Darth Ruger
Member
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2005
- Messages
- 525
Several years ago I was shooting my flintlock rifle at the range, standing and shooting off-hand at 100 yards, doing okay but not as good as usual. I was the only one there with a muzzleloader that day, everyone else was shooting centerfires and rimfires.
At one point, I got powder and ball loaded, but wasn't able to prime the pan and take the shot when the next cease fire was called. I informed the R.O. that I had a load in the rifle, so they made everyone put their hearing protection back on and wait while I finished priming and fired the shot before anyone would be allowed to go down range.
As luck would have it, I had a misfire. The worst part is that as the powder in the pan went POOF, I leaned forward and dropped the muzzle by a good 6-8" at least. I had no idea I was flinching or anticipating the shot that badly until that misfire happened. It wouldn't have been so bad if all 50 or so people on the line hadn't been standing there watching me, and all of them started laughing.
It also took me two more tries to get it to fire (bad flint). :banghead: I couldn't have looked more incompetent if I had been a caveman trying to play the piano.
On the plus side, I learned the value of dry-fire practice that day.
Anyone else brave enough to fess up your most embarrassing moment?
At one point, I got powder and ball loaded, but wasn't able to prime the pan and take the shot when the next cease fire was called. I informed the R.O. that I had a load in the rifle, so they made everyone put their hearing protection back on and wait while I finished priming and fired the shot before anyone would be allowed to go down range.
As luck would have it, I had a misfire. The worst part is that as the powder in the pan went POOF, I leaned forward and dropped the muzzle by a good 6-8" at least. I had no idea I was flinching or anticipating the shot that badly until that misfire happened. It wouldn't have been so bad if all 50 or so people on the line hadn't been standing there watching me, and all of them started laughing.
It also took me two more tries to get it to fire (bad flint). :banghead: I couldn't have looked more incompetent if I had been a caveman trying to play the piano.
On the plus side, I learned the value of dry-fire practice that day.
Anyone else brave enough to fess up your most embarrassing moment?