Old Longrifle finally gets a deer

[okawbow]

I built a 45 cal. Longrifle 45 years ago. I only hunted once with it in all that time and never killed a deer with it. I built a nice .54 flintlock soon after this rifle, and have used it for most of 44 years.

I got the old rifle out a few weeks ago and worked out a load of 70 grains Old Eynsford and a .440 roundball with .017” denim patch, lube with bear oil.

I hunted with the rifle for the Illinois muzzleloader season without getting a shot. However, the county my hunting property is at, has a bonus late winter season this year. Any unused permit is good. I had loaded the gun in early December and left it loaded until I shot on the 26th. Went off perfectly.

The deer was about 50 yards. At the shot, it ran hard for another 50 and fell on a gravel drive. No dragging required! The ball destroyed both lungs and stopped against the hide on the offside shoulder. It flattened to over .650”.

 

[Walkingeagle]

Well done sir! Congratulations!!
Walk

 

[RiverRat]

Congratulation on the deer! That is great that you were able to recover the rb.

 

[Bassdog1]

Congratulations

 

[Skychief]

Excellent Okawbow!! Congratulations and please do tell us how to train them to give up the ghost on a road!!!

Best regards, Skychief.

 

[Thagomizer]

45 years ago-that must be a satisfying hunt for sure.

 

[Britsmoothy]

That is so cool

B.

 

[Spikebuck]

Congratulations! What a neat story. Give that ol' rifle a good rub down...you both did proud!

 

[Treestalker]

Hi, Okawbow! Great hunt! That's the same load I used in my first ML rifle, a .45 CVA kit I built. But I used a pillow ticking patch with Crisco. Didn't kill a deer with it but shot a wagonload of squirrels and other small game. Also I won a 4th place ribbon in a 75 yd. bench rest shoot up against some good competition. I believe a .45 is a beautiful all around caliber, but here in Rackensack you can't use it on small game, go figure.

 

[smo]

Congrats, I hope it doesn't take 45 years for the next one!

 

[Critter Getter]

Congrats on your hunt and rifle . Looks nice! Greg

 

[Dphar1950]

 

[mushka]

Glad your old gun finally got to do what it's always wanted to do.

 

[Smokinfeathers]

Congrats!! I’ve got to add a 45 to my collection next

 

[Loyalist Dave]

LD

 

[Patrick Thomas]

.45 after 45 years. Serendipitous indeed

 

[okawbow]

Here’s a better picture to get an idea of how much a .45 caliber roundball can flatten and expand.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Congratulations!

 

[Ajgall]

Congratulations!

 

[Boomerang]

Way to go!