Well, I took my Lyman GPR out today for Ohio's muzzloader season. My load is 70 gr of 2f with a 530 roundball. That is plenty for whitetail in close quarters. I counted 49 deer today, but only 1 buck. 15, including the buck came within range. I was unusually patient and let him get about 15-20 yards away and had a shot at him standing. The usual sound and smoke of a discharging flintlock was followed by a quickly retreating buck, though strangely he was neither hobbling nor running flat out. I sat for 20 to 25 minutes to give him time to bleed out and not push him, reloaded and then went to pick up the blood trail------NOTHING! No hair, no sign of a hit of any kind. Mind you, my rifle is quite accurate and I had a steady, unhurried shot. As I checked the area, I found the problem. OLD AGE! There was a small tree about 4-5 inches in diameter between me and the buck and it has now been struck by a .54 roundball. Ten years ago, my eyes would have picked it up, even though it was the same color as his coat. Well, tomorrow is another day!
Oh, and I did see him about an hour later and he is moving just fine---better than me on most days. Guess he'll be passing his gene's on for another year.
Oh, and I did see him about an hour later and he is moving just fine---better than me on most days. Guess he'll be passing his gene's on for another year.
