July 27th, 1871
Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 5:10 pm
Inspired by NCG's pistol shootin', I took my 1871 Colt Richards conversion revolver along with my 1860 Henry to the range today. I did some 25, 50 and 100 yd work. Beautiful day in southwest Alberta territory today. The buffalo are plentiful, the Sioux and Crow are quiet.....ok just making that part up. But packing and shooting my period correct firearms always takes me back in time, and I do quite like that. It's easy to lose yourself in the days of the old west, and I do so as often as I can.
First up, my revolver in 45 Colt. Shooting my reloads; 6.6 gn of Universal, 200 gr LRNFP. 50 yds, and 1 hand duelist I think is what it's called. Yup, no left hand allowed, cocked and fired with my right hand only. Man....It's a loooong way out NCG, I don't know how ya shoot so good. Anyhow, I got all 20 rounds in the big ring at least, and a bunch closer to the middle. I'm sure the long sight between v-notch in the hammer and the front sight helps a little. It's about 10" sight to sight. Kinda' all over the place but at least on the paper so the other guys at the range didn't have to run for cover.
Next up, some 100 yd work with my Henry. Shooting from 1-knee as usual. 50 rounds, I think all on the paper (didn't count them up) and not too bad for open sights and aging eyes. That's a 12" ring. Same ammo load. I really like those 200 gr bullets. Ladder sight up and on bottom notch. The yardage marks on the sight are guidelines only, and you have to adjust to conditions.
And last but not least, I went moose hunting at 25 yds with 5 rounds in the revolver. Didn't bag a moose, but close. 1 hand again, 2 either side of the critter, 2 clipped the top, and 1 into the big blue yonder...
Hope you enjoyed the little trip back to the Old West....shoot safe
RR
First up, my revolver in 45 Colt. Shooting my reloads; 6.6 gn of Universal, 200 gr LRNFP. 50 yds, and 1 hand duelist I think is what it's called. Yup, no left hand allowed, cocked and fired with my right hand only. Man....It's a loooong way out NCG, I don't know how ya shoot so good. Anyhow, I got all 20 rounds in the big ring at least, and a bunch closer to the middle. I'm sure the long sight between v-notch in the hammer and the front sight helps a little. It's about 10" sight to sight. Kinda' all over the place but at least on the paper so the other guys at the range didn't have to run for cover.
Next up, some 100 yd work with my Henry. Shooting from 1-knee as usual. 50 rounds, I think all on the paper (didn't count them up) and not too bad for open sights and aging eyes. That's a 12" ring. Same ammo load. I really like those 200 gr bullets. Ladder sight up and on bottom notch. The yardage marks on the sight are guidelines only, and you have to adjust to conditions.
And last but not least, I went moose hunting at 25 yds with 5 rounds in the revolver. Didn't bag a moose, but close. 1 hand again, 2 either side of the critter, 2 clipped the top, and 1 into the big blue yonder...
Hope you enjoyed the little trip back to the Old West....shoot safe
RR