Got back from the Cabin Fever shoot a little while ago and was very pleased with the turn out and variety of targets. Although we only had 12 participants, 5 were not from our club, which is a good thing. (Upon registering, we asked for and got e-email addresses so we can notify them in the future.) The targets ranged from playing cards on edge @ ~12 yds., to charcoal briquets on strings @ 25 yds., to a chain @ ~40 yds., and different sized gongs at ranges between 50 and 150 yds. While I'd like to say I finished in the top 25%, alas, I did not (more like 6th). However, I had a wonderful time and enjoyed being outdoors in almost balmy 45 deg. temperatures (sunny, no wind, but icy roads this AM).
Btw, I hit the chain and some of the gongs, including the 150 yd. one, but missed the briquet and only cut 1/3 of the playing card. I was using an Indiana-made .50cal. Mowrey caplock rifle with .495" (.497" in fact) RB's which I cast and weighed. The patching was .018" pillow tick thoroughly lubed (hand rubbed, then "nuked") with T/C Bore Butter*. My powder was Graf/Wano FFFg, but I varied the charge to suit the distance. Caps were ~40 yr. old Rem. #10's. The Mowrey has been accurate, completely reliable, and a pleasure to shoot offhand.
*I normally use spit patches, but given the spate of cold weather we've had, I thought one of the greasy lubes would be a better choice. Any of the yellow, oil of wintergreen scented lubes have always worked well in my rifles.
