A story for the nubees.

Wild Bill Bucks · August 29, 2007, 07:15 PM

About ten years ago, I found myself in a camp with 3 guys that I did not know. At that time we were all carrying side locks. I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to their guns the night before season started as we were playing dominos and having a good time getting to know one another.

The next morning we all got up, and they started to load the rifles, and I noticed that they were using 30.06 brass, with a pencil eraser on top, for quick loaders. This seemed rather odd to me, but not knowing them very well, I didn't say much.

After we all got loaded, I asked them how many grains of powder that the 30.06 shell hold, and they said " Hell I don't know, but we figured if it is enough powder to shoot a 30.06 with, then it would probably work with these rifles"

Later that evening I had shot a Buck, and when I got back to the cabin everyone was amazed at the hole my bullet had made. They seemed to be amazed at the bullet passing through the deer. They told me that they hardly ever got a "Through and Through" shot.

I got my powder box out of the truck and started getting my patchs out to start cleaning my rifle, and one of them said "What you doing".
I said I'm going to clean my barrel out and get ready for tommorrows hunt. They all started laughing, and it was that moment I realized, that these guys didn't have a clue. One guy told me that his dad gave him his old rifle about 4 years ago, and he had never cleaned it. The other two guys thought that the barrel was self cleaning, as the bullet going down the barrel would clean all the residue out when you shot it.

If these guys hadn't been shooting a patch and ball, they would have probably blown their own head off by now.

I cleaned my rifle out, as they watched very carefully, and explained to them all I knew about powder hunting. Don't get me wrong guys, I'm no Expert on the subject, but these guys were listening like I was God.

When I showed them the patch I brought out of the barrel they were amazed. They couldn't beleive there was that much nasty after only one shot. When I poured out 100 grains of powder on a piece of paper, and poured one of their 30.06 loads next to it, they couldn't believe the difference.

We brushed and patched for nearly 2 hours on their rifles, and NEVER got all the crude out of their barrels.

After talking for a while I found out that they were limiting their shots to about 30 yards, because that was about as good as their guns would shoot. When I told them that they should be able to shoot at least 100 yards, I thought they were going to call me a liar.

These guys were all related and started powder hunting at the same time, and really didn't have anyone to talk to about it, so they did everything by trial and error.

The point I'm trying to make, is that if you are new to the sport, find someone who knows what they are doing, and get started right. These guys had wasted 4 years, and no telling how many wounded animals, trying to deer hunt.

There is nothing wrong with not knowing something, and anyone who tells you they just bought it off the shelf and became an expert is full of crap.
There is a lot more to the sport than just buying your gun and shooting.
Don't be embarrassed to ask questions, it's the only way to find out, and the un-asked question might just cost you or your buddy their life.

ED21 · August 29, 2007, 07:43 PM

Good story and better advice. I have run into people who knew it all, as we all have

. Never anyone that was as ignorant of the procedures for shooting black powder as in this story though. When you stated

Quote:

After we all got loaded, I asked them how many grains of powder that the 30.06 shell hold, and they said " Hell I don't know, but we figured if it is enough powder to shoot a 30.06 with, then it would probably work with these rifles"

I just knew you were going to say they were using smokeless powder

. Thank God they weren't.

Wild Bill Bucks · August 29, 2007, 07:51 PM

ED,

Last year I was standing at the counter of my local Wally World, and watched two guys buy two muzzleloader KITS. This was at 7:00 in the evening, the night before powder season started. They were asking the cashier how much powder they needed and what kind of bullets to shoot. They were actually going to go home and put these kits together, and go hunting the next morning.

Luckily they told him where they intended to hunt, so I could get as far away from them as possible the next morning.

Pisa · August 29, 2007, 07:58 PM

I just got mine today and the barrel/sights are off to the left. Is this a common problem or should I try and get a new gun?

Gbro · August 29, 2007, 08:08 PM

That happens everywhere,
Here in Minnesota, the DNR started a new thing where if you are unsuccessful during regular rifle season and your tag is unused, you can return it to any agent and buy the 3 season license. you have to pay the difference in price and get 2 tags with it and your good to go. Lots of folks go and buy a muzzle loader and head for the woodlot the next day. It is a shame, but also shame on Minnesota DNR, as they are just plane greedy. looking for that extra $$$.

I just buy the 3 season from the start and carry the smoke pole that much longer.

Gbro · August 29, 2007, 08:13 PM

pisa;

New out of the box, Very common for the sights to be off. What did you buy?

Also with any firearm the velocity can change things, Bullet too.

Once you find your load and have your gun zero'ed for it stick with it.

Raider2000 · August 29, 2007, 09:05 PM

I have to agree, a good story & great advice.

I have been shooting Archery & Muzzle loading firearms since 1978 & I will even learn a new trick every once in a while that helps me improve my score or handling of either "for instance when I tried a release for the first time in 1998 for my compound bow & I've never turned back cept for my recurve

" but I'm now going to hunt this year with a smoke pole for the first time in 15 years so picking out an inexpensive inline & learning about Saboted bullets is going to be a new experience for me...

Don't get me wrong, I have a few good side lock rifles.
Custom built .54 Hawken that my grandfather built in 1955.
Reproduction of a Remington Zouave .58 rifle, that I've had for almost 25 years.
Both are fine weapons but ofcorse the Hawken is a keepsake from my grandfather & I think a .577 bullet is just a bit over kill for Deer.

August 29, 2007, 07:15 PM	#1
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,059	A story for the nubees. About ten years ago, I found myself in a camp with 3 guys that I did not know. At that time we were all carrying side locks. I didn't pay a whole lot of attention to their guns the night before season started as we were playing dominos and having a good time getting to know one another. The next morning we all got up, and they started to load the rifles, and I noticed that they were using 30.06 brass, with a pencil eraser on top, for quick loaders. This seemed rather odd to me, but not knowing them very well, I didn't say much. After we all got loaded, I asked them how many grains of powder that the 30.06 shell hold, and they said " Hell I don't know, but we figured if it is enough powder to shoot a 30.06 with, then it would probably work with these rifles" Later that evening I had shot a Buck, and when I got back to the cabin everyone was amazed at the hole my bullet had made. They seemed to be amazed at the bullet passing through the deer. They told me that they hardly ever got a "Through and Through" shot. I got my powder box out of the truck and started getting my patchs out to start cleaning my rifle, and one of them said "What you doing". I said I'm going to clean my barrel out and get ready for tommorrows hunt. They all started laughing, and it was that moment I realized, that these guys didn't have a clue. One guy told me that his dad gave him his old rifle about 4 years ago, and he had never cleaned it. The other two guys thought that the barrel was self cleaning, as the bullet going down the barrel would clean all the residue out when you shot it. If these guys hadn't been shooting a patch and ball, they would have probably blown their own head off by now. I cleaned my rifle out, as they watched very carefully, and explained to them all I knew about powder hunting. Don't get me wrong guys, I'm no Expert on the subject, but these guys were listening like I was God. When I showed them the patch I brought out of the barrel they were amazed. They couldn't beleive there was that much nasty after only one shot. When I poured out 100 grains of powder on a piece of paper, and poured one of their 30.06 loads next to it, they couldn't believe the difference. We brushed and patched for nearly 2 hours on their rifles, and NEVER got all the crude out of their barrels. After talking for a while I found out that they were limiting their shots to about 30 yards, because that was about as good as their guns would shoot. When I told them that they should be able to shoot at least 100 yards, I thought they were going to call me a liar. These guys were all related and started powder hunting at the same time, and really didn't have anyone to talk to about it, so they did everything by trial and error. The point I'm trying to make, is that if you are new to the sport, find someone who knows what they are doing, and get started right. These guys had wasted 4 years, and no telling how many wounded animals, trying to deer hunt. There is nothing wrong with not knowing something, and anyone who tells you they just bought it off the shelf and became an expert is full of crap. There is a lot more to the sport than just buying your gun and shooting. Don't be embarrassed to ask questions, it's the only way to find out, and the un-asked question might just cost you or your buddy their life.

August 29, 2007, 07:58 PM	#4
Pisa Junior Member Join Date: July 16, 2007 Posts: 6	NAA Companion Siight and Barrel Problem I just got mine today and the barrel/sights are off to the left. Is this a common problem or should I try and get a new gun?

August 29, 2007, 08:08 PM	#5
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,279	That happens everywhere, Here in Minnesota, the DNR started a new thing where if you are unsuccessful during regular rifle season and your tag is unused, you can return it to any agent and buy the 3 season license. you have to pay the difference in price and get 2 tags with it and your good to go. Lots of folks go and buy a muzzle loader and head for the woodlot the next day. It is a shame, but also shame on Minnesota DNR, as they are just plane greedy. looking for that extra $$$. I just buy the 3 season from the start and carry the smoke pole that much longer. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

August 29, 2007, 08:13 PM	#6
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 20, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,279	pisa; New out of the box, Very common for the sights to be off. What did you buy? Also with any firearm the velocity can change things, Bullet too. Once you find your load and have your gun zero'ed for it stick with it. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

August 29, 2007, 07:51 PM	#3
Wild Bill Bucks Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 2005 Location: Southeastern Oklahoma, Next door to Sasquatch Posts: 1,059	ED, Last year I was standing at the counter of my local Wally World, and watched two guys buy two muzzleloader KITS. This was at 7:00 in the evening, the night before powder season started. They were asking the cashier how much powder they needed and what kind of bullets to shoot. They were actually going to go home and put these kits together, and go hunting the next morning. Luckily they told him where they intended to hunt, so I could get as far away from them as possible the next morning.

August 29, 2007, 09:05 PM	#7
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 706	I have to agree, a good story & great advice. I have been shooting Archery & Muzzle loading firearms since 1978 & I will even learn a new trick every once in a while that helps me improve my score or handling of either "for instance when I tried a release for the first time in 1998 for my compound bow & I've never turned back cept for my recurve " but I'm now going to hunt this year with a smoke pole for the first time in 15 years so picking out an inexpensive inline & learning about Saboted bullets is going to be a new experience for me... Don't get me wrong, I have a few good side lock rifles. Custom built .54 Hawken that my grandfather built in 1955. Reproduction of a Remington Zouave .58 rifle, that I've had for almost 25 years. Both are fine weapons but ofcorse the Hawken is a keepsake from my grandfather & I think a .577 bullet is just a bit over kill for Deer.