Glad I remembered my camera, and have some range photos in this report. I got connected with an RO, who spent a good amount of time introducing me both to the range safety & shooting procedures, as well as guiding me through the first time loading my 50 CAL pistol. I had a really grand time, and I've found I like shooting BP quite a lot. Following is how it all went.
Ft. Osage Muzzlerloaders range entrance, and a "tree trunk target" display just before the range line.
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Found some nice shade to park in, and headed toward the range.
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I set my target at 25 yards, which was the shortest range yardage FOML uses. My white target with black bull is hanging just to the right of second post from the left. Now glance at the far left of this picture, and you'll see the longer range. I think this one is 100 yards.
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A lot of BP smoke hung around in the cool and humid air. After this fellow shot his rifle, I did see a smoke ring jump in front of this "cloud" and moved along for 5-6 yards before disappearing. It was a cool sight. He was a newbie like me, and only his second time out with his rifle. Fun to chat with him. He participated in a "specialty shoot," where folk shot at very small targets, e.g clothespins, ping pong balls, straws, pencils, etc. He was excited when he split a straw in half!
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My pistol at the loading bench.
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The target. I really wasn't concerned with accuracy today. Mainly wanted to learn how to handle the pistol. Really learned a lot, and enjoyed it, too. I got a pleasant surprise also. When I asked the RO about sighting in the pistol, he said "not needed." I think he was focusing on making sure I was "safe" on the range, and "safe" in handling the pistol.
So I didn't need a bench rest, and got to shoot standing, off hand, one-hand only. Perfect, perfect, perfect. The very best way to go. This target is a 20" circle, standard muzzleloader 25-yard pistol target (a P-2), with the black set up with the 9 & 10 rings, plus the bull. The black is 3" diameter.
I shot .490 Hornady round balls with 20 grains of powder. Shot 10 rounds from 25 yards. My first POI is lower left in 7-ring, my 10th POI was the one to the right of bull center, just above the black 9-ring. Seven POIs inside target, one outside low left, and two left in the MO dirt.
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Someday I may set up the bench rest to see how well the pistol is sighted in. For now, the off hand, one-hand shooting is all I'll do.
I'm ready to do this day again!
Thanks for looking.
PT7
