Monthly Match - December 4 is National Candle Day

December 4 is National Candle Day!​

Another well known holiday is December 4 - National Candle Day. Old time shooters liked to snuff the flame out on a candle. This target will be easier to shoot because you can hit the candle, flame or bullseye to score points.

The usual three categories: rifle, smoothbore, (smoothbore must not be equipped with rear sight - front sight/bead only) or handgun

Two ways to shoot: Offhand from 25 yards with rifle or smoothbore or 15 yards with handgun.
Bench rest/supported from 25 yards with rifle or smoothbore or 15 yards with handgun

Mark the box on your targets as either rifle or smoothbore or handgun and either offhand or benchrest/supported.

Instructions for new participants - download the pdf file at the bottom of this post and print it full size. Post your target by taking a picture of it with the information filled in and scored by you and post it back to this thread.

6 shots for score
10 pts for Bullseye or if you snuff the candle wick/flame; 2 pts for any other hit on candle - max score 60 (ball must be 1/2 way inside the scoring area to count)

Shoot as many times as you wish but please only post one target per category with pictures of target (and gear, if possible - we love to see everyone's equipment and load data!) Post jpg or pdf formats. Please score your own targets and write your score on the target along with information on the load you used and other info including rifle/pistol or smoothbore, bench or supported. If you do not check the boxes I won't know where to post your scores. I will check scores and it helps me if you will draw a line to each hole in the target and write your points for each shot - makes it easier for me to check the targets.

Prize is same as always - bragging rights on the forum!

I will be posting November results later this week.

Have fun and Merry Christmas!

Gary

Thank you Gary.
Sorry I could not submit a rifle target for November. Sent my barrel to Bobby Hoyt for re-boring. He shipped it back Nov 19. Still hasn’t arrived. Lost I guess.
I’ll borrow a rifle to shoot December.

Salty said:

Thank you Gary.
Sorry I could not submit a rifle target for November. Sent my barrel to Bobby Hoyt for re-boring. He shipped it back Nov 19. Still hasn’t arrived. Lost I guess.
I’ll borrow a rifle to shoot December.

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Hope you get your barrel back Salty! A friend of mine recently ordered a Kibler kit with 2 day shipping and it took a couple of weeks to get to him!

Thanks, Garry, for the target. Got it printed and hope to get it shot next week.

Thanks Gary. I'll get mine printed next week and give it a go.

Should be fun (I hope!)

This was a fun one Gary (sarcastically)! Usually when I try and snuff a candle I do it from 10 yards not 25! Shot offhand with my kibler SMR .40. first 2 shots went left and right of the bull next 2 hit the bull, then I got the bright idea to shoot the flame. That's when I realized at 25yds couldn't see the yellow flame so I tried to center the shot on the top of the candle, was low and left of where I wanted but still squeaked out 2pts.... Barely! Final shot was back on the bull for 10.

Chris

Moving up to 15 yards with the 51 navy actually made this fun. My pietta 51 navy shoots about 4" high so I drew a bead on the base of the candle and popped off 5 putting 2 in the bull. For #6 I again went after the flame and snuffed the candle for a score of 30.

Chris

Fly103 said:

This was a fun one Gary (sarcastically)! Usually when I try and snuff a candle I do it from 10 yards not 25! Shot offhand with my kibler SMR .40. first 2 shots went left and right of the bull next 2 hit the bull, then I got the bright idea to shoot the flame. That's when I realized at 25yds couldn't see the yellow flame so I tried to center the shot on the top of the candle, was low and left of where I wanted but still squeaked out 2pts.... Barely! Final shot was back on the bull for 10.

Chris

View attachment 367073

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That’s some nice offhand shooting Chris, especially considering the size of the bullseye! I’m looking forward to getting out to shoot it later this week.

Thanks Gary, It was certainly a challenge! About all I could see was the bull and it felt like I was trying to shoot a fly that was moving around on the paper. Can't wait to hear others experiences with this one!

Chris

Question for ya Gary since I've been a way for a while. If I want to shoot a bench target is it arm supported only or is shooting off sandbags allowed?

Chris

Chris - you can shoot using any type of support you want!

garypl said:

Chris - you can shoot using any type of support you want!

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Thanks Gary! I might have to venture over to the local range when im off for the holidays and see what the SMR can do off sandbags. I usually avoid that place because the low pavilions aren't conducive to loading long barreled muzzle stuffers and low tollerance from the rest of the line about the smoke lingering in the shelter house. just not muzzle loader friendly most days.

Chris

Fly103 said:

Thanks Gary! I might have to venture over to the local range when im off for the holidays and see what the SMR can do off sandbags. I usually avoid that place because the low pavilions aren't conducive to loading long barreled muzzle stuffers and low tollerance from the rest of the line about the smoke lingering in the shelter house. just not muzzle loader friendly most days.

Chris

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I hear you Chris - some of the ranged at our club have lower roof lines and It does make it a challenge with a 42-44" barrel! I have to remember to turn off the ceiling fans in the summer - stuck my ramrod into them more than once!

I'm looking forward to giving this a try!

Just wanted to double-check. I don't have a color printer, hopefully gray candles are okay as well.

Thanks!
muz

B&W are just fine - have fun with it!

My first entry in a muzzleloading competition. Lots of fun!

A couple of comments...

1) I had a hard time seeing the flame - the top two holes are while allegedly aiminig at the flame. Obviously I shot a bit low.
2) I'm still learning how to shoot a flintlock. Sandbags went fine, but lets just say my offhand target skills need work. Practice, practice, practice!
3) The rifle was commissioned by my lovely wife, and built by my brother-in-law as an anniverary present. Lucky me! According to BIL, it's a Tennessee rifle in the style circa 1810. Beautiful curly ash stock. I'll post more details on the rifle at some point.

Anyway, here is my target and a photo of the setup at the range as well. Looking forward to January's competition!

muz


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muz said:

My first entry in a muzzleloading competition. Lots of fun!

A couple of comments...

1) I had a hard time seeing the flame - the top two holes are while allegedly aiminig at the flame. Obviously I shot a bit low.
2) I'm still learning how to shoot a flintlock. Sandbags went fine, but lets just say my offhand target skills need work. Practice, practice, practice!
3) The rifle was commissioned by my lovely wife, and built by my brother-in-law as an anniverary present. Lucky me! According to BIL, it's a Tennessee rifle in the style circa 1810. Beautiful curly ash stock. I'll post more details on the rifle at some point.

Anyway, here is my target and a photo of the setup at the range as well. Looking forward to January's competition!

muz


View attachment 367655
View attachment 367656

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Thanks for posting and nice looking rifle - your wife appears to be a keeper! Glad you joined our little group and hope you enjoy shooting that new rifle!

muz said:

My first entry in a muzzleloading competition. Lots of fun!

A couple of comments...

1) I had a hard time seeing the flame - the top two holes are while allegedly aiminig at the flame. Obviously I shot a bit low.
2) I'm still learning how to shoot a flintlock. Sandbags went fine, but lets just say my offhand target skills need work. Practice, practice, practice!
3) The rifle was commissioned by my lovely wife, and built by my brother-in-law as an anniverary present. Lucky me! According to BIL, it's a Tennessee rifle in the style circa 1810. Beautiful curly ash stock. I'll post more details on the rifle at some point.

Anyway, here is my target and a photo of the setup at the range as well. Looking forward to January's competition!

muz


View attachment 367655
View attachment 367656

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Thanks for participating. Glad you are here.

Glad to have you Muz. I got my targets printed and weather permitting I'll do some shooting this week or next.