that I've been to have been located down in tight hollows, with surrounding hills and trees, not huge level areas, where one could launch a rocket, and expect to recover it.

Here are model rockets being launched in Maryland. This area on the Eastern Shore might support a rifle range... but you'd need a good high berm as you can see the cars on the highway in the first clip, in the background.

BTW Maryland is the home of NASA: Goddard Space Flight Center. We ARE rockets. We don't mess around!

Saturn V 1:10 scale replica launch - Not Estes

3/4 Scale Mercury Redstone - Not Estes

LD

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I've mentioned it before, but a Brown Bess's bore diameter is just about right to fit a model rocket engine if you really want a beautiful relationship between the two sports.

The fins don't fit down the barrel.

No, but a very large bottle rocket, which IS an Authentic design for use in the 18th century DOES fit down a Bess Barrel.
You insert the stick into the barrel until the fuse and rocket are all that's outside the barrel, you light the fuse, and drop the rest of the rocket into the barrel.
WHOOOSH out it come, AND YES you can aim them IF you are quick!

LD

 

[Nobade]

And making a set of tooling to press rocket motors to use up substandard black powder you have hanging around is a fun and rewarding project...

 

[Woody Morgan]

We used 1/2"EMT tubing with a buddy behind the shooter doing the loading/lighting. Can you say "mini bazooka"?

wm