The powder ran out first...

[Smellydog]

....thus ended an epic (for me) pigeon shoot with a muzzleloader.
42 and everything is black, the gun, my clothes and my hands.

The barrels are now full of lead so it gets the boiling water treatment later.
Never missed a beat, not one missfire.
I used about 60gn of 3f and 1oz of 7.5 shot.
Think I missed 10 or 12 which is good for me!
Had I used a breechloader I could of doubled it but where would the fun in that be...!
The most fun a man can have without removing his trousers!

 

[finbar]

Well done smelly

 

[Nickb]

Going going with a muzzle loader

 

[Rhodesianjess]

@Smellydog , my late father shot with a muzzle loader now and again, normally rifle. He always maintained that cleaning at the end of the day helped with peace of mind.
Whilst going through the routine of cleaning, you take the time to relive the day,shots taken, results from said shots, accompanied by a glass of something cheering.
Good on you sir

 

[KimE]

wonderful

 

[Mr. Gain]

100% agree. I love the struggle to load with cool efficiency when out of the corner if your eye you can see the birds tipping in to the decoys!
I aim to get out with mine tomorrow, and have a day walking-up grouse next week that I'm tempted to take it on, too.

 

[Smellydog]

@Smellydog , my late father shot with a muzzle loader now and again, normally rifle. He always maintained that cleaning at the end of the day helped with peace of mind.
Whilst going through the routine of cleaning, you take the time to relive the day,shots taken, results from said shots, accompanied by a glass of something cheering.
Good on you sir

Absolutely.
There is something satisfying about it.
Simplicity, just water and heat. Home made lube and a wee dram.

Just don't let the Mrs find a black dribble

On a side note, the field was strewn with feathers and white thin cards (used for wads). I'll see them off and on for a few weeks yet and that will please me some more.

 

[Smellydog]

100% agree. I love the struggle to load with cool efficiency when out of the corner if your eye you can see the birds tipping in to the decoys!
I aim to get out with mine tomorrow, and have a day walking-up grouse next week that I'm tempted to take it on, too.

Lol, numerous times I was reloading and there would be several birds hovering over the deeks but be gone before I got a cap on!
It doesn't matter though, nothing beats that boom and smoke.
Good luck tomorrow and take pictures, especially when you get a grouse, I've not done that yet!

 

[kenbro]

@Smellydog , my late father shot with a muzzle loader now and again, normally rifle. He always maintained that cleaning at the end of the day helped with peace of mind.
Whilst going through the routine of cleaning, you take the time to relive the day,shots taken, results from said shots, accompanied by a glass of something cheering.
Good on you sir

Aye…..you always have to be careful if buying a used front stuffer as not everyone thinks it therapeutic messing with those dirty things and if cleaning is neglected they don’t improve with age.
Kb.

 

[stavross]

Superb shame your so far from me, would be great to put a few pheasants over you with the stuffer in action

 

[Foxyboy43]

Excellent job Smelly! Great fun obviously too.

PS
I take it this was you in the gents?

 

[Smellydog]

Excellent job Smelly! Great fun obviously too.

PS
I take it this was you in the gents?View attachment 378198

Nearly but not quite as bad...

 

[jall55]

Superb shame your so far from me, would be great to put a few pheasants over you with the stuffer in action

We have a couple of lads shoot them on beaters day Stav - and as you say great to send a few pheasants over
Makes it nice too as everyone actually does slow the line down - and enjoys things
The BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMS are epic !

 

[shortshot]

That looks a very special shooting day. Two questions, do the shot and the powder volumes equate? (That’s how I used to load bp shotgun cartridges with Lee load all 50 years ago.)
Do you shoot both barrels then reload, or reload each barrel as you fire it?
Credit it to you must take considerable hide discipline and only take fully committed landing birds?

 

[Smellydog]

That looks a very special shooting day. Two questions, do the shot and the powder volumes equate? (That’s how I used to load bp shotgun cartridges with Lee load all 50 years ago.)
Do you shoot both barrels then reload, or reload each barrel as you fire it?
Credit it to you must take considerable hide discipline and only take fully committed landing birds?

I like to use really fine powder in my shotguns, contrary to popular beliefs I prefer it.
I can get good power for less.
So I use around 3/4 volume to shot with 4f and 3f powders.
2f and larger then equal usually but I don't buy that anymore.
I usually wait until both barrels are empty to reload. Not necessarily for safety. More like ' a bird in the hand' etc...

Yes the birds were close but I did pull a few fast crossers but also missed a few to be fair. I had to keep turning the shot birds right way up or the incomers would turn to early and fast on the wind be gone.
Looking up during loading and seeing several birds flying 3' up over the deeks is very humbling but nice.