She's a shooter

[dave_person]

Hi,
I finally shot my new English fowler. http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showpost.php?post/1679011/

I only had 13 0.60 cal balls so I used those with 0.010 thick linen patches lubed with ballistol and water. I used 75 grs of 2F powder and shot at about 40 yards. I use a laser bore sighter on all my builds which I find gets them well within the target area at 40-50 yards. That way I don't have to shoot any closer to get shots on paper. I started shooting from the bench to get comfortable with the sight picture and then shot a few rounds off hand. Shots 1-5 were me getting used to the gun, then I changed point of aim for shots 6-9, then shot 10-13 off hand. The last group is miss numbered in the photo (I have 2 number 9s). The amazing thing is that after bore sighting, I had not touched the front sight. It is pretty much right on as is. The shift in shot placement when shooting off hand is typical for me with smooth bores. My rear sight is my face on the stock and that differs a little when shooting from my bench and off hand. My flint was well used but as ever with Chambers round-faced English locks, ignition was fast and infallible. I did not clean anything, just kept shooting.

dave

 

[Artificer]

Excellent Offhand Group, Dave!

Yep, a gorgeous fowler that shoots and let's not forget the ability of the guy shooting it, either!

Gus

 

[Percy]

I'd say both the shooter and the fowler are performing very well!

Very nice job on the build as well.

Percy

 

[BillinOregon]

Your fowler is a stunning achievement, and it just has to be gratifying that it performs so well. Congratulations.

 

[Rifleman1776]

YOU GOT IT DIRTY???
:wink: Hey! They are meant to be shot.
Good target for first outing.
You said:

My rear sight is my face on the stock

That is an important factor in shooting no rear sight smoothies. I have heard it called the "anchor point". This is something I have not achieved with my smoothie. I have shot a decent group to one spot on the target. Then next few will group somewhere else.

 

[dave_person]

Thanks folks,
Frank, it comes from years of shooting a bow instinctively starting as a little kid. The placement of my fingers on my face (corner of the mouth) is essentially my rear sight on the bow. You look over the arrow and bring the point (your front sight) up to some target point that gives you the point of impact you desire given the distance. When shooting a smoothie with no rear sight, I try to bring my face to the same location on the stock every time and look over the barrel to see the front sight. It helps that my fowler was built to fit me and the rear sighting groove provides a useful sighting reference. I'll see how it goes at my next woodwalk when shooting at many different distances.

dave

 

[rickystl]

Congratulations Dave

She shoots as good as she looks. A duel sense of accomplishment. Wonderful.

Rick :thumbsup: :hatsoff: