The C&B Pistol In The Field

[Glenfilthie]

Well fellers I have a couple hunnerd rounds through the Uberti 1860, and had my first crack at bullet casting. Accuracy is terrible but most of that is pilot error; my ammo probably isn't the best and could be spruced up some with store-bought and maybe some trigger work etc - but I enjoy the plinking too much to be bothered with it yet.

My question is this: when I shoot at the range I have wads, ball, powder, crisco, caps, screwdrivers, etc. It amounts to a small junk pile on the shooting bench! How do I get all this crap out on to the trail with me? I have a Hawken rifle that I drag round the shooting trail and would like to take the pistol too! How do you guys manage it? Any pics you might have would be appreciated too...

 

[scott taylor]

I very seldom carry any extra for the pistol when I'm carrying a long gun. Belt, holster,cap pouch, some extra caps and knife. More or less the rigging as seen on Lonesome Dove. Got everything I need for my rifle in my pouch.
However most of my expeditions amount to grabbing my stuff and walking out the door, since I'm already there.
Most of the time it goes like this- see something, shoot at it with the rifle, miss, watch it run off, reload rifle try some more and walk back to the house with a dirty rifle that gets shot out and cleaned.

Scott

 

[cynthialee]

Preload the pistol.

For easy reloads make paper cartidges, keep them in a small plastic container and keep a capper in your pocket. A small tube of bore butter doesn't take up much space in a cargo pocket.

If you are taking it with you hunting, then it is really only likely to see one shot as a coop de grace to finish off your prey.

 

[Robert Egler]

I carry extra paper cartridges and caps in the ubiquitous Altoids tin. Don't use any lube on top of the ball in the cartridge.

 

[crockett]

For a while I carried my Colt Navy 1851. Loaded up before heading out- kept in holster that was then cased for trip out.
I use rather mild loads and reserve it for small game like rabbits. It isn't very sporting but there are countless times you'll see small game and you won't want to fire your rifle. So, for me, the pistol was a gun of opportunity to bag small game for the pot. I never used it on squirrels because shooting a ball into the air- I don't consider that safe.

 

[rafterob]

Use pre-lubed wads and leave the crisco at home. Carry a multi tool for emergencies and just hope there aren't any. If it comes down to it, all you really need is powder, caps and balls.

 

[hanshi]

I agree with Ghettogun. If you have a rifle all you need is a loaded revolver or pistol and a couple extra rounds. I'll take a loaded pistol - same caliber as the rifle, usually - and two or three premeasured charges. That's about it.

 

[Poor Private]

When I take a woods/fenceline walk of my property I always just take a pistol with a full cylinder. I don't carry all the extra crap that I use when I target shoot. The only thing I carry is a tin with a few extra caps. Tramping through the brush carrying a rifle is a pain, it's much easier with a pistol in a flapped holster. I can use 2 hands to move the branches about. Also there is several dogs in the area that travel in groups of 2 or more. Who would want a single shot rifle(BP). 1/2 the time I carry a cartridged gun just for the change.

 

[Dphar]

Well fellers I have a couple hunnerd rounds through the Uberti 1860, and had my first crack at bullet casting. Accuracy is terrible but most of that is pilot error; my ammo probably isn't the best and could be spruced up some with store-bought and maybe some trigger work etc - but I enjoy the plinking too much to be bothered with it yet.

My question is this: when I shoot at the range I have wads, ball, powder, crisco, caps, screwdrivers, etc. It amounts to a small junk pile on the shooting bench! How do I get all this crap out on to the trail with me? I have a Hawken rifle that I drag round the shooting trail and would like to take the pistol too! How do you guys manage it? Any pics you might have would be appreciated too...

The wads are probably a waste of time for anything but shooting holes in paper.
Put the grease in a small tin and all you need is that and a supply of balls, caps and a powder flask.

Dan

 

[garandman]

I have a "possibles box" - a plastic box with a tray, and a bottom compartment that has all my essential crap in it, that I take to the range / into the field. LIke this...

I have another one that holds all my extra supplies. It stays home.

Size your field box appropriately to your situation.

 

[cynthialee]

your possibles box is better than mine. I am just ussing a cardboard box.

 

[garandman]

your possibles box is better than mine. I am just ussing a cardboard box.

My wife says I have a fettish / addiction to these boxes....

 

[Poor Private]

Now if I am going to the range thats a different story. My range is in my back yard. What I did was go to Menards and buy a rolling toolbox it's made by Plano. It has a tip open compartment on the bottom thats where my targets, and cased .22 pistols go. It has several drawers that contain the different balls and cartridges and will hold a handgun or 2. then the top pops open thats where the safety equipment goes. Glasses, ears, or plugs. A couple of target markers, a roll of duct tape to hold up the targets and usually a fresh can of Mt. Dew( soda pop). The case stands 3' tall, is tan and black. And has a nice big set of plasstic wheels for getting out to the range. I think I paid 40 bucks for it.