rio nueces
Member
I've been around shooting for almost 50 years. Good people (some characters), good fun. Owned all kinds of firearms, like most of y'all I'm sure. Used to read the gun magazines, tried almost everything.
Now that I'm older and been through all that I begin to see black powder firearms as guns of 'professionals' - experienced and most knowledgeable people. Not that I am to that level, but think about it. All the improvements in firearm technology have done is make things simpler and more foolproof. Self contained cartridges, non-corrosive primers, easy cleanup, automatic actions - all good and fine, but the guns themselves are no more powerful or accurate. Longer range maybe...but that could be argued.
IF you know about the firearm and its powder, can do take it down and do the cleanup, maybe cast the balls or even make your powder, there is very little you can do with a modern gun that you can't do with a 'primitive' black powder one. And have just as much if not more fun doing it.
And you can keep it running when the gun store shelves are bare and the WalMart's closed..
If you are a hunter, well...you might just have to get closer to that deer, but a pro knows how, and a pro knows his rifle and it's sights because...well, he has taken the time to learn the skills.
A pro doesn't NEED to shoot 400 rounds per range session.
It takes brains to run a Hawken or a trade musket or a cap and ball revolver.
Any gangbanger can make a Glock shoot.
Now that I'm older and been through all that I begin to see black powder firearms as guns of 'professionals' - experienced and most knowledgeable people. Not that I am to that level, but think about it. All the improvements in firearm technology have done is make things simpler and more foolproof. Self contained cartridges, non-corrosive primers, easy cleanup, automatic actions - all good and fine, but the guns themselves are no more powerful or accurate. Longer range maybe...but that could be argued.
IF you know about the firearm and its powder, can do take it down and do the cleanup, maybe cast the balls or even make your powder, there is very little you can do with a modern gun that you can't do with a 'primitive' black powder one. And have just as much if not more fun doing it.
And you can keep it running when the gun store shelves are bare and the WalMart's closed..
If you are a hunter, well...you might just have to get closer to that deer, but a pro knows how, and a pro knows his rifle and it's sights because...well, he has taken the time to learn the skills.
A pro doesn't NEED to shoot 400 rounds per range session.
It takes brains to run a Hawken or a trade musket or a cap and ball revolver.
Any gangbanger can make a Glock shoot.
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