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Forums10
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Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,002
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,002 |
I have to crow a bit, as I finally became a deer hunter last month. Took my first-ever during a late antlerless season on my buddy's farm in northern Kansas. The best part was that I did it with my 84-year-old Win. 86 Lightweight in .45-70. What a rush, and what a pleasure to use this great old rifle for the purpose it was created! Most of us share the same philosophy about scatterguns, of course. An acquaintance says he thinks there's a group made up of vintage (only) riflemen ... anybody know anything about it? Thanks, and happy hunting.
"The very acme of duck shooting is a big 10, taking ducks in pass shooting only." - Charles Askins
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,087 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,087 Likes: 1 |
I'm not old enough yet to be a vintage rifleman. 
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405 |
I'm not old enough to be vintage yet either.
But I killed my antelope this year at 180 yds using a restored 1885 Winchester (vintage 1887), iron sights and traditional blackpowder loads. In fact, ALL my hunting is done pretty much like this.
I hunted deer this year with an 1820's muzzleloader (double), but fired no shots. Later, I killed a deer with an underhammer, but that gun was younger than me (I made it as a matter of fact).
Brent
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan) ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/qclHjMQ.jpg)
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405 |
Two Triggers,
I guess we are a dying breed or something like it....
Brent
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,002
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,002 |
Brent: I predict a boom (pun intended) in old rifle hunting interest, much like the big surge in interest in old shotguns. The only hitch is that accuracy is a much more critical issue with rifles than with scatterguns. I've bought and sold many a neat old rifle that was good only for shooting around corners. I thought I knew quite a bit about guns, but I have to admit I don't know what an underhammer is. Please educate me.
"The very acme of duck shooting is a big 10, taking ducks in pass shooting only." - Charles Askins
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 522
Member
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Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 522 |
TT: The group you may have in mind is called 'The Vintagers', aka 'The Order of Edwardian Gunners'. VintagersWebsite I have been a member of the Vintagers Down Under (Australian Chapter) for several years, though I am unable to attend regular shoots due to distance (>3500km)! Vintagers Down Under The emphasis is on shooting period-pieces from the Golden Years of the British shotgun. Most popular here are top-lever hammer-guns in SxS configuration. Vintage rifles are also used at some meets, or in conjunction with the Big Game Rifle Club. BGRC Many of us are members of both organizations. Many of us hunt with our vintage doubles too, so we know first-hand the immense satisfaction gained from bagging game with these marvellous old guns. Congratulations on your deer, TT. Nice work! ...and first of many I trust!
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405 |
Two Triggers,
I resurrect lots of old guns. Sometimes they can be rebarreled and the old barrel saved for posterity, sometimes they can be relined. There are a of folks hunting with old Sharps and Rolling Blocks and Ballards in the larger calibers. I use an early 1890 Winchester on squirrels and rabbits if not an 1885 original.
The underhammer is the world's simplest (and perhaps ugliest) action. Used for muzzleloaders, it has a mainspring that is often also the mainspring, and a hammer and trigger - nothing else is required although sometimes a sear spring is used as well. These are muzzleloaders and have direct ignition from the nipple into the bottom of the powder chamber(barrel). They are highly reliable, simple and ugly. There are underhammer flint locks but most are percussion rifles.
Brent
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,857 Likes: 384
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,857 Likes: 384 |
the main spring is also the main spring?i think the trigger guard is the main spring.i shot and built muzzle loaders for a long time. i have a 45-70 hiwall and a 40-70 ss rolling block.the RB is to heavy to carry hunting but the hiwall is light enough to take out. mabe next year. Mark Cooper
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 46
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 46 |
Dear old Dad has got a .32-40 winchester High Wall, I'm not really sure what that is, but if he should send it out to me, would it be sufficient to shoot at antelope ?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,701 Likes: 405 |
Thunderstick - YES! I'll be happy to coach you. It's not the most powerful, but it is close the most accurate cartridge of all time (in the old bpcr lines). That's a hell of a rifle if in good condition. If you ever want to find a home for it, let me know. But I'll be happy to help you take an antelope with it. I took one with my .38-55.
Off the net for a week now however.
Brent
_________ BrentD, (Professor - just for Stan)
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