Input for a column on Muzzleloading?

[jderrick]

Hey folks,

I write a weekly outdoors column for a daily paper in western North Carolina -- The Shelby Star. I've written about muzzleloading before, and plugged[url] Muzzleloadingforum.com[/url], but want to do something more directly from the forum.

I've emailed Claude about this, and he's on board, so how about this: What do you think the current issues are for traditional muzzleloading shooters? Why do you like it? How did you get started? What would you want to tell the general public?

I'll take 500 words or so worth for the column and link to the forum so folks can get all the rest....

Thanks!

 

[Pork Chop]

1)What do you think the current issues are for traditional muzzleloading shooters?
2)Why do you like it?
3)How did you get started?
4)What would you want to tell the general public?

1) The biggest issue is the decrease in interest by the general public and younger folks in particular. Shooting as a sport seems to be falling by the wayside which is a shame. There are so many things that marksmanship can teach...

2) I like muzzleloading because it is a very relaxed kind of shooting. If I am shooting a semi auto rifle, I feel compelled to spray lead. Bolt actions feel like I am back on the rifle team, so I feel the need to focus on target shooting. Muzzleloading is different. The time that it takes to clear the rifle, measure the powder, load the ball, prime and then set up to shoot has a romantic feel to it. Lots of folks feel a connection to history - I don't have a specific historical connection - just a connection to a simpler time where life is not going 90mph.

3) I finally got off my dead a$$ and got the mess together to shoot a pistol that I built with my father. Then I shot the rifle. Then I bought more rifles. And so it goes...

4) I think that the media has made shooters out to be some kind of blood thirsty moron or back woods hick. That is simply not the case. Shooting is a skill and most shooters are disciplined and careful.

Hope this helps a little!

 

[graybeard]

I feel you are looking for science and facts to discuss an emotional issue. I fish with dry flies and long fine leaders. Why? There are books full of talented authors trying to explain the fascination. It sure isn't themost productive way to put fish on the table. I think the same goes for shooting traditional black powder firearms. When I shot a pistol competitively, a shot out in the seven-ring ruined my day. :cursing: Now I'm happy if I can keep them in the scoring rings. :haha: There's history, tradition, accomplishment and many other things tied up in black powder shooting. Sometimes I fear there are going to be so few of us that the sport will end. graybeard

 

[bwhoffman]

1)What do you think the current issues are for traditional muzzleloading shooters?
2)Why do you like it?
3)How did you get started?
4)What would you want to tell the general public?

1. the need to differentiate "traditional front stuffers with sidelock/ rocklock vs modern built
@*$(#lines, and the seperation of the two types and purpose...ie some see it as a special season for 1 more animal.
2. being new to this"sport" after shooting everything else(shotgun/varmint guns ect) I feel this takes me back to a more simpler, relaxed time. I can be around others with the same interest, show off items we have made, replicating the tools of old, people tend not to bring their issues and personal baggage. No one really cares how good or bad you shoot, what you do or what gun you shoot,whether its a cva bobcat or a custom made,it doesnt really make you better then the next guy.
3. I got bored with competitive events, could not selective "cheat" or intimitade score keepers as older, more well known"veterans" could. It sounded pleasant and relaxed,initial investment is very reasonable as compared to other shooting diciplines, another firearm I could cast lead for, and lastly...it was something that BSA scouting flirted with just enough to catch my interest but not allowed to get it more involved.
4. breakaway from your pressures and worries and step back in time to a more simpler era. dont read about lewis and clark, bridger, wyatt,ect...LIVE IT!

regards,
Brett

 

[shortjack]

The lack of interest from not only younger shooters but older shooters as well. Most people who don't shoot traditional muzzleloaders are missing out on a very satisfying experience.It's not as difficult or as much of a hassle as people who have never tried it out, think it is. #2For me it is one of the most relaxing things there is to do. It is a real stress releiver and shooting a good group off hand at 50 yards is more satisfying than shooting an 1/8" 5 shot group at 100 yards with a benchrest rifle. #3I was always interested in it and I started so I could shoot in the early whitetail deer hunting season. #4 If they have never tried it, try it at least one time I'm sure you will be surprised how much you will enjoy it. There is so much history with traditional muzzleloading, and it's place in the history and the founding of this country.

 

[Stumpkiller]

That's like asking why people ride motorcycles or go fishing. There are hundreds of correct answers. I like muzzleloading hunting because I like the historical connection. The challenge. The feel of a well made weapon in my arms in the woods. If someone wants to bypass the challenge and history with an in-line that's their choice; but we're here to help them or anyone who wants to go backwards when they stop worshiping technology.

 

[CrackStock]

My concern is that this is a sport of old guys recreating adventures actually lived by young guys because there were very few old guys surviving those adventures. :haha:

Seriously, the renewal of traditional shooting is an important part of keeping our past alive. To do this, we must support youth shooting sports such as Boy Scouts, Royal Rangers, Youth Hunter Education Challenge...

We need to organize events at ranges that lean toward traditional shooting. To do this we need places to shoot, instructors and a shell organization to provide structure.

Most shooting clubs have some slack in their schedules and often are looking for another activity that we can organize -- especially for youth.

My suggestion is that you look to the NRA's YHEC as a starting point.

CS

 

[AeroncaTAL]

I'm a newbie to this sport so I don't have the insight like some of these old timers. :bow: But I'll give you my couple cents worth anyway...

1. What do you think the current issues are for traditional muzzleloading shooters?

From my observations within this and other discussion groups, I would have to say that the biggest issues facing traditional frontloading are the increasing difficulty of obtaining black powder and the inlines seemingly taking over the sport.

2. Why do you like it?

I have always been attracted to the older ways of doing things. I love wandering through an antique store, or going to a barn sale in the country. I've never owned an airplane that was manufactured later than 1946. I'll stop whatever I am doing to watch a plane with two wings and a round engine trundling across the sky. I feel the same with firearms. There is nothing more beautiful than the flowing lines of a Pennsylvania long rifle, its stock lovinly carved, the hand rubbed finish contrasting with its brass furniture. To some the attraction is the history, to others it is the simplicity. For me the attraction is some of that, but mostly I think, the beauty.

3. How did you get started?

I decided that I would make a black powder rifle, rather than purchasing one complete. After looking at various kits, I settled on the Lyman Great Plains Rifle. I liked the lines of the "Hawken" style and the fact that it did not have a lot of fancy brass. I intended to take this rifle hunting and did not want a lot of flashing metal (I said that I was a newbie! :redface: ). I purchased the kit and have been working on it off and on for about 6 months. The Lyman kit was very limited on instructions for assembling the rifle, so I started researching the sport. This eventually led me to this discussion group, where I have been feeding off of the experience of others...

4. What would you want to tell the general public?

Before I got involved in this, I was under the impression that black powder was inefficient. Flint locks always misfired, and you could not hit the broad side of a barn. I think that I would tell the public not to short change muzzleloaders.

Scott

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Hey folks,

I write a weekly outdoors column for a daily paper in western North Carolina -- The Shelby Star. I've written about muzzleloading before, and plugged[url] Muzzleloadingforum.com[/url], but want to do something more directly from the forum.

I've emailed Claude about this, and he's on board, so how about this: What do you think the current issues are for traditional muzzleloading shooters? Why do you like it? How did you get started? What would you want to tell the general public?

I'll take 500 words or so worth for the column and link to the forum so folks can get all the rest....

Thanks!

Issues for traditional ML? I don't know, few or none for me. I did it before it became popular, will do it if no longer is, either way has no bearing on my decision. I do it because I enjoy it, if many others do, fine, or if just a few do, fine.

Why do I like it? The history, the understanding, the challenge, the sheer enjoyment derived.

To each their own, but I have never cared for special ML hunting seasons, was always satisfied with just a general season. ( might get rid of the butt ugly @#$ines)

 

[renovato]

I don't have a clear answer for each of your questions. I just have my feelings about muzzleloaders.

When I shoot them, it gives me a feel for what one aspect of my great, great, grandfather's life might have been like. For that matter it gives me a feel for what early life in America itself felt like. It's history in itself and the heart of what it is to be an American. It's a feeling I can't really describe, but it's an important part of my life.

I'd tell others that muzzleloading is a history lesson wrapped up in fun.

 

[shmrck1]

John,
Having read some of your stuff from
'The Shelby Star' I think you have a grip on
the answers to most of your questions. Besides
what others have said I would just like to let
the public know the difference between
traditional muzzleloading and what is perceived
by the public as traditional. There is
absolutely no tradition behind 'in-lines',yet
they are grouped with us when muzzleloading
is thought of by the public. If you can change
one thing,please, let the public know the difference.
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

[RC]

jderrick, first, thanks for writing a column about muzzleloaders! I,like a few others started because of the extra week of deer season..24 yrs. ago.I didn't know,have a clue or ever heard of an event just for muzzleloaders till '85, that in itself is sad.there were ml shoots within 25 miles of home,that I never knew existed.after stopping in a local club that was having a weekend rendezvous,with a primitive camping section and BP shoot.they had my attention! but the biggest draw to me was the people! folks that didn't care what ya did outside in the "real" world, how you shot,even what you shot,,(long as it was a sidelock)the help and the knowledge,to get me started floored me!any question was answered w/o snide,or rude remarks offers from how to, to here take this,to I'll make some for ya, to here try this.you bget the idea, and it seemed like it was everyone involved. it got me! much like this wonderful forum we have here,help,knowledge,sharing,even caring,for someone one never and probably never will meet,prayers said.where else can you get all that and all that is ever expected is you do the same. and I've tried I'll do all I can to help out a newbie or anyone I can. the hunting is better now with a flinter the 'vous are great because we participate in the events and put on events, the history of this is never ending,it's just an awesome expierence everyday! a bullseye is a plus,learnin something is a plus,humor is a big plus and meeting like souls is the biggest plus! wish I could get more people just to try it once,then we got 'em! that's my story :thumbsup: RC

 

[jderrick]

By the way, I threw out those questions to get the ball rolling... feel free to add new topics and whatnot, don't feel constrained to only answering what's been asked....

 

[jderrick]

John,
Having read some of your stuff from
'The Shelby Star' I think you have a grip on
the answers to most of your questions. Besides
what others have said I would just like to let
the public know the difference between
traditional muzzleloading and what is perceived
by the public as traditional. There is
absolutely no tradition behind 'in-lines',yet
they are grouped with us when muzzleloading
is thought of by the public. If you can change
one thing,please, let the public know the difference.
snake-eyes :hmm:

Darn... you mean folks actually read my stuff? Thanks! I'd better be careful what I write from here on out....

 

[RC]

feel free to add new topics and whatnot, don't feel constrained to only answering what's been asked....

HUH? in 500 words or less?? you won't have a column,you'll have a whole section! :hmm: can't hardly see a down side to that.....your paper online? maybe us northern folks could read (or have read to us) whatever yer writin up...not that we don't trust ya...just want'a keep ya inline...no, no, no!,not that way! might make fer some good readin... :hmm: RC :thumbsup:

 

[gcebulka]

1)What do you think the current issues are for traditional muzzleloading shooters?
There are several as I see it. Lack of knowledge about traditional ML, the general unavailability of black powder and ML supplies, the influx of inline ML into the marketplace.
2)Why do you like it?
Loading a round and firing a shot in a modern rifle is easy. Shooting a flintlock takes time, deliberation and thought. I think of it as a craft and a skill, you get one shot, you have to work at making it count.
3)How did you get started?
Just seemd like fun thing to do. Prior to getting my flintlock, I really didn;t have much interest in firearms at all.
4)What would you want to tell the general public?
That it is fun, challanging and has a long tradition in the United States...You're not just shooting a gun, you are shooting a piece of history...

 

[jderrick]

Well, they have a website,[url] www.shelbystar.com[/url]. They don't always put all the columns on their website, but I put them on the blog I upkeep for them, which is linked from their website:[url] jderrickstar.blogspot.com[/url]. If I can use the column to plug the forum, great.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The problems today are much as they have been for more than a hundred years. How do we interest young people in the sport? How do we maintain places to shoot, special hunting seasons for muzzle loading hunting, and sources for the things we need to continue to shoot? If there is an inverse snob appeal to our sport, it comes from the supreme personal satisfaction of shooting an old style of firearm, while others around us shoot the latest wonderguns, sening more ammo downrange in 10 minutes than we will fire all day long. Its the honor we feel when we take a deer, or other game with a single shot muzzle loading smoothbore, or rifle, using traditional, open sights, and not the latest wonder light, or scope. Its the knowledge that by testing ourselves by using these old style guns, we had to work for our successes, and they are the sweeter for it. And, its knowing that the only way to join this club of smugness, is by working hard to learn how to load and shoot these guns, so that your victories are just as sweet to you. Kids today have so many hobbies, and interests to choose from to occupy their time, that its difficult to tear them away from the TV, or the Computer screen and get them outdoors to experience our favorite pastime. When our Government passes new laws and regulations that make it difficult for merchants to stock Black Powder, and therefore difficult for us to buy it, they jeopardize, needlessly, our entire sport, and a living history that has proven essential to teach Americans their history, in a way that each citizen can feel, and not just read, about what life was like for our founding fathers, and what they went through to gain our independence. I don't know a black powder shooter who doesn't stand a little taller when he sees our Flag, , or sings the national anthem a little brighter because he feels close to that first experience of freedom everytime he takes his gun in hand.The only way to experience this feeling, this joyous sense of importance, is by joining us. Let us all try to help a new shooter come to our sport. The rest of what I have described will take care of itself.

Paul

 

[CrackStock]

How about trying to put Primitive back into "primitive hunting seasons"?

CS

 

[jderrick]

Well, thanks for all the input! The column is scheueled to be in today (Thursday) and I've also posted it on my blog, jderrickstar.blogspot.com

Thanks a bunch for all the comments. The piece was pretty much just ya'll's words. Sorry I couldn't get more in there... but I gave the address to the forum and directed folks to come here to learn more....

Thanks!