What a day at the range!

[Hanz]

First I got rained on after I unloaded the truck. Next I discovered that the rain must have gotten the gun wet even though I kept the powder and caps dry (or so I thought). I ended up pulling the ball and removing the nipple to poke around inside after the first load wouldn’t fire. After that, I checked it with a couple of caps and had ignition again without any thing loaded in the barrel.
I reloaded the rifle (a TC Hawken) and tried to fire it. No joy. I tried three more caps. Nope. I pulled the nipple and added some powder under it and re-installed it. Another fresh cap and still nothing. The sun was shining now and I noticed condensation inside my powder flask (it a modern see-through type). Huh? I poured some powder out onto the ground and tried to light it with a piece of burning paper. It wouldn’t light. I poured some powder out of the powder can to the ground and tried the same trick. The lit paper was greeted with a Woosh!
OK, the powder in my flask had gone bad. I started loading my measure directly from the can and all seemed ok for around 6 shots. I was on paper and slowly adjusting the rear sight (I had changed out the front sight before this range trip) towards the center of the target.
One more pulled ball and around six or seven more shots and she was zeroed at fifty yards and showing the downward path of sight adjustment. Then I heard the thunder again and decided to pack it up and quit while I was ahead.
I learned a lot today and settled on my load. 65gr of GOEX FFg with a .490 Hornady ball and a TC .015 cotton “spit” patch touched off with a CCI #11 cap. The gun seemed to like it so I marked my ramrod. I’m guessing it will chrono at around 1500fps and should work on a deer as long as I put the ball in the right spot.
Three hours and only 13 shots fired. It was a bit maddening but when it worked it worked well. I also learned that I’m going to bring all my rod accessories and nipple wrench into the field with me when I hunt. I’ve had this rifle out five times and this is the most trouble I’ve had with it. I think I learned to keep it out of the rain. :thumbsup:

 

[merdean]

:haha: Ya See? There is a reason old timers often said "Keep yer powder DRY". I had a similar problem while hunting. Had to walk back about 3 miles then drive dirt roads for 25 miles then paved roads another 30 miles to buy more powder. By the time I got back I was so frustrated I dryballed my rifle! Not a best memory!! :rotf: BTW, the only buck I saw was the one I tried to shoot with damp powder! :surrender:

Merdean

 

[brubincam]

:thumbsup: -----SILLY YOU----- :thumbsup:

 

[Trench]

Glad you got some results out of what might have been a frustrating day. Hey, my first deer load was only 60gr of FFg with a .490 ball and .015 patch. It was more than enough for a through-and-through broadside shot at 40 yds. You might want to consider a lube other than spit for hunting, though. It might dry out by the end of a hunting day.

 

[Hanz]

I had thought about the spit drying out. I think next time I'm at the range I'll load one up and leave it aside for a few hours and then see where and how it performs.

Here's what I have to show for today's effort:

Aside from the wide shots I just had to keep on clicking the rear sight down.

 

[Mulebrain]

This is a sure fire way of learning!!

Remember that powder is not bad, let it dry out and it will work!

 

[douglas duncan]

now that you have the easy part done, take it out to 100 yards and see what gives up. your sight in shots are better than mine right now.

 

[Hanz]

I didn't know the powder could be dried out. I just let it out on the ground. :redface:

I hope to get back out to the range on Friday. This TC Hawken has created a terrible itch. I put on a nice and narrow front sight (it had a fiber optic front on it) but it still looks as wide as the 6" orange circle at 50 yards. I'm guessing I'll be shooting 6-8" groups at 100 yards when rested. I hope with practice I'll be able to do 10" off hand. There's a 12" gong at the range I go to. I want to try and find a 8" one to practice with, 12" is a bit too generous.

 

[50cal.cliff]

I didn't know the powder could be dried out. I just let it out on the ground. :redface:

Black Powder doesn't go bad per say! If if gets wet you can spread it out where the air can dry it or expose it to the sun to dry it out and it's good to go. DO NOT heat to dry!
Just think the old timers had to deal with weather all the time. They couldn't even figure it was safe in the truck! :blah: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[trent/OH]

I find red or orange targets to be more difficult to shoot at consistently with open sights, than black bullseyes. Reds work really well with scopes, because there's some contrast to be seen between crosshairs and the red color.
Your eyes may see things differently. Someone who is profoundly color blind to red may not see the target at all.

 

[Rifle]

I hunt with a percussion cap Hawken in the rain no matter how hard it pours. Once while hunting down pours every day for a week and......my brother dropped my rifle and submerged it in a grass ditch full with water and I just pulled it out and used it. Didn't change loads or dry itoff(still down pouring anyway). Secret I'll share.
Seal the base of the nipple(water can enter the threads of a nipple even if tight)and the edge of the cap with that toilet installation sealing ring of wax.Not the whole ring of course. I carry a percussion cap tin of it in my possibles bag. Once you're sure the nipple and cap are sealed then seal the muzzle. Cut a round piece of wax paper(cough drop wrappers work) and with the sticky wax from the toilet sealing ring on the muzzle stick the paper over the hole. A little rubbed around the edge of the paper once it's on the muzzle helps ensure it's sealed. Watch or check that briars or rose brush doesn't make holes in the paper. If that happens then use the extra circles of wax paper you carry to re-seal the muzzle.
Sealing the gun like that above will water proof it. The rifle can be put under water all day and be pulled out and it will fire as good as if it was dry as a bone.
One simple trick in the field is to wear a western type hunting hat too. If you shoot the gun and miss,or whatever, get the brim of the hat over the muzzle while loading so the rain can't get to the powder. Clothing is a tool for hunting as well as the gun and knife and all. A simple powder horn with a tight wood plug (longer than usual so there's some sticking up to grab onto to twist it in or out)will not let water in to the powder.
Anywhooo.....a flint locks pan can be sealed with the sticky toilet sealing wax also as long as there is a cows knee over the cock and frizzen covering them so water runs off and away from those parts.
I've read that the old timers back in the day used bees wax to seal guns. I used that trick at first and would melt bees wax out in the field(had a little system) to seal my gun if it was shot. The sticky wax from the toilet sealing wax is better since it's not having to be melted to apply it.