verbero had a grin from ear to ear !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First black powder shoot for several years the other night. A few other people there, one with a Glock, another with a Beretta. What did everyone want to shoot ? My 1858. I was there for 75 mins and I actually managed to shoot 20 rounds with 15 of them on the target at 25 metres. Obviously my loading speed isn't very good yet and I haven't gotten used to the sights. So what did I learn ?
1 ) Its bloody fun.
2 ) For the 1858 with an easily removable cylinder I reckon a loading stand is the way to go. I was either spilling powder down the un-nippled chamber, or bruising fingers with the wads or getting grease where it shouldn't be got while loading the chambers in the gun.
3 )You guys said it was dirty. But you didn't say that it was DIRTY !! Bring good soap 'cos the range doesn't have any in the toilets, bring an old t-shirt for the hands, and then bring another rag for anything else that comes up that needs cleaning.
4 ) Its bloody fun.
5 ) When its cold (about 2°C the other night) putting on the caps with your fingers is difficult. Get a capper for winter shooting !!!
6 ) The cleaning, although it took me a while, was easier than anticipated. Although to get all the crud from around the nipple threads took a few toothpicks. Wonderful how the hot water got rid of so much - I thought before cleaning that actual shooting would give the gun a permanent 'dirty' look. The gun is as shiny as when I bought it (wonder how long that will last?).
7 ) We have to load up the small plastic or glass tubes to reload (insurance reasons) at our range. Next time I'm going to get 30 tubesready instead of only 20 like the other night.
8 ) It really is so much bloody fun !!!
