perfect example of a strange day

Well my chainsaw chain needs to be replaced, so I took the day off. Otherwise I would be pounding out the firewood for next year. Got to get that done before bug season.

It was beautiful and I headed for my range. I wanted to shoot my Custom TVA Early Lancaster .54 caliber Rifle. I set the target at 35 yards as further then that, would require walking in snow and I did not feel like it. I wanted to have fun. It was 30ºs very sunny, little wind and you did't need a heavy coat, just a light spring jacket. Perfect shooting weather.

So I get everything ready. Aim and shoot the first shot.



While #1 was a clean barrel.. I did not expect that at all. Why so low? Checked my notes and they said.. rifle shoots right to top of front sight at 50 yards. OK I was aiming under the center and that's where it hit. So I adjust my POA. Far too early in the breaking in game to move sights. Now I was swabbing between shots as this rifle is hard to load otherwise. Ignition was perfect...

Shots 2-4 go off and I am just left of the bull. Now I admit, the front sight is hard to see with my new eyes. The target is crystal clear but combining the sights and the targets have a slight challenge. I might change the color of that german silver front sight to something strange but visible. But the group is good. Shot #5 misfire. I look and the touch hole is blocked. So out comes the nipple pick and I pick it clean. #5 again, slight hang fire but it goes off. And now the flint comes loose. And when I look at the target I am shocked to see where it hit. I mean the hangfire was slight.. but not that bad. Had to be me.

Tighten the jaws of the lock holding the flint, fire #6, Perfect ignition since the touch hole was picked and rifle swabbed. But I look and the flint is no longer in the jaws... no more flints in bag, done for the day. Just an example of a strange day for me.

Put that rifle away and got out my .22 and began spinning the spinner targets in the yard. They'd been hidden by snow all winter as I forgot to take them in. I am sure they missed me. But I did not miss them. That Sig Sauer 522 is a heck of an accurate rifle.

Dave, it just happens that way.

Beats hauling firewood any way you look at it.....

Dave,
That group ins't shabby at all considering all the little obstacles along the way . Some guys wish they could group like that with a flintlock, me included. In my book that's good shooting. :applause: :applause:

Ray............ :yeah:

Well I put a new Thomas Fuller English Flint in it now. I have a lot of them and took a diamond wheel on a dremel and ground all the humps off them so they are real solid in the jaws of a flintlock. Next chance out (been snowing for two days and I did fix the chain saw) I will give that rifle another chance. I might put a fine piece of black Duct Tape on the back side of the German Silver front sight and see if that makes it easier to pick up on the range.

Dave,
I picked up a small jar of model paint, flat black and it worked on my German Silver front sight blade. It made a big difference for me. I didn't loose it with the bright sun.

Ray.........