MOONFIRE

I sort of got badgered by my archery buddies into applying for several
Special Season Permits at the Hobbs Recreational Area near Rogers,
Arkansas, this year. Darned if I didn't draw a black powder permit for
deer.

Not that fond of deer. I will eat it but it's not high on my list.
Frankly, I'd just as soon eat an Irish Setter. I did a lot of hunt
preparation stuff though, washing clothes in special soap that removes
all ultraviolet brighteners, ultraviolet glow, and human scent.
Special clothes dryer sheets that make your clothes smell like fresh
dirt (soil) to cover your scent. Wrapped my highly tuned little 50
caliber CVA Bobcat black powder rifle with camo tape. I also bought
some spray-on "fresh dirt" stuff to cover my "Country Indian" human
scent further and some special deer attractant (scent). More on that
later.

I drove over to Pea Ridge Saturday [10-06-2007] morning. "Mikey" and I
doubled up in his pickup and took off for Hobbs. Checked in at the
Special Permit Check Station at Hobbs. They asked a bunch of
questions. Then, we took off and went to "Mikey's" special hunting
place, arriving about 6:15 A. M. There were already two trucks parked
there. Rats..... There goes plan one and two.  So we drove down the
road a little bit further to where it ended at the lake. Our new plan
(plan 3) was to climb up on two ridges and let the hunters that stole
"Mikey's" special place chase the deer out of the big hollow up to us.
The Holler' was surrounded on three side by a highway, gravel road,
and the lake. The only way out for any deer in there was over the
ridges where we were. So, that was our plan.

My personal plan was just to walk in the woods and enjoy myself. Not
really that interested in bagging a deer. So now I'm walking in the
woods in the dark. Dang, this is steep....... starting sweating some
while climbing up the ridge and stopped at the top to spray myself
with the "fresh dirt" stuff. I was on top of the ridge closest to the
holler'. Creeping along like a sneaky Indian, it  took me about two
hours to go 200 yards down the ridge. I also got out my little bottle
of special MoonFire deer attractant. I seen the DANGER WARNING label
on back. DO NOT APPLY TO YOUR BODY OR CLOTHING, YOU MAY BE ATTACKED.
Silly warning.....I sprinkle the stuff on myself.

There is a big tree down in front of me. Its been down for quite
awhile and is covered with white mushrooms. I'm thinking to myself
"I'll bet when a deer sees me covered with this silly blaze orange
vest and hat, its like waving a big white flag." I saw a picture one
time of what deer can see and blaze orange looks white to them. I'll
just lean up against this white mushroom covered tree and stand here
for awhile. Maybe a deer will run over the ridge and not notice me
standing here with these white mushrooms......

About 2 or 3 minutes later I hear hoofbeats coming toward me from down
below the ridge. Up over the ridge about 40 yards away comes a pretty
good sized buck running at a good clip. He's coming straight at me. I
cock and throw up my gun. He doesn't miss a beat and keeps coming
straight at me. I thought "holy s... he's going to run right over the
top of me, I only got one shot....I'm going to have to pull out my
knife if I miss..... At about 20 yards he's still coming and I wag my
head side to side to flag him. He finally sees me and slows down but
keeps coming. I aim for the middle of the chest and squeeze it off
because he's getting really close....too close.

BOOM!!   Can't see anything for a couple of seconds because of the
smoke. It finally clears and I see he just fell over. Kicked a couple
of times and was still.  I'm kind of stunned by the whole thing and
just stand there for a minute. I walk over and see he is a 6 point.
Big body though and I estimate he is about 120 pounds, which is good
sized for a Whitetail. Pretty sure "Mikey" must have heard my shot
because he is probably only a couple of hundred yards to the northwest
on the next ridge. It's about 9:05 A. M. and I have only been in the
woods for a couple of hours. I tag the buck and start back for the
pickup truck. Our pre-arranged signal was to return to the truck if
one of us scores and honk the horn twice.

I get to the truck and honk the horn. I do this twice more in the next
few minutes. No "Mikey"..... I take the Kleenex box out of the cab,
write a note on the side saying 6 point down about 200 yards down the
ridge on top, and put it on the hood. I take off back up the ridge.
Takes me only minutes to get back to the deer.  "Mikey" shows up a few
minutes later. I tell him what happened in detail. The distance of my
shot was about 13 steps. We field dress the buck. "Mikey" has one of
those deer drag things with a handle and cord. It's a simple matter to
hook him up and drag him the 200 yards to the road. It's downhill all
the way.

We bump into Terry, one of our archery buddies, while driving out.
Show him the deer and tell the story. Terry's comment is something
like "Oh, brother, we're going to really get it when you tell this
story in our web site."    Ha Ha Ha I'm still so excited, I forgot I
could take a picture with my cell phone. "Mikey" takes a picture with
a disposable camera.

We check the deer in. They do a bunch of research stuff. Cut a jaw
out, weigh and measure. 2 1/2 year old buck 100lbs field dressed.

Researchers asked a bunch of questions, such as:
Q: How many times did you shoot?
A: Once, and pulled my knife because he was coming straight at me.
Q: How many deer did you see?
A: One, and I think he attacked me, so I didn't look for no more.
Q: Did you see any of the following: squirrel, wild turkey, raccoons,
coyotes, fox, chupacabra (just kidding) etc etc.?
A: Yeah I saw three squirrels and a buzzard, say, why don't you move
this special permit hunt to November or somethin'? It was about 90
degrees up there on that ridge. Too da*n hot to be hunting deer.....I
'bout burned up......don't think the deer are in a good mood either
when its this hot.....

We took my buck to a processor and dropped him off.

I made it home and was exhausted. Eventually took a much needed
shower. Toweled off and noticed a black ring around my legs at the
sock line. What's that?  Arrrrrggggggghhhhhhhh it's seed ticks. I'm
infested........    panic because I rode home in my car, rode to the
Missouri line with my wife in her pickup, sat in my computer
chair.......    I run into the wash room and throw my clothes in the
washer (ran twice) and throw my boots out into the garage. Looked for
my can of RAID to spray my boots with. No RAID, da*n we're always out
of that stuff.   Ran next door, Jeanette was out too. She sprayed some
kind of yard bug killer on the boots. Jeanette, who is the
Neighborhood Sage and is wise, said the only way to be sure you get
them all is to strip down naked and rub a cloth soaked with kerosene
over every part of your body. She gets her can of kerosene, a bar of
lye soap and hands them to me. I ask, "even on my nabs?" She says
yes......

I go out into my garage....naked, and rub kerosene all over myself.
Including those special tender places. I stand in my garage for the
proscribed 10 minutes. Run through the house naked and get in the
shower. Shower, shower, shower, Da*n, this stuff won't come off.
Honey,....bring me the grease cutter dish soap. Shower, shower,
shower. Kerosene still won't all come off and my sack is on fire........

I finally remember "Mikey" and make a phone call. "Mikey", burn your
clothes, take a shower and then have your wife check every inch for
tiny little seed ticks a speck in size, 'cause you went every place I
did, except leaning against the mushroom tree.....

So, that's our special permit deer hunt at Hobbs Recreational Area.
"Mikey" is going back to Hobbs in the morning, unless the seed ticks
sucked out all his blood. I really can't recommend sprinkling deer
attractant on yourself either, because it might have worked too
well.....I think I got attacked. Follow the instructions carefully.

Mark "Angel Eyes"

--- In Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com, "zibsoft" <luebkeb@...> wrote:

> i've been thinking about getting a new gun too. possibly the TC
triumph.
>
> I also hear some guys are going to 45 cal rifles instead of 50.
more muzzle velocity?

Hi Brian, welcome aboard!  I am sure someone will give an opinion on
the T-C Triumph.  My interest is traditional firearms so I can't
comment on that one.

.45 caliber is my favorite (despite the fact that I don't have one
right now).  It is big enough to take deer in round ball, and small
enough to use on small game.  If the rifle will give accepatble
accuracy with elongated bullets like the Lee R.E.A.L. this caliber
will handle bigger critters like moose and bear.  In fact, there is
an article in the first Book of Buckskinning on hunting bears with
a .45 caliber muzzleloader using 500 grain bullets.  And Alaska game
laws require .45 with 250 grain bullet minimum for big game hunting,
except for deer (which can be taken with .45 round ball).  Good
enough for me!

-Kees-

Has anyone ever heard of it?

Hello all,

i'm proud owner of a 50 cal Pedersoli rifle, it's beautiful and I love shooting
it.

i tend to stick with round balls and black powder with that gun.



i've been thinking about getting a new gun too. possibly the TC triumph.

what does the group think of that gun?  any other suggestions.



I also hear some guys are going to 45 cal rifles instead of 50.  more muzzle
velocity?  what
does the group think of that?



thanks

brian

> $375 for mine with all the accessories listed. (FFL dealer fees
> additional)

FFL fees?  This is a black powder firearm.  Shouldn't be any FFL
involved unless they changed the law when I wasn't looking!

-Kees-

I am looking to sell my Ruger Old Army, satin stainless with
adjustable sights, 7.5" barrel, rosewood grips. Here is a link to
see what it looks like. (Copy the text into your browser address
bar.)

<http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?
function=famid&famid=16&variation=Satin%
20Stainless&bct=Yes&type=Revolver>

additional items in the sale;

Pachmyr grip
cordura holster
original boxes (orange display box and brown shipping box)
original owners manual
nipple wrench

If you look anywhere on the internet, you'll find that this is one of
the BEST black powder revolvers out there.

It can be converted to fire 45 Long Colt also!

http://www.kirstkonverter.com/ruger.html

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?
saleitemid=833798

http://www.brownells.com/aspx/ns/store/ProductDetail.aspx?
p=20052&title=CARTRIDGE+KONVERTER~

Absolutely nothing wrong with this gun. I just want to buy a
different handgun and I need to sell this one first.

MSRP on a new one is $635 (see link above). I'd be happy to take
$375 for mine with all the accessories listed. (FFL dealer fees
additional)

If you look on www.gunbroker.com you'll see the stainless models
selling anywhere from $400 and up.

This gun has been graded at 95% (like new!)

Please contact me if interested.

Steve
k_teven

i just bought  a winchester apex magnum and put a bushnell scope on it.
i will be hunting elk and deer with it and would like some input on
what charge and bullet to use thank for any help

It could be any of several things.  I believe that rifle has a patent
breech, in other words there is a chamber in the breech plug for the
powder,  Running a patch down the bore still doesn't clean out this
chamber, since it is of smaller diameter than the bore.  Your
cleaning jag will bottom out against the face of the breech plug.
You can check this by running the ramrod down until it stops, marking
it at the muzzle of the rifle, then laying it alongside the barrel
with the mark at the muzzle.  The end of the rod will probably not
reach the bolster (drum) which is screwed into the breech plug.

Try using real black powder, if you can get it.  You might also use a
nipple pick to make sure the flash channel is clear when you load.  A
pipe cleaner might be better if you can work it through the nipple
and down the flash channel into the barrel.

Try using a .35 or .44 caliber brush to get into the patent breech,
whichever will fit.

Lastly, don't forget that in a hunting situation, you aren't going to
shoot ten times at a deer.  If you are having fouling problems show
up on the last shot, there shouldn't be any problems with ignition on
that first one at the deer!

Hope this helps.  I'm sure other folks will have their ideas to help
you.

-Kees-

Hi Kary,

Try true black powder for starter, it is easier to set
off.

How many grains by volume, are you shooting?

Do you have a load worked up that uses the least
amount of powder and still gets the job done?

You will find it is easier to clean if you are not
using to much powder.

Hope this helps

--- fourwheelhorseman <fourwheelhorseman@...>
wrote:

> I have a Traditions Pennsylvania Long rifle
> (precussion)...it's a nice
> rifle.. however..it seems to mis-fire about every 10
> shots, even though
> i run a swab through it between shots, then I take
> the breech plug
> cleaner screw out, pour a little bit of powder
> through it, and fire it.
> I then run hot soapy water ( murphy's oil soap)
> through it, let it dry
> and it's good to go for another 10 shots or so. Why
> is it mis-firing?
> any tips on how to keep it from doing so when I go
> deer hunting this
> year? I am new to BP and need a few hints on how to
> make it reliable. I
> already use triple seven powder..isn't it supposed
> to be the best? Is
> it the gun? or is my process?
> thanks for any help
> Kary
>
>


       ymhbiC

Bryan(Griz)Womack

Life's journey is not about arriving at the grave in a well preserved body, but
rather sliding in sideways, totally worn out, screaming - "HOLY COW MAN, WHAT A
RIDE!"

   http://www.knightsoftheWORDmm.com


http://www.biblegateway.com











________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Sick sense of humor? Visit Yahoo! TV's
Comedy with an Edge to see what's on, when.
http://tv.yahoo.com/collections/222

Try not swabbing between shots but put a wet cloth on your ramrod when you seat
the ball , this way you are cleaning but not pushing the crud to the breech ,
works for me and I have been doing it for 25 years ! Let me know how you do .
Bullet
   From: fourwheelhorseman
   To: Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Thursday, August 30, 2007 11:22 AM
   Subject: [Muzzleloaders] I have a question


   I have a Traditions Pennsylvania Long rifle (precussion)...it's a nice
   rifle.. however..it seems to mis-fire about every 10 shots, even though
   i run a swab through it between shots, then I take the breech plug
   cleaner screw out, pour a little bit of powder through it, and fire it.
   I then run hot soapy water ( murphy's oil soap) through it, let it dry
   and it's good to go for another 10 shots or so. Why is it mis-firing?
   any tips on how to keep it from doing so when I go deer hunting this
   year? I am new to BP and need a few hints on how to make it reliable. I
   already use triple seven powder..isn't it supposed to be the best? Is
   it the gun? or is my process?
   thanks for any help
   Kary



   http://www.bp-outdoors.com/muzzleloader.html . . . Muzzleloaders, Shooting,
Hunting and Outdoor resources.
   Yahoo! Groups Links





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Kary, Your problem is a common one with black powder guns as they build up a
lot of carbon residue when fired, 10 shots being a lot before they clog up. Many
people switch to hot shot nipples, which help, but still eventually foul after a
few firings. In the last couple of years, I have switched to musket cap nipples
that really work, since I have tried everything else. If your barrel is threaded
1/4x28 for nipples (not metric) you can get musket cap nipples from
Thompson-Center. They are about 3 times more powerful than #11 caps, and really
help to clear out the fire hole in the barrel between shots for more reliable
and continuous firings.

   Greg Marts
   Restoration Firearms


---------------------------------
Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles.
Visit the Yahoo! Auto Green Center.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have a Traditions Pennsylvania Long rifle (precussion)...it's a nice
rifle.. however..it seems to mis-fire about every 10 shots, even though
i run a swab through it between shots, then I take the breech plug
cleaner screw out, pour a little bit of powder through it, and fire it.
I then run hot soapy water ( murphy's oil soap) through it, let it dry
and it's good to go for another 10 shots or so. Why is it mis-firing?
any tips on how to keep it from doing so when I go deer hunting this
year? I am new to BP and need a few hints on how to make it reliable. I
already use triple seven powder..isn't it supposed to be the best? Is
it the gun? or is my process?
thanks for any help
Kary

Cowlitz County is located in southwest Washington State and has
approximately 100,000 inhabitants.



There were approximately 30,000 hunting licenses sold in this county in
2006.



The county has no public shooting range. There is a project that
proposes to build such a range on county land.



This county land was formerly a site for river dredging disposal from
the Mount St. Helens volcano explosion debris and is not suitable for
industrial development or private housing.



$100,000 in grant money is assured from the State of Washington
Interagency  Committee for Outdoor Recreation provided that:



1. The County Commissioners approve of the proposed site, located on
county land.



And



2. $100,000 in matching funds is secured from public donations.



The facility will provide ranges for Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun and Archery.



To meet funding regulations, local matching funds of $100,000 must be
pledged by 23 Aug 2007.



Cowlitz Game and Anglers is a 501-3c Non-Profit Corporation. All
donations are tax deductible.

Cowlitz Game and Anglers:  State UBI 601744554  Federal Tax Ref: #
91-0611291



The purpose of this email is to solicit pledges from hunters, shooters
and other interested persons, regardless of current location, who wish
to advance the building of such ranges, promote safe shooting practices,
and instill the concept of developing shooting skills.



Pledges will influence the County Commissioners when they make the
decision to approve or deny

the application for the shooting range.



These pledges will only be called if the decision is for approval and
after the State grant monies are secured.



These pledges should be mailed to:


Cowlitz Game & Anglers
PO Box 1061

Longview Washington 98632

(Questions: 360 274-7559, 360 274-8702, 360-749-7071)



Overnight mail would be appreciated.



Cowlitz  County needs a public shooting range. There is one private
shooting range.

This range is relatively expensive to join, has a fixed total
membership,  and has a

2-3 year waiting period after application.



This email is being sent to parties who may be interested in shooting,
either firearms or archery

throughout the country.



If all recipients would forward it to everyone on their mailing lists it
would

certainly advance the prospect of our county obtaining the public
shooting range.



Haste is in order and the County Commissioners meet on the 23rd of
August.



Pledges of $ 5.00, $10.00, $ 20.00 or more(certainly) would be welcomed.



Once again, overnight mail would be appreciated.


Robert L Wheeler


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Yu also have to be careful if water was spayed on the
hot metal of the gun, this can make it brittle and
unsafe to shoot.

Thanks

   Brother Lou


---------------------------------
TV dinner still cooling?
Check out "Tonight's Picks" on Yahoo! TV.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Lou, You might start out using 0000 steel wool and warm soapy water, which
should clean them up. Finish by wiping down with WD40. It takes a lot of rubbing
with fine steel wool to remove any bluing, so this should do it. A few years ago
I restored a T/C Hawken from a house fire in Alaska that was covered in fire
retardant. Needless to say, that gun had to be completely sanded down and done
over, both barrel and stock. When we sent the guy his gun back, he thought that
we had sent him another rifle, not the same one, so they can be saved if they
don't get too hot in a fire. If the stock is burned or melted, obviously they
got too hot and the metal is probably not safe to shoot as it has been annealed,
and would have to be properly re-heat treated to work.

   Greg Marts
   Restoration Firearms


---------------------------------
We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love
(and love to hate): Yahoo! TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hey all

I need some Good information on how to refinish the barrels and
actions of smoked damaged guns both blk.powder and modern.

What information I do have is they have just smoke damage but they
didn't get burned or the barrels didn't get really hot.

The first one I'm going to do is a in-line 50cal.CVA (wish me luck)

The only problem I see is getting the breach plug out after that
it's a fine steel wool and some penetrating oil for the barrel, I'll
more then likly have to re-blue them after I'm done

Any and all help is welcome

Thanks

Brother Lou

I'd suggest eBay.  They have a bunch of TC products.   I've bought several
from there.  Haven't got a bad one  yet.



************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Prefer browned finish, but blued will work too. Needs to come with
under-rib and thimbles w/ramrod.  Anyone have one they aren't using any
more let me know.

Terry Uselton

SOLD


--- In Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com, "Terry" <notlesu@...> wrote:
>
> Sorry about that folks, made a mistake on the price, itis supposed
to
> be $150.00+shipping or trade.
>
>
> Terry Uselton
>
>
>
>
>
> --- In Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com, "Terry" <notlesu@> wrote:
> >
> > Percussion, single bbl, pics are already posted. $250.00+
shipping or
> > trade.
> >
> > Terry
> >
>

Sorry about that folks, made a mistake on the price, itis supposed to
be $150.00+shipping or trade.


Terry Uselton





--- In Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com, "Terry" <notlesu@...> wrote:
>
> Percussion, single bbl, pics are already posted. $250.00+ shipping or
> trade.
>
> Terry
>

Percussion, single bbl, pics are already posted. $250.00+ shipping or
trade.

Terry

Yes I would like info , please send .

Gary
   ----- Original Message -----
   From: JohnHarding10@...
   To: Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com
   Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 7:15 AM
   Subject: Re: [Muzzleloaders] 1777 Charleville


   I have two, that have never been fired.  If you want the  details, email me
   direct.  They're cheap,  too.



   ************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


   [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



   http://www.bp-outdoors.com/muzzleloader.html . . . Muzzleloaders, Shooting,
Hunting and Outdoor resources.
   Yahoo! Groups Links





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

âÃ

list,

New to the list and looking for a reproduction of the 1777 French musket
(commonly
known as the Charleville) Anyone have a used repro they are looking to get rid
of?  thanks

I Remain, &c.
Matthew Keagle

--- In Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com, "Dave" <deaton@...> wrote:
>
> I've never even heard of a pre-1900 inline percussion!

There was actually a flintlock inline made during the 1700's, though I
don't have the reference to it right now.  And the underhammer could
be considered an "inline" as the nipple screws directly into the
barrel instead of using a snail or bolster.

-Kees-

I've never even heard of a pre-1900 inline percussion! Sure would
like to see a photo of it, particularly the firing mechanizm?

Dave...........




--- In Muzzleloaders@yahoogroups.com, "olliebullet" <bullet99@...>
wrote:
>
> I have a 50 cal. muzzloader made by Moses Babcock in Charlestown
Mass.
> The unique thing about this gun is that it is an inline , I have
never
> seen an old inline before , has anyone else ? He was a gunsmith
from
> 1849 to 1872. Can anyone tell me more info about him or this gun ?
Any
> info would be appreciated . Thanks .
>

I have a 50 cal. muzzloader made by Moses Babcock in Charlestown Mass.
The unique thing about this gun is that it is an inline , I have never
seen an old inline before , has anyone else ? He was a gunsmith from
1849 to 1872. Can anyone tell me more info about him or this gun ? Any
info would be appreciated . Thanks .

I picked up some T/C sabots today along with some Hornady 45 cal 250gr
XTP/HP's. The Knight sabots I've been using almost completly cover
them and they are completely swallowed by the T/C sabots. Should that
affect accuracy? I've been using the 300gr XTP's with knight sabots
and had good resaults. These were about 1/8th of the way out of the
sabot.

> What is the best way to learn about the different products?

Wow, what a question!  I believe Idaho is restricting you to side
locks, so you can still use percussion.  Depending on your finances,
you can go from the Cabela's Hawken through the Lyman Great Plains
Rifle (often just called the GPR) on to the real high-end hand built
firearms.  Whether you decide on a flintlock or a percussion lock is
a personal decision.  Both will get the job done.  Just like in
archery, there are the proponents of the long bow versus the recurve,
and then there are the compound bows (training wheels?) which equate
to the modern inlines.

But the learning part?  Head to the library and check out some of the
books on muzzle loading.  Sam Fadala has written some excellent books
for the beginner.  There are those who don't like him because of the
perception that he is in it just to build himself up, but I have
found his work factual and readable.  It will give you a good base of
knowledge, and he has many good tips.  I have played this game since
1968 and still read his material.

Then you might want to get a Dixie Gunworks catalog, also the catalog
for Track Of The Wolf.  Both are good references.  The Track catalog
has full sized photos of parts so you can see what you are reading
about.  Both have websites which a search should turn up.

-Kees-