montana_charlie
09-14-2008, 02:47 PM
I used to shoot 'just for fun' about half of the time when I had a firearm out to use. For the last twenty (or so) years, it seems that when I pick up a gun, it is for something serious. Range sessions to verify my hunting rifle is still capable of a humane kill is not plinking, in my book, it is just as serious as that moment when you are squeezing on yonder buck or bull. That isn't to say I don't enjoy shooting, it just means I never go out to just whale away at some casual target.
I bought my Sharps in December of 2005, and have not shot it as much as I would like to. Seems that 'time' is always in short supply...or it isn't the right gun for the job when some shooting chore comes up.
Back when I got the Sharps, I was given a big disc off a heavy plow. It has been sitting in my shop...just daring me to have some fun...but I keep working at 'load developement'. That requires thought, concentration, and serious note-taking if it is to succeed.
Well, I cut down some alfalfa a while back, waited for it to cure, and it got rained on at exactly the time when it was ready to bale. And, the rain kept up for a week, with light showers every day. After that, it took the better part of another week to get dry enough to finish up.
During that two weeks of 'just waiting', I kept fiddling around out in the shop...with nothing really constructive that needed doing...and that disc was nagging at me.
So, I scrounged through my 'might come in handy scrap' and built a frame to hang it in. I set it out on my 'home range' where I have (up to) 440 yards measured off...but where I have never used more than the 100 yard mark.
One of my neighbors (the guy who gave me the disc) has shown some interest (mainly just curiosity) in my Sharps. He expressed a desire to 'try it', but my (occasional) crowing about my 'latest best group' seemed to put him off from seeking a chance to 'look bad'.
While cogitating, then actually working, on the frame construction, I would chat with him now and again (about hay, and stuff), and I invited him over for some casual plinking.
He agreed to come if I picked a day when neither of us was 'busy'.
I had never shot gongs before. He had never shot a large caliber, single-shot rifle, loaded with black powder and 'monster' bullets.
I have a bunch of 45/90 (200 rounds) that was given to me by a guy who had to sell his rifle. Since the ammo is loaded, he had me drive to Missoula to pick it up, because he was afraid to try to mail it. The deal is I am to expend all of the powder and shot, then mail him the 100 R-P cases...and keep the 100 Bell cases (which I have been searching for a supply of).
With so much to shoot up...and not being my 'load developement ammo'...it seemed perfect for some plinking.
Well, yesterday was the day. BOY! Did we have fun!
I started us out at 100 yards to make sure we could hit the two-foot 'gong' with this unknown ammo. First shot was three inches left, and centered. In only a few tries, the newby...getting his first look through 'peep sights'...was 'dinging' with regualrity. We even tried offhand a few times, without him having much trouble.
When I suggested moving back to 200, he said Ok, but he could only stay a short while longer. Seems his wife had plans for the evening. Two shots to get the sight set, and we were both hitting on every try. He was having so much fun, he missed his deadline for getting home.
Just before he left, I gave it a try offhand...and connected.
He went away suitably impressed.
After he left I fired about ten more from the bench, and decided to try 300. When I got the bench set up I discovered that a slight rise in the 'flat field' was hiding the dinger from view at 300 yards. So, I set the bench up in the bed of my pickup. That worked.
After a few sighting shots, regular dings were easy to get. I shot until I was getting bored (again) but it was about time to head in for dinner.
While packing stuff away, another neighbor came driving by. I was close to the road, and he slowed down to chat, so I invited him to have a try.
He said 'hell, yes' and almost jumped the fence.
As another guy with no 'peep sight' experience, I ran him through a quick explanation of sight picture, and how to use a set trigger. His first shot missed, and so did his second.
I offered to 'do one' just to give him confidence in the rifle being able to hit the target. When I mounted the gun I discovered that the sun was so low behind us the insert in the front globe was 'washed out' and almost invisible.
I did manage to hit the steel, giving him the required confidence, but I knew what his problem was. So, I stood behind him, making my shadow fall on the globe sight. That 'blackened' the insert so he could get a good sight picture...and his shot connected.
You could see his reaction coming...
He watched the gong swing till it stopped...then he held the rifle in his lap and looked it over while he stroked the wood and fiddled with the tang sight. He stood up, set the gun on the rest, and said that was a good place to stop (as in) 'quit while you're winning'.
Then he looked me in the eye and said, "Charlie...I GOTTA GIT ME ONE OF THOSE!!
We probably talked for thirty minutes with me telling him some of the many things there are to consider about getting into BPCR shooting. I told him to browse around on the Shiloh site to get an idea of the many possible configurations for a Sharps rifle...and start to decide which one suits him.
We talked so long I was late for dinner, and in trouble (again) with SWMBO.
But I think I have become a missionary...and have my first convert.
CM
I bought my Sharps in December of 2005, and have not shot it as much as I would like to. Seems that 'time' is always in short supply...or it isn't the right gun for the job when some shooting chore comes up.
Back when I got the Sharps, I was given a big disc off a heavy plow. It has been sitting in my shop...just daring me to have some fun...but I keep working at 'load developement'. That requires thought, concentration, and serious note-taking if it is to succeed.
Well, I cut down some alfalfa a while back, waited for it to cure, and it got rained on at exactly the time when it was ready to bale. And, the rain kept up for a week, with light showers every day. After that, it took the better part of another week to get dry enough to finish up.
During that two weeks of 'just waiting', I kept fiddling around out in the shop...with nothing really constructive that needed doing...and that disc was nagging at me.
So, I scrounged through my 'might come in handy scrap' and built a frame to hang it in. I set it out on my 'home range' where I have (up to) 440 yards measured off...but where I have never used more than the 100 yard mark.
One of my neighbors (the guy who gave me the disc) has shown some interest (mainly just curiosity) in my Sharps. He expressed a desire to 'try it', but my (occasional) crowing about my 'latest best group' seemed to put him off from seeking a chance to 'look bad'.
While cogitating, then actually working, on the frame construction, I would chat with him now and again (about hay, and stuff), and I invited him over for some casual plinking.
He agreed to come if I picked a day when neither of us was 'busy'.
I had never shot gongs before. He had never shot a large caliber, single-shot rifle, loaded with black powder and 'monster' bullets.
I have a bunch of 45/90 (200 rounds) that was given to me by a guy who had to sell his rifle. Since the ammo is loaded, he had me drive to Missoula to pick it up, because he was afraid to try to mail it. The deal is I am to expend all of the powder and shot, then mail him the 100 R-P cases...and keep the 100 Bell cases (which I have been searching for a supply of).
With so much to shoot up...and not being my 'load developement ammo'...it seemed perfect for some plinking.
Well, yesterday was the day. BOY! Did we have fun!
I started us out at 100 yards to make sure we could hit the two-foot 'gong' with this unknown ammo. First shot was three inches left, and centered. In only a few tries, the newby...getting his first look through 'peep sights'...was 'dinging' with regualrity. We even tried offhand a few times, without him having much trouble.
When I suggested moving back to 200, he said Ok, but he could only stay a short while longer. Seems his wife had plans for the evening. Two shots to get the sight set, and we were both hitting on every try. He was having so much fun, he missed his deadline for getting home.
Just before he left, I gave it a try offhand...and connected.
He went away suitably impressed.
After he left I fired about ten more from the bench, and decided to try 300. When I got the bench set up I discovered that a slight rise in the 'flat field' was hiding the dinger from view at 300 yards. So, I set the bench up in the bed of my pickup. That worked.
After a few sighting shots, regular dings were easy to get. I shot until I was getting bored (again) but it was about time to head in for dinner.
While packing stuff away, another neighbor came driving by. I was close to the road, and he slowed down to chat, so I invited him to have a try.
He said 'hell, yes' and almost jumped the fence.
As another guy with no 'peep sight' experience, I ran him through a quick explanation of sight picture, and how to use a set trigger. His first shot missed, and so did his second.
I offered to 'do one' just to give him confidence in the rifle being able to hit the target. When I mounted the gun I discovered that the sun was so low behind us the insert in the front globe was 'washed out' and almost invisible.
I did manage to hit the steel, giving him the required confidence, but I knew what his problem was. So, I stood behind him, making my shadow fall on the globe sight. That 'blackened' the insert so he could get a good sight picture...and his shot connected.
You could see his reaction coming...
He watched the gong swing till it stopped...then he held the rifle in his lap and looked it over while he stroked the wood and fiddled with the tang sight. He stood up, set the gun on the rest, and said that was a good place to stop (as in) 'quit while you're winning'.
Then he looked me in the eye and said, "Charlie...I GOTTA GIT ME ONE OF THOSE!!
We probably talked for thirty minutes with me telling him some of the many things there are to consider about getting into BPCR shooting. I told him to browse around on the Shiloh site to get an idea of the many possible configurations for a Sharps rifle...and start to decide which one suits him.
We talked so long I was late for dinner, and in trouble (again) with SWMBO.
But I think I have become a missionary...and have my first convert.
CM