Going Traditional Muzzleloader Shooting with My Son - a Pleasant Surprise

[RonRC]

The Subject title may not seem very exciting, but it is to me. My son and I have gone shooting together since he was about 11 or 12 years old. He now is 40. But he never really had an interest in black powder firearms or shooting. My son works in a profession in which firearms are a tool, a necessary, important tool. And, you practice with that tool until you are proficient. Going to the range is for practice or qualification.
This last week he surprised me! He asked if we could take a flintlock and a percussion rifle to the outdoor range on his day off - and maybe a flintlock pistol, as well. I agreed instantaneously. We are going one day next week.
Given his lack of interest in historical firearms during his youth, combined with my age and health issues, I then asked him which of my muzzleloaders (and historic battle rifles) and modern firearms he would like if something happened to me. To my surprise and thrill, he said: "All of them."
Maybe he has re-evaluated his interests as he has become older. Regardless of his motivation, he has made this old guy very happy.

 

[rafterob]

Getting to spend that slow, methodical shooting time with your Son or Grandson is a cherished time.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I wish by boys would like to go shoot black powder with me again.When they finished college they got jobs in cities and left the old farm life behind. They both have modern but left their black powder rifles with dad when they moved out. Evan when they do come back to the farm they prefer shooting trap and modern is so much cheaper now than black. A complete reversal from when I started. When I started shooting I could shoot my muzzle loading shotgun for 1/4 th the cost of modern.. Now it is reversed. for example powder 75 grain black/ 18 grain rd dot. and red dot is cheaper than black. Caps if you can find them$7.50/ hundred, primers 19 /1000 last time I bought.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

My daughter has been anti gun her whole life.
At 40 she asked to learn how to shoot.
Being I only own a 45 ACP, she shot it. Then asked if there was a 46 caliber.
Ya never can tell

 

[RonRC]

I wish by boys would like to go shoot black powder with me again.When they finished college they got jobs in cities and left the old farm life behind. They both have modern but left their black powder rifles with dad when they moved out. Evan when they do come back to the farm they prefer shooting trap and modern is so much cheaper now than black. A complete reversal from when I started. When I started shooting I could shoot my muzzle loading shotgun for 1/4 th the cost of modern.. Now it is reversed. for example powder 75 grain black/ 18 grain rd dot. and red dot is cheaper than black. Caps if you can find them$7.50/ hundred, primers 19 /1000 last time I bought.

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).

 

[RicM]

Its every Fathers dream to have their son or daughter take interest in the hobbies we love and would love to pass down our knowledge of it to them. Like it was said on this thread our kids usually find their own way, purpose, loves, hobbies etc. but it’s always a treat for us older folk when they come round circle back to us for knowledge and wanting to learn what we cherished. My son wasn’t to interested in firearms but now at 28 married, working doing well, he is like a sponge, loves the history of the muzzle loaded firearms. Makes me smile and warms my heart as we now spend time together shooting. My daughter now has come around too. Both no doubt want keep my firearms in the family. Here he tried, first time shooting BP with my TC Hawkin flintlock at his home. A bit shocked yet hooked.

 

[RonRC]

Its every Fathers dream to have their son or daughter take interest in the hobbies we love and would love to pass down our knowledge of it to them. Like it was said on this thread our kids usually find their own way, purpose, loves, hobbies etc. but it’s always a treat for us older folk when they come round circle back to us for knowledge and wanting to learn what we cherished. My son wasn’t to interested in firearms but now at 28 married, working doing well, he is like a sponge, loves the history of the muzzle loaded firearms. Makes me smile and warms my heart as we now spend time together shooting. My daughter now has come around too. Both no doubt want keep my firearms in the family. Here he tried, first time shooting BP with my TC Hawkin flintlock at his home. A bit shocked yet hooked.

RicM, I can really appreciate that. It is fulfillment of a dream, mostly when you have the opportunity to enjoy the activity together. I no longer can go to the MMA academy and participate, but I can go to the range with my son. Even the drive to the outdoor range gives the chance for us to banter and joke and talk about serious matters, as well.
By the way, I envy your son's ability to go just behind his home to shoot. My neighbors aren't happy about my pellet gun - BB range, no matter how carefully and safely I have it set up.

 

[dave951]

My dad is nearly 89yo now and still loves to go shooting. Since his stroke, he can't take the concussion from modern rifles but he loves to shoot muzzleloaders. One of his dreams has been to have all of the male generations of our family on the competition line at one time. With military careers and life in general, we haven't been able to have all at once, but here's a couple pics of my oldest. In this pic, he had just retired from the USAF less than 3 week back and was present for artillery competition so we drafted him to help on the crew. My son and I were manning the gun at positions 1&2, my dad was "powder monkey" at position 6 and taking pix while we served the gun. Yes, it's a full size Parrot Rifle designed for rough terrain cavalry use.

And for the fun part! Real friction primers are very expensive so we use a linstock to touch off the gun.

Thus far, we've managed to get everybody on the line at some point with the exception of my youngest son. In his case, his military career has been the issue. He's still active and as a Lt Col, he's very busy.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

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.

 

[hanshi]

We trained with M14s and I was very fond of that rifle. But in civilian life I went right back to muzzleloaders.

 

[garypl]

Up until my oldest son was @17 he went with me to the gun club almost every time I went. Then he started getting more involved in other activities with friends, went away to college, graduated, got married, and moved into the city. I really can’t remember the last time we went shooting. He was proficient at trap, pistol, modern rifles and muzzleloaders. He has other interests now and I don’t see him too often, but I always hope one day he will call me and say “let’s go shooting tomorrow” He’s 35 now and hope it turns out like some of the other stories posted here!

 

[dave951]

Those who can go with their kids, make time to do so. For me, I haven’t seen my youngest in 3 years. His military career has him extremely busy. My oldest, while he was able to make time for the artillery match, currently lives halfway across the country so seeing him is also problematic.

 

[BigAl52]

I dont have a son to go shoot with but I have shot with RonC many times. Not only is Ron fun to shoot with but he is a very intelligent and a wealth of knowledge in many other walks of life. Ron Im glad to see Jess is taking and interest in the muzzle loading and I know you guys will have a great time. I hope you give us a range report after that takes place. Enjoy and have a great time my friend

 

[fleener]

Me in the middle with my two boys to my left and my buddy with his son. Friendship in June.

Nothing better then spending time with your kids.

Fleener

 

[Togo]

That's worth more than a pile of gold Ron, I'm happy for you. I have an 18 year old and a 10 year old, I have yet to get my children interested in flint or percussion shooting, (video game kids) most of the rendezvous I go to have no electricity for camping, that seems to be a big turnoff for my kids.

 

[Mulebrain]

It must be nice to have him come around, and take some interest. There are so many that just don't

I was fortunate with my son, started him off very early. I had him at the range at the ripe age of six.
He went on to shoot competition pistol for the Citadel, and shot in the Olympics in Colorado.

He isn't into black powder as much as me, but he enjoys it. He will come home in November after conducting
more flight training before he heads off to pilot training in Pensacola. He will make captain in the USAF in August

Bring them up the best you can

 

[gunpa]

No sons for me but oldest daughter is game for anything. She likes them.

 

[RonRC]

It must be nice to have him come around, and take some interest. There are so many that just don't

I was fortunate with my son, started him off very early. I had him at the range at the ripe age of six.
He went on to shoot competition pistol for the Citadel, and shot in the Olympics in Colorado.

He isn't into black powder as much as me, but he enjoys it. He will come home in November after conducting
more flight training before he heads off to pilot training in Pensacola. He will make captain in the USAF in August

Bring them up the best you can

View attachment 151074

Your son has quite some resume! Shooting in the Colorado Olympics; flight training! I wish your son the best in his impressive endeavors.

 

[RonRC]

I dont have a son to go shoot with but I have shot with RonC many times. Not only is Ron fun to shoot with but he is a very intelligent and a wealth of knowledge in many other walks of life. Ron Im glad to see Jess is taking and interest in the muzzle loading and I know you guys will have a great time. I hope you give us a range report after that takes place. Enjoy and have a great time my friend

I'm blushing , Al. Thank you, buddy.
Al and I have shot together at a black powder range by an historic fort in Colorado. I didn't start my love of black powder muzzleloading until I was in my 60's. Al helped educate me in the ways of the traditional shooter.

 

[RonRC]

My son and I went out to the range last week. I brought along a flintlock that was the first non-commercial made muzzleloader I ever had. I also brought a percussion rifle made by a local fellow here in Colorado. My son brought a modern rifle and pistol that he wanted to practice with after shooting the muzzleloaders.
The final results: We had a blast! (a real blast) with the muzzleloaders. He did surprisingly well with the flintlock and didn't flinch on the priming pan going off. He said that it gave him the feel of history and an appreciation of the challenges of militaries of the past or the long hunter.
After we were done with the blackpowder shoooting, it started to thundderstorm. We never did shoot the cartridge guns.
I don't know if he will become an avid blackpowder shooter, but he did ask to go again.
Several shooters at the range stopped by to ask questions about all the smoke. We were the only ones who smelled of sulfur.