January 2025 ALR Postal Match

[JBJ]

Happy New Year folks! It seems that several of the shooters would like another go at the target used in December and I am okay with that, but I am going to take the liberty of tweaking the "rules" for the January shoot.
1. First of all, the target is available as a download from Targetz.com, page 4, item #10046..
2. Let's shoot the target at 50 yards using ANY position. I don't care if you use cross sticks, the bench, offhand or any other arrangement. No scopes! Becasue of the "any position", I am not going to worry with different age levels.
3. Total of six (6) shots. One ball in each of the four corner quadrants without touching the heavy black lines. Touchinhg the heavy black line scores zero (0. Shooting the four quadrants will yield 5 points per quadrant for a possible 4 x 5 = 20 points. One ball inside the heavy black lines but not touching the heavy black line equals 5 points, and one ball touching the black dot in the centre yields another 5 points...total possible 30 points. If you touch the black dot with two shots there will be a bonus 5 points for a max score of 35. The tie breaker will be closest to the black dot center. Submit up to 5 targets.

I hope that we have a lot of entries in the January shoot. While it is fun to win, I find the most fun is interacting with my shooting friend, Marc, and challenging myself. Get out there and have some fun and let's see those targets.

J.B.

[Daryl]

Sounds GREAT. I really like those rules. Got targets printed, just need a milder day for it.
-15C today. We're supposed to shoot the trail today, New Years Day event. Bit chilly but more walking than shooting from a rest,
so might not be too bad. 5F = -15C.

[JBJ]

Daryl, talk of -15C will send us southern boys into shock! We won't be next to the fire, we'll be in it. You boys do some fine shooting and I'm looking froward to your targets.

J.B.

[alacran]

Daryl, talk of -15C will send us southern boys into shock! We won't be next to the fire, we'll be in it. You boys do some fine shooting and I'm looking froward to your targets.

J.B.

JBJ that's only 5 degrees Fahrenheit. The mallards get really lethargic on the creek at that temperature, and it is much easier to sneak up on them.

[JBJ]

Alacran, I remember those days of sneaking up on creek mallards and the occasional woody. It was a lot of fun and a big greenhead or two in the canoe was a joy. Sadly, these old bones feel the cold more than they used to.

J.B.

[Daryl]

Supposed to warm up a bit by Tuesday coming. Even better by Thursday.

[alacran]

I had to look at the rules again to figure out how to score this.
I was unable to shoot the December match because I was hunting most of the month.
I shot this using my no-name .45 barreled rifle with.440 balls patched in bear lubed canvas, over 45 grains 3f Goex.
The temperature never got above 37 F just under 3C. Wind was from the North between 5 and 8mph. The sky was clear and sunny.
First target I was just trying to figure out where to hold. I used 50 grains of 3f for that one. Since I don't have adjustable sights on this rifle, I lowered the charge to 45 grains 3f on the other two. I shot my first two balls at the dot which is very difficult to see.
I shot my first two balls at the dot on all the targets. Even though the dots are difficult to see they are easier than shooting at the querants on  which you have to imagine center.
Any way I am sure one of the bench afficionados can outdo these targets.

[JBJ]

Thank goodness, Alacran. Becasue of the ugly weather over much of the US, I was afraid that no one was going to submit a target this month! I agree with your scoring of the targets and you have the current lead of 25 points. I hope that you get a chance to submit two more targets. In the back of my mind, I seem to recall that you were  also a cross sticks shooter and I hope that you will give that a go.
Thanks for shooting.

J.B.

[Daryl]

We still can't get into our range due to the depth of the snow. It was supposed to be plowed for us, but no.

[JBJ]

Daryl,
Hope that you and Taylor can make it to the range. That's more snow than us southern boys and girls want to think about! 

J.B.

[foresterdj]

Today dawned at -18 F, but forecast later in the week is 30 above, so a window of opportunity.

[JBJ]

Foresterdj, all I can say is Brrrrrr. Sure hope that you get out as soon as it warms later in the week. Good luck and thanks.

J.B.

[foresterdj]

Weather yesterday a balmy +31F.

I was using one of my .54 Jaeger rifles, to use up pre-measured charges and balls in loading blocks, left over from deer season. Load was 70 gr 2Fg, a .018" patch with neatsfoot oil and a .535 RB. Gun was not hitting where I was expecting. On this target the shots as follows.
A. was aimed to hit the dot, but hit way low and a little right.
B. I aimed high and hit inside the center + shape, so that shot ok and a 5 point score.
C was supposed to be in the upper right, but way off
D was even worse, wanted it in lower right and it was off the page, and just off picture
E. I adjusted aim point more for lower left, but too low
F. finally got one where it belonged, for another 5 points.

So a score of just 10. I had a second target but used it for a 5 shot group all aimed at the dot just to see what was happening. Ended up with a reasonable group of 2.5 inch diameter, but hitting 1.25" right and 2.5" low, on average.

My summer shooting of this load, using Hoppes cleaner/lube hits centered about 2.5" high at 50 yards.
Prior to deer season I tried a couple shots with the neatsfoot oil lube and did not see anything different.
But defintely different now. The neatsfoot lubed patches had been in loading block since early November so maybe dried out some. I know they were very hard to load. Maybe will try some .530 RB with the neatsfoot lube, another day.

Wind switched hard to NW today, temps dropping and forecast for Sunday is a high of -14 degrees, so no shooting for a while.

[JBJ]

Foresterdj, glad you were able to get out. Sounds like 31F is going to be "balmy" for us next week. Appears that our northern ALR members left the door open and we are in for some of that cold stuff here in the south.

Yes sir, a 10. I hope that you can try again before the month is out.

My experience with patched balls left in a loading block for any time to speak of is that they just didn't play well. I actually think that the fabric starts to weaken, the lube dries, and ocassionaly, the ball will start to show signs of corrosion. I use to leave them for a week or so and them replace them with a new lubed patch. I was probably being overly fussy  .

Thanks for shooting and please try again. Stay warm!

J.B.

[Dphariss]

I got some targets printed but I think I will hold off on shooting them for a day or two or more.

[taterbug]

18?!  Heck Dan, we'll have to warm up 20 degrees to get to 18 here!  Granted, it doesn't normally get below zero (furrin heat) here and it's usually a LOT colder out where you are!  Still keeping a lot of us inside and not making BP smoke!

Wish I still enjoyed ice fishing.   (well, not really)

[AZshot]

I'm going to try this with my Chunk Gun too, if it will stop blowing.

[Dphariss]

18?!  Heck Dan, we'll have to warm up 20 degrees to get to 18 here!  Granted, it doesn't normally get below zero (furrin heat) here and it's usually a LOT colder out where you are!  Still keeping a lot of us inside and not making BP smoke!

Wish I still enjoyed ice fishing.   (well, not really)

Its the wind gusting to around 70 that is the deal breaker. Blew at least 1 semi over on I-90 about 3 miles as a crow flies East of here.

Dan

[JBJ]

Would someone please close the door and put more wood in the stove? I look forward to seeing you guys shoot but stay safe and warm until the weather breaks a bit. Brrr!

J.B.

[Daryl]

10" of snow in New Orleans.

[alacran]

Just went outside to get more wood for the stove, it is 7 degrees F this morning. Going to be sunny and 55 this afternoon.

[MuskratMike]

Darn, we woke up to frost on the ground until midmorning. At noon we were only 45 degrees with blue sky, sunshine and no wind to speak of. Worst winter morning yet.

[JBJ]

Hey folks! It's the 25th day of January and this month is getting away from us. We need some more shooters - so hit the range as soon as you can get a break in the weather. Things are starting to ease up here in NC and I am hoping to talk Marc into a trip to the range.

Take care and let's here from you.

J.B.

[Dphariss]

Hey folks! It's the 25th day of January and this month is getting away from us. We need some more shooters - so hit the range as soon as you can get a break in the weather. Things are starting to ease up here in NC and I am hoping to talk Marc into a trip to the range.

Take care and let's here from you.

J.B.

Will try next week. Might warm up some. Its about zero right now but should be in the 40s by Monday.

[Marcruger]

Here's my target for January.   I believe it is a 25 as my last shot I let swing towards the sun and it cut the line, and so is a zero. 

I think Alacran's second shot in the "cross center" is closer to the bull than mine, so I believe he is high score so far. 

This was shot with a Bob Hill colonial southern flintlock with a Green Mountain swamped .50 barrel and Chambers/Evrard roundface flintlock.  72 grains of 2f Goex with a .495 ball and .015 The Minute-Men patching and Hoppe's BP Lube and Cleaner. 

Great day for shooting with a bright overcast in the 40s.  Great time with a great friend. 

God Bless,    Marc