It was a beautiful morning today. The weatherman said we might have rain or possibly two inches of snow tonight, so I figured I better get some shooting done. Since I have been shooting inlines with scopes as of late, I decided to go old school.

Rifle: Thompson Center Arms Hawkins .50 caliber 28" barrel 1-48 twist
Ignition System: Flintlock using Thomas Fuller Black English Flints
Powder: Graf's and Sons 2f black powder. 4f Goex as prime
Projectile: Home cast .490 roundball, moosemilk patch, pillow tick
Weather: Sunny, winds gusty at times, 40šs
Distance: 71 yards (range finder three readings)
Rest: Bench and off hand




The rifle is sighted in for 35 yards. So I knew I would have to hold a full sight picture. My first shot proved me right. Actually I had almost a full cover on that large red bulls eye. The rifle fired flawless, with instant ignition and very little lock time. I started shooting 85 grains of Graf's & Sons 2f powder, as my notes say this is the load. Well as long as I concentrated on the follow through, it did pretty good.

I upped the powder charge to 95 grains and was surprised it hit so much higher. Then I did something I have been doing as of late. I shot four shots free hand kind of. I did rest one elbow on the shooting table, like I would have in a blind, and fired. Needless to say, I was not impressed with that shooting at all.

Off a good rest, the rifle did real well. Off an elbow, well we need to work on that.

Dang good rocklock shooting Cayugad. Those four freehand shots are nothing to be ashamed of. Sure better than I can do freehand at that distance.

Not quite free hand.. I cheated and had my elbow on the table. I need to work on that.

Yes indeed Dave the old flinter does take some getting used to. You really have to make a conscious effort to hold on target until the recoil knocks you off. Its amazing how fast the body reacts to that flash in the pan. Practice self control concentrafting on the follow through and you will do fine.