First Trip To Local ML Club - Etiquette?

[ChrisHarris]

A club member invited me to the local ML club for a shoot this coming Sunday. It's a traditional club, so no inlines or centerfire rifles allowed.

I was planning to bring:
Warm clothes
Safety glasses
Ear plugs
Lunch
Water
Leather gloves
huntin' vest (padded shoulder for my worn out shoulder)

The guy that invited me is going to let me shoot his percussion rifles. I believe he has 3 rifles.

Do I need to buy powder? Balls?

I know he shoots FFF and .495 balls from talking to him at the local retail store when we met.

I hate to be a mooch and would feel better about buying the guy some powder, but I'm not sure if that would be appropriate. Am I ASSuming too much in wanting to at least pay for the powder for a days shooting?

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

If you've done any shooting before you should be set, I would not worry alot about replacing his powder or lead this time out, may want to consider if you go again.

Our club does a potluck on shoot days, you may want to inquire as such.

Everybody likes doughnuts.

 

[Swtodd]

If i invited you, i am your host. You don't know what to bring to feed my firearms. What you said you are going to bring is well thought out, that and your interest is plenty. It'll be fun.

steve

 

[justtim]

Offer to reimburse him for the supplies. He likely won't accept but offer it. Pay attention to the range officer and have a good time. Don't be surprised if you get bit by it.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

ARE YOU INSANE? :nono:
IF you go to the club and shoot a muzzleloader...you are going to become addicted, to pieces of artwork that launch deadly missiles of lead, and need a rock, or tiny little metal cup filled with fulminate of mercury, to work. You will feel the urge to wear clothing that is a century or two out of fashion (in fact you will eventually like them better than your clothing of this century). You'll sleep in primitive shelters, and make your own camping equipment! You will choose your next vehicle not on it's elegance, nor performance, but on how much room you will have to to haul your stuff, and whether or not it's four wheel drive. You may even delve into dying arts such as cordwaining, or blacksmithing, or perhaps both, not to mention chandling, wood working, and other arts..., plus you may become addicted to folk music (perhaps you will even take up a folk instrument!) You will begin to notice how silly most city folks are when weather comes a calling, and while they freak out and buy up all the milk and toilet paper,..., you will not be worried, even if you lose electricity.

Of course it could be worse..., you could take up golf.... :rotf:

Welcome to The Dark Side

LD

 

[William O.]

A club member invited me to the local ML club for a shoot this coming Sunday. It's a traditional club, so no inlines or centerfire rifles allowed.

I was planning to bring:
Warm clothes
Safety glasses
Ear plugs
Lunch
Water
Leather gloves
huntin' vest (padded shoulder for my worn out shoulder)
The guy that invited me is going to let me shoot his percussion rifles. I believe he has 3 rifles.
Do I need to buy powder? Balls?
I know he shoots FFF and .495 balls from talking to him at the local retail store when we met.
I hate to be a mooch and would feel better about buying the guy some powder, but I'm not sure if that would be appropriate. Am I ASSuming too much in wanting to at least pay for the powder for a days shooting?

Judging from your list I think you will be more than prepared to accept your friend's gracious offer. You do not need to bring powder or ball with you, just willingness to learn. You might inquire as to how much the shooters fee there is, if any, and offer to pay for yourself in exchange for the extra powder and RB being expended, but be prepared for your friend to politely decline. My club has a cold barrel stage where everyone puts in a quarter and the winner gets to keep the pot. See if this club has anything similar and bring the right amount of change if it does. You may experience beginners luck and win the pot!

 

[2172]

all of the foregoing is good advice. when we have a newbie guest at my club, we don't appreciate being interrupted in our shooting and loading by constant questions, nor the guy who's read up on the topic and starts to give expert opinions Hank

 

I wouldn't worry about it this time out. Take note of what is used. It would be a nice gesture to buy the guy a can of powder sometime in the near future. Just buy him what he's using. Wouldn't do much good to buy a guy a can of Pyrodex if all he uses is Goex. :wink:

 

[BigDogg]

I wouldn't worry about buying powder or lead, but it would be nice if you offered to clean the gun he let you use, at the end of the day. Have him show you how to do it. While he cleans his gun, you could clean the borrowed gun, right along with him. Once you become afflicted, you're gonna need to know this stuff anyway! :haha:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Others have already said it, you can make the offer but he will likely decline payment of any kind.
Your just thinking of it indicates you are the type of person the rest will enjoy having around.
Relax and enjoy.
Paying attention to the range officer and wearing hearing protection are musts.

 

[rafterob]

All well said. If I am hosting a guest I would not expect nor accept any recompense for supplies. Now there is nothing wrong with a gift of appreciation. I am fond of rewarding niceties with a gift of homemade jam or canned goods. Or anything that you have to offer that would have some personal meaning attached. The pot luck was mentioned. Whether there is a club pot luck or not , a pie or cake is always appreciated by everyone.

 

[ChrisHarris]

Thanks guys. I had planned to show up and keep my mouth shut unless somebody asked if I had any questions. I understand how it is when a new guy shows up and makes a pest of himself asking everybody questions when they are trying to concentrate on being safe and having fun.

I'm going to stop in the morning and buy a couple dozen donuts. As mentioned, ya can't go wrong with donuts.

I'll offer to buy the guy some powder and clean his gun at the end of the day.

I did ask him if there was a guest fee to shoot for the day and he said there wasn't. Probably better bring a few $20's just in case.

Good suggestions. Thanks guys. :bow:

This gave me a chuckle....

ARE YOU INSANE?

Probably :rotf: Ask my wife...... :idunno:

IF you go to the club and shoot a muzzleloader...you are going to become addicted, to pieces of artwork that launch deadly missiles of lead, and need a rock, or tiny little metal cup filled with fulminate of mercury, to work. You will feel the urge to wear clothing that is a century or two out of fashion (in fact you will eventually like them better than your clothing of this century). You'll sleep in primitive shelters, and make your own camping equipment! You will choose your next vehicle not on it's elegance, nor performance, but on how much room you will have to to haul your stuff, and whether or not it's four wheel drive. You may even delve into dying arts such as cordwaining, or blacksmithing, or perhaps both, not to mention chandling, wood working, and other arts..., plus you may become addicted to folk music (perhaps you will even take up a folk instrument!) You will begin to notice how silly most city folks are when weather comes a calling, and while they freak out and buy up all the milk and toilet paper,..., you will not be worried, even if you lose electricity.

Of course it could be worse..., you could take up golf....

Welcome to The Dark Side

Yup, I'm 'bout half way there already. I already drive a beat up 4x4 truck thats 17yrs old, just cause it gets me from A too B and it carries all my huntin' and fishin' stuff. I found some patterns for a rain coat made from leather. In Missouri, we can shoot unlimited number of anterless deer in most areas of the state. I figure it'll take 3 or 4 hides. My Dad sent a book on how to tan hides. I'm already addicted to amateur wood working. :rotf:

Seams like shootin' smokepoles was just a natural progression in my journey. :idunno:

Thanks again guys. I'll update next week, after the shoot.

 

[Lonegun1894]

Sounds like you're on the right track to me too.

 

[ChrisHarris]

I just returned from my first shoot. I was able to shoot a borrowed Lyman .50cal percussion rifle with a 1:60 twist barrel. Loaded round balls of pure lead and 60 grains of FFF Goex. Pillow ticking patches and Moose Milk lube. Swabbed the barrel with a dry cloth after each shot.

The shoot today was iron targets, off handed shooting style in the forest. Out of 23 targets, I hit 18.
2 of the missed targets were out there at 85+ yards. I can forgive myself on those 2. The other 3 misses were just bad shooting on my part.

Great bunch of guys and a good time was had by all. I brought about 4 dozen donuts and most of them were gone by the end of the day.

It was a great day. Great introduction to muzzleloading. I'm hooked...... eh.... addicted would probably be a better word to describe this affliction. :youcrazy:

 

[jethro224]

I'm hooked...... eh.... addicted

No surprise here. :haha: :hatsoff:

 

[lonehorseman]

so what do you want Santa to bring you???

 

[ChrisHarris]

so what do you want Santa to bring you???

Lyman DeerStalker percussion .50cal 24" blued barrel with hardwood stock... what else? :rotf:

We moved 650 miles last month for a new/better job after being laid off almost 2yrs. I need to make sure it's a good Christmas for my wife and kids in the new house. But right after Christmas I'm ordering that gun. Santa can be late this year.... won't hold it against him.

 

[jethro224]

Lyman DeerStalker percussion .50cal 24" blued barrel with hardwood stock...

You'll shoot yer eye out kid.

:rotf: