First Time Flintlock Shooter

[mdtnhunter]

I taught my seven year old son how to shoot a his flintlock today. It is a .45 smoothbore flint trade gun. We were using a light load of 25 grains of 3f and a .440 patched ball. He is a lefty trying to shoot a right handed gun so it was somewhat of a challenge to teach him to load and shoot. He loved it, though, and it was a real hoot to watch him shoot! He didn't want to quit for the day when I was getting tired but I took the time to show him how to clean it, too. He's already wanting to know when he can shoot it again.

 

[killer]

Another satisfied customer. :grin:

 

[mykeal]

Perhaps it's the perspective, but his face appears to be a bit too close to the muzzle in that first picture. You might suggest he lean the muzzle further away when loading.

 

[rf50cal]

Great pictures. He looks satisfied with the whole situation in the last photo.

 

[mdtnhunter]

Thanks for the tip. It was the perspective as I constantly stressed not to put the face and head over the muzzle. He did good on listening to the safety instruction, despite the fact that sometimes getting him to listen is like teaching a squirrel monkey to tap dance.

 

[MSW]

great to see a kid getting hooked on the sport!

welcome to the real world, young man, now go out and make good smoke!

 

[Gotspark]

Yep,I'd say he's likin what he's doing.I can relate. :grin: I predict years of fun ahead.Enjoy!

 

[rafterob]

And to think I had to be satisfied with a bb gun at that age. That last picture says it all! :hatsoff:

 

[buford87]

Great to see a young Tenneesseen going over to the dark side. It's wonderful to see muzzleloading being passed on.............watch yer top knot............

 

[GreyWhiskers]

Good lookin young man. Great to see him enjoying firearms, especially muzzleloaders. :thumbsup: GW

 

[eaglesnester]

Outstanding, get em while their young and teach em right.

Cheers & Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester

 

[BullRunBear]

Makes me wish I had some photos of teaching a friend's little boys how to shoot with our muzzleloaders about 15 years ago. (Yep, they still love shooting.) The pride and satisfaction in the last photo say it all. It's worthy of a Civil War tintype.

Jeff

 

[mdtnhunter]

I noticed when he was shooting that he kept acting like he couldn't decide which eye to aim with. I did the dominant eye test when he got home from school today and while he is left handed he is RIGHT EYE DOMINANT!! I'll see how he shoots right handed next time.

 

[badpenny]

i'm left handed,right eye dominant.shooting left handed is purely unnatural to me.so teaching him to shoot right handed maybe easier than you think

 

[chance]

That is Awsome!!!

 

[M38]

I noticed when he was shooting that he kept acting like he couldn't decide which eye to aim with. I did the dominant eye test when he got home from school today and while he is left handed he is RIGHT EYE DOMINANT!! I'll see how he shoots right handed next time.

I'm the same way, left handed but right eye dominant. I shoot right handed, though I'm about as good left handed.

 

[smo]

Good job! Always good to see a young man get into muzzleloading. :thumbsup: Maybe ya'll can go after one of those Tn. Longbeards this spring with that smoothbore.

 

[Stayangry]

Don't forget to get your son joined up to the NRA or the shooting organisation of your choice, to ensure that he will be able to go on shooting as a grown-up.

Trust me on this.

I'm British...

 

[killer]

Im a Lefty but shoot right handed guns, because thier are more of em. I have no dominant eye. and i can shoot equally as good right or left handed . Its kinda nice. I have alot of options. :wink:

 

[Flint311]

Based on the pics, you've obviously done well! Congrats! :thumbsup: :hatsoff: