Muzzle stuffer match

[Fiddler Green]

So, I didn't even know we had a local Muzzle loaders club. There is just something wrong with the idea of there being a "Santa Cruz Muzzleloaders". Guns and Santa Cruz...just not Santa Cruz PC". Found out about them from a guy 400 miles away. Not alot of Pro-gun press in "the People's Republic of Santa Cruz". 

But still, my first match was their monthly pistol match. Fortunately, under the local rules, my cap and ball revolvers qualify for their matches. I pulled into the parking lot a good 45 minutes early. I found a guy sitting in a pick-up truck that just looked like a shooter (funny how you can tell). Went up and introduced myself and told him I had come out for the match. He said "I hope you're shooting, watchin's OK, shootin's better!"  We talked about guns, powder, caps and the big dark clouds that seemed to be trying to figure out where they were supposed to be going. Several others showed up and the conversation seemed to repeat itself. It didn't seem to matter as everyone was having fun.

About quarter to 9, the movement started to the range. We were using the 100 yard rifle range. I was told we would be shooting from "down range". That settled my nerve a little as I was starting to think they were going to shoot at 100 yards. I made a comment about that and got the reply "nope, just 25 and 50 yards". "50"? Off hand at 50 yards? With a cap and ball pistol? Hummmmmm..... This is going to be interesting.

We set tables at what would normally be the 25 yard mark and then set targets at the 50 yard mark. I shared a table with a really nice guy named Al. Next to a table with another guy named "Al". OK, at least the names are easy. The guy on the other side of me (wasn't named "Al") was the only other shooter with a revolver; a Ruger Old Army. All the other shooters had single shots; all but one cap and ball. Most were Queen Ann's, Mortimer's or Le Page style. But, don't let these things fool you Al's pistol (the one at my table) was a hand made Queen Ann with a .40 Douglas barrel. Other Al's was similar; Douglas barreled too. They measured their loads carefully and poured them through a spout that went down the barrel so the BP didn't stick to the fouling. 

We had a 20 minute practice where I tried to figure out where my aim point was. Used to shooting a big steal plates at 25 feet, I found it a little bit tougher when you're trying to hit the X ring at 75 feet. We pulled the targets and posted new ones (That black circle looks so much bigger when your 75 feel closer!) and went back to the line.

You have 10 minutes to fire 10 shots. Doesn't seem too hard until you look at the guy with the flintlock and see what he's going through. I loaded up 5 cylinders, at the table, moved to the line to cap and took aim. I realized at 25 yards, without my glasses, with plenty of smoke in the air, I can't see where I'm hitting. That's never a problem at the CAS matches as one: I don't have to see where I hit, I hear it and two, the plates are way bigger. But, first stage done and I didn't come in last: I'm happy. Then I look at "AL's" target. He shot an 89! That would be 20 points better than me.

Second stage was at 25 yards, as well. OK, I got the range, now. Everyone was done well before the 10 minutes was up and I was mid-pack: everything was high. But, it was a good group. Now to 50 yards. I've never even tried to shoot the 1851 at a hundred and fifty feet. Don't know why...just never have. I think that's why God made rifles. I tried to relax but had a few flyers. Still, I was mid pack and soundly I beat the guy with the ROA. I can tell you this: all the guys that say the 1851 was sighted for 50 yards...are right!

The final stage was the second at 50 yards. My second shot was a flyer (my fault entirely!) but it made me focus. I really went back to the basics of stance, breathing and trigger control. I finished that stage with a 72: good enough for 4th place in the stage. Considering, of the dozen or so shooters, I was the only one new to this and it was my first time shooting the Navy at 50 yards, I was quite pleased with that. But more, I was pleased to be shooing with nothing but black powder shooter as opposed to being one of the only Black powder shooters. It was a really good group of people and I'm looking forward to the rifle match.

Oh, and Al? He shot a 95 on that last, 50 yard, stage. Al wasn't really happy with that, I was told he was shooting 98's and 99's on his way to the state title and didn't like how much he had dropped off. Me, I was thinking about those next 28 points.

"A Queen Ann, huh?" don't forget the Douglas barrel.

Bruce

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Blackpowder & muzzleloading is a real blast.  You really get familiar with your firearms.

Now get ready for the Knife &'Hawk trailwalk!

Formerly a Fort George Freetrapper.

[Fiddler Green]

Unfortunatly, their monthly rifle match conflicts with one of the CAS club I shoot with and I've been getting crap for missing matches (Work gets in the way). After seeing them with pistols, I'm really dying to see what these guys can do with a rifle.

Bruce

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Long guns are almost always shot off-hand (The elbow cannot touch your body - Except where it is attached!).

The winners will be able to put 10 shots in four to six inch groups.  I'm sure that State finalists can do better.  Cutting a playing card at ten yards is a "gimme".

[Fiddler Green]

After what I saw these guys do with a pistol, I'm going to have to miss a CAS match and see what they can do with a rifle. Besides, my .54 Cal, Plains rifle needs to get some fresh air; every once in a while. 

Bruce

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Better pop a few caps before you go, and have your shooting bag organized.

Remember PPPPP!   (preparation prevents poor performance)

[Fiddler Green]

Better pop a few caps before you go, and have your shooting bag organized.

Remember PPPPP!   (preparation prevents poor performance)

Aw yea, thanks for the advice. I normally only shot it once a week....at the local indoor range. I'll be there this afternoon. It's getting to an outdoor range that's a little hard, right now.

But, on that note, Springfield Slim and I have been talking about having a stage that involved a muzzleloading pistol or rifle...... Just to give the heathens a chance to burn a patch or two.

Bruce

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Yea!  And have them load at least one round on the clock!

[Fiddler Green]

Yea!  And have them load at least one round on the clock!

Ha, ha, ha...that would certainly move me up the time sheets! 

But, I don't think it would be fair to the "Mouse patrol"  just having to touch off more then a grain and a half of Trail Boss is going to scare them to death!  Making them handle more gunpowder then they shoot all summer is a little to much.

Nice idea, though. 

Bruce

[Mako]

Sounds like fun Bruce.  Maybe you can get a few to try CAS matches as well.  We need more real powder shooters.

Regards,
Mako

[Fiddler Green]

More Plainsmen matches: that's the key there.

Bruce