|
|
Post by shootist---Gary on Nov 29, 2019 14:10:54 GMT -7
I wanted to use my Pedersoli "John Bodine" .45-70 target rifle this year in Ohio for deer hunting, but as I didn't learn how to use the "Parts Unknown" Vernier Tang Sight out in Forsyth, MT in 2018, I wasn't going to be able to use it. 3 weeks ago, I went to Dixie Gun Works website, found that they carried the original Pedersoli rear & front sights at a very reasonable price, so I ordered them. When they arrived, I removed the Jim Kelley spirit level front sight, installed the blade sight, installed the rear barrel sight, put my bore siting laser in the muzzle, rested the barrel on the back of my recliner, put the red dot on the closet doorknob, adjusted the sights, then went outside.
I only have 50 yards usable, due to Lake Erie's high water level that sends lots of water to the creek behind my home. I tacked a large cardboard low down to a tree, tacked a aluminum pie pan in the center, set my step ladder by the garage door, rolled up an old winter shirt, loaded the rifle with my black powder cartridge load of 68 gr. 2F Goex drop tubed, compressed, .030 vegie wad, with Bullshop 405 gr. original U.S. Army lead bullets, aimed for center of pie plate, then fired 2 shots. Both were 1 inches apart, at approx. 12:15 on the cardboard about 7" high. I moved the rear sight a very minor bit, dropped it down 2 steps, fired a shot, hitting 1" inside the outer rim of the pie plate at 3: o'clock. 1 more windage adjustment, & the next shot was dead center. I didn't wipe the barrel between shots. According to a site I looked at, it said 2" high at 50 yards will be good out to about 125 yards without moving the sight, by just aiming a little higher. As the rifle weighs 12 lbs., I will be transporting it to my blind in my deer cart, then using cross sticks for shooting. If this doesn't work out, I'll revert to my 1884 Springfield "trapdoor". Another option, would be my New York Militia 1871 Remington Rolling Block .50-70. These black powder loaded cartridges are loaded with Daniel's hand cast lead bullets.
|
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Nov 30, 2019 5:27:19 GMT -7
Good morning
I would have gone with the 50-70 just because it is a real one. Give the older the opportunity to shine first. But what your using would be fine...
If ILLinois ever trust us hunters with a cartridge rifle our Spencer or Frank Wesson "two trigger" will get the first shot.
|
|
|
|
Post by shootist---Gary on Nov 30, 2019 21:40:56 GMT -7
I'm taking the .50-70 along also. When, or if I'm lucky enough to get a deer with either rifle, I'll clean it & get another tag, then take a different rifle for # 2.
|
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Dec 1, 2019 3:53:18 GMT -7
Good plan !
25 years ago I tired to popping corn crunchers with flintlocks or a 58 Zouave ... just to easy in the river bottoms I hunt. The last bean eater was shot so close the fur was set on fire as she walked past me.
So went with recurves. No regrets either. But I would once enjoy slamming a 40-1 into a whitetail.
I should add I have used revolvers to duplicate old BP rifle loads and they all work great. For caliber 50 I did fudge a little with a 475 Linebaugh,
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on Dec 1, 2019 8:59:02 GMT -7
Sounds like an abundance of fun to me Gary no matter which one you use. I certainly have to agree with you on the target sights for hunting. Good quality target sights can make these black powder cartridge rifles capable of precision long range delivery but there are just too many too's for hunting, too tall, too fragile, too in the way and so on. Very simple albeit crude in comparison hunting sight even just a blade front and V notch rear also have their place where they are simply superior for that purpose.
I have to go with Mike though on the personal preference for the 50-70. When loaded the way it was intended in my view when used at simple iron sight ranges there are few better choices as to effectiveness combined with meat loss due to trauma. In the 50-70 I prefer pure lead for my hunting bullets that in deer size game just make a big hole in and a bigger hole out with little to no meat loss around the hole. Since we still feed a large family meat appropriation is high on our list of reasons to hunt. Perhaps unable to provide any definitive proof of superiority for the purpose a simple I like it will suffice in my preference.
And so be it if for no other reason than you like it by all means shoot the John Bodine and we know it will be no less effective nor more destructive.
I will admit though that perhaps in my case my preference for hunting deer at moderate range is not so much for the cartridge as it is the rifle. My 50-70 trapdoor is a carbine and so light and fast handling as to make it near perfectly suited to hunting WT deer in thick cover.
Our hunting season ended yesterday 11/30 and though no elk came our way this year we did manage 4 deer so the need has been filled, praise God !
Good luck Gary !
|
|
|
|
Post by shootist---Gary on Dec 1, 2019 16:30:44 GMT -7
Thanks for the advise. I guess the reason for the John Bodine is that I spent good $$$ for it with high hopes of doing better with it than the Trapdoor, at Forsyth, but I didn't learn how to use the Vernier sight, to be confident enough in using it, and was wasting those good bullets that you worked so hard to make for me, so reverted to the Trapdoor. So, I've only been able to look at it & keep it oiled. I decided to buy "hunting" sights for it & use it. It weighs 12 lbs., so I'll haul it to my spot on my deer cart, put up my teepee blind, set up the X sticks, & wait for the action. Hopefully I get 1 Monday, then the pressure will be off. A second one would be a bonus. I have 3 lbs. of 3 year old burgers left in the freezer. As for the 2 deer 3 years ago, I gave over half of it away to friends that either can't or just don't hunt, but like venison chili. As I'll be 77 on the 5th of Dec., I won't have many more years to hunt, so I had better make the most of it while I'm able.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bullshop on Dec 22, 2019 13:10:16 GMT -7
Being aware that each hunt is pushing closer to the last adds a greater appreciation for each moment of the current. This is a blessing of age to be wise enough to enjoy the moment and to be in no hurry to move past it. Its kind of like when you were a kid taking smaller licks of your ice cream cone to make it last longer. Our memories are the ice cream of old age.
|
|
|
|
Post by shootist---Gary on Dec 24, 2019 14:48:36 GMT -7
I wasn't successful in my quest for putting meat in the freezer in early December, & didn't go last weekend because of a bad cold & my right knee really bothering me from twisting it badly in November. Hopefully during our 4 day muzzleloading season in early January.
I want to wish each & everyone & your families a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy and Safe New Year.
|
|
|
|
Post by missionary on Dec 24, 2019 16:22:48 GMT -7
Good evening and Merry Christmas to you and anyone else who reads here.
Physical injuries do mess up our daily lives. And getting older makes that healing process much slower.
May God give you a corn cruncher to feast on.
|
|
