Blackpowder

[krank]

My new obsession.
I always read about Davy and Daniel instead of studying in grade school.
My shop project in high school was a flintlock pistol. (try that now)
I got my first .45 rifle as soon as I was 18 (still have it)
I am always sewing leather and making knives and test firing off the back deck.
This Spring, there are lots of Rondies coming up.
Been working on my primitive camp gear. Most groups are pre-1840 with the exception of cap and ball revolvers.
I have progressed to a flintlock for a number of reasons. I noticed all the top scorers in the club also shoot flintlock.
Rules with our club and Missouri Offhand shooters Association are round ball, iron sights and no rest (offhand)
None of my friends or family give a flying donkeys crap about blackpowder.
Exception is Brother Ray Waterwells and we go to shoots together. He is a gun builder too right down to barrel making.
It's okay, I have my own little world.

[trapdog]

I belong to a little club where we have informal shoots. I did the rondie thing for awhile, but I don't really like having to do the period dress and all that. Some camps are very strict about it, some aren't. I just like the guns!

[krank]

Stitch counters are what they are called. They count the stitches in your shirt to see if they are period correct. They were really bad 20 years ago but now are scorned by most. It's all about fun.
Our club lets you do whatever. We have a modern camp and a primitive camp. You can wear regular clothes or buckskins. We encourage period dress at any scale. Just wear a hat or wear the whole deal.
I used to love moccasins. In high school I wore mocassins in track because they were less weight. I can still wear them to a limit but my feet hurt and the no heel pulls my hamstrings. I have colonial jefferson boots which are a plain lace up shoe and I have knee high calvary boots.
Yup its all about the guns. Them old men at the club are a wealth of knowledge. They are pretty humble about being some of the top scoring off hand shots in the State. If you miss or have a misfire then they just laugh and say "It happens".
My biggest problem now is the fact that Spring is a busy time and they have all these shoots and rondies coming up. I cant go to all of them.

[segsarge]

The rondies have died off locally here. They used to have a big one at St Joe state park every summer. There was a shoot for BP as well as archery. Period dress was required but no one was counting stitches. The park service put a stop to the shoots and the last couple of events were just venders selling fake fur coonskin caps and plastic trinkets made in China. Most of the older guys that had kept it going have gone under and the younger crowd don't show much interest.
There was a really good rondy at the Old Greenville recreation area south of me. It wasn't held for a couple of years because of the plan-demic. It takes place around Easter, not sure if they'll have one this year or not. The one at St Joe park was always in the middle of August. The heat and humidity made it pretty uncomfortable.

[bigjohn]

I think they still have these at Arrow Rock, Mo.

[krank]

Notice that these events are usually free and theres no fee for vendors. Thats a good thing as the merchants are not out for blood to get their fees recouped. There are some blow hards there that just want to brag and one up everybody but there are mostly just good people.

[krank]

www.facebook.com/groups/442195479561650/

They are all over. Pomme is the next biggie.

[krank]

Went to the gun show at 8 am this morning and it was packed.
Waded through all the Glocks and Sigs and ARs and $4000 Winchesters and found me a bargain.
Based on prices I saw on guns today, I am just about a millionaire.
Also found a good price on IMR 3130 and sub sonic .22.
I got a Pederesoli Pennsylvania rifle in .45 caliber. 42 inch barrel and weighs 8 pounds. I bought it for 1/4 the price that Cabelas is asking today. From what I can tell, it has never been fired.

[trapdog]

Nice find! It's a lot of fun playing with a new rifle and finding out what it likes.

[krank]

I think I will convert it to flintlock.

[trapdog]

I've never done that. Is it as simple as changing out the lock or is it more complicated than that?

[krank]

Usually converting to flintlock requires inletting a new lock and welding the barrel shut at the drum and relocating a flash hole.
Not so on a pedersoli. Since they offer same gun in percussion or flintlock theres a standard inletting for both. I take two screws out and remove old lock and unscrew drum. Screw touch hole liner in drum hole and put new lock in and tighten two screws. Easy peasy. If touch hole doesnt line up with flash pan then it gets ugly but I hear that doesnt happen.

[trapdog]

Interesting. Thanks.

[krank]

Mar 18, 2023 19:47:28 GMT -6 krank said:

Went to the gun show at 8 am this morning and it was packed.
Waded through all the Glocks and Sigs and ARs and $4000 Winchesters and found me a bargain.
Based on prices I saw on guns today, I am just about a millionaire.
Also found a good price on IMR 3130 and sub sonic .22.
I got a Pederesoli Pennsylvania rifle in .45 caliber. 42 inch barrel and weighs 8 pounds. I bought it for 1/4 the price that Cabelas is asking today. From what I can tell, it has never been fired.

View Attachment

I converted to flintlock and it came out perfect.

[trapdog]

Looks like a perfect fit. How does she shoot?

[krank]

I sparked it put have yet to shoot

[segsarge]

Looks like there's a rondy at Old Mines coming up later this year.

[krank]

Headed out the door now for a rondy. Camping with Ray. It is so windy I think I will shoot my .62 caliber.

[krank]

Camped out at the Spring Rondy with Brother Ray. We went primitive 1840. Had a great time and some good shooting. The wind was terrible Saturday and it got cold that night. Sunday was bluebird.

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[krank]