April Postal Match

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

It falls on me to provide a contest for April, so here you go.

We will have an aggregate match as follows:

1.  same target as March, any muzzleloading rifle, offhand (no supports other than your hands/arms) 5 shots, scored on the half ball rule., 25 yards and

2.  same target as March, any muzzleloading pistol, or any smoothbore long arm, 5 shots, offhand (as above), scored on the half ball) 25 yards

Aggregate of the two targets.  Submit as many as you wish, but only the best two will count for the contest.

[Jakob]

I have neither pistol nor smoothbore. I maybe able to borrow.

[foresterdj]

range?

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Thank you!  25 yards for both.

[Jakob]

If I can't get hold of a pistol/smoothbore, I'll shoot the 2nd target, offhand, at 50meters.

[alacran]

Offhand pistol means one handed, by NMLRA rules. Is that your intention?

[okawbow]

Only real smoothbore I have is a .75 cal. Matchlock musket. Could never shoot that think offhand. I do have an original .36 caliber rifle that has 95% of the rifling gone.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

For our purposes, pistol shot offhand can include using both hands.  Just no artificial rests or supports, and from the standing position.

[Dphariss]

Thanks Taylor. I can use the targets I did not shoot in March

[alacran]

I shot these two yesterday afternoon. We were getting the range ready for the Spring Rendezvous at Buck Creek Muzzleloaders in Linton Indiana.
I used the same rifle I used in the March postal match. Same load 50 grains of Dupont 3f, Jo Ann's pocket drill, .440 balls, bear lube.
Third time I have shot this rifle. I am very pleased with it.

[Daryl]

The bar is set. Good Job. I expect Taylor and I will get out later this coming week.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Alacran:  I score your left target as a 48 2X.  As you know, this is an aggregate shoot, and you need a smoothbore or pistol target to finish it off.  Nice start though.

[alacran]

I plan on shooting the smoothbore/pistol part at Rendezvous, this weekend. Probably try a different rifle too.

[foresterdj]

Here is my pistol target. A Jukar .45 Kentucky percussion shooting 30 gr 3Fg and a .440 RB with .020 patch Hoppes lube. This load is very tight in this gun. Have not shot this gun much since I got it (maybe 40 years ago) and never at 25 yards, so had to make many shots to even figure out where it was hitting. Turns out it was shooting very high. I had to aim at bottom of page before I finally had the first shot hit paper. I called that shot 1 and shot 4 more time. One of those was just off the page. I avoided the temptation to shoot a 6th time in hopes of getting a 5th hole on the page. So, this will likely be my pistol submission, a poor score of 16.



Will get a rifle target later this month. My initial turkey week starts Wednesday. Saw this fellow on my game camera out back last week. Hope he comes back around.

[Daryl]

Taylor and I got out today. I did not shoot well.
Used the .50 Beck rifle.
Forgot to note lube used - spit

[Stoner creek]

Taylor and I got out today. I did not shoot well.
Used the .50 Beck rifle.

Overcast day?

[Daryl]

Off and on. Actually just couldn't get it up. Getting old, ya know. Those 2 higher shots, felt right.
The others were just a faulty hold.

[Stoner creek]

Was wondering. The first time I shot that new Jud gun it was really overcast and the gun shot 9 ring at 6:00. I brought it out on a clear day and it was right there in the 10 ring. I don’t shoot click sights either.
W

[Daryl]

I should have darkened my front blade - that I knew but did nothing about it. I shoot flintlocks poorly. Just can't hold like I did when I was only a 50year old kid.
74 next month & feeling it.
If I can get out again, I'll use my smoothbore as well as the .69 for the aggregate.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Well, I didn't think this match was going to be so difficult.  But it is useful for me as it demonstrates how out of practice I am with offhand shooting, especially with the pistol.  Here's my pistol and rifle targets from last Monday...my aggregate score is 74.
I concede that it is not a friendly pistol target.

[alacran]

I was planning to shoot my pistol target at last weekend's Rendezvous, but I left the targets at home.  I went out yesterday with my target cap lock pistol.
I first tried shooting one handed since I have my sight adjusted to shoot 6 o'clock hold on the 25 yard NMLRA pistol target. But it is too difficult to ascertain where to hold on this target. It still shoots a little high with both hands, but it is closer than with one.
I shot this target two handed, which I really do not like to do. Kentucky pistols are meant to be shot with one hand.
The pistol has a GMT pistol barrel. I was shooting 20 grains of Old E 3f, .440 ball bear lubed Jo' Anns pocket drill.
I score it a 45 but it is up to Taylor.

[Seth Isaacson]

I've had my targets waiting all month for a chance to get outside and shoot without it being super windy or rainy. Maybe I'll have a chance to sneak out between the storms this weekend.

[Dphariss]

I have been fussing and loading ammo for the upcoming brass suppository season. Will try to get this done before May since I have things, I hope, ready to go. Other than getting in some sort of physical shape.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Alacran:  thanks for finishing up your aggregate, and I confirm your 45 score.  Your aggregate total then is 93/100...very respectable.

[alacran]

Thanks Taylor. I was hoping to get out and try with my fowler. However, we will have 35 to 40 MPH winds today, more of the same for tomorrow along with thunderstorms.