Cheap Targets

I don't know if you have noticed yet or not but I have been making my targets out of printer or drawing papers. Use a ruler and a large permanent marker and draw an x or cross. You can also get some sticky targets and put them on a paper. I started doing this because targets are so expensive and when you are trying out loads you only want to show 5-10 shots at a target so you are going to go threw a lot of targets this was the cheapest thing I could think up.

 Targets!!

 Here are the different ideas. sticky target, printer paper, drawing paper

Handy Little Lights

I carry these hand little nock lights or you can find some similar that are for fishing bobbers. They are handy because you can drop them down the barrel and look down it and see how clean it is and rifling. Want to make a note here that you should only do this if you know for sure the gun is unloaded. Safety first, drop down a ram rod if it pings then your good to go. Also good if your going to a gun show you can check out the barrel to see if its was cleaned properly, check rifling, how many groves, anything you want to. Make you know more about the gun your buying.

 They come in different colors here they are.

 This one is turned on

 Its hard to take a picture but you can see the rifling and if its pitted or not ect. i person with these handy little lights.

All this picture shows is they do put off good light down the barrel and you can see down it.

Cleaning Bag and Picture Everything I take to Range

Here is my cleaning bag that I carry my Remington oil, patches, rags, and wipes in for cleaning my muzzle loader. Also is a picture of everything I take with me when I go and shoot.

 This is my Cleaning bag.

 Remington gun oil spray and wipes. Then a container of patches and some gun rags.

Here is a picture of everything I take to the range every time I go.

Shooting Bag

Here are some pictures of my shooting bag and what I carry with me when I'm at the range. (different outfit for hunting will post about it later). Also included are my powder horn and ball bag.

Here is a picture of my possible bag with everything spread out a over the table.

You can see my loading blocks, patch material, some pre-lube patches ( hand every now and then) my little bag I carry my nipple wrench and vent pick in, then the leather sheath that I carry my patch knife in.

Here you can see my short started, powder measure, and capper, they are attached by leather strips its harder to loose them, normally return them to my bag or pocket between shoots because they get in the way dangling.

 The little small powder horn in my 4F, use if you have an oops and forget powder, it happens to everyone. Or if I shoot a flint lock which I don't have right now.

 This is my powder horn and ball bag.

Range Box

This is my range box. At most shoots it stays in the car unless I need something out of it. I always end up dragging it out whenever I clean my guns. I really like this box it keeps everything organized and in order. I find that sometime I try to carry more than I will ever need. This box is just for my long rifles. I am going to put together another box for my pistols because it all wont fit in one box.

 Here is the outside Picture of my Box

 This is under the first list.  I keep my powder measures, anti-sieze for nipples, the red thing is a knife sharpener, cleaning bushes brass and regular, a brass brush, powder funnel, Allen wrenches, some flints, and then I have a bunch of different sizes of round balls and minie ball I can show people.

 This is the tray in my box, I carry a brass hammer and punch for adjusting sights, also is a snap punch for making marks if needed. Some pliers are always handy, bore butter to lube patches, number 11 caps in a bigger tin, gun oil and some gun grease by hoppie's number 9.  

 The bottom of the box, Boxes of round balls, then some patch material in one of the bullet box( its somewhat airtight to keep them lubed, then my gunsmiths screw drives and my little clear box of goodies, then in the two containers with black lids one has clean patches and the other has .490 round balls I hand cast. And some small files.

 Here are the patches, hand cast balls, and files.

 On the  bottom are swaged .490 round balls and minie balls.

Up top is the box I keep my pillow ticking patch material in. 

 Here is a picture of it all.

 This shows everything that is in the bottom drawer.

 This is my goodie box i have assorted jags, nipple wrenches, funnels nipples, nipple pick, brass punch, different eye pieces for my tang sight, small screw driver some screws and nock-lights. Some thread and needles.

 Close up of the nock lights

 A brass drift punch for adjusting sights

Targets-Load Expermenting Underhammer

Here are some targets I shot while trying to find the right load with my underhammer.

 Off hand shots with 50grs 3in bull 10shots

 45grs 2in bull 5shots

 30grs 3in bull 6shots

 Top 35grs 3in bull 6shots
Bottom 40grs 4shots 3in bull

Rifle Training

Gun Training how the author Ned Roberts states in his book

The Muzzle-Loading Cap Lock Rifle Classic Gun Book by Ned H. Roberts.

Here is how it goes. 

55 Yards 

110Yards

Use a 2in bull and shoot five shoots 

4shoots have to hit the bull 

 Bench, Sitting, Standing

Then work your way up. 

165 Yard 

Use a 4in bull and shoot five shoots

Bench, Sitting, Standing 

220 Yards 

Use a 6in bull and shoot five shots 

Bench, Sitting, Standing

The idea behind it is to get your confidence built up so you can shoot farther and farther way and get more comfortable shooting that far.Am going to give this training a go when i can get out to the range and spend some time no reason to try and take a 200 or 300 yard shot till you are comfortably shooting at closer ranges.