CajunBass
Member
I've had a Thomspon/Center Seneca, in 36 caliber in my gun safe for about twenty year but had never fired it. It had been fired before I got it, I just never had. I've threatened to shoot it, but just never got around to getting the stuff together.
I stopped by a local gun store and noticed they had percussion caps. First time I'd seen them when I was thinking about them, so I picked up a couple of tins, a box of Hornaday round balls, patches, and a can of Pyrodex P. This will probable last me the rest of my life.
This morning I walked down the hill behind the house, just to shoot it to see if it worked. I measured out the powder, put a ball over the patch and tried to start it. Ummm....I guess this is why they say you need a "ball starter." Note to self. Get one. I finally got it started with the ramrod and got it pushed down. Put the ramrod back. Cap the nipple, cock the set trigger and take aim at a stump on the side of the hill. Click/BOOM! A flash and a cloud of smoke. Did I hit the stump? I have no idea.
Repeated the process three or four times. A few minor problems, but I was able to overcome them. Came back and cleaned it up.
This ain't like shooting a 22.
I'll have to take it to the range and actually shoot it at a target before too long and get it shooting where it looks. It might be fun to shoot at squirrels this fall. Note: I did not say "Shoot squirrels. I don't remember the last time I shot anything without a scope sight.
I stopped by a local gun store and noticed they had percussion caps. First time I'd seen them when I was thinking about them, so I picked up a couple of tins, a box of Hornaday round balls, patches, and a can of Pyrodex P. This will probable last me the rest of my life.
This morning I walked down the hill behind the house, just to shoot it to see if it worked. I measured out the powder, put a ball over the patch and tried to start it. Ummm....I guess this is why they say you need a "ball starter." Note to self. Get one. I finally got it started with the ramrod and got it pushed down. Put the ramrod back. Cap the nipple, cock the set trigger and take aim at a stump on the side of the hill. Click/BOOM! A flash and a cloud of smoke. Did I hit the stump? I have no idea.
Repeated the process three or four times. A few minor problems, but I was able to overcome them. Came back and cleaned it up.
This ain't like shooting a 22.
I'll have to take it to the range and actually shoot it at a target before too long and get it shooting where it looks. It might be fun to shoot at squirrels this fall. Note: I did not say "Shoot squirrels. I don't remember the last time I shot anything without a scope sight.
