AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Dennis Daigger on December 03, 2025, 06:47:11 AM
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Participation has been very low so maybe time to take a break. Anyone’s call.
Here is the challenge target for December unless we take December off.
(https://i.ibb.co/mVtTNFqX/scope-testing-diamond.jpg)
(https://ibb.co/7dVCkNWR)https://media.mwstatic.com/pdf/downloads/scope-testing-diamond.pdf
Scoring:
Five shots, one on each of the square sets.
20 points for a ball fully within the white and its surrounding black rim of the center square
10 points for a ball cutting the white and the red of the center and middle squares
5 points for a ball cutting any part of the red square
25 yards offhand or any position at 50 yards including shooting off the bench with a rest.
Dennis
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One of the reasons I do my best to participate in the ALR matches is to shoot targets that I normally would not.
Really don't understand why more folks on this site do not participate.
There have been targets that I didn't like and I still shot them.
This is an interesting target I will print 3 of them and when the weather and schedule permit, I will shoot it.
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I will print some targets and give my best to shoot this month. November's targets were all ready, but the weather was simply awful .and it was hunting season, which is a real deal here because we need the meat. Then , my wife had here 5th back fracture which complicates getting out [ and getting in our winter's firewood ]. Honestly, I'm happy that November is over and really look forward to shooting Decembers targets :)
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I’ll try it with my .30 cal smr. I built that gun 10 years ago, but could never get the L&R flintlock to go off reliably. I recently converted it to percussion, but haven’t shot it yet.
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I think the knee is mended eough that I can get to the range and give it a try this month - with Marc's helping the old man. ;D
J.B.
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I will try to get out and shoot it with the trade gun and the rifle after finals week.
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Finals! You really are a junior member lol. Happy you joined.
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I'm currently a senior in college, been shooting black powder since I was eight, won the state shoot at 9. I have gotten much worse due to lack of practice, but I'm getting more into the historical side of the shooting hobby now. Flintlocks and their accoutrements are my primary focus. I am writing my capstone paper on the use of rifles in the revolutionary war.
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Don't forget Ewald's Jaegers.
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The road to $#*! is paved with good intentions? Or something like that.
Between work and trying to get my Jaeger finished, I simply haven't had time.
The few days I have had, I've used to go shoot our trailwalk (which we finally got running again this year) with my buddy.
I still got a tons of load development to do, but now I'm severely limited by weather. We'll have very few days where I can find enough daylight and warm enough temperatures to go shooting.
I do hope to change jobs in the new year, which should give me a better schedule and hopefully pick these shoots up again.
P.S. I have also noticed that repeat targets always attracts a lot less shooters, which could be a reason for the low November turnout.
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Don't forget Ewald's Jaegers.
I am using his book on light infantry as a source for part of the paper. An interesting man with some interesting ideas. I do like his statement that the perfect rifle for light infantry service was a short barreled rifle with a long bayonet, and 2 years after the translation to English, the British army adopted the famous 1805 Baker rifle
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I had planned to shoot this target today with my flintlock Jaeger but we have started into a 10-day stretch of what looks to be near constant rain.
Hope all of you are able to shoot this month.
Dennis
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I've printed off some targets. Hope Taylor and I can get out at least once.
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It was too nice a.day not to shot. So I went to the creek bottom and shot three targets. Temperature was 48f when I got there and 52f when I left.
I used my .40 flintlock squirrel rifle, with .395 balls lubed with bear oil. I used 40 grains of 3f Goex.
This is a difficult target. You need 20/10 vision to see the small black diamond in the center at 25 yards. I shot the targets offhand at 25 yards.
I will let you score them Dennis. I'm not sure I quite understand it.
The second target was not worth posting.
(https://i.ibb.co/qMtqd6M0/PXL-20251207-185207033-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mCLZGpCv)
(https://i.ibb.co/2YcsWt3j/PXL-20251207-194700949-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XkF3jsxz)
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Great shooting, alacran.
10, 10, 10, 5 target 1 for 35
20, 10. 5 target 3 for 35
Dennis
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I guess I'm consistent.
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I told my wife yesterday that it would be a sin to not go out and shoot.
It was 48f when I got to the range And 62f when I left.
I have never seen the flags so limp.
I probably won't be able to shoot again till next year.
I used my offhand target rifle it weighs 12.25 pounds.
It has a 40 inch one inch ATF Douglas .45 caliber barrel and is fitted with Bomar sights. I used .451 balls, .020 compressed canvas lubed with bear oil. With 60 grains 3f Goex.
(https://i.ibb.co/xS57v6nB/PXL-20251215-144216056-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ynsQTqzZ)
(https://i.ibb.co/k2yWfSTV/PXL-20251215-144251065-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9HvCLr0m)
(https://i.ibb.co/LzB5SW1j/PXL-20251215-144319738-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8DGcMp9v)
I scored the 3rd target a 40 since the bottom right target has the ball just cutting the red square. But it's up to Dennis.
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Good shooting alacran..
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It warmed up to -15C today and having just installed new sights, I had to go to the range, since the forecast shows no days above -24C for the next 10 days.
Normally, at 25 meters, I can see the holes even on white targets, so didn't bring my sighting scope or binos...however, as the backstop was covered in snow. very flat light, I could see nothing.
I shot a regular target first, realizing the front sight is still too tall, switched to the tall leaf, which was in the ball park and was then already getting real cold. My patches were freezing and so was my fingers, so I quickly took 5 shots and hit....nothing. (well, 4 on paper, but not hitting any of the target areas).
Still, I got to test out on the new rear sight, which I'm very happy with. Real easy to center the front sight on it.
(https://i.imgur.com/onyP9cu.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qisaNg0.jpeg)
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Jakob, I commend you in going out in -15 C (5f) to target shoot. I will go Elk, Deer, and Duck hunting in those temperatures, but I doubt that I would go target shooting in that weather. Although I have shot trail walks in Rendezvous in that kind of weather.
I use bear lube for patching and if I am hunting, I keep the ball block hanging from my neck inside my jacket. That keeps the lube soft.
Coffee is not good patch lube LOL.
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Great targets alacran. I hope some others try it.
Dennis
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It warmed up to -15C today and having just installed new sights, I had to go to the range, since the forecast shows no days above -24C for the next 10 days.
Normally, at 25 meters, I can see the holes even on white targets, so didn't bring my sighting scope or binos...however, as the backstop was covered in snow. very flat light, I could see nothing.
I shot a regular target first, realizing the front sight is still too tall, switched to the tall leaf, which was in the ball park and was then already getting real cold. My patches were freezing and so was my fingers, so I quickly took 5 shots and hit....nothing. (well, 4 on paper, but not hitting any of the target areas).
Still, I got to test out on the new rear sight, which I'm very happy with. Real easy to center the front sight on it.
(https://i.imgur.com/onyP9cu.jpeg)
(https://i.imgur.com/qisaNg0.jpeg)
What a great sight for the Jaeger rifles. Thanks to Ron Scott for it and all of the other things related to building these wonderful rifles.
Dennis
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Good looking sight, Jakob.
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Yeah, very happy with it!. Not only does it look good, but it's real easy to see as well.
The other reason I was out yesterday, was that I have shoot in Vancouver early January and this was likely my last change to get to the range before that.
I'm not remotely good enough with the flintlock yet to compete for anything, but I wanted to at least be on paper with the new sights :).
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Here’s my target shot off hand from 25 yards. The rifle is a .32 Kibler SMR with a coned muzzle. I have to say coning the muzzle made the rifle a lot more enjoyable to shoot and much faster to load. We are in a warm spell here in ND and it was a balmy -1f so had to deal with a pretty major mirage over the sights. My printer only prints black, I hope that’s ok.
(https://i.ibb.co/yjJzf0f/IMG-8887.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gKC0jyj)
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Good shooting, it has to be hard to load those little balls with gloves on. Glad you braved the temperature and shot.
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Here’s my target shot off hand from 25 yards. The rifle is a .32 Kibler SMR with a coned muzzle. I have to say coning the muzzle made the rifle a lot more enjoyable to shoot and much faster to load. We are in a warm spell here in ND and it was a balmy -1f so had to deal with a pretty major mirage over the sights. My printer only prints black, I hope that’s ok.
(https://i.ibb.co/yjJzf0f/IMG-8887.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gKC0jyj)
Great shooting. I score it as a 40 so you are tied with alacran.
I was stationed at Minot AFB in 1969 and even for a cold-conditioned Western Nebraska native ND’s winter was a new experience. The wind combined with very low temperatures was eye watering. I seldom experienced these conditions in the 50 years I lived in Alaska.
Dennis
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I’ll have to cede to Alacran, his targets are better shot for sure. The coned barrel helps a lot with the little ball because you can thumb press it in place. I use mittens that flip up exposing the fingers and don’t stay out too long lol.
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It was cold, but I did manage to get out before our Christmas feast and shoot this one target. Hopefully the snow will let up enough for me to get the matchlock out before month's end. 25 yards, .62 smoothbore , off hand with .610 ball and blanket wad. It was so cold that my spit soaked blanket wad stuck to the ball on the last shot and wacked the target . Minus 28 C this morning, so I'll be tending the stove instead of shooting :)
(https://i.ibb.co/RpvNxF2L/P1010007.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3yrvD31t)
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Good for you Bob. Too cold for this child. That's -18F, however we used to shoot down to -20 and hunt to -56,all F's. Reminds me of a song, " when i wore a youger man's clothes."
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It was cold, but I did manage to get out before our Christmas feast and shoot this one target. Hopefully the snow will let up enough for me to get the matchlock out before month's end. 25 yards, .62 smoothbore , off hand with .610 ball and blanket wad. It was so cold that my spit soaked blanket wad stuck to the ball on the last shot and wacked the target . Minus 28 C this morning, so I'll be tending the stove instead of shooting :)
(https://i.ibb.co/RpvNxF2L/P1010007.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3yrvD31t)
Looks like a 30. Great considering the circumstances and with a smooth bore. Should have had a 30 score in the rules for totally taking out the small center square.
Dennis
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I’ve had patches freeze to round balls also, lol. For targets, I draw the line at -20f, no wind but not for long. I used to hunt down to -25f but I’m too lazy to do that now, that’s a young man’s game, lol. That’s a good target and using a smooth bore! I don’t shoot near that well with my fowlers.
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That is the reason I use bear oil lubed patches; they do not freeze.
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I agree about the bear oil. I usually use it but didn't get a bear this year so I'm getting a wee bit stingy with it ;D
Just came in after hauling more firewood after which I took out the .77 dog lock for a spin
.735 ball, 80 gr FFg. [ getting stingy on the powder too !' ] with a heavy wool blanket wad
25 yards off hand, but this barrel is so long I should probably back up another yard :)
(https://i.ibb.co/21jYq1LQ/P1010008.jpg) (https://ibb.co/v6Jv16rG)
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but this barrel is so long I should probably back up another yard :)
HmmMmMmmmmMmm.....(goes looking for a 25 yard long barrel)
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I'm proud of everyone braving the cold to shoot. I have been lucky that we have had one of the warmest Decembers on record. It has been very windy for the last three days; 25mph+. Suppose to calm down today, might have to go out and waste more powder and lead.
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A tie for alacran and NDduckhunter. ND’s scores were 20, 10, 5 and 5. Alacran’s were 20, 5, 5, 5 and 5.
Maybe somewhat arbitrary but based on ND’s better second highest scoring shot this month’s winner is NDduckhunter.
Dennis
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Congrats, NDduckhunter.
Tks for joining our ranks.
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Actually ND duckhunter scored 20, 10,5,5, M., which is a 40.
I congratulate Duck Hunter for his win. Thank you Dennis, I am javelina hunting in Southern AZ and I'm glad I don't have to deal with this.
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Congratulations NDduckhunter :). Good shooting . I'm looking forward to the target you decide on for our January match
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Here’s my target shot off hand from 25 yards. The rifle is a .32 Kibler SMR with a coned muzzle. I have to say coning the muzzle made the rifle a lot more enjoyable to shoot and much faster to load. We are in a warm spell here in ND and it was a balmy -1f so had to deal with a pretty major mirage over the sights. My printer only prints black, I hope that’s ok.
(https://i.ibb.co/yjJzf0f/IMG-8887.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gKC0jyj)
Congratulations, Duck Hunter! Good shooting.
Can I ask what you are using as a backing board? Your holes have nice clean edges, which certainly helps with measuring a score. (Forgive me if you've mentioned this elsewhere already.)
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I will attempt to shoot the January match, if there is one, alone or with Taylor.
Maybe he doesn't want to get beaten - again! ;)
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Does Duckhunter know he’s supposed to choose this month’s match?
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Was going to ask that, but my knee re-attachment isn't going so well.LOL
I think I stopped the pain killers too soon.
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Does Duckhunter know he’s supposed to choose this month’s match?
I PM’d him a reminder.
Dennis
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Does Duckhunter know he’s supposed to choose this month’s match?
I PM’d him a reminder.
Dennis
Not hearing from ND and needing to move on with this month’s match alacran will set up the match for January.
Dennis