AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Black Powder Shooting => Topic started by: Justin Urbantas on March 02, 2021, 07:54:51 PM
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Okay folks, here's the shoot for this month. It's to be shot at 25 yards offhand. The match is 5 shots per target, with 2 targets used, for a total of 10 shots for the match. The goal is to put a ball in each triangle section, and one in the middle black. Only one hit in the centre black will be counted, and any section that has 2 hits will only score one hit. Play it safe, or go for the gold. Half ball scoring, and highest score possible is 50. 3 entries allowed. To make this easy target you'll need a quarter, a sharpie, pieces of paper, and a large canning ring.
Make an x corner to corner, trace a quarter in the middle , then the ring around that. If you want to use a compass, the centre circle is 1 1/8" and the outer is 3 5/8". Prize will be announced when I figure it out.
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The prize this month will be a stained glass powder horn suncatcher. Aim small miss small.
(https://i.ibb.co/LpqfTBW/20210302-093602.jpg) (https://ibb.co/JkbPY84)
(https://i.ibb.co/bHq6xR2/20210302-093713.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XyNW9k3)
(https://i.ibb.co/8jSm71w/20210302-093825.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sFMgV84)
(https://i.ibb.co/T2zVmYq/20210324-171104.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B38XqcK)
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Here's an example of a perfect target, scoring 25. The red dots represent shots.
(https://i.ibb.co/YWT2qR9/20210302-101344.jpg) (https://ibb.co/z5Hs0nc)
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Now THAT looks interesting, Justin. Reminds me, I need a new toner ctg. for the printer.
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To make this easy target you'll need a quarter, a sharpie, pieces of paper, and a large canning ring.
LOL I've got some made up, just have to do it - Taylor?
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Shoot for the center first. Then if you miss and hit a section you get another shot at the center.
Is that cheating?
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Wow ! This should be interesting :)
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Just made mine up. Tomorrows supposed to be a warm sunny day with little wind. I will try to get at least 2 targets shot, scored and posted so everyone can see how bad a shaky old man can shoot.
"Muskrat" Mike
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Wed 6 (42.8F), Thurs 9 (48.2F), really warm, but no sun till Saturday likely. Got some targets made and ready to shoot.
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Was wondering what you would come up with. Looks interesting. Crappy weather for the next couple of days. I'll make some up to have ready.
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It seemed like a lot of work to make six of these so I made one up and did a PDF. I'll try to attach it here if it will work.
(https://i.ibb.co/XXKgX2x/ALR-covid-match-march-2021.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D4vy4Vf)
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Thanks so much for making those targets. It'll definitely help folks out with a printer.
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Oh. I should mention too, that if you end up with 2 shots in a section, the lower of the two scores will be counted. Aim small, miss small.
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Thanks for the target "shortcut," long cruise!
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Yer welcome.
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I have only one target to post. Was a little harder than I thought it would be, especially with the flinter.
(https://i.ibb.co/cN380P7/IMG-2990.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZhXg53k)
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Daryl and I went out on a warm cloudy day (9 C) and shot Justin's March target...Holy doodle!! We both found it to be a difficult and frustrating target, but we endeavored to persevere.
I used my Chambers' Virginia rifle in .50 cal., .495" pure lead ball, .021" (10 oz) denim patch, moose milk lube, 72 gr. FFg GOEX, 4Fg in the pan. After the first couple of targets, all shooting to the right, I discovered my front sight is leaning a bit, but I just tried to hold 'into the wind', and here's the result.
(https://i.ibb.co/rv8cq5z/March-4-21.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R7rBtQs)
I scored it thus: (5 x 3) + (3 x 2) = 21/25. Justin of course has the word on the score.
Justin: a side note, I have your prize for February engraved and ready to mail...will get to it ASAP.
I'm going to use a .40 cal next time, just for fun.
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Good shooting on a very tricky target. I agree with your scores. 19 for Daryl and 21 for Taylor.
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I have only one target to post. Was a little harder than I thought it would be, especially with the flinter.
(https://i.ibb.co/cN380P7/IMG-2990.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZhXg53k)
That seems like a lot of powder (.50 cal/85 gr) for 25 yd shooting? I would be really "twitching" by the 5th shot!
Bill
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Daryl seems to like big, thumper guns. His .69 being a good example. I like my little 45 with 35 or 45gr at that distance.
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There is no recoil to 60gr. nor 85gr. in a .50 with a round ball, Bill.
That rifle is just an ounce or 2 under 8 pounds.
Even my .69, with 85gr. gives no recoil to speak of. It does kick a
bit with 140gr. or more.
I know the 85gr. 2F load should shoot reasonably well at close range and even out to 100 meters on our trail walk,
but I haven't "worked up" a load as of yet. I do need to do that with this rifle and with the .36 bl. on my squirrel rifle.,
however I did manage to win the squirrel shoot at Hefley in 2019, with a 40gr. charge, so obviously that load shoots OK
and close to the sights that have not been changed, from the .32 bl.
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There is no recoil to 60gr. nor 85gr. in a .50 with a round ball, Bill.
That rifle is just an ounce or 2 under 8 pounds.
Even my .69, with 85gr. gives no recoil to speak of. It does kick a
bit with 140gr. or more.
Maybe that's why I can't get tight groups, I just need to use more powder in my .45 cal?
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Maybe that's why I can't get tight groups, I just need to use more powder in my .45 cal?
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I have found with MLs that you can usually get two loads that will shoot tight groups. A low load, and a high load. With my .54 Hawken, 60 grains of goex 2f, with a .530 ball and a .018 pocket drill patch will shoot just as good as the high load which is 95 grains of the same powder and patch combo. With my 1 inch Douglas barreled .45 target flintlock 70 grains of 3f OE, or Goex will shoot very well. 90 grains of the same will shoot just as good. Since I have adjustable sights on that rifle, I don't see the reason to shoot the higher load.
I had a light weight .45 flintlock hunting rifle which had two loads as well, 50grains 3f for the low and 70 for the high.
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I've always tried to keep things as simple as possible. I develop a hunting load and then use that load for everything. Practice, target competition, and of course hunting. Same powder load, patch and lube. It makes it easy and i'm always fine tuning the load. Which in time makes a really accurate hunting load.
Just the way my mind works.
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I currently have two .50 cal longrifles, and both have similar rifling styles, and rates of twist. One has a 42" barrel and the other, 48". The accuracy load that works identically in these rifles is 72 gr. of FFg GOEX, .495" ball, .021" (10 oz) denim pre-cut patches (material washed and dried twice to remove sizing), any lube from mink oil or neatsfoot oil, to LVL or moose milk, to saliva. I use this load for all shooting from 25 yards to 100+. This load shoots flat - level sights - to 75 yards, and requires holding some of the front sight over the rear sight notch for 100 yards.
As far as the calibre choice goes, I like it so much I have two more rifles of that calibre in the 'wings' waiting for time on the work bench. With my rifles in the 9 - 10 pound range, I have no issues with recoil induces flinching, so hold and follow through is comfortable and natural. Follow-through is essential for all shooting, but absolutely crucial for flintlock rifles.
Having said all that, I have to admit that I was surprised to find that the best handling, steadiest rifle I have ever shouldered, was made by my friend Gary Mummery in Kimberly, BC, back in the last century. It was a Hawken rifle with a 28" x 1 1/8" parallel .54 cal barrel, and a 13 1/2" lop. It seemed to be an effort to get the sights to move out of the bull'seye. This is all such fun!
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Today’s target for score - the lower one with the small holes. Percussion .54, spit patch 0.018” patch and .530 ball over 70 grains of Olde Eynesford FFG.
Then I played with my .69 smoothbore and saved that fun target - not for score obviously. My New England fowler, .69 caliber. I use a .662 ball and a 0.020” spit patch over 70 grains of Olde Eynesford FFG. Top picture. I was just aiming at the bullseye.
(https://i.ibb.co/nbnL3qp/5-DE0-BA28-1874-4-BE9-A157-2-B881-F74-DE53.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QfCK870)
(https://i.ibb.co/nmxy0qH/0-B0068-F4-8-DA0-4-BBC-ABBA-E67-BDFE7048-B.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YQHSW4z)
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Couple good looking targets, Rich. It is surprisingly difficult target to keep the doubles and triples from happening in one quadrant.
After today's shooting, that 18 is actually a good score. But, of course, we have to beat Taylor's 21. I have some casting to do.
That long .50 Beck isn't going to work for me. I was going to shoot nothing but that rifle this month, but I'm already panicking. ;)
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Daryl and I produced nothing today that was presentable here. So I am posting this picture of Daryl and his Beck longrifle bearing down on his target. Neither of us has planted our watermelons yet, either. Nor have we mowed any grass.
(https://i.ibb.co/CnYHzs5/0-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zSB4rHh)
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(https://i.ibb.co/yQxVGJj/FEB6-DFB7-8-FC0-4835-9016-14-BFAFD85-AD3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/x7r3PQT)
(https://i.ibb.co/jfM8qbz/BC9-E74-CE-403-C-494-A-8-BF0-5747-A7-EE7334.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nmcw46B)
(https://i.ibb.co/56jhdZN/DFBA14-ED-5915-4860-B98-C-D40-BFDA3900-B.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NsN2XR8)
(https://i.ibb.co/SwsTjVY/6-A2-D451-F-4967-42-B0-819-D-1-F2738-DF1-ACD.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tpmfGYj)
Just leaving range now. We are allowed 3 targets I would like to enter targets A& D. I plugged them to help you Justin on the scoring. I will save my last for later. Steve
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Gosh, dang, Steven . That is some fine shooting !
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Wow. Steven. Excellent shooting. I'd score those each as a 23. Very well done.
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Yeah- pair of 23's - well done Steven. I can almost hear my phone ringing from Taylor.
I'll expect that in the morning. Good thing I cast up some balls and cut some patches today.
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I went out yesterday afternoon. I used my .45 cal flintlock target rifle. It has a 40 inch Douglas XX barrel and Bomar sights. I don't believe I've shot this 12.25 pound beast since Justin did the CD shoot last year.
It was not a bad day to shoot Temperature was 62 F, and winds were 12 mph with gusts to 15. This is March so here that is considered a mild breeze.
I was using .451 cast balls, Jo Ann' #40 cotton drill, lubed with bear oil. All that over 70 grains Goex 3f.
I shot two targets, the first I considered a practice target since I haven't shot this rifle for quite a while. The second I will submit for score.
The ball in the black is less than half in the 3 O'clock quadrant on the white. I overlaid it on a clean target to verify it.
So I score it at 23. Of course this is up to Justin.
One thing I noticed while checking the target. It is possible to get a ball centered on the lines on the white quadrants. So would a perfect score be 2 balls centered on the white 5 point quadrants opposite each other and one ball in the center black for a score of 25 with just 3 balls? Just asking LOL,
The reason I only shot two targets is that I was anxious to shoot a pistol I disassembled and refinished in December.
I wanted to know if the sights needed to be drifted. This pistol meets the Kentucky pistol parameters. So I'm posting the target with the pistol for Justins benefit, since has been putting together a target pistol
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(https://i.ibb.co/Xpch5mx/0307211513a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tcV72yp)
(https://i.ibb.co/vHsBmHj/0308210857.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hyXMHym)
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Good shooting. I agree with the 23 score. If you can get 25 points with 3 shots, I'd tip my hat to a much better marksman than I. Nice looking pistol. Seems to shoot well.
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I'd say it is impossible to get a 25 with 3 shots, as they are listed as 5 point max. per shot. One per quadrant and one in the middle.
You could however, have line cutters between each quadrant, ie: 1/2 ball on each of the dividing lines, imo, however those balls would score one side or the other,
not both. Plus you would also need one in the middle.
It would still take 5 shots at 5 pts. per shot to score a 25. Maybe the new "Oregon" Math changes that, I don't know.
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Congratulations to both StevenV and alacran...really precise shooting, sirs!! My understanding of the contest is that your score is out of 50. So you have to total two targets, and are allowed three submissions. that's if I understand therules correctly.
That gives StevenV a score of 46/50...outstanding!
Taylor
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You are correct Taylor. The match is two targets, for a max of 50 points, with 3 entries allowed. 46 is an excellent score on these tough ones.
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Daryl I had to laugh at the response to my post since I was being facetious. But you did make an eloquent argument.
I do plan to shoot the target again maybe with the same rifle maybe not. Also need to shoot Bob in the woods smoothbore match.
Steven a 46 is an impressive score on this mischievous target.
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Guido,
Now you’re just showing off!
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Daryl and I had another go at it today...8 C with a gentle wind from the left - very pleasant.
My targets: S. Hawken copy, .62 cal. rice bbl, 36" long. rifle weights 11 1/2 pounds, .613" ball from a Lyman .610 mould, .021" (10 oz) cotton denim patch lubed to dripping with moose milk, 63 gr. FFg GOEX, #11 CCI caps. I scored them both at 25/25 for a total of 50/50, but defer to Justin's eagle eye as always.
25 yards (lasered) offhand.
(https://i.ibb.co/zspGXnc/1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/p2cJf0D)
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Guido,
Now you’re just showing off!
Ahh - no - I disagree - Taylor is showing off. LOL.
I post mine, just for a laugh. They both look like 13's to me, so no go- just for your amusement only.
Appears I found it difficult to aim beside the centre.
.69 rifle
.662" pure lead ball
.034" denim (14ounce)
82gr. 2F GOEX
25 yards offhand
(https://i.ibb.co/THg7v23/IMG-2991.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zS4Bnxv)
she bear to brutus crossword clue (https://the-crosswordsolver.com/roman-she-bear-4-letters)
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1st set of targets; left target shot first playing ring around the rosie, then the second aiming pretty much at the center dot. It was a beautiful 58* sunny day with little wind for a change.
No threat from me! ;D
(https://i.ibb.co/PGmBJFr/20210309-ALR-Postal-March2021.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YBRvJPN)
poses (https://emoticoncentral.com/category/poses)
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Aiming for the centre is a tough habit to break ! :)
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Very impressive shooting, gents. Great groups on yours, Daryl. I thought I made this shoot tough enough that nobody could ace it, but then Taylor brought out the Hawken... After close examination, I agree with the score of 50/50 for your targets, Taylor. Excellent shooting. It will be tough to beat.
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Tough to beat? It will be tough to match. To beat it you will need a 50 with the group being closer to center, Awesome Possum Taylor!
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I'm going to give it a try today :)
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Aiming for the centre is a tough habit to break ! :)
I did have a plan Bob on the 2nd target: Shoot center mass and "slop them in there"! ;D Didn't count on putting 2 shots into the eye, shaky as I am. Guess back to RATR for the next go.
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Thanks for the encouragement fellas!
Justin: may I ask, how do you intend to break a tie? May I suggest: since we are allowed three submissions, a total of your best two submissions might break a tie, or it may come down to all three total score to break a tie. You may have a simpler plan though.
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It is going to be a while before I go out again. Today the average wind has been 25 mph , gusting to 35 mph.
The forecasts calls for the same through next Wednesday. The exception being Saturday when we will get snow and winds in the 15 mph to 25 mph range.
Wednesday the average wind is forecast to be 8 mph. However the forecasts have been as dependable as a promise from a politician.
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Well, I did get out and managed to shoot two targets. Wind started to pick up and rain is expected tonight and all day tomorrow. Then the temp drops to minus 14 ::) Typicall Eastern Ontario early Spring .
1st target, I first shot for centre, and then tried to vary my hold accordingly for the sections.
2nd target, I aimed off centre and shot the sections first, and then finished off with a try at the centre
I'm not sure either method made any difference ! :)
.40 cal , .395 ball, 18 thou linen patch with bear oil, 35 gr 3F GOEX
(https://i.ibb.co/XsQmM6H/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k87YvzZ)
(https://i.ibb.co/CHcZQ82/OLYMPUS-DIGITAL-CAMERA.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wzkX4gs)
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Sorry for the 2nd photo [ stupid auto focus ! ] If it's a help, I scored it as a 23
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What do you call "3 target submissions"? I take it as 3 single targets or is it (2 targets) counted as one since the match is 10 shots for a submission. Really not trying to be difficult just want to make sure we are on the same page. Also ties are broken where we shoot by : 1st is hardest target , if shooting an ag, 25,50 and a 100 yds. the 100yd score rules. Since all targets are at the same distance on to the 2nd tie breaker, ball furthest from the center is last. So keep your groups tight. Any way the wind blows is cool by me just want to get on the same page. I must say I love the competition, there are some good shots out there. Wish we were closer , shooting next to good shooters is loads of fun. I would say most who submit here would shoot even better, shooting next to good shooters. Don't under estimate yourself, I find concentration to be the biggest single issue with shooting high scores consistently. Shooting next to good shooters helps that concentration thing. Do any of you shoot much other than 25, how about 50 and 100? I realize most, not all are in the older eyes stage of life. To shoot really good you have see what your shooting at. That Lyman Eye Pal really clears up the sight pic. Enough ramblings for the night, before I go, @!*% good shooting Taylor. Steve
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Hi Steve.
I agree with that shooting with better shooters improves your shooting. Most certainly. That is why I always try to shoot with Taylor, here, or at rendezvous. He beings out the
best shooting in people just trying to match his shooting, or to beat him which is so much better. ;D
We have a few targets, gongs/targets in the 10 to 25 yard range, but most are further away. I would say most, would be in the 55 to 75 yard range, with the longer shots, a large heart, maybe a
foot high, at 92 yards, then a cotton-tail bunny - small little fella at right around 100 along with a turkey and a pail at about the same range, then a duck & square plate at 109yards. Most of use hit
the long shots but some of the closer shots are more difficult, it seems.
We rarely shoot paper any more, except for load testing or sighting in. I haven't even papered my .36 or .50 - yet - maybe later this spring.
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As to the competition, seems to me by what Justin has detailed, the match is comprised of a set of targets that can score 25 ea. or 50/50.
3 sets of targets can be submitted for score, thus there is the possibility of submitting 3 sets of 50 scores ie: 6 targets scoring 25 each. I
sincerely doubt there will be a tie if you get my drift.
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You can submit 3 sets of targets, or 6 targets total. I think that measuring the furthest shot from centre is a fair way to break a tie, so all you 50 shooters, make sure you measure your furthest shot.
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Shooting out of the question for a few days. I'm not as tough as our Canadian cousins. :)
(https://i.ibb.co/Lkdfzpf/20210314-102516-copy-800x600.jpg) (https://ibb.co/r72JGyJ)
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Ahhh - a light dusting of snow, I see.
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Ended at about 24". Not a big deal but nearly the end of the world according to the media.
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We are suffering through a cold snap the last few days. Minus 17 last night, but it should warm up by mid week. I'll try again then.
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Longcruise,
Yep! LOL.
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Today was one of those "Chamber of Commerce" advertising days in the Pacific NW. 60 degree, bright sunshine, and zero wind. Went to the range today to see what I could do with the "Postal Match". The first 2 targets I am submitting for my final score. I shot my 6 targets and these are the 2 best. I score them a 25 & a 23. Not good enough to be considered for a win but for an old man not bad. The 3rd target is the one (even though not being scored) I am the most proud of. Every now and again the good Lord smiles down on this old man with the shakes and lets me shoot well one more time. This is why I don't shoot paper targets in competition any more as I just can't hold the rifle steady enough to be competitive anymore. Target #3 is the best 5 shot target I have shot offhand in a very long time. Brought a smile to this old mans face one more time.
It was a good day to be a "Muskrat"!
(https://i.ibb.co/pzfn9JT/a-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zRXN0Gg)
(https://i.ibb.co/L5VN0yL/a-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dg8mfvd)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZhCVtXT/a-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9qjNzgY)
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Good shooting Mike. I shot a bunch just like your last one. ;D ;D ;D
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Nice shooting Mike! Just what you consider Old? Are you in your 80s? Old to me has always been anyone 10 years older than myself.
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No not 80 but remember: "it ain't the age of the truck it's the mileage on the chassis" and this truck has been used hard and neglected!
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I find that at my age, 10 years either way doesn't make that much of a difference, like it used to. And I see fewer and fewer ugly women.
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Haha. Excellent shooting Mike. Definitely a solid 48. Great group on that other target as well.
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As the weather today was perfect and the snow 95% gone from our range, I ventured out to try the March Covid Match. Here are my entries, or rather entry (the target on the left):
(https://i.ibb.co/FJJCXmw/IMG-6400.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rMMN3F6)
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Shot my Mowrey 36 Squirrel Rifle Saturday. Nice conditions certainly didn't help my shooting.
(https://i.ibb.co/8mdMv1b/Target-1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Jcyn6Dq)
(https://i.ibb.co/XXQr6Kg/Target-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b10MYCZ)
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I'm glad you got out and participated, Tom. Quite a challenging target, eh.
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Good shooting so far everyone. I finally figured out the prize for the shoot this month. Here's a stained glass powder horn for hanging in a window. I just finished this up today. Shoot well everyone. You have one week left.
(https://i.ibb.co/T2zVmYq/20210324-171104.jpg) (https://ibb.co/B38XqcK)
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Here's a better picture.
(https://i.ibb.co/PtCxkCr/20210324-172403.jpg) (https://ibb.co/1b2Zc20)
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That is nice Justin. Hopefully we will have some decent weather, in the next week , Been snowing and blowing for the last three days.
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Okay folks. Only two days left to compete. I hope to see some more targets turned in. The weather is getting nicer. Grab your rifle, bag and horn and get outside.
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If the weather co operates, I'll try again tomorrow. Haven't shot for a while due to a rather unfortunate
dental mishap. I somehow managed to split a premolar in half , length wise. Dentist couldn't see me until yesterday [ Covid >:( protocols etc etc ] so after 4 + days of unpleasantness , I had a " complicated extraction" I should be able to tolerate my .40 on my cheek by tomorrow :)
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If the weather co operates, I'll try again tomorrow. Haven't shot for a while due to a rather unfortunate
dental mishap. I somehow managed to split a premolar in half , length wise. Dentist couldn't see me until yesterday [ Covid >:( protocols etc etc ] so after 4 + days of unpleasantness , I had a " complicated extraction" I should be able to tolerate my .40 on my cheek by tomorrow :)
Nope..didn't work out. Looking forward to April's match. :)
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Life happens, Bob. Tooth problems are no joke. I had a broken molar pulled last year. Congratulations to everyone on some good shooting, and to Taylor on shooting a perfect score on a very tough shoot. Your prize will be on the way soon. It's up to Taylor to figure out the shoot this month.
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LOL - congratulations Taylor. Good shooting, shootin' buddy.
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Thank you Justin...I had a day when the stars aligned ... shot those two targets back to back - surprised me too.
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You didn't surprise me Taylor. You have been stepping up to the plate and whooping all of us all year long. Congratulations!
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Congratulations Taylor. That was some awesome shooting !