November 2023 Thread

[joecool]

A new month and a new decade. I just crossed the 10-year mark on Ranger Chat. It's been a good place to vent, share, ask questions and learn. I highly recommend it for those of you who haven't gone beyond just reading the posts. Iron sharpens iron, and all that.

I don't pretend to enjoy Halloween, and haven't dispensed candy from my house since the 80's. That being said, my church has hosted a Trunk 'r Treat for the last half dozen years. For whatever reason, but not due to the weather, the number of families coming through was really low this year. But parents were more open to hearing what else our church offered. Last year, this outreach brought one family in to join us. We'll see what happens this time around.

[ccm2361]

Not a Halloween fan either. We haven't participated since 2008 or so. Our church used to do trunk or treat under the previous pastor. Never gained anyone out of that.

Got our first snow Monday. On my way home from work, I saw lots of kids out collecting candy downtown through a driving snow & very cold wind. Only ende dup with a dusting of snow, but it sure was cold.

Typical of early snow, it melted off by 11am the next morning

[joecool]

Well, that was fun. Got a call from my son and drove my truck out to his location. Backed into a shallow ditch with the tailgate down, and he used his jeep's winch to pull a 6-point bull elk 100' into my bed. Literally the easiest recovery in history. A couple of gallons of gas for a couple of steaks.

[Claymore]

Well, that was fun. Got a call from my son and drove my truck out to his location. Backed into a shallow ditch with the tailgate down, and he used his jeep's winch to pull a 6-point bull elk 100' into my bed. Literally the easiest recovery in history. A couple of gallons of gas for a couple of steaks.

That sounds like "Gentleman Elk Hunting".

Did you even get snow on your boots?

[joecool]

That sounds like "Gentleman Elk Hunting". Did you even get snow on your boots?

Umm, it was a warm (35 degrees) afternoon. Shirt-sleeves and tennis shoes. It's hanging in my garage now. The rafters are extra high.

[ccm2361]

Been amighty cold wind blowing this week.

Am getting into black powder shooting. Have a .45 Cal side lock percussion pistol that belonged to my father in law. It has been collecting dust for the last 20 years. Finally decided to take it to a gunsmith back in June. (a minor repair was needed) Just got it back this week. (He was really backed up)
Bought a powder measure, bullet starter & capper.

Now I need
Powder
Percussion caps (really hard to find right now)
lead balls
patches
powder flask

Eager to try it out. But first I need to learn some more.

[joecool]

Good article by Dennis Prager. He brings up how my fellow Montanans supported local Jews back in 1993. I'm buying a couple of mezuzahs today.


https://townhall.com/columnists/dennisprager/2023/11/14/the-little-box-that-could-change-america-n2631168

[ccm2361]

Good article by Dennis Prager.

I heard his radio show that day. Thinking about getting one myself.

I listen to his radio show most days

[Claymore]

Been amighty cold wind blowing this week.

Am getting into black powder shooting. Have a .45 Cal side lock percussion pistol that belonged to my father in law. It has been collecting dust for the last 20 years. Finally decided to take it to a gunsmith back in June. (a minor repair was needed) Just got it back this week. (He was really backed up)
Bought a powder measure, bullet starter & capper.

Now I need
Powder
Percussion caps (really hard to find right now)
lead balls
patches
powder flask

Eager to try it out. But first I need to learn some more.

I've been shooting Black Powder, off & on, since about 1972.

For a .45 pistol, you'll want 3F powder.  Do NOT get Pyrodex, Tripple-7, or these other gee-whiz substitutes.  They are JUNK.  They are harder to ignite, not as consistent in velocities as Black Powder, and they are more corrosive (although you do have to scrub your gun with warm soapy water and then oil it, in any case).   I've got 4 pounds of that goo sitting in my basement, and I only purchased it, because I got it on clearance at something like $8.00 per pound.  ATF makes it difficult for dealers to keep black powder (because pipe-bombs can be made with black powder), but it can be found.

Go to Facebook.  There is a Lansing Michigan Muzzleloading Club.  I will gare-un-tee that they know where to find "Holy Black".  A lot of those clubs have "buying groups".  Because there is a $45.00 HAZMAT fee on all powder shipments, with regular shipping costs added, a 1 pound can may run you $110.00.  But if you put in with 7 other shooters, split an order for 7 more cans, that same pound of powder might run about $40.00.

Here's the Federal Bureaucracy for you: If you and seven other guys all chip in and each purchased a pound of black powder and split the cost, that is perfectly legal.  But if one fellow purchases 3 pounds, you miss the "buy-in", and when he gets it, he sells you a pound, that is a FELONY, because he is acting as a Black Powder Dealer (how 'bout that for some Horse-Sheiss?).  So, if a pound ever falls into your lap, thank the Holy Spirit, and keep your mouth shut.

The interweb says that 30 grains of FFFg should be a good load for that gun (it is a single-barrel, and not a revolver?).  If it is a revolver, then you might be limited to about 25 grains, because of less room in the cylinder.

Oh also....when you contact the Club, asking about the location of a store that has black powder or asking to get in on a "buy-in" should be perfectly fine. But if they don't know you, and you ask to purchase or be gifted some black powder (especially, especially over the Interweb) it might get you treated like a leper, because of fear that you could be a mole for the ATF.

Follow me for more recipes..........

[joecool]

I'm hopeful that all of you have had things to be thankful for in recent days. If not, here's a verse for you: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." (2 Cor 2:14)

As you smell the turkey and pumpkin pie tomorrow, think of the parade that we will one day be a part of, and everyone can see.

Happy Thanksgiving, Rangers!

(Warning concerning the Macy's parade...reportedly, a lot of trans and lgbtq themes and floats.)

[ccm2361]

Hoping all of you have a great Thanksgiving!

[ccm2361]

the interweb says that 30 grains of FFFg should be a good load for that gun (it is a single-barrel, and not a revolver?).  If it is a revolver, then you might be limited to about 25 grains, because of less room in the cylinder.

Thanks for the info! yes it is a single barrel pistol. Percussion caps seem almost impossible to find right now, so I ham going to hold of on owder right now, till I can find some caps

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