As this is the first time Moderators are being allowed to join in the MuzzleLoading Forum shooting matches, I had to do my part. ::
After swapping out the flintlock on my .45 caliber Bedford for the Caplock and Drum (it's a convertable rifle) I loaded my shooting materials (Swiss powder, RWS primers and cast balls), my Possibles Box (3 tray tackle box), 3X5 card targets, range rods, Bedford, Tryon and GPR into the ole GMC and went to the range.
The first thing I found was that little white card at 50 yards makes for a dam poor target with the Bedford. The guns silver front sight and the white target were almost impossible to line up consistantly. (The black X on the target was almost invisable so I was just aiming at the center of the white rectangle).
I also think I will add some old wooden matches to my Possibles Box so I can blacken up the silver front sight like my dad taught me to do. That would help a lot.
After prooving the Bedford wouldn't give me what I wanted, I switched to the .45 caliber Tryon.
While it was doing OK, it was still getting some horizontal stringing due to the light variable breeze which was blowing across the range.
As I was reloading it, I got to thinking that maybe going to the .50 cal Great Plains Rifle would lessen the winds effects. I also got to BSing with a couple of guys.
I admit it. I lost track of what I was doing, and loaded up the GPR.
Suffice it to say, the GPR preformed as it usually does. I think the .50 cal. bucks the wind better than the .45 cal did.
I'm not claiming a "kill" but I know the results sure got some Easterners attention. :: ::
No, we won't talk about how many 3X5 cards I only took one shot on because the first one was nicking an edge of the card making it impossible to get a good string. Let's just say it's a good thing these targets are really cheap.
When I got home, I disassembled the three guns and started cleaning them.
After finishing the Bedford, the Tryon was next.
With the breech of the barrel in the bucket of water, down went the ramrod and soaped patch. No bubbles. Retracting the ramrod made a nice Thuuump as the jag cleared the muzzle.
What the He*l? Is it possible this thing is still loaded?
Yup. :curse: :curse:
Well, I won't bore you with the fun of using a Ball Screw (It's a good thing to have a solid steel Range Rod, a 12 inch adjustable wrench (to clamp on the rod next to the ball) and a 16 oz hammer (to whack the wrench with) when you need it.) but eventually, out came the ball and most of the powder. The rest of the powder flushed out as I finished cleaning the barrel.
By the way, with the nipple removed and the breech stuck into a bucket of water, the main powder charge was still dry as a bone).
In 35 years of muzzleloading, I've never brought one home fully loaded from the range before.
Az ole Zonie says, "Ye Kant Bee Two Kareful. Why, evan a Muderator kan screw up once in ah while."
:thumbsup:
After swapping out the flintlock on my .45 caliber Bedford for the Caplock and Drum (it's a convertable rifle) I loaded my shooting materials (Swiss powder, RWS primers and cast balls), my Possibles Box (3 tray tackle box), 3X5 card targets, range rods, Bedford, Tryon and GPR into the ole GMC and went to the range.
The first thing I found was that little white card at 50 yards makes for a dam poor target with the Bedford. The guns silver front sight and the white target were almost impossible to line up consistantly. (The black X on the target was almost invisable so I was just aiming at the center of the white rectangle).
I also think I will add some old wooden matches to my Possibles Box so I can blacken up the silver front sight like my dad taught me to do. That would help a lot.
After prooving the Bedford wouldn't give me what I wanted, I switched to the .45 caliber Tryon.
While it was doing OK, it was still getting some horizontal stringing due to the light variable breeze which was blowing across the range.
As I was reloading it, I got to thinking that maybe going to the .50 cal Great Plains Rifle would lessen the winds effects. I also got to BSing with a couple of guys.
I admit it. I lost track of what I was doing, and loaded up the GPR.
Suffice it to say, the GPR preformed as it usually does. I think the .50 cal. bucks the wind better than the .45 cal did.
I'm not claiming a "kill" but I know the results sure got some Easterners attention. :: ::
No, we won't talk about how many 3X5 cards I only took one shot on because the first one was nicking an edge of the card making it impossible to get a good string. Let's just say it's a good thing these targets are really cheap.
When I got home, I disassembled the three guns and started cleaning them.
After finishing the Bedford, the Tryon was next.
With the breech of the barrel in the bucket of water, down went the ramrod and soaped patch. No bubbles. Retracting the ramrod made a nice Thuuump as the jag cleared the muzzle.
What the He*l? Is it possible this thing is still loaded?
Yup. :curse: :curse:
Well, I won't bore you with the fun of using a Ball Screw (It's a good thing to have a solid steel Range Rod, a 12 inch adjustable wrench (to clamp on the rod next to the ball) and a 16 oz hammer (to whack the wrench with) when you need it.) but eventually, out came the ball and most of the powder. The rest of the powder flushed out as I finished cleaning the barrel.
By the way, with the nipple removed and the breech stuck into a bucket of water, the main powder charge was still dry as a bone).
In 35 years of muzzleloading, I've never brought one home fully loaded from the range before.
Az ole Zonie says, "Ye Kant Bee Two Kareful. Why, evan a Muderator kan screw up once in ah while."
:thumbsup:
