WARTHOGS! and theopenrange.net

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

A new member has shown an interest in "full" blackpowder loads in 19th Century pistol/carbine calibers. There was a separate board for "warthogs" on the now closed forum that many of us old timers used to frequent, theopenrange.net. That forum is still available as an archive only site;

http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index.php

It occurred to me that the unofficial category of Warthog might be due for a revival. Perhaps as a child board of the Darksiders Den.

"WartHogs!

Dedicated to those who have forsaken "the Easy Way"... shooters of .40 caliber and larger firearms and, for the most part, engage in an anachronistic behavior known as Cowboy Action Shooting."

While it was not restricted to the true gunpowder, its fans seemed to me to be most interested in the soot. Aficionados of FAD powders, seemed to me to be prone to that modern disease of "magnumitis". They may participate by matching full service loads of "the Day".

Comments, and expressions of idle curiosity are hearby encouraged!

[Navy Six]

Why not? It seemed pretty well received at The Open Range and it may encourage some to experiment with what is considered "full service loads of the day". Speaking of experimenting, I had been reloading so long that I had fallen into a "rut" without even realizing it. All the calibers I use had been developed to the point of dependability/reliability and I kind of stop looking to improve them. I am happy to say reading the posts on this site has sparked my interest in different bullet molds, alloys, lubes, powders(STILL BLACKPOWDERS!!!) and now that I just retired, I am looking forward to working with all these combinations. I would like to think the "Warthog" board may encourage the same response.

[Cuts Crooked]

Hmmm? Well we already have two child boards, one of which only has 13 topics in it. Not much activity there...... Unless we get an overwhelming response requesting another, I can't really justify asking the Marshall to create another one. Aside from that, I can't even go to TOR and take a look at the activity there. As they consider me a "repeated recividist" and won't even allow me to peruse their board. I was once invited back there by a moderator, but apparently he changed his mind.

Regardless, I see no need for The Den to model itself on the activity of another competing forum, especially one that won't allow me to look at it's activities.

Lest anyone think I am unsympathetic, take a look at the very first word in My Sig line.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Thanks Cuts; I see the Warthog on your sign-in. You are more advanced than I, as I never called myself a Warthog, nor was I very dedicated to the filler up, Clem concept to the exclusion of all other routes to shooting Nirvana.

I am waiting for more expressions of idle curiosity, and some practical advice from Pards of Wisdom. Before making a proposal.

[Dick Dastardly]

Ho Cutts,

That same moderator is the reason I stopped frequenting TOR.  He tends to be opinionated to the point of exclusion.  I won't miss him.  I really enjoy hanging out around the camp fire here at Cas City.  Keep up the good work Cutts.

DD-MDA

[medic15al]

I expressed the interest when I was told about Warthog. I do love the idea of it..

I do somewhat resemble a warthog I am so ugly, just ask my ex wife!!!!

Warthog waddles.. My new nickname!!!

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Whatever is decided by the forum, there is nothing against any Pard or Waddie describing her/himself as a Warthog as long as the minimum standards are met. Minimum caliber .4x and a full service load.

[Wildcat Will]

I don't know that I've called myself a Warthog before, however I've been told I shoot a manly load.  I'm not sure how much activity there would be for a child forum but it might be nice to keep this thread going. 

I've found that most cowboys/cowgirls who shoot stout loads do so with BP.  I've not in recent memory seen a heathen shooter with a serious load.  Personally, I enjoy watching the RO and spotters move back when I whip out my 10g loaded with 110 gns.  I understand the shockwave is impressive.  Cannot say I've really noticed myself. 

I also think loading is so much easier if you drop powder so there is just enough room to place a boolet on top and then give is a press (about 37 gns with a 250 gn boolet).  I know there are those which will tell me it is a waste of BP.  I know there are those who will tell me that I'm crushing the powder too much.  But then I don't much care about all that.  It is just too much fun to see the smiles when both Remmies or RV come out of the holsters and smoke is beltching and fire is shooting out of the barrels and the spotters and the RO are a coughing and a carrying on.  I just keep on grinning. 

[Hedley Lamarr]

Aside from that, I can't even go to TOR and take a look at the activity there. As they consider me a "repeated recividist" and won't even allow me to peruse their board. I was once invited back there by a moderator, but apparently he changed his mind.

A lot of water under the bridge, Cuts. I apologize for not remembering to clear any banned members when I archived the site. You are free to peruse TOR now.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Way to go, Hedley. Let bygones be bygones. 

TOR had a board for Warthogs but The idea was not unique and I've even seen it used here on cascity. I'll let the forum decide how formal to make it. 

I loved TOR, particularly some of the technical discussions, that only Mako could equal. Many of the members gravitated here and availability of the archived information should be advertised a bit.

[Cuts Crooked]

Hmmm? As noted, the "warthogs" were not limited to BP only. Would this outfit be restricted to that propellant? Or would you consider users of  the other powders as full fledged aficionados also? If so y'all might want to approach the Marshall about creating a separate forum just for this group.
Other thoughts...before trying that route, garner as many interested parties as possible to show him that there is a reasonable amount of interest. He needs to know the effort is worth it. It would be good to have some respected member to present as a possible moderator ( not that we aren't ALL respectable here  )

For now, I am willing to make an exception to the no smokeless discussion rule, in this thread only, and allow this to be a place that y'all can hash out what you want to do with this. It sounds to me like it has real possibilities for becoming a good group for like minded individuals!

[Noz]

I used to take great pride in the fact I shot maximum loads of black in all of my guns.
Then I began to see wear and damage to guns, me and my CAS scores.
I have since dropped back to "reasonable" loads and am enjoying shooting again.
Don't have near the Tylenol expense I had.

[Coffinmaker]

I was going to cast disparaging remarks, make snide comments, question the sanity of and generally malign the concept of WARTHOG.

Nope not gonna do it.  Everybody gets a chance to play this game in their own way and their sanity should not be in question for so doing.  After all, there are those who point fingers and giggle at my chosen manner of dress (Steampunk) and question my sanity.  My sanity, however is unquestionable.  I'm stark raving.

There is a caveat however.  You really can't shoot Warthog with that fad, heathen powder.  They call that "Magnum" and the velocities reached are well beyond what is acceptable for CAS and lead bullets.  Warthog is intended soly for those Loons, who choose to stuff a big 'ol Pistol Cartridge with as much BP/Sub as it will hold and still be able to seat way too much bullet.  Then touch it off.  
I really can't fault it.  It is just another discipline within our pastime game of choice.
Let's Dance!!!

Coffinmaker

PS:  Was really sad to see The Open Range go away.  Fun place to Lurk.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Magnumitis is one of the weakspots of the Warthog ethos. The other is what I would call "Cramming"! Excessive loads of BP/Subs crammed/compressed  with brute force, just because!

I was being deliberate when i used the term "Full Service Loads". Excessive loads are, well, lets say excessive.

[Qball]

What? you say that there is another way to shoot blackpowder loads than "Full service loads" 



Qball, Warthog by birth 

[medic15al]

Historically accurate full service loads as found in the 1870's thru the 1890's is what Im enthused about.

Want to experience what the shooters of that period experienced.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

What? you say that there is another way to shoot blackpowder loads than "Full service loads" 



Qball, Warthog by birth 

Warthogs fill the sweet spot between "gamers" and "crammers"!

[Paladin UK]

SC Sez...............

Warthogs fill the sweet spot between "gamers" and "crammers"!

100% bang on the money pard 100%


Paladin ( Uk`s First Warthog  ) UK

[Coffinmaker]

The only other thing we need to remember though.  Is.  Full Service Loads have a lot of Schutz Pah.  I steady diet of "full service" will result in undue wear on the shooter as well as the shootee.  Way Back in the Way Back, the "normal" consumption of cartridges was between 20 and 50 rounds in a YEAR.  We exceed that in any CAS match.  It will add up. 
We may not be shooting guns with iron cylinders anymore, but recoil and physics don't change.

Besides.   I'm a Wussie.  I personally prefer something with a little .... um .... less Schutz Pah. 

Coffinmaker

[john boy]

A little history about "Warthogs" and the "WartHog Honor Roll" ... back in 2005, Manatee & I were communicating and he came up with the concept in honor of Kim Campbell, who flew the A-10 Warthog fighter plane and the plane's armament ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Campbell_%28pilot%29
So we kicked it around to apply to CAS shooters and worded the WartHog Honor Roll that was polished and came into being on October 6, 2005 ... http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index.php?topic=10.0 along with the WatHog Induction Depot

I maintained the Honor Roll and responded to the shooters who wanted to be 'imortilized' on the Honor Roll until 2013 when Hedley's server was hack - including back up file and he rebuilt TOR for his personal files.  When the TOR came back on line - all WartHogs past the letter M and there were many including Paladin UK ... the First WartHog of the UK with British Flag tagged on his name - missing on the Honor Roll.  Many!

If there was a vote to put whatever on CasCity or in the Darksider's Den - mine would be No.
*  IMO, the concept of being a WartHog has been lost in memory of CAS past times ... to including the moniker in their signature
* There has to be only one person to run the Induction Depot and Honor Roll
*  WartHogs are both Smokeless & black powder shooter
So ... Let it RIP!