So as to not hi-jack the other BPCDay thread I figured I should start my own. Don't have any pictures as neither the smokeless shooter I was with nor myself have smart phones to take pictures with. However this is the gun I was shooting:
It's a late production (US made parts) 4-3/4" USFA Single Action with their black powder frame. And the load was 35-36 grains of OE FFFg topped by a 253g Big Lube (SPG) 45 Colt bullet.
Temperatures around Noon when I got there were about 100 degrees, headed for 104 by mid afternoon. Couple that with the very dry conditions in Central Arizona and it made for a challenge shooting black powder. But...because I was shooting Big Lube bullets loaded with SPG I experienced no fouling issues throughout the time I was there. The cylinder continued to turn smoothly and freely the whole time.
I was shooting at a cardboard silhouette @ 8 yards and a 10" steel plate at 10-12 yards. My first five on the plate were all hits so I started off feeling good. I tried several cylinders point shooting (never my strong suit) at the cardboard and although I hit it every time nothing could have been called a group. Went back to the steel gong and enjoyed myself, only missing when I lost trigger control for a moment. There is something about firing a single action loaded with a stout charge of black powder and feeling the not insubstantial recoil, seeing the billowing cloud of smoke, and hearing the satisfying clang when you hit steel.
After 35 or 40 rounds I started missing more because my bad back was starting to yell at me. I sat down to give my friend a turn while he shot his 1911 45 ACP. After several magazines he asked me if I was going to shoot again and I said, "One more cylinder." I loaded up and fired 5 very deliberate shots, one handed of course. It's the only way to shoot BP cartridge handguns (smile). I got all five on the head of the cardboard target, a square 6X6". Four of the shots were inside of the IDPA 4" center with one just outside. Feeling I had vindicated myself...a little, I called it a day.
Dave
It's a late production (US made parts) 4-3/4" USFA Single Action with their black powder frame. And the load was 35-36 grains of OE FFFg topped by a 253g Big Lube (SPG) 45 Colt bullet.
Temperatures around Noon when I got there were about 100 degrees, headed for 104 by mid afternoon. Couple that with the very dry conditions in Central Arizona and it made for a challenge shooting black powder. But...because I was shooting Big Lube bullets loaded with SPG I experienced no fouling issues throughout the time I was there. The cylinder continued to turn smoothly and freely the whole time.
I was shooting at a cardboard silhouette @ 8 yards and a 10" steel plate at 10-12 yards. My first five on the plate were all hits so I started off feeling good. I tried several cylinders point shooting (never my strong suit) at the cardboard and although I hit it every time nothing could have been called a group. Went back to the steel gong and enjoyed myself, only missing when I lost trigger control for a moment. There is something about firing a single action loaded with a stout charge of black powder and feeling the not insubstantial recoil, seeing the billowing cloud of smoke, and hearing the satisfying clang when you hit steel.
After 35 or 40 rounds I started missing more because my bad back was starting to yell at me. I sat down to give my friend a turn while he shot his 1911 45 ACP. After several magazines he asked me if I was going to shoot again and I said, "One more cylinder." I loaded up and fired 5 very deliberate shots, one handed of course. It's the only way to shoot BP cartridge handguns (smile). I got all five on the head of the cardboard target, a square 6X6". Four of the shots were inside of the IDPA 4" center with one just outside. Feeling I had vindicated myself...a little, I called it a day.
Dave
