G/Day Folks, hope you have all had a good Easter. It's a long Weekend here in Australia and I am not long back from 3 Days away. A great Mate took me up to a Black Powder Club he helped Start Up years ago near Biggenden in Queensland.
There was only a dozen or so Shooters that attended but they where a great Mob and made me very welcome. The Competition was opened with an Axe and Knife Throw. I had not thrown a Tomahawk or Knife for 20 Years at least and I managed to make them Stick on Target and was announced the winner. I was promptly disqualified for something I can't remember but it was Funny as all get out. I was Happy.
Next I was loaned a Thompson Centre 54 Calibre Hawken, Caps, Powder and Round Balls and taught how to Load and shoot it. Once I had this squared away we started the Shooting Discipline. Starting at 100 metres we started the Walk Up Shoot. As we advanced to each Flag and Shot I had no idea where I was Hitting so I just kept aiming straight at the Target and touching the Shot off. At the end of the Walk Up I was amazed with all but 1 of my Shots squarely in the 6" Black Dot I was aiming at and some damn near centred!
I was announced the winner again and promptly disqualified for wearing a silly hat. Great merriment ensued. As the weekend went on everyone who Won was disqualified for whatever the Range Officer could dream up. One fella was disqualified for having Bushy Eyebrows so you get the spirit in which we competed.
Too busy Shooting and making new Friends to take many Photo's but here's a few of some of the Rifles and Pistols I got to Shoot.
The Hawken and the Sharps 45.120 impressed the Heck out of me. I shot the Sharps at the 320 metre Target offhand and managed to ring the Gong so was happy yet again. I enjoyed the Cap and Ball Revolver more than the 44.40 Revolver as it fitted my hand better. I'd not shot a Handgun before and the Cap and Ball has me intrigued !
A Pic of the 320 metre Shot. I did not get the opportunity to shoot the Hawken at it. I did get to shoot my 45.70 Lever at it and once I worked out Kentucky Windage had a Ball Ringing the Gong
A bit rude Folks BUTT great Fun to Shoot this Target with the Handguns. My Mate and I challenged the Fella's to a shoot off, us with our Traditional Bows and them with the Pistols, call it a Draw !
I'm hooked and soon as I can will be buying my first Muzzle Loader. The Thompson Centre Hawken was impressive but a 2 Band Enfield intrigued me as it appealed to me as a handy Hunting Rifle. I was also drawn to the Flintlock Pictured, lovely Rifle - I have some Saving and thinking to do!
At the end of the Shooting I was fortunate to be presented with a lovely Suede Rifle Case and a Tackle Box. Cant thank the Gentlemen at the APRA Club enough for welcoming me, sharing their Knowledge, Firearms and Companionship.
regards Jacko
There was only a dozen or so Shooters that attended but they where a great Mob and made me very welcome. The Competition was opened with an Axe and Knife Throw. I had not thrown a Tomahawk or Knife for 20 Years at least and I managed to make them Stick on Target and was announced the winner. I was promptly disqualified for something I can't remember but it was Funny as all get out. I was Happy.
Next I was loaned a Thompson Centre 54 Calibre Hawken, Caps, Powder and Round Balls and taught how to Load and shoot it. Once I had this squared away we started the Shooting Discipline. Starting at 100 metres we started the Walk Up Shoot. As we advanced to each Flag and Shot I had no idea where I was Hitting so I just kept aiming straight at the Target and touching the Shot off. At the end of the Walk Up I was amazed with all but 1 of my Shots squarely in the 6" Black Dot I was aiming at and some damn near centred!
I was announced the winner again and promptly disqualified for wearing a silly hat. Great merriment ensued. As the weekend went on everyone who Won was disqualified for whatever the Range Officer could dream up. One fella was disqualified for having Bushy Eyebrows so you get the spirit in which we competed.
Too busy Shooting and making new Friends to take many Photo's but here's a few of some of the Rifles and Pistols I got to Shoot.
The Hawken and the Sharps 45.120 impressed the Heck out of me. I shot the Sharps at the 320 metre Target offhand and managed to ring the Gong so was happy yet again. I enjoyed the Cap and Ball Revolver more than the 44.40 Revolver as it fitted my hand better. I'd not shot a Handgun before and the Cap and Ball has me intrigued !
A Pic of the 320 metre Shot. I did not get the opportunity to shoot the Hawken at it. I did get to shoot my 45.70 Lever at it and once I worked out Kentucky Windage had a Ball Ringing the Gong
A bit rude Folks BUTT great Fun to Shoot this Target with the Handguns. My Mate and I challenged the Fella's to a shoot off, us with our Traditional Bows and them with the Pistols, call it a Draw !
I'm hooked and soon as I can will be buying my first Muzzle Loader. The Thompson Centre Hawken was impressive but a 2 Band Enfield intrigued me as it appealed to me as a handy Hunting Rifle. I was also drawn to the Flintlock Pictured, lovely Rifle - I have some Saving and thinking to do!
At the end of the Shooting I was fortunate to be presented with a lovely Suede Rifle Case and a Tackle Box. Cant thank the Gentlemen at the APRA Club enough for welcoming me, sharing their Knowledge, Firearms and Companionship.
regards Jacko
