November
Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2002
- Messages
- 111
I had my first blackpowder experience today at the range. An older gent was shooting his .45 cal Thompson Center Hawken percussion cap rifle and was chatting with another guy as well. I walked over to watch him fire the rifle because I was curious about black powder. (I saw a Lemat revolver a while ago and have wanted one since.) We got talking and after a while he asked if I'd like to try it. I loaded it myself, but didn't use the set trigger for the first shot (he said it was set around 5 or 6 ounces). I didn't quite get it in the black at 100 yards.
Then we three had a little accuracy contest all at 100 yards and using the set trigger. The other fellas went high and low of center and then it was my turn. I got to talking during my loading and rammed the patch and ball about 10 inches down before I realized I hadn't loaded any powder. I was pretty red-faced, but the owner of the rifle was able to remove the nipple and pour some powder in. The ball came out on the second try. He said, "No harm done, take your shot." I felt that was pretty generous of him. This time I put the shot in the 10 ring. Just lucky. The owner called me "Daniel Boone" and the other guy jokingly called me a "punk" and then let me shoot his 45-70 levergun, but that's another story.
I think I like blackpowder a whole lot, and I think I'd like to try a flintlock next. I like the idea of building my own gun from quality parts. Does anyone have info for a good souce for parts or kits, or should I just get a good used one already built? Any info would be appreciated.
Then we three had a little accuracy contest all at 100 yards and using the set trigger. The other fellas went high and low of center and then it was my turn. I got to talking during my loading and rammed the patch and ball about 10 inches down before I realized I hadn't loaded any powder. I was pretty red-faced, but the owner of the rifle was able to remove the nipple and pour some powder in. The ball came out on the second try. He said, "No harm done, take your shot." I felt that was pretty generous of him. This time I put the shot in the 10 ring. Just lucky. The owner called me "Daniel Boone" and the other guy jokingly called me a "punk" and then let me shoot his 45-70 levergun, but that's another story.
I think I like blackpowder a whole lot, and I think I'd like to try a flintlock next. I like the idea of building my own gun from quality parts. Does anyone have info for a good souce for parts or kits, or should I just get a good used one already built? Any info would be appreciated.