Friends on the Trail

[Daryl]

5 of us made it to the trail in late November, before the weather got nasty. The picture is of Mel, me, Taylor and Hatchet Jack. LB took the picture.  As we finished the trail, after shooting perhaps 50 or so shot each with no-one having to wipe their bores at any time, Mel took the video in the provided link.  It was 65 megs as video'd but photobucket reduced the side some. We started with getting a ball out plus a pach, however language stopped the video, and it was re-started with punching the .445" ball and .0215" denim patch, lubed with LHV down the bore. This is my .45 and had been fired approximately 50 times without wiping at any time, using 70gr. 3F, it's accuracy load. As you can see, it was relatively easy loading ( I didn't have to pound the ball down the barrel with a mallet as some have thought). At least, this is what I call easy loading.  Hatchet Jack is shooting his French Fusil, 20 bore, with a .595" ball and .015" denim patch and 65gr. 2F. It also loads easily.  I will take a couple minutes to edit this post to include the video URL.

[Jim Thomas]

You all look...cold... blue         Who got hung from the tree?   Short rope.   

[Daryl]

I don't know why the blue, but I was definitely over-dressed wearing the parka, hense it's open 1/2 way showing my tee shirt. There's a bit more snow now, about 2 feet or a bit more. That's the Fort George Free Trapper's cabin behind, our clubhouse for the black powder section.  The red flag is a 'new' law/ruling. It's always up - we're a dangerous bunch .

[markwi]

Thanks for posting the video, I enjoyed watching it. It s always nice to see friend out enjoying muzzleloading. Mark

[Jim Thomas]

I don't know why the blue, but I was definitely over-dressed wearing the parka, hese it's open 1/2 way showing my tee shirt. There's a bit more snow now, about 2 feet of a bit more. That's the Fort George Free Trapper's cabin behind, our clubhouse for the black powder section.  The read flag is a 'new' law/ruling. It's always up - we're a dnagerous bunch .

Nothing wrong with displaying the flag.    If lived closer you would have one more member.    I really enjoy the photos you post.   

[Candle Snuffer]

Nothin' quite like getting together for an outing with friends and shootin' the smokepoles!

[Daryl]

Guys, when you play the video, you can set it for full screen by clicking the icon at the bottom right, then click the full size box ar the top right.  Try running the 'glider' with your mouse. You can actually stop the action and run it frame by frame, cock in full position, then partically dropped, then down, then flame, then smoke and muzzle flame. I did this and printed the flash in the pan, then the next frame as just smoke from the pan and flame from the muzzle of my rifle. When playing the video, Hatchet Jack's ignition seems almost as fast. When playing it frame by frame using the mouse, you see cock up, cock down, flame starting, big flame, then smoke and flame from the muzzle and sparks from the vent. This shows the difference in ignition between the locks - I found this interesting.

: Dang- just tried to do the same thing on a friend's lap-top and couldn't. I am assuming either his computer lacks the speed, or photbusket reduced the size of the file.
: Just tried it again from the download above and the resolution is gone. The original video shows it perfectly. Oh well, we'll have to take it as it is, I guess.

[smokinbuck]

Daryl,
Looks like a fine way to ring in the new year. Hope everyone's is happy and healthy.
Mark

[C. Cash]

Great video and picture...thank you for posting that! 

[Harnic]

Daryl, will you guys take me on that trail walk when things warm up?  Yesterday my wife told me I should drive up & go shoot with you folks for a week when things thaw... you could have knocked me over with a feather!

Happy New Year!!!

[Scott Bumpus]

I expected that polar bear from the other post to come along and start chasing yall at any minute    Looks like good fun and good friends.

[Daryl]

Love to have you visit, Harry, when it warms up.  I plan on doing a lot more shooting this coming season, seein's how I've got lots of powder this year.  Anyone else want to come up for a visit - y'all let me know.  Everyone is welcome if spread out a bit.  There's even camping at the club. Early season's great - no bugs - too dang cold at night.  No bugs now, either.

[Roger Fisher]

Thanks for posting that!!

Always good to see our elders getting out of the shanty!



Hopefully 2009 will find all of you healthy, safe and prosperous!  And shootin center!

[Leatherbelly]

   Ross uses a .610 ball and a .015 patch. My ball is .595 and a .020 patch and bore is .615 heavily lubed for a 46" pipe. Same results- no wiping,no loss of accuracy. Ya senile old @$#%! LOL!!

[Harnic]

We hates bugs!  When do they start Daryl?

[M Tornichio]

looks like you guys had a good time.
Daryl, do you use pre cut patches? Just curious, did not see you cut a patch. I am still trying to figure out the best way to load my rifle while out hunting. Your system is very efficient and quick.
Thanks,
Marc

[Daryl]

Hi Marc- we all use pre-cutts and carry them, pre-lubed in a tin, brass or silver container.  I use Sucrets Tins as well as the snuff or tinger 'tins' from Track. Actually, I use all three types.

[Daryl]

We're all going out tomorrow - supposed to get up near the freezing point - balmy it will be, too.

[Daryl]

It was quite warm - Warm? -  but kinda looks like $#@* by the pictures Taylor posted.  Actually wasn't tooooooo bad in the bush. I do hate the water in the pan, though, hinders ignition. Got more hang fires than I've ever had, but hit them all though, probably due to the single trigger on this rifle. - First time out with it. Not the first for the barrel of course, it's the match 42" Goodi. .40 shortened to 36" and mounted on the canoe gun's stock - very old Siler lock.  The single trigger, I really like. I flinched less for sure and even tough I haven't shot on paper yet with it, I centred more targets, even to shooting at heads and 'ears' on 50 yard animals - yes - I like the single trigger. Might have to convert the set triggers on the longrifle - eliminate one trigger and rebuild the front one for higher pivot, softer, less creap pull. Hmmmmm.

[Harnic]

I have to agree with you Daryl on single triggers.  My flinch is much easier manager when I don't set my trigger & I prefer to shoot unset offhand.  I pretty much reserve the set trigger for fine bench work.

[Daryl]

Me too. The set is nice off the bench.  The single trigger on the squirrel rifle I used, feels light but might be around 1 1/2 pounds, maybe 2 - I'll have to measure it right now - you've made me curious.
 Measured with a scale - 34 ounces, each and every time. Feels more like 1 pound due to the wide trigger face and angle.  I guess my estimate was out.  There is no creep.