chunk gun beginner questions

[sharps54]

I have tried to read through the past posts about chunk guns and wanted to confirm my suspicions. Since chunk guns don't seem to have to be PC is there any problem with just going with an underhammer like the ones Blue Grouse offers with a heavy barrel and fixed sights? I know some places have a flint division I couldn't shoot in but that's ok as this would be my first chunk gun just to try the sport out. For an inexpensive non-PC starting piece is there a better way to go then the Blue Grouse?
I guess the other question is any idea of where I could find a chunk gun match closer then TN or IN?
Thanks,
Sharps54

 

[Slowpoke]

Sharps,

I don't know much about them but I know there's one held in Maryland at Choptank twice a year.You have to go over the bay bridge and about 20 miles past. I'm not sure how big it is but I can get you the dates and directions if you give me a day or two. If I don't PM me in a couple days.

SP

 

[sharps54]

Thanks! I appreciate it. I am actually looking for any black powder shoots in my general area but am definately willing to drive for a chunk gun shoot! I have recently moved up here and have decided that I have put off muzzleloading long enough.
Sharps54

 

[F.G. Ford]

I don't think you could find a better rifle to start with than the underhammer.
Also another place to look for rifles of this sort, is "The Gun Works" they usually have a great sellection of used target and chunk guns.
I hope this helps.
Old Ford

 

[Slowpoke]

Thanks! I appreciate it. I am actually looking for any black powder shoots in my general area

S54,
Bull Run Muzzleloaders is a terrific little club that shoots once a month (3rd Sunday). The shoots are great and everyone wins something. It's a little far for me, but I shoot there 3-4 a year. The guys are friendly, honest, and will make you feel welcome. Heck, you're so close that if you didn't want to shoot you could just drive over and take a peak next weekend. They shoot at the Issac Walter Range.

Here the presidents info for Bull Run...

Bull Run Muzzleloaders
Contact: Tony Sucher
5415 Dublin Ave., Springfield, VA 22151
(703) 354-2726


and here's Choptank's... they're more of a primitive type club but still a good bunch of guys.

Choptank Muzzle Loaders
Contact: Steven Minkkinen
8834 Dorothy Lane, Denton, MD 21629
(410) 479-1145

 

:shocked2: I suspicion that if any of the old boys like Red Farris Or Hacker Martin or any of the other old boys showed up at any of these new hanky waving shoots . They would be judged not PC and thrown out on their ear. I have been shooting for about 60 years and my buckskins are older than most of these newbie kids. Lonesome Bob

 

[sharps54]

Don't worry Lonesome Bob, I pick up some overalls before signing up for a shoot! :thumbsup:
One thing I have noticed is that if you are really interested in learning about the subject you can find no better crowd to welcome you then smoke pole shooters! IDPA shooters are pretty good and I have had great luck with fellow African rifle enthusiasts but I have yet to meet a muzzle loader at a range that was an outright jerk to other shooters.

Old Ford, Great recommendation, I have been eyeballing those ever since I started lurking around this board!

Slowpoke,
I'll give both clubs a call, thanks for the points of contact!
sharps54

 

[musketman]

Isn't the underhammer design PC to begin with?

 

[sharps54]

Isn't the underhammer design PC to begin with?

Beats me, I'm pretty new to this! I have always wanted to play with a chunk gun since reading about them in Muzzleblasts years ago.

 

[musketman]

Isn't the underhammer design PC to begin with?

Beats me, I'm pretty new to this! I have always wanted to play with a chunk gun since reading about them in Muzzleblasts years ago.

William Billinghurst was making underhammers in the mid 1850's, his .50 Caliber percussion underhammer target rifle was a heavy barrel tack driver...

The Muzzle Loading Cap Lock Rifle by Ned Roberts has a many chapters on underhammers...

 

[sharps54]

The Muzzle Loading Cap Lock Rifle by Ned Roberts has a many chapters on underhammers...

I'll have to try and scrounge up a copy, it seems to be out of print, not much help to us new guys.

Is there an advantage of the '52 copy over the '91 as far as content of the book goes?

 

[musketman]

If you can't find a copy, I will lend you mine and you can mail it back to me once you are done reading it...

If you choose to do that, private message me your address and I will send it out to you...