Trapper against new steel range targets
Posted: Mon Sep 23, 2019 8:39 pm
Greetings, Henry Folk.
The first day of fall was definitely fall-like with early morning temps ranging from high 50s to low 60s. Although there was a heavy duty fog, I decided to head to the range with my Trapper 50CAL. Hard to ignore such nice weather. I drove in fog about 2/3 of the way, then the sun broke through with blue sky and zero wind.
I had forgotten that the Ft. Osage Muzzleloaders (FOML) were planning to add steel targets at the range...and they were already up and ready! No shoot was scheduled, and I had the range completely to myself. I didn't even bother to put up the standard P-2 25-yard paper pistol target. Clanging steel is much more fun. The only "ouch" I had today was that I didn't know the steel was up, and didn't bring my camera. You'll simply have to imagine the sounds.
With no one else at the range, I could shorten my target distance from the fixed 25-yard boards. Felt funny walking then shooting beyond the marked firing line, but wanted to see how the pistol did at a shorter distance. Shot 15 round balls at distances of 10, 12, then finished up at 25 yards. Shot off hand, one hand only.
LOTS OF FUN
There are seven round steel targets hanging at the far east end of the 25-yard range, and are designated for pistol shooting only. Perfect!! With no wind it took a few seconds for the smoke to drop away so I could see my POIs. However, it was fun to hear the hits even before I saw the hits. I had 9/15 on steel today: 2 @ 10 yards (very easy), 3 @ 12 yards, and gosh, 4 @ 25 yards. I think the 30gr Triple 7 powder load I've used at 25 yards is what helped me shoot well at that distance. Another thing that helps when shooting steel. The two targets I shot at were 8" diameter. The other 5 progressively are smaller. The P-2 paper target I've shot before is 20" diameter with a 5-1/2" black bull. Almost too much available to hit. I believe the smaller steel circles I enjoyed today "forced" me to hone in more tightly on the target, and to also focus on steadying the "swaying barrel." Today it worked well for me.
Ah, the first day of fall, the first time I had the BP range to myself, and the first time shooting/clanging steel.
All part of a good day on the range.
PT7 ... along with a ...
Happy Hammer...and
Happy Double-Set Triggers
The first day of fall was definitely fall-like with early morning temps ranging from high 50s to low 60s. Although there was a heavy duty fog, I decided to head to the range with my Trapper 50CAL. Hard to ignore such nice weather. I drove in fog about 2/3 of the way, then the sun broke through with blue sky and zero wind.
I had forgotten that the Ft. Osage Muzzleloaders (FOML) were planning to add steel targets at the range...and they were already up and ready! No shoot was scheduled, and I had the range completely to myself. I didn't even bother to put up the standard P-2 25-yard paper pistol target. Clanging steel is much more fun. The only "ouch" I had today was that I didn't know the steel was up, and didn't bring my camera. You'll simply have to imagine the sounds.
With no one else at the range, I could shorten my target distance from the fixed 25-yard boards. Felt funny walking then shooting beyond the marked firing line, but wanted to see how the pistol did at a shorter distance. Shot 15 round balls at distances of 10, 12, then finished up at 25 yards. Shot off hand, one hand only.
LOTS OF FUN
There are seven round steel targets hanging at the far east end of the 25-yard range, and are designated for pistol shooting only. Perfect!! With no wind it took a few seconds for the smoke to drop away so I could see my POIs. However, it was fun to hear the hits even before I saw the hits. I had 9/15 on steel today: 2 @ 10 yards (very easy), 3 @ 12 yards, and gosh, 4 @ 25 yards. I think the 30gr Triple 7 powder load I've used at 25 yards is what helped me shoot well at that distance. Another thing that helps when shooting steel. The two targets I shot at were 8" diameter. The other 5 progressively are smaller. The P-2 paper target I've shot before is 20" diameter with a 5-1/2" black bull. Almost too much available to hit. I believe the smaller steel circles I enjoyed today "forced" me to hone in more tightly on the target, and to also focus on steadying the "swaying barrel." Today it worked well for me.
Ah, the first day of fall, the first time I had the BP range to myself, and the first time shooting/clanging steel.
All part of a good day on the range.
PT7 ... along with a ...
Happy Hammer...and
Happy Double-Set Triggers