Use of muzzleloaders in the Old West in the 1870s-90s

[flashpoint]

That is one Tough looking Woman.

Shush.. she might hear you.

 

[Stantheman86]

There is a parallel that can be used as an example today. How many of you shoot unmentionable rifles that are 75 or more years old? I certainly do. One of my regulars is well over 100. Started out being a budget driven decision or family heirloom - same as back in the day I'm sure.

My Krag is well over 100 and I bought it from a guy who hunted with it for 50 years. It shoots a bullet and kills deer like a new rifle, if it works it works. It still punches paper.

 

[tenngun]

Ned Roberts wrote of his bear hunts as a child in the 1880s. His dad or grandfather carried a .45 double shooting a conical. Robert got a brand new Winchester in .44/40. It was not up to bear, that the old guy dropped with rare use of a second shot
He was hunting in Maine. A little east of the old west but same time and pretty wild

 

[stephenprops1]

Ned Roberts wrote of his bear hunts as a child in the 1880s. His dad or grandfather carried a .45 double shooting a conical. Robert got a brand new Winchester in .44/40. It was not up to bear, that the old guy dropped with rare use of a second shot
He was hunting in Maine. A little east of the old west but same time and pretty wild

I was in a museum in Greenville, Ohio. They had an Annie Oakley exhibit. She had and used a couple of muzzle loading percussion rifles in her early days. The time period was after the American Civil War.