Civil War Competition shooting

[Jim Watson]

But will I get to fire a Parrot rifle? That's what I really want to shoot. I've shot an 1861 Springfield, 1860 Colt, all that jazz.

I went to a live fire practice - with real cannonballs - and got to powder monkey and fire ordinance. A 20 pounder Parrott is a BIG gun. They were shooting 17 lb zinc shot with pre-engraved copper gas check.
The “grasshopper gun” was small beside it and not real accurate with a roundshot just larger than a golf ball, but it really mowed the grass - or enemy troops - with a bag of musket balls.

A period friction primer is not like the long fuse of the YouTuber, yank the lanyard and Boom, immediately.

ETA
I went to an encampment at Brice’s Crossroads. Not a large event but they had a Whitworth gun. They were shooting blanks but had the distinctive hexagonal “bolt” to show.

I got to the big every five years reenactment at Shiloh.
The gun line was impressive. A lot of the guns had been prepositioned by truck, but there were several proper horse team and limber pieces.

Battery commander and one of his guns



Friends at another reenactment shifting their howitzer in a hurry

 

[Lo-Profile]

2534 miles
I'm gonna pass

 

[dannyd]

The N-SSA Spring Nationals are going to be from May 16 to 19 this year. It's only about an hour and a half drive for me. I might go just to buy some guns that I find interesting.

Back in the day. kids would help where we could. I haven't been to a match in over 50 years, but they were fun to watch.

Back in day, that run on Route 7 from Winchester to Alexander was fun before they made it 4 lanes, especially over the mountain. Double "S" and Horseshoe Turn hanging out the back window of the station wagon.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Is this thing still gonna happen? It's supposed to rain

 

[dave951]

Is this thing still gonna happen? It's supposed to rain

Yup. Did you register?

 

[Appalachiannative]

Yup. Did you register?

Sure did. Didn't know if it was gonna still be going on with the rain.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Had a good ol time at the event today. Watched some cannons go off. Learned a lot of history I didn't know and met some really cool fellas. They split us up into teams for the skirmish part at the end. My team came in 4th out of 4 but that's ok still had fun. Until now I've only shot the Spanish side lock Fantasy rifles this was my first time shooting a civil war style musket then a musketoon. For those interested my ol truck made it there and back incident free . Also my first time being in the presence of a cannon firing live ammo.

 

[Appalachiannative]

Oh and got to handle a real original smith carbine!

 

[dave951]

Oh and got to handle a real original smith carbine!

I'm glad you came out of the hills to shoot. Yeah, it was a bit soggy but we still had a great time with you guys. Welcome to the Church of the Holy Black!

 

[hawg]

I went to a live fire practice - with real cannonballs - and got to powder monkey and fire ordinance. A 20 pounder Parrott is a BIG gun. They were shooting 17 lb zinc shot with pre-engraved copper gas check.
The “grasshopper gun” was small beside it and not real accurate with a roundshot just larger than a golf ball, but it really mowed the grass - or enemy troops - with a bag of musket balls.

A period friction primer is not like the long fuse of the YouTuber, yank the lanyard and Boom, immediately.

ETA
I went to an encampment at Brice’s Crossroads. Not a large event but they had a Whitworth gun. They were shooting blanks but had the distinctive hexagonal “bolt” to show.

I got to the big every five years reenactment at Shiloh.
The gun line was impressive. A lot of the guns had been prepositioned by truck, but there were several proper horse team and limber pieces.

Battery commander and one of his guns

View attachment 1191966

Friends at another reenactment shifting their howitzer in a hurry
View attachment 1191967

Having somebody riding one of the horses pulling the howitzer is a good idea. I was at a reenactment at Corinth one year and the horses pulling a six pounder got scared and went hauling butt across the battlefield with the six pounder bouncing along behind.

 

[Speedo66]

Oh and got to handle a real original smith carbine!

There’s one for sale here if you’d like to have your very own:

WTS 50 Cal. Smith Carbine

One of 30,000 rifles manufactured during the Civil War. Unique break-open design. In very good condition with a bright shiny bore. Originally utilizing a rubber cartridge & fired by a percussion cap. Used by 11 Union regiments and several Confederate units this unusual design proved to be a...

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