Wind in Her Hair
32 Cal.
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2006
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
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As most of you know, I just acquired my first blackpowder rifle - my dream come true - a beautiful .50 Thompson Center Arms Hawken rifle. Is there a lovelier piece of weaponry in the whole wide world?
After a quick trip to Cabela's for supplies, and after tearing her down and making sure she was ready, I waited for the weather to clear so I could take my first shot.
The sunlight broke through the clouds at mid-day and my husband Cabin Fever and I loaded up our gear and headed out to test our new weapons.
Cabin Fever and I took turns shooting his new Thompson Contender's .410, .30/.30, .45 and .22 mag barrels. He was pleased with his new purchase. (Ho-hum.)
Then it was my turn.
I had read. I had studied. I had memorized what I needed to do. I snapped a couple of caps on the nipple just to test her out. I poured my FFG powder from my flask into my powder measure, then half cocked the hammer. Setting the rifle butt on my boot, I made sure to push the barrel away from my face and poured the measured charge down the barrel. I tapped the side of the barrel three times with the heel of my hand, and laid a lubed patch over the muzzle. Then I carefully centered my lead ball in the middle of my patch. I started the ball into the barrel with my bullet starter, and snapped it into the barrel. A sharp blow with the heel of my hand on the rod end of the starter and it was time to use my ramrod. I seated the ball firmly against the powder charge, withdrew the ramrod and was set to go.
My husband watched intently as I pulled the hammer back to full-cock position and pressed a tiny cap onto the nipple. I raised "Old Thunder" and I made sure that the wickedly curved brass butt plate cupped my shoulder. I peered down the sights at my target, pulled the set trigger until it clicked firmly into position - and held my breathe.
My index finger just brushed the trigger - a flask of light, a cloud of smoke and
KAAAAHHHH- BOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!
wooooooooohhhh
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:shocked2: :shocked2: :shocked2:
What a RUSH!!!
What a sound! What a FEELING!!!
Sign me up! I am HOOKED!!!
Before long, my husband begged me to let him shoot my Hawken, and took a few shots himself. Before the afternoon was over, he admitted that HE was hooked and my rifle was much more fun than his pistol. (I could have told him that)
He can't believe how much fun blackpowder muzzleloaders are and he says he might be looking for a flintlock for himself. Says he might be borrowing my muzzleloader for deer season - in his dreams!
What a wonderful exciting experience!
Folks, I measure my life not by the breaths I take, but by the moments that take my breath away.
Last year, I rode a camel and mushed a dogsled team. This year, I shot my first blackpowder muzzleloader.
I LOVE this time of my life. And I LOVE my .50 caliber Thompson Center Arms Hawken rifle.
Thanks for understanding what I'm feeling and for sharing in this very special moment that took my breath away.
YEE HAW!!!
After a quick trip to Cabela's for supplies, and after tearing her down and making sure she was ready, I waited for the weather to clear so I could take my first shot.
The sunlight broke through the clouds at mid-day and my husband Cabin Fever and I loaded up our gear and headed out to test our new weapons.
Cabin Fever and I took turns shooting his new Thompson Contender's .410, .30/.30, .45 and .22 mag barrels. He was pleased with his new purchase. (Ho-hum.)
Then it was my turn.
I had read. I had studied. I had memorized what I needed to do. I snapped a couple of caps on the nipple just to test her out. I poured my FFG powder from my flask into my powder measure, then half cocked the hammer. Setting the rifle butt on my boot, I made sure to push the barrel away from my face and poured the measured charge down the barrel. I tapped the side of the barrel three times with the heel of my hand, and laid a lubed patch over the muzzle. Then I carefully centered my lead ball in the middle of my patch. I started the ball into the barrel with my bullet starter, and snapped it into the barrel. A sharp blow with the heel of my hand on the rod end of the starter and it was time to use my ramrod. I seated the ball firmly against the powder charge, withdrew the ramrod and was set to go.
My husband watched intently as I pulled the hammer back to full-cock position and pressed a tiny cap onto the nipple. I raised "Old Thunder" and I made sure that the wickedly curved brass butt plate cupped my shoulder. I peered down the sights at my target, pulled the set trigger until it clicked firmly into position - and held my breathe.
My index finger just brushed the trigger - a flask of light, a cloud of smoke and
KAAAAHHHH- BOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!
wooooooooohhhh
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
:shocked2: :shocked2: :shocked2:
What a RUSH!!!
What a sound! What a FEELING!!!
Sign me up! I am HOOKED!!!
Before long, my husband begged me to let him shoot my Hawken, and took a few shots himself. Before the afternoon was over, he admitted that HE was hooked and my rifle was much more fun than his pistol. (I could have told him that)
He can't believe how much fun blackpowder muzzleloaders are and he says he might be looking for a flintlock for himself. Says he might be borrowing my muzzleloader for deer season - in his dreams!
What a wonderful exciting experience!
Folks, I measure my life not by the breaths I take, but by the moments that take my breath away.
Last year, I rode a camel and mushed a dogsled team. This year, I shot my first blackpowder muzzleloader.
I LOVE this time of my life. And I LOVE my .50 caliber Thompson Center Arms Hawken rifle.
Thanks for understanding what I'm feeling and for sharing in this very special moment that took my breath away.
YEE HAW!!!
