Feed the bugs and having fun

[cayugad]

Rifle : Lyman Trade Rifle .54 caliber
Ignition system: Flintlock Thomas Fuller Black English Flint
Powder: Graf's & Sons 2f for main charge Goex 4f primer
Volume of powder: 90 grains 2f
Projectile: .535 roundball with pillow tick patch moose milk lube
Distance: 70 yards
Sight: Primitive buck horn sights
Weather: Over cast, humid, cloudy, 70 degrees and tons of mosquitoes and deer flies. Lots of bug juice needed!!!


All this talk of flintlocks got me itching again. So I grabbed a paper plate and attached it to some cardboard with black duct tape. Makes a nice easy target to see by the way. I set that target out at 70 yards. I thought it was 75 until I checked it with the range finder and I was too lazy and it was too hot to walk back and add five yards.

This rifle's normal load is 90 grains and a .530 roundball, but I had purchased some .535 just to see how they shoot. And they loaded pretty easy surprisingly. That same ball is near impossible to load in my Renegade. I was using a pillow tick .018 patch and spritzing with moose milk on the range. I never did swab the bore of the rifle.

The first three hits (before I checked the target) were the left side of the target. I knew this rifle shot a "little" left but I guess the further back I get the more this is apparent. The low hit was the first shot on a clean dry barrel. The upper two was the next to. So just for kicks, I moved the back sight to the right just a little.

The next two were above the X in the center. Not too bad I thought. Must be pretty close out at 100 yards. (like I am walking this far in the heat) So using a 6 o'clock sight picture, I lowered my POA just a little and shot the rest of them.

Over all I was kind of pleased with the rifle. This is a definite deer killer at that distance. And the load is more then enough powder and projectile. The flint was a Thomas Fuller Black English Flint and it went off each and every time without fail. Ignition was very fast and the trigger was nice and crisp. This Lyman Trade Rifle is a great shooting and hunting rifle.

I would have shot more but the bugs were getting a little too friendly with my un-sprayed body parts. That is the plague of Wisconsin this time of year, living in the woods.

[lemoyne]

Dave have you ever tried a Thermacell? They are not a cure all but if you do not have to much breeze hanging on on your shooting bench keeps most of the bugs at bay.

[pluckit]

Very nice open sight shooting. I wouldn't hesitate to take a 70 yard shot at a deer with that rifle.

[cayugad]

Originally Posted by lemoyne

Dave have you ever tried a Thermacell? They are not a cure all but if you do not have to much breeze hanging on on your shooting bench keeps most of the bugs at bay.

I will have to look for that. The bugs are just terrible this time of year. Especially when we get a lot of rain.

Very nice open sight shooting. I wouldn't hesitate to take a 70 yard shot at a deer with that rifle.

This was the first flintlock I ever shot a deer with. And it knocked that thing flat. But that was only 52 yards. This always was a good shooter and is one reason I recommend it to people looking for a good flintlock.

[Semisane]

That's some mighty fine iron sight flintlocking Cayugad.

Maybe you should smear something on your target to attract those flies. You would never know for sure, but you would have the satisfaction of imagining there was a fly where the ball struck.

You guys are getting me horny for some flintlock shooting. But I'm going to need a day or two with overcast skies and maybe some light rain to hit the range. I'm sure not going out in the ninety-four degree heat we've been having.

[stripercrazy]

great shooting

[HuntAway]

That's MOD shooting for sure. I like the paper plates as well cause, well,,,,, It's just plain easier to see over iron sights. I figure if you can pump them into a plate at your desired range then a deer isn't going to live too long.

Rain ??? We had the second wettest spring on record. The skeeters, deer flies and some huge kickoss horseflies are just cruising looking for fresh meat!!! Too wet for the blackflies though. Some small saving grace. lol

Had a black bear sow and two cubs visit last evening too. The flies were all over them as well.

Oh and it's just pouring outside right now.

HA

[bronko22000]

Good shooting Dave. I cant wait to get home and try my new .54. It's there waiting for me. And 70* huh? I thing just last week or so it was something like 35* wasn't it?
I wish is was 70* here in Kissimmee, FL. Bringing the boys home from the hosp today the thermometer in the car read 103*....Now that's hot. Thank goodness for AC.

[JW]

I whole heartedly second the Thermocell and will pass on a tip.

After use and when you turn it off take that pad and wrap in tightly aluminum foil. Helps stop the repellent chemical flash off from the pad and the pad will last longer.

Another device that works well is the OFF Clip on. That has its own shut off and is not a heat generated pad like Thermocell.

Place up wind when in use - both good for 15 ft around you.

I have tested each many times.

JW

[cayugad]

JWI thanks for the hint on the clip on. I saw them at the store but not the thermo cell thing.

Bronko - last night the low was 37º and we reached 54ºs today, over cast, and rain. The fog was so thick this morning, when I went for my walk I wore my winter jacket.