something new something old...

[big sky trapper]

Well after thirty some odd years hunting with a high powered rifle, i think its time for a change of pace and for me to get back a little closer to the fun. so My collection is complete and ready for this season. Im going to try and get all of my montana tags filled with this beutifull beast. 3 shots and i can cut a fence post over at 120 yards which is just about the limit of her. (speaking of which she needs a name...)

Unknown manufacture of an unknown date. 1 in 66 in twist barrel for .490 patched ball in .50 cal. Ray Rapine bag mould (can cast bullets right over the camp fire each eve.) RR lead ladle, and a few other goodies. The powder horn is mine along with the nipple pick and fire starter. fun projects them selves.

http://i132.photobucket.com/albums/q18/bigskytrapper/P5140024.jpg

[Haggis]

Nice Long Rifle, big sky. I really like the looks of browned hardware and barrel over a blued rifle. From the hardware and stock shape, I would hazard to say that it was a CVA kit gun from the early '80s. I have one I built back in '82, with browned barrel and hardware also, so they look like twins. Back in high school I was heavy into muzzleloading, both hunting and competition. Heck I won the Levi- Garret Jr nationl championship in '83.

We can't use caplock guns during late muzzleloading season (flintlock only), but can use them in early season along with inlines. Blackpowder rifles are so underestimated in their preformance and accuracy, that there's alot of nonsense floatin' around about them. The main thing is to keep them clean, before using, after using, and every couple months while in storage. I tear mine down completely, give the barrel a good soaking in a solvent bath, and dry it to an extreme. Then use a light coating of good gun oil. To many folks way over oil their guns.

I prefer hunting with my T/C Hawkens (.50cal) and Renegades (.54 cal) and I have an Awesome Pennsylvania Rifle with a curly cherry stock and german silver inlays in .36 cal thats my squirrel gun.

I hope you have as much fun with your powder pusher that I've had with mine.

[big sky trapper]

it does shoot good! Its not a CVA or a LYMAN Ive laid it side beside both and there a lot of differances between them. So for now Im thinking of calling her "bitsey", becuase she seems to be made from bits of this gun an bits of that gun hahah. Im thinking its was someone's left over pile of parts and was put together just to be a shooter.

Next is a full length .36'r but not sure if i want a flint or a cap lock, ...for squirlls and such.

Montana considers it a fire arm and can only be used durring the general season, (for now, were pushing for a two week pre archery season for a "primative hunting season" no camo no inlnes no wheel bows/alunimum arrows. just traditional archery and ML.) there are lots of ML only areas but as long as it BP pretty much any thing goes.

[Haggis]

The .36 cal is alot of fun for gettin little critters and for plinking, it's my favorite of my smokepoles. My Pennsylvania long rifle is a flintlock, 'cause I like the flash and smoke show when I touch it off plus I like goin' all Daniel Boone on their little fuzzy hides. I shoot self cast round balls with a cotton linen patch; use 40 grains for plinkin and 80 grains for huntin. Sights are a rear peep with a forward blade used with six o'clock hold. That keeps you from obscuring your target with the front blade. Damn accurate to 125 yards.

Our late season primitive muzzleloader is in January, and it's alot of fun. Hardly anybody in the woods, plus there's snow to track and spot those brown fuzzies.