A lot of people like to hunt, whether its new school hunting or old school hunting, some for necessity and others out of enjoyment.  There are a select few, like my brother Mark and myself, that enjoy stocking prey with rifles and shotguns made in the 1800′s. Old School Hunting!

Many a weekend ago, we both converged on the high desert foothills surrounding the town of Escalante.  Escalante, the town we grew up in, is nestled in the mountains of extreme southern Utah and plays host to a wide assortment of game animals from elk and deer to ducks, dove, grouse, rabbits and rattle snakes.  As kids, we continually roamed these familiar surroundings with .22 rim fire rifles and dad’s old 16 gauge Stevens single barrel.  Thirty-five years later we still found that same thrill even though we rode in a Yamaha Rhino instead of horseback.  I was using a single barrel 13 gauge English fowler made by Stanton and Sons in the 1850′s, and Mark had his Belgian made percussion 14 gauge double of a decade later.

Fine Tuning the Old School Hunting Tools…

We spent much of the day before cleaning, checking, rechecking and “tuning” our weapons as one hammer on Mark’s double wasn’t striking the nipple on center.  Closer scrutiny found that the right hammer had been bent sometime over the years just enough to not let the hammer fall flush.  We pulled the hammer off, clamped it in a vise an gently tapped it with a rubber mallet until it straightened out – a luxury with these old school hunting timers as the steel was much softer than today’s modern high carbon material.  Once the hammer struck the nipple on center, we tried a fresh percussion cap only to hear a disappointing “thud”, no “boom”.  Comparing the strength of both hammers, we found the right spring was much weaker.

Back to the work bench we went. I remembered years ago of fixing a similar problem by forcing strips of a tin can in between the fold of the mainspring to create stiffer resistance.  Once the lock was back in position on the gun, another “fresh” cap was placed on the nipple.  This time I could tell that the hammer pull was much stronger.  The cap exploded as it was supposed to and we were both as happy as if we had good sense.

Much of the next hour or so was spent checking powder and shot flasks, making sure we had ample caps, but mostly reminiscing childhood memories of hunting and hiking among the hills and ravines surround town.  We were laughing at the excuses we would come up with when dad would ask us where we had been, and why we were not hauling hay, hoeing the garden, hauling out the trash or stocking shelves at the store.  Instead, we were hunting rabbits or looking for arrow heads.

Is There Room in the New Age for Old School Hunting, Like Grandpa Used to do.

Collecting antique guns has been a hobby of Mark and mine for over 35 years, and sadly enough, neither of us have time to do much with them.  With hunting regulations becoming more and more stringent, the odds of us both drawing a hunting tag is like the scenario my grandfather used,  “ about the same as using an hundred foot out-house and having the splash wash your behind”.  Only his words weren’t that nice.  Anyway, any time we find to get together is much more enjoyable when we are toting a weapon that our great-great grandfather would have used, old school hunting style!

Using an antique muzzle loading shotgun transforms you instantly into a hunter instead of a shooter, as you can’t take any shot that comes along.  You quickly learn to stalk your prey within range as a percussion shotgun is a lot slower to load and with no choke, your practical range is about 25 yards.   Modern shotguns with choked barrels, on the other hand,  extends your range by about double, not mentioning the fact that follow up shots are much quicker with an auto loader or a good pump.  With that in mind, we did let a couple go that were out of range, where I definitely would have starting shooting with the Benelli.

Most modern hunters would wonder why all the fuss, especially having to clean them when you are through shooting for the day as black powder is highly corrosive and dirty.  The only real explanation I can give them is that “it gets in your blood”.  The thrill of stalking game knowing you only have one chance (two in the case of the double) gets the heart pumping like nothing I can think of.  The satisfaction and sense of pride is magnified ten-fold when everything comes together and the hunt is successful – something that is missing in the hustle and bustle of the modern hunting world.

Gary Griffin -

An Old School Hunting Guy!

Knowing “when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em “ as the old Kenny Rogers song says, touches on something I have been encountering more and more of and I’m now studying. 

Working mainly with first-time gun owners/shooters in concealed carry courses, and also with people who carry while working or even instructor candidates, I hear and see attitudes and statements that are concerning.  I’ve referred in the past to those who “don’t know that they DON’T KNOW”; it might be a first time gun owner, newly armed security officer, a rookie police officer or the guy at the gun shop… they will state something like “if ‘A’ happens, then I’ll do ‘B’ which will knock that S— on his A–”, showing a gross misunderstanding and underestimation of the real world. 

Years ago Jeff Cooper, who founded what is now Gunsite, pointed out that “just owning a musical instrument does not make you a musician”.  Having a gun does not automatically make you a winner in a confrontation.  You must know how to fight as well as when to engage, and more importantly, when not to. 

Learn Limitations From Experienced Veterans…

I have a new acquaintance, highly qualified in physical face-to-face engagements.  He has been, done, wears the scars and has the papers in real fights.  He often has pointed out that it is not like a movie and even accepted methods and techniques don’t survive first contact with reality.  His biggest skill is teaching others to know how to manage aggressive behaviors in a way that transcends language and culture.  This method works everywhere, and I’m looking forward to learning it.  More will follow about this as I get more experience. 

Recently William L. “Bill” Harvey wrote that we must “Size up a confrontation and determine if you can safely handle it single-handedly”.   His article is directed at new-hire law enforcement recruits.  He points out that new officers are often reluctant to call for help or back-up and wind up being injured or worse.  This also holds true for a new concealed carry permit holder.  Do you really and honestly know what your capabilities are?  Have you seriously contemplated the responsibility you bear now that you have chosen to carry a firearm for self- protection?  Have you decided that you and yours are worth protecting? 

Ask Yourself What YOUR Limitations Are…

Have you taken the necessary training to learn how to operate you weapon under deadly attack?  Have you planned for the aftermath of a self-defense incident?  These questions must be answered honestly and not with your male ego talking.

Now look at your self with an open and critical eye.  What is your physical conditioning? What areas do you need to work on: agility, flexibility, endurance or adaptation to a disability of some kind?  As we age our eyes change, flexibility can decrease, injuries or disease can hamper responses and more.  Now look at your awareness of your surroundings.  Are you looking at and understanding your environment?  Are there times you just shut yourself off and cruise along without a care?  Yes, you can work on this and stay aware to give yourself options.  As Mr. Harvey said at the end of his article, “I want you to win with your head.”  Your brain is the ultimate weapon of defense or survival. I taught  Hunter Education students for over 20 years and stressed that your brain is your best survival tool in the outdoors and you can take it anywhere in the world.  Many times I’ve witnessed someone talking about how good they are and then with just the slightest pressure of time or people watching, cannot perform.  That’s a great way to wind up severely injured or in a body bag. 

Being a movie buff, I’ll finish this with the final line from Magnum Force, the second of the “Dirty Harry” Callahan films starring Clint Eastwood, “A man’s got to know his limitations.”

Steve Beckstead

www.defenseactions.com

This is a special post, and due to its unique nature, you get to see the adventures of a small group of communication students at Utah Valley University.  The nature of the project was to get into groups, choose a subject, and use multiple forms of mass media; like Facebook, Twitter, a Blog, YouTube, or even printing up the report somehow or some way.  Well we decided to use a company that already existed (Defense Actions LLC) and by doing so, taking each of the members to a new level of learning, adventure and pure fun!

We decided to film a “before” portion, where each member explained their point of view about personal safety, firearms and an experiences they have had so far in their lives. Once that was done, we all went to the range. Being the certified instructor, I had a great time with each member, supplying some formal instruction and education about firearm safety, stances, handling, trigger control, etc. After the “range experience” we filmed another portion explaining their change in perspective and how they felt about the project…. Below are their written accounts for your enjoyment:

Tim Castaneda (A Chuck Norris Fan)

So when our group formed, I was super excited because we had the coolest project idea ever! With Damon being a certified trainer in the area of firearms with credible credentials, there wasn’t any better idea that came to mind than to do the project on firearms. It helps to have an old guy in the crew.  I have to admit that at first I thought that we would be expected to sit through hours of instruction listening to lectures on proper gun safety procedures, and such, instead of actually shooting.  To my surprise this firearm training was far different than I expected when I went to the range. It was the “bomb.com.”  It was pleasant experience being able to shoot the lights out of things…   

Actually forget that last thought. Since I had shot once before, around six years ago, I thought “hey, I am gonna show my stuff once we get to range. “ It actually turned out to be opposite. My accuracy was actually a little off, so I ended up shooting a lot of thin air and dirt.  Luckily we started out just with a .22. This one served more to get used to firing a gun, and helped me realize that I wasn’t hitting anything.  Then I got to use a gun with a little more juice, the 9 mm pistol. This one helped me get used to aiming and I actually hit a couple things. My best moment with this baby was when I used my psychic skills to predict that I was going to nail one of the beer bottles I set up as a target. Then I walked the walk the very first shot after my prior prediction. I also blew the heck out of an awesome camouflage easter egg. The best part of the whole thing was shooting the 12 gauge semi-automatic shotgun. That bad boy had some power. That thing became a friend all right. There were few streaks when I would hit two and three clay pigeons in a row. It felt like playing duck-hunt all over again, except this time in real life instead of using the fake gun for the original Nintendo.

I learned how much fun shooting is, and can be, when the proper firearm safety procedures are followed. I can now handle a gun more comfortably and correctly, so in the future whenever I can afford a gun I can definitely see myself buying one. The media nowadays gives the perception that bad things happen when people possess firearms. A couple instances that come to mind are the Trayvon Martin case, and the time NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg while in a night club in New York City. After receiving the right training from somebody certified, I can honestly say that guns aren’t bad. They just end up in the hands of the wrong people for wrong uses a lot of the time. The training session definitely was worth it and afterward you come out with a greater respect for guns, and less fear of having bad things happen when you’re around them. Now I just need more practice so I can dominate next time I take the stage at the gun show!

(Ashley) My  First Experience Shooting a Firearm

When my group decided to choose firearms as out topic, I was cool with it. When I found out Damon was a certified instructor and offered us free training, I was extremely excited. I explained to him that I have never ever touched a gun before nor had I ever thought I was going to.(Definitely something to put on your bucket list). When he presented this opportunity to us I was all for it. This could be a potentially once in a lifetime thing (the free training).  

At the range, it was a little busy. Guns were firing on both sides of us, which had me a little nervous at first. Damon sat us down and gave us all the safety rules and made sure we had ear plugs and eye protection. I began to think, “This isn’t so bad.” He continued to teach how to hold, load, and aim the guns (couple pistols, a rifle and a shotgun). When it was my turn to shoot my first gun ever, my heart of punding with adrenaline. BANG. I said, “This…Is…Awesome!”  My favorite were the little pistol and the rifle because they had the softest recoil. They were better for me to aim and control. The 9 millimeter had a little more kick back than I liked, the shot gun I only shot my 3 rounds and was done. Overall it was a very good experience.

Being out there I realized why people own guns and get excited when talking about them. They are really cool, and if you are properly trained they can be very safe as well. They would be very effective when protecting ones self as long as they have some type of formal training.

Stratton Schulz (Been Around Firearms My Whole Life)

I really enjoyed my experience with the class going out and getting some shooting done at the shooting range. It was a lot of fun watching everyone shoot firearms. Since I have been around firearms quite a bit if my life I was really cool for me to see people who had not really been around weapons at all. My group did a really good job at the range and it was quite impressive how well they were able to fire a weapon on their first or second time ever even shooting a weapon.   

I really enjoyed the training that Damon was able to give me. He gave me a few key ideas to help my form out and increase my accuracy with a weapon. Damon knows quite a bit about firearm safety and how to correctly hold a weapon. I have never really been told how to shoot a weapon I have always just shot the way that feels most comfortable to me. It was really cool having someone with as much knowledge as Damon show me some of the correct ways to hold a weapon.

Overall the group project on firearms was awesome. I think that everyone in the group had a great time. Damon was able to teach every one of us a few things about weapons and safety and he did a really great job doing that. Damon was also able to have a good time doing some quality shooting with everyone in the group.

Willy Sinclair (The Australian)   “A Day On The Field”

As I joined this group and heard about the topic, I just knew that something fairly fun was going to go down, after not being very trained in the field of guns (if at all) with my past experience and finding out that the big fella Damon was a certified trainer in a lot of different categories, I felt that much more comfortable. And when Damon said what guns we were going to shoot, I felt the deadly combination of scared and excited.   

After driving for around 72 hours we finally made it to the field/range, and immediately I saw the stereotypical gunholder, a group of topless redneck boys shooting it up. Damon then put myself and Ashley under his wing and guided us through all the suitable gun loading, aiming, and safety tips that we needed for the day. After setting up some targets, the first gun of the day was the .22 pistol (If I recall correctly), being the gentleman in which I am I let Ashley do the honours of having the first shot (was actually slightly terrified), but after seeing how the natural set up and shot her clip of bullets I was ready to take on the world. To my misfortune, my whole clip of bullets missed the target by approximately 25 yards. The next three guns I used included a 9mm pistol, a rifle, and my baby, the 12 gauge shotgun. After the day was ended, I self-proclaimed myself as the clay pigeon king.

My afterthoughts of the day of shooting would be that it is a ‘must do’ for all you other kids out there, and that even if you don’t want to OWN a gun yourself, it is a good experience. My beliefs on America’s gun laws and Gun Holders has slightly swayed towards closer to the Sinclair Tolerable range, but all in all, guns.. get around them.

We want to thank all of those involved in this project, and for Whitney Wilkinson, our instructor, for allowing us the freedom to choose this topic. We all learned, we all were safe and we all had tons of fun. Be sure to watch the video on the YouTube Channel right HERE!

Ashley, Willy, Tim, Stratton, Damon
April 2012
UVU, Communications 1500

At the recent SHOT Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, I once again had an opportunity to mingle with the experts and professionals in the shooting industry.  Coupled with the on-going study of how to shoot well and correctly, I found some more pearls of wisdom.  I had the pleasure of watching Travis Tomaise, a professionally sponsored shooter for Para Ord., give a demonstration.  He showed how he practices consistency in everything from presentation from the holster to reloads, and did it under time pressure.  He is a gifted athlete, but we can learn and benefit from his example.  He pointed out that consistency is the key.  Trigger control is a huge part of that.  He allowed members of the audience to handle his person competition handgun, and it had a wonderful trigger that I felt for myself.  He said several times, that trigger control, doing it the same way, was why he is so successful.  I’ve noted that every expert (a person who does it correctly) and paid professional I’ve encountered will say almost the same thing.

The Basics of Trigger Control At Any Level

Clint Smith of Thunder Ranch recently pointed out that “the trigger is the last physical control over the bullet.”  What the shooter does with the trigger at the moment of firing determines where the bullet will leave the barrel and eventually where it strikes on the target.
Just a few days ago I was working with some Concealed Carry students on the range.  The best overall shooters were the women in the class, while some of the males did not do as well.  Only one of the men asked me “what am I doing?”  I was able to show he had too much finger on the trigger, and he was pulling down and right at the moment of firing in order to shoot “right now!”  With trigger control and  less experienced shooters, they try to “make” the gun fire and as a result push or jerk the muzzle off target.  I showed him how to slow down the trigger press, being consistent with the movement, moving straight to the rear with correct finger placement.  In the few moments we had, he saw some improvement and I encouraged him to do some serious dry-practice and get further instruction to help his trigger control.  Many may have a mental picture of what needs to happen, but are not sure how to apply it physically to the firearm.  That is where an experienced instructor is invaluable.  In a recent Armored Car Guard qualification, a young man who had struggled for months with trigger control finally put it all together and shot his personal best score.  He was one happy camper after that experience.

 Trigger Control, Be A Good Student And Learn From The Best!

I also had,as part of our SHOT Show group, a person who has become a great friend and fellow instructor.  I had no clue about his background when he attended a National Rifle Association instructor course I taught some years ago. It was the first time he had done what he called ”two-handed” shooting.  He was extremely good at fundamentals and later revealed he had shot in the military.  I finally got him to tell me with which branch, etc.  He had been in the Air Force, then the Utah Air Guard, retiring after over 30 years.  He was a member of the Service Pistol team, shooting all over the country and around the world.  Not long ago, he mentioned he had won the National Service Pistol Championship NINE times!  Here is a man who knows fundamentals and what it takes to shoot well and consistently!  I’ve shot with him and heard him grumble when he did not do as well as he expected…even though the center of the target was gone!  Age, eye changes and other factors have lessened his ability, but he still is better than anyone I’ve worked alongside.  It’s like playing basketball: you do pretty well until a taller, more experienced player comes along and takes the rebound away you were sure was in both of your hands.  During a discussion at dinner, he stated one of the problems he encounters as an employee of a local gun store.  “People think gadgets and gear replace knowing HOW to shoot.  They think they can buy equipment to replace skill.”  I’ve seen it as well.  A person reads an article in the printed magazines, or sees a TV program, sees a piece of gear, and thinks it is the answer to their lack of skill in running the gun.  By running the gun, I mean operating it safely and with the necessary skill.  They don’t know that they “don’t know.”  Author Harry Turtledove in his book “Colonization: Down To Earth”, a science fiction story made a relevant point that applies here: “Had he known half as much about the business as he thought he did, he would have known twice as much as he really did.”

To conclude, experts, professionals and students of good shooting know and practice consistent trigger control.  Qualified instructors teach it constantly.  In the end, be it target shooting or self-defense, only hits count.  Control the trigger to get the hits.  Until next time, stay safe and check six often.

Steven R. Beckstead
www.defenseactions.com 

An early morning chill made me shiver as I clutched the cold steel barrel of the Garrett Arms 50/70 Sharps Carbine.  The late November Anterless Deer hunt had begun and I was waiting for my two hunting partners to appear.  The cool morning breeze ceased as the sun finally peaked over the ridge top, allowing the temperature to climb all the way up to 48 degrees – not bad for the southern Utah mountains during that time of year.

“ It’s about time.” I said as they reached the spot I had been sitting in for a good forty-five minutes.

“No movement at all down below,” was the reply after a brief pause to catch a breath.

The warmer-than-usual weather would have allowed the deer the remain at the higher altitudes.  We then moved on up the ridge into the aspens and out of the pinion-juniper.  My two buddies harassed me again about my “poor choice of weapons.”  To my recollection, one of them made a statement that it should be unlawful to hunt with such an antiquated reminder of bygone days.

“ It will only be successful in scaring the deer into the next county where our permits won’t be valid,” was their comment.

They felt confident toting their telescopic 30-06′s sighted in to zero at 200 yards, requiring a slight holdover to reach out to 400.  On the other hand, my Sharps 50/70 would printing dead center at 100 yards and required the same holdover to hit 150 yards.  Knowing this, I felt myself at no less disadvantage.  I had owned the carbine ever since I ordered it from my Dad’s store some 10 years earlier out of Shotgun News. Since that time, I have fired hundreds of rounds through her.  I  knew exactly how she’d perform.

Ever Since I Was A Young Lad…The 50/70 Takes Me Back…

During the early 1970′s while attending High School, I became fascinate with the Indian War period and Old West cartridges.  Thumbing through shotgun news one day, I ran on to an add to buy a Garrett Arms sharps carbine chambered for both 45 and 50/70.  I originally wanted a carbine in .45/70, but as they were sold out, I opted for the .50/70.  I didn’t know much about the 50/70 and wasn’t so sure I’d made a good choice, but after finding that it was the most common chambering, I was elated.

Shortly after the Civil War, the U.S. military had an extreme quantity of left over muzzle loading muskets.  By this time, metallic cartridges had made the muzzle-loaders obsolete.  The war debt had taken it’s toll on the economy and so the Springfield Armory was given the task to develop a single-shot breech loader utilizing as many musket parts as possible.  E.S. Allen, the Master Armorer, devised a way to mill the lower section of the .58 caliber barrels and added a breech that pivoted to allow insertion of a cartridge.  These first conversions were known as the model 1865 and chambered a .58 caliber rimfire metallic cartridge.  After the decision was made to move toward center-fire priming, the bore was reduced to .50 caliber via a liner brazed into the .58 caliber barrels.  Thus the .50/70 cartridge was born which used 70 grains of FG black powder and a 450 grain lead slug.  This model was called the 1866 Springfield.

Sometime in 1868, the Ordnance Department reviewed the 1866 Springfield and made improving suggestions.  One suggestion was to attach a separate receiver on to a threaded barrel. The breach block to simplified and a graduated leaf slide rear sight was added.  Barrels from this point on would be newly manufactured for the .50/70.

The last change was that the barrel as well as the stock was shortened from the former three-band musket to a two-bander with a barrel of only 32 ½ inches.  Further improvements would eventually develop into the famed .45/70 trapdoor that saw service as the military long arm for over twenty years.  However, for a few years the .50/70 reigned king.

Beside Springfield, other arms makers like C. Sharps, Remington and Winchester capitalize on the new “improved” .50/70 by chambering many of their  to except the cartridge.  In the case of Winchester, they came out with a .50/110 which was nothing more than a glorified .50/70.  The .50/70 was the basis of all the larger .50 Sharps rounds used during the hay day of the buffalo hunters.

During the early 1870′s the Sharps .50/70 carbine was the standard in the U.S. Cavalry.  It was a strong, reliable arm that was suited for horseback.  My Garrett Arms reproduction is very nicely created utilizing a milled out block steel instead of being a cast.  This method is much more stronger and gives up to an attractive case hardening.  The nicely blued barrel and case hardened frame match nicely with the wood.  My only reservation being that the arm is no longer reproduced.  Luckily, I had ordered some replacement mainsprings and other small replacement parts before the company went out of business.

Factory ammunition for the .50/70 hasn’t been available for 60 years or better, so I ordered a mold from Dixie Gun Works.  It was a copy of a bullet found on a battle field and reproduce by the company at Union City.  Dixie also sent me twenty brass cases that set me back a buck apiece.  I was also able to find a set of dies made by Lyman for a reasonable price.  This completed,  all my reloading needs for the time being was met.  Plumbers lead was plentiful as was fuel for my gas stove so I set to work feverishly trying to fashion some acceptable projectiles.  It took some time before both temperature and mold were hot enough to throw clean, wrinkle free bullets.  After I counted out 20 or 30 good ones, I shut off the stove and retired to the reloading bench.  Reloading for this old timer was a dream.  Up to now, I had been used to the small caliber, bottlenecked cases of my Dad’s .270, or my brother’s .300 Savage.

Not having any data at my disposal for reloading the .50/70, I did know enough about early cartridge nomenclature to put 70 grains of FFG black powder in the case.  To my surprise, it filled the shell almost to the top.  Not wanting to chance skyrocketing myself through the roof in the attempt to compress the charge, I back down to 60 grains and capped it off with the 422 grain slug previously hand lubricated with Alox bullet lube.  I marveled at the size and inherent beauty of the completed specimen ( they reminded me of miniature how

itzer shells).

Time To Shoot The 50/70 Loads I Had Made…WOW!

Excitement overwhelmed me and after 20 rounds were completed, I grabbed the gun and the car keys and was off to the old dump.  The old dump was where we did most of our range shooting, and because of all the old junk lying around, we were never in want of something to shoot at.  It was located only five minutes down a dirt road from my house ( a luxury I took for granted as now I have to drive a good half hour away from the city each way).

Pacing off a 100 yards, I let the first round fly.  It didn’t kick nearly as much as I suspected!  Part of it may have been because I didn’t know what to expect, or it may have been because my eyes were screwed shut.  Anyway, I not only missed the target, but the whole cardboard freezer box the target was affixed to.  Careful scrutiny found a large “furrow” in the dirt just left and about 3 feet low of the box.  Tapping the front sight the proper direction, I settled down for round number two.  This one did strike the box in the bottom left hand corner.  Soon, I had it hitting with some consistently just below the black.  The best three-shot group I could muster was about seven inches.  I couldn’t have been more excited if I had shot sub ½” groups with my scoped .308 Winchester.  Later load experimentation would have that group down around 3 inches.  One nice thing about the .511 inch slug was the fact that I usually could see the hole in the paper without running up to the target.

50/70 Over 35 Years Ago…Thoughts And Experiences

It’s been over 35 years since that summer day with the Sharps out at the old dump, and I have tried loads using black powder, smokeless and a mixture of both (or duplex loads as the reloading books call them).  My overall favorite is 28 grains of IMR 4198 (Lyman lists 30 grains as maximum and I always stay about 10% under) with a ½ grain Dacron wad shoved over it to keep the powder sitting on the primer.  To this is added the Dixie 422 grain Indian war slug.  Velocity is supposed to be around 1250 fps, but I can only muster up about 1150.  This loading is so accurate that I haven’t bothered to beef up the velocity.  Switching to black powder, 65 grains will boost you over the 1200 fps mark, but I can’t group any tighter than about six inches.  For those of you who might like to experiment with a mixture, be extra careful.  Too much smokeless will get you in trouble fast.  Start out low and carefully work up watching for any sudden boosts in velocity, recoil or primer “flattening”.  Lyman advertises a load of 7 grains of SR 4759 beneath 63 grains of FFG.  This was a bit to “hot” for my liking, as I never exceed 5 grains and usually stick with 4 and about 60 grains of FFG.  Average velocity for this load was about 1200.  Groups were still around six to seven  inches, but I did notice that the spent cases were not nearly as dirty as with straight black powder.  I like this load when shooting with my Indian War Purists who like to see the smoke billow from the muzzle.  I’ve never been much of a fan of Pyrodex based on the fact that my muzzle loader is a flintlock, but it does work equally as well as black powder with about the same clean-up as the duplex loads.   I have found that Pyrodex works very well in all my black powder cartridge rifles.

I have a friend that works locally at Barnes Bullets.  He gave me a couple of boxes of .510 jacketed soft points for use in loading the Winchester .50/110.  They are only 300 grains, but shoot well.  I tested them with 32 grains of IMR 4198 for approximately 1500 feet per second.  I also like 39 grains of IMR 3031 for a velocity of 1460 feet per second.  I would only suggest that this loading be used in replicas where modern steel is used.  I wouldn’t shoot too many of them in an original 1868 Trapdoor.  The old barrels are just too soft.  Besides, I’m a purest at heart and the sight of a .50/70 case with a jacketed bullet stuck in it just doesn’t look right.  The IMR 3031 loading gave me the best grouping at just under 2 ½ inches for three shots.

I always make sure that any load for the Sharps carbine is ballistically safe and sound to chamber and fire in my original 1868 Springfield. I don’t want to ruin an old relic nor myself by accidentally loading a hot one.  This is a good rule to live by in the event you have two or more rifles of various age and strength.

The Springfield, which according to serial number, was made early in 1870, is in excellent condition.  There is very little pitting on the metal, no major dings in the stock, and the bore is mirror bright.  I haven’t owned this beauty nearly as long as the Sharps, but have already grown quite attached to it.  With any of the before mentioned loads, the longer barrel shoots an average of fifty feet per second faster.

One duplex loading I liked for the Springfield was 4 grains of Hercules Green Dot over the primer with 50 grains of FFG.  I always use a wad with a duplex load loaded with less than 60 grains of black powder.  This is because of the possibility that the smokeless and black powder might mix during the normal transport of the ammunition. This loading produced a velocity of about 1200 fps, the original velocity for the cartridge.  I started out with 62 grains of FFG, but it chronographed at 1410 fps, a little too hot.  Twenty-eight grains of IMR 4198 shot well with an average group size of  4 inches (3 shots).  Part of the reason for the larger group was due to the front sight being quite a bit thicker than the fine German silver on the Sharps carbine.  The sight was purposely large because it also doubled as the bayonet lug, which secured the blade tightly to the barrel.  At a hundred yards, the front sight completely covered the black on the target.  Although various hardness of lead performed well in the reproduction Sharps, the Springfield liked a diet of soft lead.  The softer lead would swell to fill the three shallow, wide groves necessary to accurately spin the bullet.  I did shoot a couple of jacketed, 300 grain Barnes bullets down the bore, a habit I don’t want to get into, just to see what would happen.  They grouped good enough for hunting, but printed about a foot high.  All in all, I was pleased with the 128 year old Indian War veteran.

Velocity around 1200 fps may seem slow by today’s standards, but these large, lead slugs pack mega- momentum.  On one occasion, I was out cutting wood for my father.  During a water break, I pulled the Sharps carbine out and fired into one of the spruce rounds expecting to recover the slug for inspection.  To my surprise, the slug went clean through more than a foot of solid spruce and across the flat into a nearby hillside.  From then on, I gained a lot of respected for the penetrating ability of the .50/70 and those large, heavy bullets.  I wouldn’t hesitate in the least to use it on game heavier than deer at short range.

That Early Morning Deer And The 50/70 Meet

As the subject is back to deer, I will continue my hunting story.  Three O’clock that afternoon found me trudging across ravine after ravine chasing three does who seemed to know I had a shorter range weapon in hand.  My companions had already filled their tags, which only amplified the ridicule I was receiving.  I took it all in stride knowing full well that sooner or later I would find one within the range of the old .50/70.  One of them came upon me lying on my stomach watching several does grazing in a field some 250 yards off.

“Come on, try a shot,” he said, wanting me to hurry and fill my tag so he return to town and a hot meal.  I smiled knowing that it would be pure luck to hit one and an insult to the creatures to even try.

“Here, take my rifle and shoot one,” he begged, but I declined.

It wasn’t that the rifle wouldn’t kill cleanly at that range, or that the bullet wouldn’t carry the distance, but rather the fact that a 422 grain slug traveling the speed of sound has a rather curved trajectory – not unlike the arc created by throwing a baseball.  Even though my pet came with a graduated, ladder rear sight,  I would have to guess the range within + or – 25 yards to score a hit.  Picking  myself from off the rock, I agreed to go back to town.  I’ll come back tomorrow and finish the hunt by myself.

I did not have to wait until the next day.  As we were driving back down the dusty road, three does jumped down off the hill and disappeared in the ravine below.  Knowing the road looped around to where the deer were running, we circled to the top and I got out of the pickup.  Sticking three shells between my fingers ( a practice extremely common among soldiers 125 years ago), I levered the action of the Sharps, jammed a shell in and waited.  The wait wasn’t long. The lead doe emerged from out of the ravine very much surprised to see me.  Whirling, I fired.  The doe went down as if struck by lightning at a range of about 30 yards.  The heavy, lead slug struck her in the neck, traveled completely through her body and angled up and out her back just behind the last rib.  The 422 grain slug also struck a 2 inch branch on a nearby tree, severing it completely.  As I was cleaning the carcass, the spent bullet, which had lost only 10 grains of it’s original weight (I put in on the scales when I returned home), was lying nearby on the ground.

Yes, I bypassed the .308 in my gun cabinet and went straight for the Sharps.  I had faith in her ability to bring home the bacon and she has yet to disappoint me weather on the shooting range or in the field.  My two hunting companions didn’t bother me anymore after seeing the ease of which the Sharps carbine dropped the deer.  I could tell they were developing somewhat more respect for the old – time cartridge by they way it was being eyed over on the way back home.  I  think the hunting world puts too much emphases on trying to choose the best optics, or the fastest – sub minute – of -  angle weapons.   Instead, I prefer returning to the basics.  Out of respect for the basics, we are where we are today!

Gary Griffin

www.defenseactions.com

Here is a report of this year’s National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor trade show held in Las Vegas in mid-January.

For the third year the largest show of its kind in the world was held at the Sands Exposition center.  Two floors with large main halls and side rooms housed, according to NSSF’s press release, 1600 exhibitors.  Over 61,000 people attended the four-day event, over 36,300 were buyers, and 2100 plus media people reported on the state of the industry.  It was a huge success according to all who attended.  I spent three almost full days checking out the displays and speaking with the manufacturers and professionals, even winning a drawing and answering a question that got me a Para-Ord black knit cap!

Self-defense products are really increasing in the market, as are any items related to the AR-15 and AK weapon systems. Foreign manufacturers from Israel, Turkey, China, Russia, Europe, South America, the Phillipines and the US showed their wares. Ammunition, firearms and accessories filled aisle after aisle on both floors of the show.  You will probably see the new items in the print magazines in the next 2-3 months, and many websites have already posted their impressions of products they saw.  For me, most impressive this year was how well organized the exhibit halls were.  For the first two years, the main halls were confusing in lay out and hard to navigate.  I will admit several times I got so turned around and lost I finally walked to a wall and found an exit, then got oriented from there.  No problem this year.  While my feet and hips let me know I’d walked nearly all of the aisles, it was invigorating to see that the industry is healthy and growing, despite the nay-sayers on the left.

Utah “Represents” at the 2012 SHOT Show!

This year I was particularly interested to see the number of Utah based companies at the show.  Browning is probably the largest Utah-based entity, Action Target had a great display along with a recently acquired paper target company, greatly adding to their product line.  I entered a drawing there and won a belt drop pouch used to retain your empty AR magazines.  Berry’s Manufacturing of St. George showed off their bullets and reloading supplies and I got to spend a moment with Sandy Chisholm of North American Arms looking at the new offerings from the Provo based company.  Years ago, I had the opportunity to assist Mr. Chisholm in preparing to receive his Utah Concealed Firearm permit. Watch for a factory visit report in the next few weeks here at Defense Actions.
Barnes Bullets, now part of the Freedom Group, had their bullets on display and Coni Brooks invited Defense Actions to visit their Mona, Utah plant in the near future.  Cobra Arms of Salt Lake City showed off their self-defense handguns, and Silencerco continued to show their growing line of suppressors.  They are a true success story.  LAR Manufacturing of West Jordan showed their innovative AR top ends with a unique side-mounted charging handle.  Double Tap Ammunition from Cedar City had a great selection of ammo, including many hard to find calibers for rifles and handguns.  Desert Tactical showed their innovative bull-pup configured rifles with the .338 Lapua caliber being featured.  Gunnision, Utah based Christensen Arms is well known for top-end hunting rifles with the carbon fiber wound barrels.  Now they have an AR-15 that has to be hefted to be believed!  Utah was well represented in the 2012 SHOT Show.

The 2012 SHOT Show “People”…”An Armed Society is a Polite Society”

In several years of attending the SHOT Show, the people are what make it enjoyable for me.  This industry has some of the best, brightest, helpful and polite humans I’ve ever associated with.  Gun people are simply “good” people. The main-stream media says we are all a bunch of uncouth red-necks out to kill everything and everyone in sight as well as calling names that can’t be repeated in polite company.  The tools we use are demon-ized and given evil characteristics.  You know the garbage that comes from that source.  I don’t know how many times I heard “Please”, “Thank You”, “Excuse me or Pardon me”, all the civil things that good people do.  More than once I saw someone drop something or need a hand and several people grabbed the item and returned it or stood to allow a person with a wheelchair to go first.  It was nothing like what those media liberals say and write.  One of my good friends pointed out the truth expressed by author Robert Heilein, “An armed society is a polite society.”  He said it with a smile as we had discussed how friendly and helpful everyone was, be they exhibitors, information people, security or some one just passing by.   It was all good vibes, great products and the great people who make them. An amazing 2012 SHOT Show!

Also noted is how often I go to SHOT Show and wind up running into people I know from home.  Mike Davis works for Desert Tactical, I knew him in his previous employment.  Ron Davies from Gunnies in Orem was talking with Coni Brooks at the Barnes Bullet display.  I ran into Nick Roberts from the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office, several people I’ve worked with in the Friends of NRA program along with some well-known shooters and industry people.  I was third in line to get an autographed picture from TAC-TV’s Larry Vickers.  I shook hands with Richard Marcinko, author of the Rogue Warrior books and founder of Seal Team 6.  Author and Vietnam era Special Forces vet John Plaster was gracious as always.  I spoke with several professional shooters from Glock and Smith and Wesson, got signed pictures from the female shooters for my disabled son.  The pictures now are hanging by his bed.  Richard Davis, for developing body armor is quite a character to talk with.   The late Col. Jeff Cooper’s daughter Lindy was promoting her father’s books and the training at Gunsite.  We shared a laugh when I mentioned I could picture her father’s raised eyebrow at all the “stuff” people have to hang on their rifles and pistols these days.  It was an almost mind bending experience to see and talk with so many of the people I’ve seen on TV or have read their articles and books.  I ran into some instructor friends and just people I’ve met before. It felt like a big family reunion at times.  The whole atmosphere is one of excitement and energy with a constant buzz of conversation that can be almost overwhelming the first time you experience it.  One of our crew said it was larger and noisier than he imagined it would be, and he was as tired at the end of the day as the rest of us.  One thing we were never too tired for was food, and we did some pretty good damage to some of the buffets in Las Vegas.

That winds up my report from this year’s NSSF, 2012 SHOT Show, look for some Utah factory visits and hopefully product reviews at www.DefenseActions.com. 

Steven Beckstead

www.defenseactions.com

Frank and George Freund were German immigrants intoAmerica.  As craftsmen in Europe were a dime a dozen, the two gunsmiths fell into westward migration inAmericaand finally set up shop inDenver,Colorado.   Following the construction of the railroad, they had established their shops in various locations as the centers of commerce moved west.  Some think that Frank had an association with Jim White, a notorious buffalo hunter where he is said to have done some buffalo hunting as well as gold prospecting.  North Platte, Julesburg and laterDurango, all entertained Freund shops at one time or another.   Frank was the inventor, and George was a fine craftsman, and the two complimented each other very well.  The Freunds did not build complete rifles, but rather “improved” existing ones.  Things such as adding a double extractor to the already popular Sharps buffalo rifle which allowed even pressure on the spent casing to ease extraction.  Other improvements were sights, notably the “More Light Sights” which also became a Freund patent.

     Users of Freund firearms were among the prominent citizens of the times.  They included Civil War Generals Phil Sheridan, Edwin M. McCook, Wesley Merritt, and George Crook.  The famous scout, John Phipps, who rode 236 miles in three days through a blizzard with the news of the Fetterman disaster packed one.  John Hutton, friend of Jim Bridger, General George W. Wingate, President of the NRA 1886 to 1900, William F. Cody aka “Buffalo Bill”, Carl Schurz, Secretary of the Interior, Webb Hayes, grizzly hunter, Luke Vorhees, Supt. of Black Hills Stage Line, and C. F. Zimmerman, gunsmith and arms dealer in Dodge City, all whom were owners of Freund rifles.  Also among the list were four professional hunters, George Riley, Harry Tount, John Terry, and J. A. Milne. Then there was Major J. H. Smith, known as “Hell Roaring Jake” Smith In later years.  The Freunds also made improvements on rifles for Theodore Roosevelt. 

          Freund modified rifles cost more than the standard rifles of the day, and for this reason, it is not surprising that some of the owners of Freund rifles were men of distinction. It is also certain that any admirers of fine rifles, and fine craftsmanship will hold these rifles in great esteem. Add in a history coupled with excellent provenance to an historic figure and you have a real piece of history in your hands.

  Freund and Remington…        

Now for some trivial history on the Remington Rolling block.  Leonard Geiger who worked for Remington Firearms, patented a single-shot, breech loading mechanism for use with metallic cartridges in 1863. Geiger’s design was modified by Joseph Rider, Remington’s Plant Supervisor in 1864. Further improvements of the design in 1865 and 1866 culminated in the Remington-Rider rolling block action.  The Remington rolling block quickly became known as one of the strongest and most reliable actions of the era. While theUSmilitary contracts were small, foreign contracts from dozens of countries poured in.

        Remington produced more than one and a half million rifles by the beginning of the 20th century, however, the development of repeating arms drastically reduced the military usefulness of the Rolling Block.  None the less, these rifles were still being used by major powers through WWI and by smaller nations well into the 1930′s. The Remington Rolling Block, and the Sharps were without a doubt the world’s two most accurate rifle of the time and this was clearly demonstrated during the international rifle matches of 1874.

Pawn Shop Freund…    

A Freund modified Remington came into my hands while perusing a local pawn shop one afternoon.  Any item of antiquity always attracts my attention, but this one was different.  I am familiar with most 19^th century breach loaders, and hadn’t seen one quite like this one.  The shop owner obviously didn’t know what it was as it became mine for the nominal price of $250.   I completed the paperwork, opened my wallet, grabbed up the rifle and went home to research it’s history.   It wasn’t until then that I was exposed to the realm of Freund modified firearms.  A quick cast of the chamber told me is was made for the .50US Government, or .50/70.  As the .50/70 is one of my favorite old time cartridges, I already had bullet molds, dies, cases and reloading data on hand.  To my pleasure, I found it also liked many of the same loads that I had worked up for the 1868 Springfield Trapdoor. 

 Comparing it to my original 1869 Remington chambered in .43 Spanish, I attempted to figure out the extent of the modification.  As near as I could tell, the only area affected seemed to be the breach/receiver retaining even the original trigger mechanism and guard, but the side plates were Freund manufacture.  The original hammer looked the same but with the “wheel” ground off or removed.  Instead of having to pull (roll)the breech block down, a hinged side plate was put in place which allowed the shooter to access the chamber by back by swinging the breach block to the right.

The only real advantage  to the Freund design it that by placing pressure in a downward motion to the breach block while open creates a cam action to the extractor which will facilitate the removal of a stuck case should it occur.

 Other than that, there is not real advantage of one over the other.  They are both easily loaded with about the same speed and appear to be equally strong.  From what I have read of the Freunds, extraction of stuck cases must have been somewhat of an issue at the time as several of their improvements were geared towards it. 

          I haven’t been able to tell if there have been any alterations to the sights (another area of Freund improvement), as they varied even from model to model on the Remington.  Some sights flipped up forward, other backward but I have seen this on several rolling block models.  From my understanding of the Freund “More light sight”, was just to allow for better sighting when using a tang sight by folding out of the way.  It wasn’t an actual improvement to the sight itself. 

All in all, my research into the Freund operation has left me with a better understanding of what it took to survive on the frontier in 19^th centuryAmerica.  Frank and George found that not only were their improved designs desired, it also gave them a name of trust and reliability.  A good gunsmith was needed from day to day not only to  fix guns, but as they were usually equally good blacksmiths, were needed fix many other broken implements as well.  Not all of the Freunds work was expensive improvements for firearms, but anything else that could generate business, as money was scarce on the frontier.

Gary Griffin

www.defenseactions.com

]]> http://www.defenseactions.com/historyantiques/a-freund-remington/feed 0 http://www.defenseactions.com/historyantiques/black-powder-scatter-gunning http://www.defenseactions.com/historyantiques/black-powder-scatter-gunning#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:43:47 +0000 garygriffin http://www.defenseactions.com/?p=1593 Scatter Gun, The Old Fashioned Way.

The late November chill was in the air as Matt and I settled down in our previously constructed duck blind.  At this time of year the reservoir was low, leaving behind a myriad of dried moss and reeds that were very much buoyant during the summer when the water level was higher.  Ducks had been flying for the past hour, and we were anxious to get in some shooting.  The blinds circular framework of sticks was filled with rusty brown moss made brittle by the suns early winter rays.  Weaving the moss carefully around the sticks make a sturdy blind deceiving the wariest of ducks passing overhead.  It was the perfect habitat for ducks that had not yet migrated.

The position of the blind was carefully chosen in a spot surrounded by not only the water’s edge, but by many small streams that flowed slowly into what water remained to be called Wide Hollow Reservoir.  Wide Hollow Reservoir is located just two miles from my home town of Escalante, nestled deep in Southern Utah, a place where, as a kid, I learned to fish, ice skate and swim.  Now, thirty years later,  it played host to a sanctuary of mallards, teal and assorted other species of quackers known to my brother-in-law Matt, who was a very experienced duck hunter.  As such, he had most preparations for the hunt already made, and all I really had to do was show up with my gun.

I volunteered to pack the decoys across the soggy wetlands to the blind to get myself geared up for hunting, a habit I got into hunting with my father.  I had grown used to the fact that before you actually got any hunting in, you had to walk about 4 miles up and down hills to exhaust yourself in order to give the game a fair chance.   Of course, that was back before four- wheelers and snowmobiles.  My father humored us, as I’m sure Matt was doing at this moment with me.  Along with duck calling gear, he also brought Gunner and Moose, his two prize chocolate Labrador retrievers who didn’t mind swimming out into the icy water for a luckless foe.

Another lesson I learned that day was the value of bringing a good hunting dog.  In below freezing weather he was invaluable for retrieving ducks.  As Gunner and Moose were well trained, there was really no work to be done.   Once the blinds were constructed all we did was set back and wait for the ducks to respond to the calls and hopefully see our decoys.  Inside the blind, the icy wind quit biting my exposed flesh and I began contemplating various comforts of home I could bring out with us tomorrow morning – a softer seat, perhaps an old rug to throw on the ground, a thermos of hot chocolate and more donuts, even a DVD player crossed my mind.  Definitely, I would need a warmer coat and hat!

In addition to hauling the decoys on my back, in my hand I carried a muzzle loading, “12 gauge double” made in England by William Moore back in the 1850′s.   It’s antique wood and age browned Damascus twist barrels contrasted sharply against the synthetic stock and highly polished steel of Matt’s modern pump action.  I have had an addiction to black powder ever since I discovered it back in the early 1970′s attending High School in Escalante.  Even now, black powder muzzle loaders and breach loaders all but fill my gun safe.  I have found them not only fun, but practical alternatives to today’s much-to-modern society where computers and state of the art inventions make the arm chair, couch potato lifestyle much too conducive.   The ability for me to get away and hunt like my great-great grandfather puts much enjoyment back into hunting.  I am always more excited to bring back a small, two-point buck that I took with my Kentucky rifle, than I am with a .270 Winchester.  As game gets scarce, and my inability to draw out for hunts increases, I like to take full advantage of what chances I do get by using muzzle loaders.  For me, it puts hunting back into the hunt.

Realistically, I didn’t really consider myself handicapped by packing the 12 gauge reminder of days gone by.  True, a modern shotgun can be reloaded faster, but after two or three shots, the birds were out of range anyway and we had to wait for more ducks to answer the calls.  Inside two minutes, I was ready to go again, stoked with 1 1/4 oz of bismuth shot over 80 grains of FFG black powder, my velocity was right around 1200 FPS (Feet Per Second).  The same load of 1 1/4  ounce of steel shot in Matt’s modern pump was exiting the barrel at about 1300 feet per second.  I wasn’t disadvantaged too much on the range either, since he was using steel shot which made his practical range about 30 yards – about the same as the cylinder bore barrels of the percussion double using bismuth shot.

Steel shot is not recommended for use in muzzle loaders, so one must turn elsewhere if he wants to hunt duck or other water fowl where the use of “non toxic” shot is required.  Two alternatives, that I’m aware of, are available to the black powder hunter if he doesn’t mind paying a premium price – bismuth and Hevi-Shot, the latter made from a tungsten alloy, nickel, and iron with a density of 12 ( lead is about 11.5).  Bismuth had a density of about 9, and steel is only slightly over 7.  Whether you choose Hevi-Shot or Bismuth Shot, they perform similar to lead but cost between $70 and $85 for a 7-pound bag.

The Scatter Gun I Came Upon By Chance…

Of all the black powder arms available to today’s enthusiasts, the muzzle loading scatter gun was the last for me to pick up.  After owning one now for about 5 years, I can’t figure out why I waited so long to take up the challenge.  I walked into a  pawn shop one day, and before long,  my eyes first fell upon the antique Damascus twist barrels of an old English double fowler made by Soper of Reading (so it states on the gun).  Being in relatively good shape for its age, it was advertised as a 12 gauge.  I bought it up for less than the price of a modern replica and delightfully took it home.  Further investigation found the thin barrels to be 16 gauge instead of 12, but I still couldn’t have been more elated.

I had a good gunsmith check it out, and replacing both nipples, then decided to take her out for an afternoon shooting session.  Being a little concerned for my new 150 year old friend, I decided on 50 grains of FFG over 3/4 ounce of shot ( a light load listed in the Lyman black powder handbook for a 20 gauge).  It shot wonderfully, and with very little recoil.  I was able to break a few clay pigeons without much effort as long as I didn’t let them get too far out.  Antique shotguns made before 1875, were most generally cylinder bored as the practice of choking didn’t really hit the scene until afterward, however, I was still able to do quite well out to about 25 or so yards, any further, and there wasn’t any guarantee.  Handling the load well, I soon decided to try a bit heavier load in the Soper thinking I may one day want to hunt with her.  My maximum load, which seemed to perform about as good as I could get, was 60 grains of 2F black powder and 1 ounce of shot.  This load not only breaks clays, but kills rabbits, crows and squirrels if I keep shots to 25 yards or less.

As black powder scatter gunning begin to grow on me, I decided to purchase another old original in 12 gauge, if for no other reason than they both look rather well hanging above the fireplace.  My wife, who has never understood my shooting/gun frenzy, agrees.  The only thing better that a double barrel muzzle loading shotgun is to own two of them.  Having an extra one around is handy if a friend or family member want to tag along.

Black Powder Scatter Gun Loading

For those of you contemplating a muzzle-loader shotgun, I will outline the basic procedure for loading and shooting them.  The composition of a modern shotgun shell reveals the loading process of a black powder scatter gun.

First, place the hammer(s) on half- cock, then pour the powder (carefully measured) down each barrel. With the muzzel pointed in a safe direction away from face and body, lightly tap the butt of the gun on the ground to settle the powder in the breach.  An overshot card is then placed in the muzzle and pushed down on top of the powder charge with the ramrod.  The ramrod of a black powder shotgun should be wide enough to keep the card/wad from slipping sideways as it’s seated.  Following the over powder card, the cork, or fiber wad is placed on top followed by the shot.  Lastly, an over shot card is placed on top to keep the shot in place.  Be sure to remove the ramrod before placing a cap on each nipple.  Each successive shot(s) are accomplished by repeating this loading procedure.
For those of you who are new to the muzzle loading scatter gun, I will give you some standard loads to get you started that have been approved by several black powder manuals.

Beings most original replica black powder shotguns are either 20, 12 or 10 gauge, I will list a few suggested loads for each.  Included are a few loads for the 28 and 32 gauge which were
somewhat popular during the latter part of the 18^th century.

GAUGE          POWDER CHARGE             OUNCES OF SHOT              TYPE OF

(in grains)                                                                           LOAD

32                                40                                            ½                                    field/target
28                                40                                            ½                                    target
28                                50                                            3/5                                 field
20                                55                                            3/4                                 target
20                                60                                            7/8                                 field
20                                70                                              1                                   Heavy

12                                60                                              1                                    light
12                                65                                            1 1/8                              target
12                                75                                            1 1/8                              field
12                                80                                            1 1/4                              field
12                                90                                            1 1/4                              heavy field
12                                100                                          1 1/2                              heavy

10                                100                                         1 3/8                              light
10                                110                                          1 1/2                              field
10                                115                                          1 5/8                              heavy

Lead shot can be found in most retail sporting good stores in bags of 5 to 25 lbs.  for modern softshell loading purposes.  This same shot is used in muzzle loaders.  Shot size ranges from 0 and 00 Buck to #9 (largest to smallest).  Below is a practical shot guide to allow the shooter to better suite his or her needs.
Buckshot is generally used for deer, or other larger animals such as coyote, bobcat wolves etc.  The other sizes with their general application are listed below.

#2                    geese
#4                    ducks, crows
#5                    ducks, crows, rabbits
#6                    ducks, crows, rabbits, pheasant
#7 ½              pheasant, grouse, trap
#8                    woodcock, quail, dove, trap
#9                    dove, skeet

For those of you wanting to take on the challenge of black powder shotgunning, a nice, practical gun can be picked up from places like Dixie Gun Works, Inc.  Gunpowder Lane, Union City TN.  38261.   Most larger sporting good outlets or stores stock them, or can even order them for you, or you might just luck out like I did and find a nice one in a pawn shop.  Any way you look at it, shooting is cheap, fun and full of enjoyment for all ages.  My two daughters, ages 12 and 16, enjoy shooting my 12 and 16 gauge front loaders and have even learned to load and shoot them.  I consider it very cheap and enjoyable fun for the whole family.  If the intent is for serious hunting, I have found that once you understand and adhere to a few reasonable limitations, you can bring home game as with any other modern firearm.  The difference I find in taking up a muzzle loading firearm,  is that I find myself hunting rather than shooting any shot that comes along.   I know that after one shot, (two for the double) the game will be long gone before I could reload.

Gary R. Griffin

www.defenseactions.com

The term we often use when a firearm discharges unintentionally is “accidental discharge”.  In most cases, a more accurate term would be “negligent discharge” as a safety rule was neglected or forgotten or worse yet, ignored.  Those who are involved in firearms instruction and training hear stories about or witness discharges that were not intended.  In the courses I’m involved in, be they NRA, Utah CFP, Armed Officer or BSA, one principal is emphasized.  When the firearm discharges, (goes Bang) intentionally or not, usually a human is involved and at some point safety was bypassed.  An example I use is the “Ignorance and Carelessness” statements heard after a discharge occurs.  “I didn’t know it was loaded,” reflects the person’s lack of knowledge on how the firearm works and how to check if rounds are present and chambered.  “It went off by itself,” shows that most of the time the person pulled the trigger but was not conscious of the fact or they don’t want to own up to what they did; pull the trigger. On a few rare occasions, the “Bang”  is attributed to a mechanical failure that led to the discharge.

In observing new firearms handlers, their trigger finger automatically falls on the trigger.  That is due to the way the firearm is designed; the pointer or forefinger is aligned with the trigger and naturally goes to the face of the trigger.  The command to “Keep the finger straight” gets frequently repeated.  In working for the local Boy Scout Council at summer and short-term camps, I would remind the boys and others regularly to keep their finger off the trigger when not actually firing.  One time I said, “If you finger is on the trigger, you owe me a soda pop from the trading post!”  I gave up after a half hour as I would have had GALLONS to consume!  It did get the point across.

3 Incidents Where The BANG Could Have Been Avoided.

Here follows three recent incidents where there was a discharge (Bang) and what the cause was determined to be.

Case One:  A female employee of a local armed security company had contacted me to do her state law-mandated ongoing training, which her company, according to her statements, had not been doing.  I proceeded with the state required materials, classroom and then range qualification.  She was using a Smith and Wesson M&P semi-auto pistol.  Dry practice revealed little training had been received from her company.  This was one of the reasons she had requested the training from me.  Her fundamentals were fair, and with coac

hing, improved nicely.  In timed fire, she was a bit slow in presentation from the holster, but she was safe and met the state-required score.  Later she asked to attend another scheduled on-going training taught by my partner and me.  She was on my training partners side of the range and during a timed fire, drew and fired too fast.  My partner yelled for me to check him for holes as he was asking if she was all right.  No leaks were found, but a hole was discovered in his shirttail.  It shook the woman up so much that she left the range, very distressed about the “near wounding” of her instructor.  Later she apologized, in tears and still very upset.  We did not see her after that and do not know how she is fairing or if she still works in armed security. That is certainly a “bang” you don’t want to be a part of.
Cause of Discharge: Finger on the trigger in the holster during presentation.  I do not know if the stress of the timed string of fire, or the distractions of several people shooting caused her to move too fast.

Case Two:  An armored car guard was clearing his Smith &Wesson M&P semi-auto pistol in the company’s clearing barrel at his terminal.  Standard operating procedure (SOP) is to point the firearm in the clearing barrel during loading and unloading, be it a revolver or semi-auto.  He experienced what he described as a “slam-fire” as he released the slide after clearing the chambered round; meaning, as the slide returned to the forward position, he experienced the “Bang” you don’t want to experience.  The bullet was contained in the clearing barrel, no injury occurred, (thank heavens) but something was not right about the discharge.  How did a second cartridge get in firing position?  The company asked me to evaluate the handgun to see if it was in working condition and also to try to re-create the discharge.  Upon examination, the firearm was in factory-stock condition, worked as designed, and I

could not get it to do what the employee claimed happened.  Upon further discussion, it was revealed  that he had not removed the magazine FIRST before clearing the chamber.  Company training procedure is to remove the ammunition source, then clear the chamber. (as it should be for anyone, or any company.)
Cause of Discharge: Failure to follow correct unloading sequence.
Lesson learned: Use the clearing barrel (Point it in a Safe Direction) and remove the magazine first.  As an aside to this, I’ve noted in many media portrayals of unloading semi-auto weapons, it is done backwards:  jack the slide to the rear and then drop the magazine.  The lesson from this is; to avoid this kind of “bang”  DON’T DO IT THE “HOLLYWOOD” WAY!

In an earlier contribution to the Defense Actions blog, I mentioned the “dirty little secrets” I share with students in Utah Concealed Firearm Permit courses.  The one that gets the most attention and even shocked reactions is when I point out that the police do not have to even show up if you call for help using the 9-1-1 emergency phone system. 

I’ve been aware of this for a long time and find that this fact is not well known and even hidden in some areas.  Where I live, there are billboards that proclaim “Save a Life, Report a Fire, Stop a Crime: Dial 9-1-1”.  With the facts I will present below you will quickly learn that this billboard and most police agencies mis-lead the public they supposedly serve, about their “duty to protect”.

Concerning whether the police and/or the government can or will protect you; Yes, Truly, a Dirty Little Secret
:

 From “Taking Chances or Making Choices” by Elizabeth J. Swasey, American Guardian Magazine, (now First Freedom) May 1997 issue, page 26:

 “As courts have held’…a government and its agents are under no general duty to provide public services, such as police protection to any particular individual citizen…”
Warren v. District of Columbia 444 AA.2d1(D.C.App181)

Or put another way, “[T]here is no constitutional right to be protected by the state against being murdered by criminals or madmen.”
Bowers v. Devito, 686F.2d 616 at 618 (7^th Cir. 1982).

From “Safe, Not Sorry” by Tanya K. Metaska, page 160, Supplement 1:
Using more than thirty cases to make the point, the standard U.S. legal reference American Jurisprudence (57AmJur2d 441), puts it plainly: “In the absence of special circumstances, there is no duty resting on a municipality or other governmental body to provide police protection to any particular person and the government may not be held liable for its failure to do so…”.   In a related section (446) it adds, “even where a person has anticipated harm and requested police protection.”

From “Effective Defense, the Woman, the Plan, the Gun” by Gila May Hays, page 12:

These were eye-opening courts cases and statements.  Here are further facts about 911 calls:

“Gun control proponents have argued that Americans should give up their armaments and rely on the police to protect them.  Realistically, however, police forces are installed to patrol, maintain peace, and investigate crimes after the fact, not prevent the crimes. (Emphasis added) In 1975, three women were raped, sodomized, and terrorized for fourteen hours in Washington D.C.  The police were called in the initial moments of the attack, and four cruisers were dispatched.  None of the victims was able to answer the door, and after five minutes, the officers left.  A second call received a promise of help on the way.  It was later determined that officers were never dispatched to answer the second plea for help.  Fortunately, the women survived.  Lawsuits followed, and in 1981 the Court of Appeals for Washington D.C. ruling on Warren v. District of Columbia, wrote that under American law the “government and its agents are under no general duty to provide public services, such as police protection, to any individual citizen.”

This was the landmark case that blew the cover off of the dirty little secret.  In my area I’ve picked up literature from local law enforcement agencies that basically tells victim

s to “give in” to their attackers and not fight back and to relay on the police to help them.  As an email a friend of mine sent me says, “Why do I carry a gun?  Because I can’t carry a cop.”  Another one I received pointed out that police response times are measured in minutes or longer in certain areas, and a bullet can travel 1250 feet per second.  This is one of those “Do the Math, Idiot” statements. 

Recognized author and expert Don B. Kates wrote the following:  From Don C. Kates Gun Rights column “Gun Permits and the (Non) Right to Police Protection” Handguns Magazine, February/March 2006 issue, page 34:

 “Whenever cities are sued for failure to protect individuals, the mayors send forth their lawyers to invoke the “fundamental principle of American law that a government and its agents are under no general duty to provide public services, such as police protection, to any individual citizen,” though that quote happens to be from a District of Columbia court. The same rule is accepted in every state—see Braswell v. Braswell, 410 S.E.2d 897, 901 (N.C. 1991): “The general common-law rule, known as the public-duty doctrine, is that a municipality and its agents act for the benefit of the public, and therefore, there is no liability for the failure to furnish police protection to specific individuals.” (Emphasis added)

See also Castle Rock, Colo. V. Gonzalez decided by the U.S Supreme Court on June 27, 2005.  The Court ruled in a 7-2 decision that “individuals have no right to police protection under the Federal Constitution.”

The Colorado case was particularly disturbing in that the woman’s three children were murdered by her ex-husband who had violated restraining and protective orders.  When she sued, the court ruled as noted above.  

The earliest I recall reading about this was in Guns and Ammo magazine’s July 1992 article entitled “Dial 9-1-1 and Die” written by Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (JFPO).  This article was expanded in to book form with the same title, written by Attorney Richard W. Stevens.  In it my home state got a tombstone or failing grade after research in  a number of cases where the system did not work and the police did not respond in a timely manner or not at all.  I have in years since met family members of the victims of one of the crimes in the book.  It is sobering to hear their stories.  The book is available from www.JPFO.org.  I often will ask people why the Jews would be interested in preserving the ownership of firearms.  Sadly, few younger people even have a clue as to why this is so important.

In the end, each of us individually is in charge of our own personal safety.  We are the “First Responders” when evil appears and cannot depend on others to do it for us.  This is why we train and prepare, practice and educate.  History has shown repeatedly that the police will not be there and they have no duty to protect you as an individual.  That is why you no longer see the “To Serve and Protect” logo on police vehicles, other than in TV shows and in movies.  They patrol, and respond AFTER something happens.  My many law enforcement friends remind me regularly that they cannot be everywhere, and they pick up the pieces and investigate after something happens.  The good ones realize that.  We should recognize our personal responsibility and prepare for whatever comes.  Now this is no longer a “dirty little secret”.  It has been revealed to the light of day.  Learn from this and prepare accordingly.  Become the sheepdog.

Until next time, stay safe and check six often.

Steven R. Beckstead

www.defenseactions.com