Harvest with 1858

[Olon]

Howdy,

Yesterday I was out hunting yotes and didn't come across anything. They seemed to be holed up, avoiding that icy prairie wind. Maybe I could learn a thing or two from them.

Anyway, on the way back I decided I'd see if I could get me a squirrel from one of my best spots, this time using my 1858 New Model Army replica that I was carrying in addition to my rifle.

Sat down in the usual spot and within 15 minutes (as usual for this spot) I saw one. She was cramming stuff into this hollow branch about 20 yards away, maybe a little more. She moved on down a branch leading to their main tree and stopped there. Got my holdover figured out and bang. Knocked her right off and now I've got another tail to add to the collection and some food to keep me full.



Shot hit just behind the shoulder, as can been seen in the picture. That's the entry wound you see. She was about dead-on broadside. First harvest with a lead ball and I must say it's satisfying. Won't be chewing around #8 shot this time.

Anyone else hunting with their C&B? What stories have you got?

For those interested, I was using 30 gr. of 777 ffg and a .451 ball.

Happy shooting!

Olon

 

[woodnbow]

I started BP hunting as a 12 year old. Some time ago... my grandpa gave me a chopped 1860 army Colt replica, this would have been Christmas in 1967. He taught me to cast my own balls and conical bullets. 25 grains of 3f under a ball and a bit of homemade gun grease is an accurate game getter and taught me quite a bit about pistol shooting. I bought my powder and caps from Grandpa and worried the ground squirrels, cottontails and jackrabbits to no end. I have no idea how many ended up in Grandmas oven or skillet but they were much appreciated. My brothers and I were wild as Indians; do your homework and chores and you could pretty much come and go as you pleased.

The short barreled Colt is still my favorite smaller game gun. Needs work on the rear “sight”, and a taller front but they’re accurate and pack a good punch. If I were forced to get rid of everything else, it would probably be the one they’d pry from my cold dead hand...

 

[cowboydave]

Thanks for posting, enjoyed reading it. I really like the pics too. Nice job all the way around.

 

[woodnbow]

I’m with you on the aversion to lead shot in my meal... I really like bp shotguns but hate biting down on shot! (And I’m told the state of California thinks it’s harmful to your health... ;-)

Btw, is that an Uberti via Taylor’s? Beautiful pistol!

 

[Olon]

I’m with you on the aversion to lead shot in my meal... I really like bp shotguns but hate biting down on shot! (And I’m told the state of California thinks it’s harmful to your health... ;-)

Btw, is that an Uberti via Taylor’s? Beautiful pistol!

Yeah one reason I'll never move to CA is that everything causes cancer there!

Thanks for the compliment, it's a Pietta actually. I've had for a few weeks and I'm really loving it. My first BP gun!

 

[Olon]

Thanks for posting, enjoyed reading it. I really like the pics too. Nice job all the way around.

Thank you sir

 

[Olon]

I started BP hunting as a 12 year old. Some time ago... my grandpa gave me a chopped 1860 army Colt replica, this would have been Christmas in 1967. He taught me to cast my own balls and conical bullets. 25 grains of 3f under a ball and a bit of homemade gun grease is an accurate game getter and taught me quite a bit about pistol shooting. I bought my powder and caps from Grandpa and worried the ground squirrels, cottontails and jackrabbits to no end. I have no idea how many ended up in Grandmas oven or skillet but they were much appreciated. My brothers and I were wild as Indians; do your homework and chores and you could pretty much come and go as you pleased.

The short barreled Colt is still my favorite smaller game gun. Needs work on the rear “sight”, and a taller front but they’re accurate and pack a good punch. If I were forced to get rid of everything else, it would probably be the one they’d pry from my cold dead hand...

Thanks for sharing your story, I enjoyed reading it. I'd say casting is probably the next new ground I'm going to cover in the gun world. Then you're really rolling your own haha

 

[arcticap]

Nice clean, perfect shot.
That's what I'd call some great squirrel medicine.
The 777 powder seems to be really accurate too.

 

[44 Dave]

Last week there was a red squirrel hanging out around the garbage compactor. On one occasion it leaped out and ricocheted off a surprised gentleman. A little later, when no one was there (just happened to have my '62 Police along) I picked off the little rodent the length of the 30 yard demolition box. Sorry no picts. just left it where it fell.

 

[troy fairweather]

very nice my uberti shoots so good i would love to bring it out for small game, but i cant in new york. hope the weather clears up this week i need to get out for some squirrels and rabbits

 

[Olon]

Last week there was a red squirrel hanging out around the garbage compactor. On one occasion it leaped out and ricocheted off a surprised gentleman. A little later, when no one was there (just happened to have my '62 Police along) I picked off the little rodent the length of the 30 yard demolition box. Sorry no picts. just left it where it fell.

Nice shot man!

 

[Olon]

very nice my uberti shoots so good i would love to bring it out for small game, but i cant in new york. hope the weather clears up this week i need to get out for some squirrels and rabbits

That's too bad. You should get out for sure, toss the season

 

[troy fairweather]

That's too bad. You should get out for sure, toss the season

ya hoping tomorrow or thursday to get out. i have to sight in my old 22lr after changing the front sight. maybe i will take out my 1872 sxs 12ga and smell some pyrodex. i really need to build a 32 or 36 rifle.

 

[troy fairweather]

these were the first 6 shots with this uberti. the box was about 25 yards away and this was of hand on about 15 degree day. the one on the right was the first shot,

 

[Olon]

these were the first 6 shots with this uberti. the box was about 25 yards away and this was of hand on about 15 degree day. the one on the right was the first shot,
View attachment 818949 View attachment 818950

Not bad at all. What powder and how big a charge?

 

[troy fairweather]

Not bad at all. What powder and how big a charge?

that was old clear shot powder and i think about 25 grains, i used a old 357 case for a measure that day. the ball was about 1/8 from the top. we cant get bp there in new york i have to get some more pyrodex rs and the p. the gun is a 2017 and should be a good shooter need some more time at the range with it and get a load worked out.