Never saw but one old ML growing up, nobody owned one. My explanation to why there are no ML in our area would get me flamed.
Lack of younger shooters?
- Thread starter granth
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Values. How often do we hear the media or politicians talk about values?
How often do our kids and grandchildren hear about values in school or at home? And what values do they hear about in schools? On their computers? In the MSM?
Diversity is probably a good thing. But it is not a value to base your life on. Many of us are old. I am 75. When I faced difficult things I had a rock to stand on. I am not a notably religious person. But parents, family, Catholic schools and my community demanded of me critical thinking and high standards of ethics and morals. They form the rock that is my foundation in difficult times.
How often do our kids and grandchildren hear about values in school or at home? And what values do they hear about in schools? On their computers? In the MSM?
Diversity is probably a good thing. But it is not a value to base your life on. Many of us are old. I am 75. When I faced difficult things I had a rock to stand on. I am not a notably religious person. But parents, family, Catholic schools and my community demanded of me critical thinking and high standards of ethics and morals. They form the rock that is my foundation in difficult times.
I'd like to teach my kids to shoot black powder. At what age is appropriate to start and would you drop the powder charge to lessen any recoil?
Rock Home Isle
54 Cal.
My grandson started shooting a percussion smoothbore .50 calibre at 6 years old…started with 25 grains of powder…slowly worked up to 40 grains of powder (it’s a pretty light gun). Recently had a little custom .32 calibre flintlock squirrel rifle made for him, 20-25 grains of fffg.
He loves going to the range. His little brother is 4 years old, and he can’t wait till he’s 6…so he can shoot the “smoke gun”.
I’m in the process of locating .50 calibre rifles for both boys, for when they outgrow their current guns.
Stykbow
50 Cal.
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I didn’t know anyone with a muzzleloader in my youth. I was a deer hunter though and wanted more hunting time. That’s what got me started and probably a lot of others. My son shoots with me most times I go, but he’s twenty and has other things on his mind a lot. 
ILoveMuzzleloading
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Welcome! You’ll find many more your age as you continue through the sport. With your enthusiasm I’m sure you’ll bring more.
Gun clubs need to start a youth group. The club hosts youth groups like scouts to complete their merit badges under safe range officers. Then they rotate to an education station run by experienced muzzleloader shooters. We did if for 15 yrs. Politics in the gun club got us cancelled.
Rock Home Isle
54 Cal.
Same here…I saw a CVA .50 Mountain rifle in a pawnshop…bought it when I was 13…taught myself how to shoot & maintain it. Got my information from the local library…years later I met a guy that was a 4 time state muzzleloading champion…Things accelerated nicely after we met…I didn’t know anyone with a muzzleloader in my youth. I was a deer hunter though and wanted more hunting time. That’s what got me started and probably a lot of others. My son shoots with me most times I go, but he’s twenty and has other things on his mind a lot.
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rustyh
40 Cal.
Hey Grant,
I was one of the old guys at the match Saturday, it was great to have you and your Dad out there. I didn't start shooting BP until my 30's (I'm 64 now) life was just in the way. Both of my sons are now in their 30's although they like to hunt and shoot they have other interests and work that keep them busy on weekends right now, hopefully I'll be able to get them involved once their lives settle down. After all I need to pass all my guns and stuff on to someone. Anyway I'm glad to see you interested in this crazy sport, see ya at the next match.
Rusty
I was one of the old guys at the match Saturday, it was great to have you and your Dad out there. I didn't start shooting BP until my 30's (I'm 64 now) life was just in the way. Both of my sons are now in their 30's although they like to hunt and shoot they have other interests and work that keep them busy on weekends right now, hopefully I'll be able to get them involved once their lives settle down. After all I need to pass all my guns and stuff on to someone. Anyway I'm glad to see you interested in this crazy sport, see ya at the next match.
Rusty
I see many aging, leaving, and dying off. I thinking of ways to gain new members to our club. I am gonna create a flyer to hand out and some business cards.
I am also going to look to the BSA, as they have a rifle shooting merit badge which allows muzzle loaders. Our club has a private range they can use for this
merit badge. This would expose not only more youth, but the parents and leaders as well.
I am also going to look to the BSA, as they have a rifle shooting merit badge which allows muzzle loaders. Our club has a private range they can use for this
merit badge. This would expose not only more youth, but the parents and leaders as well.
stephenprops1
45 Cal.
I have two sons, ages 42 and 40. Neither one of them is interested in black powder guns. Several years ago, I had a nephew that was interested in an inline. I taught him how to use it and we hunted deer together (I used my Hawken). Today I have another 15-year-old nephew that is interested. I have taught him and he has shot several times. I am giving him an older Pedersoli 45 caliber cap lock and the accessories he will need to get started on his own.
Yeah, It was very fun shooting with you guys. I really enjoyed learning more about the sport with y'all, and I am excited to learn more and more. I'm glad I have some good mentors to help me dive into the extensive world of black powder. See you at the next shoot!
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I have tried repeatedly over the years. I even gave a BP rifle kit to each of my apprentices, and I found them, un-worked on in the storage room.
they are young and think ARs and AsK are the cat's ass. Too much of that spray and pray mentality they started in the 'Nam. I have gotten an older shooter or two, by letting them shoot an accurate BP rifle. They are impressed when they hit something. They transition from BP cartridge, when they see how easy
it is to reload a BP rifle at the range. We have ML elk hunters here in Northern Arizona, but they all use new inlines. Wouldn't consider a side hammer or a flint .Don't know what to say.
they are young and think ARs and AsK are the cat's ass. Too much of that spray and pray mentality they started in the 'Nam. I have gotten an older shooter or two, by letting them shoot an accurate BP rifle. They are impressed when they hit something. They transition from BP cartridge, when they see how easy
it is to reload a BP rifle at the range. We have ML elk hunters here in Northern Arizona, but they all use new inlines. Wouldn't consider a side hammer or a flint .Don't know what to say.
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My dad got his first ML in 1995, I got my first one year later when I was 18 years old. Had alot of fun chasing deer during ML season with the old man, and I miss him terribly.
I'm keeping the tradition alive in our family with my two kids. Here is my 14 year old daughter shooting my Renegade for the very first time. She loves it
.
There has been a culture shift. I don't want to go too deep into politics, but the shift is undeniable and IMO intentional. But I'm not playing and neither are my kids.
I'm keeping the tradition alive in our family with my two kids. Here is my 14 year old daughter shooting my Renegade for the very first time. She loves it
. There has been a culture shift. I don't want to go too deep into politics, but the shift is undeniable and IMO intentional. But I'm not playing and neither are my kids.
Tn poor boy
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user 49399
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I am very fortunate to have two grandsons, ages 6 and 10. They already shoot a BB gun with me, with supervision, glasses, etc. I promised to take the 10year old to the range and shoot black powder as soon as it warms a bit. I am also fortunate to live in rural Southern Vermont where the hunting tradition is still strong. They ask lots of questions about all kinds of guns and bows, I am trying to nurture that desire.
I think learning with a single load muzzleloader is a great way to learn patience, learn how to get close to game, and learn how to make the shot count. There is plenty of time for the bolts action, lever actions, and semi-auto’s. Now is the time for the fundamentals .
I think learning with a single load muzzleloader is a great way to learn patience, learn how to get close to game, and learn how to make the shot count. There is plenty of time for the bolts action, lever actions, and semi-auto’s. Now is the time for the fundamentals .
If they learn proper gun mount recoil will not be a problem. With poor mount recoil is a jolt. With proper mount it is just a push.
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Personally I've come to believe that the ML interest should be part of a holistic blending of camping out, primitive skills introduction (eg Fire starting, Hawk and Knife throwing; Campfire cooking etc) including presentations on the history and capabilities of ML's and Black powder why its still effective etc.
Remember the night magic of a simple Campfire with us all sitting around looking into it, a Harmonica....a Fiddle...a guitar and /or Banjo; some ballad singing and there's an experience never forgotten.
We're dont have to compete with their worlds BS technology, all that is needed is to simply re-activate their primeval wiring thats been lying dormant far too long IMHO.
Youngsters like challenges and variety (BTW we all did at that age) all we've got to is put together a workable program that will introduce them to our ML magic in a meaningful way that will have the bug biting them.
For youngsters in this era it will be an "out of this world experience" and they wont stop talking about it, and some of their friends won't even believe them !
Numbers should be kept easily manageable, (and the Child minding opportunity for lazy parents avoided, set the boundaries) some sort of vetting process needs to be implemented because none of us want to waste our time with already problem kids who will disrupt the program.
Consider the program to be along the lines of "Train the Trainer" but in the sense of being " Infect those who will become the Addicted and so infect others with their new found enthusiasm".
One ripple in a pond works outwards until the whole pond is affected.
Remember the night magic of a simple Campfire with us all sitting around looking into it, a Harmonica....a Fiddle...a guitar and /or Banjo; some ballad singing and there's an experience never forgotten.
We're dont have to compete with their worlds BS technology, all that is needed is to simply re-activate their primeval wiring thats been lying dormant far too long IMHO.
Youngsters like challenges and variety (BTW we all did at that age) all we've got to is put together a workable program that will introduce them to our ML magic in a meaningful way that will have the bug biting them.
For youngsters in this era it will be an "out of this world experience" and they wont stop talking about it, and some of their friends won't even believe them !
Numbers should be kept easily manageable, (and the Child minding opportunity for lazy parents avoided, set the boundaries) some sort of vetting process needs to be implemented because none of us want to waste our time with already problem kids who will disrupt the program.
Consider the program to be along the lines of "Train the Trainer" but in the sense of being " Infect those who will become the Addicted and so infect others with their new found enthusiasm".
One ripple in a pond works outwards until the whole pond is affected.
