Going Traditional Muzzleloader Shooting with My Son - a Pleasant Surprise

[RonRC]

Here are photos of the rifles we took to the range:
The flintlock has a Douglas barrel.

The mountain rifle was made by Al Anderson. When I bought it, it came with the Redfield Olympia peep sight. The previous owner was elderly, with bad eyes, and was permitted to use the peep sights.

A target for the Flintlock at 50 yards, shot seated with elbows on a bench:

And for the Anderson mountain rifle:

The bad target is in the trash bin.

Ron

 

[garypl]

Here are photos of the rifles we took to the range:
The flintlock has a Douglas barrel.
View attachment 153530View attachment 153531
The mountain rifle was made by Al Anderson. When I bought it, it came with the Redfield Olympia peep sight. The previous owner was elderly, with bad eyes, and was permitted to use the peep sights.

View attachment 153532
View attachment 153533

A target for the Flintlock at 50 yards, shot seated with elbows on a bench:
View attachment 153534

And for the Anderson mountain rifle:
View attachment 153536
The bad target is in the trash bin.

Ron

Those are both nice looking rifles and look to be very accurate as well!

 

[RonRC]

Those are both nice looking rifles and look to be very accurate as well!

The flintlock is the first quality rifle I bought. It was also a rifle that smoothed my way into black powder shooting. After I purchased the rifle, I was told that the previous owner included all the supplies I would need to get started.
All these items (except for the cat) came with the rifle:

 

[Mtbugle]

great thread. I also got to go to range with my son today. He expressed interest in going muzzle loader hunting with me last year, so I gave him a .50 traditions with associated shooting supplies for his birthday this year. All his shots were on the 8 inch black at 100 yds with round ball. I wish my shooting was as good.
We both have cow elk tags this year. He really wants to make meat this year. I am enjoying the process of us getting there. He is 43 this year.

 

[Carteret Kid]

That sounds like it could be the best hunt of a lifetime.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

The flintlock is the first quality rifle I bought. It was also a rifle that smoothed my way into black powder shooting. After I purchased the rifle, I was told that the previous owner included all the supplies I would need to get started.
All these items (except for the cat) came with the rifle:
View attachment 153634

View attachment 153635View attachment 153636

How much an hour do you pay the cat? Looks like a dedicated worker…

 

[Mtbugle]

That sounds like it could be the best hunt of a lifetime.

Yes, I expect it will be a good time. I also envested in a camper this last year so I can spend more time on the mountain. Good timing for good company.

 

[azmntman]

Great thread! My son has little interest lately in any shooting as he is a new business owner and privliged to del with employees! He really never like BP but was upset when he learned I had sold my old 12" buntline stainless revolver! Said he liked it. Hmmm now he tells me There is still hope. My oldest (step son) did get his BP shotgun merit badge (he is an Eagle) and was able to harvest spike elk with BP but he s a lt Cnl in USAF and dont shoot much anymore (his wife does).

 

[Rock Home Isle]

On my hunting Bucket List has been hunting hogs with a Muzzleloader. That is something I’ve wanted to do for many years.

I bought a parts set back in March, to build a .54 calibre Early Plains Rifle…it’s done, just got it from the builder a few days ago. This is the gun that I want to start hunting with again, it’s been awhile…work got in the way.

Now that I’m retired…there’s things I want to do. There’s hunts that I want to take…

Lower rifle in this image.

Spoke with my son yesterday, he’s recently moved to Texas for a new job. He’s pretty excited for his grandpa (my dad) & I to come down and do a hunt together. We talked about doing a hog hunt, in passing. But in this conversation my son was more serious and persistent. He’s concerned that I’m using a muzzleloader, he says that these animals can be challenging.

I don’t know…I’ve never hunted them before. My quarry of choice, for most of my hunting life has been elk.

He’s looking for a place(s) to hunt. I’m very excited to take this item off my Hunting Bucket List, and do it with my son.

 

[RonRC]

great thread. I also got to go to range with my son today. He expressed interest in going muzzle loader hunting with me last year, so I gave him a .50 traditions with associated shooting supplies for his birthday this year. All his shots were on the 8 inch black at 100 yds with round ball. I wish my shooting was as good.
We both have cow elk tags this year. He really wants to make meat this year. I am enjoying the process of us getting there. He is 43 this year.

That looks really exciting! The few hours that we spent together at the range was an invaluable experience. Even more than wishing you a successful hunt hunt, I wish you a really good fulfilling time with your son.

 

[RonRC]

How much an hour do you pay the cat? Looks like a dedicated worker…

The cat was a volunteer guard for my collection of fire arms. I am afraid that he is no longer with us, having passed away some time ago.His name was Rusty, short for Rusty Bore.

 

[RonRC]

Perhaps your son was a bit like me. I had my share of modern arms in the Army. I like muzzleloaders, but really at first it was more of an opportunity to hunt Pennsylvania's late season. Half way through my military career I really took a shine to long bows and flintlocks because they required more from me and the process for each was relaxing.
I'm not opposed to modern arms. I own a fair amount, but my shooting time is mostly muzzleloaders or longbow.
Glad you get to share time with your boy. Mine is in the Army now so I don't get to see him as much as I would like. Rare hunting, fishing, or range times are more meaningful.

After 1969, I didn't touch a firearm until the mid-1980s. A friend convinced me to go to an outdoor range with him. Punching holes in paper was fun! That experience triggered my interest in guns again.

 

[BigAl52]

If you guys think that Rons guns are nice you should see his model airplane collection. Its hard to find those guns amongst all the aircraft

 

[RonRC]

If you guys think that Rons guns are nice you should see his model airplane collection. Its hard to find those guns amongst all the aircraft

What planes? I don't see any planes:

 

[user 31232]

I hope your boys come back and shoot with you, whether it be black powder or modern. I treasure the times when my son and I went to the range together. But our kids are their own people with their own interests. I understand that. After work, my son spends time in a mixed martial arts academy or in a gym. That is his focus, often to the exclusion of other activities. It sure is more positive than many of the other social and asocial activities he could be doing (all except for his mangled ears).

Owwwww

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

I hope your boys come back and shoot with you, whether it be black powder or modern. I treasure the times when my son and I went to the range together. But our kids are their own people with their own interests. I understand that. After work, my son spends time in a mixed martial arts academy or in a gym. That is his focus, often to the exclusion of other activities. It sure is more positive than many of the other social and asocial activities he could be doing (all except for his mangled ears).

Cauliflower Ear is the sign of a true warrior and is a mark of honor in combat sports.

 

[RonRC]

Cauliflower Ear is the sign of a true warrior and is a mark of honor in combat sports.

Yes, sir. It is his Red Badge of Courage. His Mom tried to convince him to wear head gear when training, but he would have none of that.
Many times, at a restaurant or family function, someone is likely to come by and ask if he is a fighter. My grandfather, like my son, was a police officer and a "prize fighter". The young men would box and the older fellows would bet on them.cHe, too, had cauliflower ears. The winner would get a small cut of the proceeds. My grandfather was killed on duty when I was very small, so he never had the chance to train me to box.