Another from Colorado

[RonRC]

Hello, folks.
I am a rank beginner, only now starting to read about muzzleloaders. I met a fine fellow at a rendezvous near where a restored fort was newly opened for viewing. He had a replica Hawken (50) and a rifle that looks like a Pennsylvania (Kentucky) rifle (45). I bought the both of them on impulse.
I now have some black powder, powder measuring devices, percussion caps and other sundry items that will permit me to shoot them.
I do have an original, 1820 Pennsylvania long rifle, but I am not going to shoot it. It has rifling, but the bore was pretty rusted when I bought it.
Also in the safe are a brace of 1816/1822 French Calvary pistols that likely were converted to percussion in the 1850s or so. They are likely about 69 cal, but looking down the barrel they impress me more like 155 mm cannon! :wink: They might be shootable, but now I just like to look at them and hold these pieces of history.

All the Best,
Ron

 

[ChrisHarris]

Welcome!! Pull up a chair and pass the jug.

Great forum. Lots of experienced people here. I'm not one of 'em. :haha:

Used to live in Colorado. Arvada 80003. Had to leave due to unemployment. Found a great job here and they pay me too much - good problem to have when you have an affliction for muzzleloaders. Midwest is different, but plenty of good fishin' and huntin' opportunities here. Goin' walleye fishin' this weekend.

 

[Howls at the Moon]

Howdy RonC
Where are you in CO. I live in the South Fork area at the base of Wolf Creek Pass (most snow in CO) If you are on the front range there are several clubs and also the CSMLA if your interested in shooting on a regular basis. There are also several "Rondys" going on this summer starting Memorial Day all the way through Labor day. Hope to meet you at one.
Howls

 

[cchipmunk]

Welcome to the Forum!

Everyone starts somewhere... this Forum is a fantastic place to ask questions and get solid answers from people who have answers.

Have fun!

 

[Renegade Dan]

Welcome to the forum! :thumbsup:

 

[ny griz]

:hatsoff: :thumbsup: Welcome to the forum.Enjoy your journey into BP.Griz

 

[mazo kid]

Hi Ron, you have come to the best place to learn everything muzzleloading! Been to a couple of National rendezvous in your fine State, also had a son who lived there for about 15 years.

 

[Tony Logan]

welcome to the forum, sounds like your off to a great start

 

[RonRC]

Howdy RonC
Where are you in CO. I live in the South Fork area at the base of Wolf Creek Pass (most snow in CO) If you are on the front range there are several clubs and also the CSMLA if your interested in shooting on a regular basis. There are also several "Rondys" going on this summer starting Memorial Day all the way through Labor day. Hope to meet you at one.
Howls

I am in Golden, CO, just west of Denver. I was snowed on while on a motorcycle trip through Wolf Creek Pass in June one year!
I have visited the Ft. Lupton Range twice, and the member of the Ft. Lupton Muzzleloaders Group were very helpful.
If you could recommend and point out some clubs, that would be great! I looked up the CSMLA on the net. It seems that their main site has been hijacked by a weight loss spam ad, but I found them on Facebook.
Is there a site that lists the shoots and rendezvous activity in the front range?
Thanks,
Ron

 

[RonRC]

I should note, with apologies, that after introducing myself back in April of 2012, I didn't become involved in the forum until I bought a flintlock just a short time ago. Also, I didn't subscribe to the thread so didn't see the responses. Since then, I have had threads in the Flintlock and other sections where I posted some photos.

This is what happened over the last year and a half:
I purchased a Remington 1816 Commemorative flintlock several weeks ago. Then, an old fellow who attended mountain man rendezvouses decided that age and health demanded that he stop those activities. I ended up buying his flintlock (the stock, at least, is similar to those made by Roy Stroh of Illinois) in 45 cal. With it came a "possibles" leather bag, a large power horn, a small horn for priming the pan, brass powder measuring tubes, period correct tools, a knife for cutting patches and other duties, a tomahawk, brass funnel, 45 cal balls, ram rod attachments, and more. I decided that, since the Remington 1816 had never been shot, I would keep it for the time being as a display.
The Remington 1816 Commemorative:

The "custom" flintlock in 45 cal:

All the goodies that came with the custom:

Two weeks ago, the Ft. Lupton, CO Muzzleloaders Club had a competitive shoot. I went just to learn to handle, load and shoot a flintlock. The people there were very helpful. It is one thing reading articles on the net, it is another to learn face-to-face.
It really was fun shooting this flintlock!!!
What I hadn't realized is that a major component of the fun is the group of "rituals" involved: pouring powder from the powder horn into a measuring device, pouring that powder down the muzzle, putting the patch on the muzzle, aligning the ball on the patch, using the short ram rod to get the ball down the barrel initially, then using the ram rod to ram it home. THEN you go up to the firing line, point the muzzle toward the target, use a second, smaller horn to put the primer in the pan, close the frizzen, lock back the cock, the fire.
Whew! I am out of breath just saying it all.
Another part of the ritual is, of course, the necessity of cleaning the barrel right away. So, I brought a gallon of soapy water to wash out the rifle at the end of shooting. I cleaned it more thoroughly at home.
I felt like a giddy kid on Christmas morning, it was so much fun.
So, it looks like I am becoming addicted to these smoke poles!
Ron