cayugad

Today was so out of season for us. February is our cold and snow month most years. Today it hit 42 degrees maybe even more. The snow on the roofs were melting, sliding off, etc. So I grabbed a old bag of soft apples in the refrigerator and threw them into a snow bank on the shooting range. Those red apples stuck out so nice.

Into the house I grabbed the custom .54 caliber Early Lancaster Flintlock. Some might not remember but the rifle has a 42 inch swamped barrel made by Colerain. It has a 1-56 twist for round ball. A Chambers lock and Davis set triggers. So I went outside and set up my new portable shooters bench to try out. And with a loaded rifle the apples were 38 yards away.

Getting into the new shooting table was easy and taking aim, squeezed off a shot. The apple disappeared in a cloud of apple dust. That was too much fun. So we loaded again. 90 grains of Schuetzen 2f black powder and a home cast .530 round ball, pillow tick, moose milk lube and I was ready for another apple.

Second apple stared me in the face over that 42 inch barrel. Set trigger on, sight picture perfect. Squeezed the front trigger. Apple Dust again! Now I was pumped.

The entire day went like that. After the apples were all blow up, I began setting pieces of shot apple in the snow bank and dusted them too. After a wonderful day on the range, I took and put every thing away.

My usual cleaning method for the new flintlock is tooth pick in the touch hole. Fill the barrel with about a cup of dishwater and let it sit a while. (that's when I put the shooting stand away) Then with the toothpick still in place, I tip the barrel back and fourth with my thumb over the muzzle end. This lets the water slosh back and fourth in the barrel and helps to loosen any fouling.

Came in and empties the rifle of the dish water and five patches later, they were coming out clean. Made sure to dry the barrel good, wiped off the lock and frizzen, then ran oiled patches down the bore.

Tomorrow is suppose to be just as nice. So it will be another rifle tomorrow. Maybe the .58 caliber or one of the Lyman Great Plains Rifles. It was so nice to shoot again!

bronko22000

Nothing like making fresh applesauce on a nice winter's day! Enjoy the warmth while you can Dave. I'm sure it won't last long.

Semisane

Sounds like a fun time Cayugad. You've got to watch those apples. If you wound one get up a tree fast.

I planned to be at the lease today for a shooting session, but a day long "rain event" cancelled that. Heading there in the morning with a 20% chance of rain and a predicted high of 77°. If conditions allow I plan to give the .58 H&A underhammer a workout. If I get rained out I'll sit on the deck, drink some beer, and listen to rain on the tin roof.

super_hunt54

That's only them "Tuskin" apples there Semi...Them little ole Reds is harmless

Semisane

EXCELLENT!!!

cayugad

Weatherman said Duluth MN hit 52 yesterday. They are right on the lake and usually they are colder then us or if the wind is right much warmer then us. So I checked my programmable thermometer. Its some fancy one that gives you the high for the day and the low, both inside and outside. That thing said we hit 60 degrees. I still can not believe that. February and 60 degrees? That is just crazy.

These were some real mushy red delicious apples. The doctor says eat an apple a day. No oranges (blood sugars) and I think she has stock in the apple industry. Well lets say, I can eat an apple, but I am not waiting in line to get one. They are, if I remember, I eat one. And most time I don't remember so they go bad in the refrigerator bin.

bronko22000

Dave she is just looking out for you. "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" is not just an old wife's tale. Check this out: https://www.quora.com/How-true-is-th...r-away?share=1

cayugad

Well today we are at 53šs. That is just crazy!! I took the opportunity to shoot again of course.