I value my Muzzleloader the most

[Adui]

I have sidearms worth twice what my Caplock is in dollars. I purchase guns rarely, as I am lower income. Of all the firearms I have purchased, I value my 250 or less caplock by Traditions the most. I would literally only pick my carry sidearm over it if I had to choose one because I believe in being able to defend myself.

I saw a post tonight that typifies my trips to the range. If I am going alone I have my Caplock by Traditions, and my 9mm concealed carry. More often than not, my 9mm stays in the car; (though I need to fire it more often because it is my concealed carry gun..)

When I go to the range with my muzzle loader it is for Zen therapy.. If I am not with someone, I am trying to reset. The process of loading a sidelock cap gun is second only to a flinter, which I cannot yet afford.

Literally; the range time for me is therapy.. its how I cope.. Am I alone in this??

 

[meanmike8665]

No,I have been shooting muzzle loaders since 1989 and I believe it has save me from going crazy on more than one occasion. A day at the range is the best therapy I know,

Michael

 

[Lonegun1894]

Not at all alone here. I have different types of toys, and all have a purpose, but I tend to favor my MLs for hunting use. Another side benefit, is that there's times when I need to get things out of my mind, and the three best ways I have found, other than getting lost in the outdoors for however long it takes, are archery, MLs, and long range shooting. My process, at least my mental process, is identical for all three. Clear my mind of everything else, and focus on doing everything right to make a perfect shot. And it doesn't matter if I am shooting my longbow at 20-30 yards at paper, my ML at paper at 50-100 yards, or my long range toy at clay pigeons at 500-800 yards (or silhouettes at 1K+). If I can force myself to focus on something other than whatever is eating at me at the time, my troubles go away, and even if they don't go away completely, they are much smaller after a range session than before. And I make my targets small enough and distant enough to be frustrating, yet achievable IF, and only if, I clear my mind and do everything right. If my focus isn't 100% on the task, and I don't do everything PERFECTLY, I will miss. Worst case scenario is I walk away frustrated due to a bad range session instead of thinking of things that are best left long ago in a land far away...

And it keeps me out of bars, and the associated trouble found there.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Yes, truly, although my sidearm has saved my life on I'd say, three occasions, I've never grown attached to it as I have my flintlock rifle. Perhaps it's the difference between "Whew, that was close" to a lot more times of, "Wow, that was great", which is the factor.

LD

 

[rafterob]

When I go to the range with my muzzle loader it is for Zen therapy.

I agree wholeheartedly!

 

[hanshi]

I've been hunting exclusively with muzzleloaders, mostly flintlocks, for a long time. It's rare that I shoot anything else and it would be at the range, anyway.

 

[Col. Batguano]

It's because a ML'er forces you tho think and be disciplined in your shooting regimen. If you don't, it won't work right. A cartridge gun is more of an "assemble and shoot" pursuit, and is less about the process.

 

[LEM]

You're not alone

Firing BP weapons is WAY more funny than modern ones... even if modern ones are way more practical when it comes to self-defense/defense/any other combat situation in fact...

As I'm not engaged in combat situation anymore, and that self defense with firearms are prohibited were I currently live (France), I'm doomed to have fun muzzleloading at the range - and frankly... I'm *very* happy that way

When I can free one hour or so during some business days, I enjoy relaxing between two meetings at the firing club just next to my office. Hard to imagine how cool you start a meeting when your hands still smell a bit of sulfur

 

[azmntman]

Only thing that comes anywhere close is fishin....I seem to do both alone more than with company. I can shoot 4 hrs (20+/- shots) or watch a bobber or a pole tip for HOURS and just chill. Yep, much more effective than a guru with a degree and its basically free :thumbsup:

 

[Idaho Ron]

The Value of my Muzzleloading rifles is substantial to me but others might not feel the same. Fishing is about equal for me too. But ringing a gong with my muzzleloader at 300 yards makes me smile.

 

[SgtErv]

Nope. Right there with you.

Shooting a flinter, for me, is an all encompassing activity. Don't know if you fellas are familiar with a phenomenon called "mindfulness." It's essentially being entirely present in the moment, everything else - all that mental chatter - is just gone.

I had never been able to achieve that state until I started shooting Muzzleloaders. There's something about the loading process and smells that really focus my mind on the experience. I feel great after a trip to the range, even if I shot badly.

No, you're not alone. I'm glad that many others feel the same.

 

[faste350]

you are not alone, flintlocks and bamboo fly rods, in that order, are my therapy!

 

[hrchotaw]

+1 Flintlock, and my bamboo or glass
fly rods are my best ways to relax :grin: