Plans for the Fourth...

[hoss]

Back before my Mom passed ('01) my step-dad and my brother and I would celebrate the 4Th in a unique fashion: we'd shoot. We'd dig out the least practical and most archaic artillery we could find and make a day of trying to wear it out, then cap it all off with the most dangerous explosive fireworks we could afford. In Missouri, that would be mighty dangerous explosives indeed. The rest of the family is aways off now, and I don't plan to travel this 4Th, but I do plan to shoot... years back I bought a Pietta copy of the Paterson "Just fer lookin at". I haven't shot it at all. I intend to remedy that.

[ohnomrbillk]

That sounds like a great plan. I might have to try that someday. I did some pyro grunt work in the past. I'll be setting up for a show for some extra pocket money.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day.

[nonpcnrarn]

Anyone know a good way to make 45 Colt blanks? I guess Holy Black would work the best but I don't want to spend the next day cleaning real dirty guns.

[dale53]

nonpcnrarn;
Just go ahead and use black powder and top off with a wad. Seat the wad, with a dowel hard down on the powder. The wad should be tight. I would first try about 10.0 grs. If that isn't loud enough then add more until you are happy.

NOTE:Blanks can be quite dangerous at close range. Observe ALL safety precautions!

Then after you shoot those loads, it is no more than a five-ten minute chore to clean up the revolver with a good black powder solvent. I use "Friendship Speed Juice" (one pint of rubbing alcohol, one pint of Murphy's Oil Soap, and one pint of Hydrogen Peroxide). Keep the mixture in the dark as Peroxide goes bad from exposure to light. I use the Peroxide bottle (it's a dark bottle) to carry my range supply and keep the rest in a cabinet out of the light). After cleaning carefully with "juice", carefully dry and use a good preservative immediately after (the "juice" chemically cleans the revolver of EVERYTHING and you MUST use a good preservative to, well, "preserve"(:>)). Use a wet patch of preservative inside and out. I use Ed's Red home mix for a preservative.

I shot my Ruger Vaquero with holy black for several years. I would clean at the range and it still looks like new after hundreds of full house black powder loads.



Dale53

[cubrock]

Every Fourth, we go to my wife's oldest sister's place for a grand feed. We usually end it with quite a bit of shooting, too. We started a tradition of having a big family shoot the day after Thanksgiving years ago and that spilled into our Independence Day celebrations, as well. Wonderful way to bond!

[gotcha]

Well the 4th will be an early day at the beach, Outter Banks NC
and home early before the craziness starts, On the way home a stop at a local eatery for Lunch (little neck clams on the half shell) and home for a Wings and ribs on the Que an later a few adult malt beverages. It will be only my second long weekend off on the 4th in 20 years as a Firefighter
Carl

[sagebrushburns]

I'll be at the Hell on Wheels cowboy action match in Cheyenne, WY. I'll be doing the color guard for the opening ceremonies and shooting all week-end.

[salvo]

I'm heading up to the family ranch in Utah. I always bring guns but I think the Ruger Old Army will make this trip!

[boxhead]

I'll be at my place in north Idaho. Can't wait...

[steveb]

I'd like to get up to our camp in the 'ghaney's. Friends and shootin'. Beer around the campfire. Have to see if work schedule allows. steve b

[steveb]

Just checked calender, no go. RATS ! Oh well, at least I can shoot here in the yard. Folks call my backyard the "Redneck IDPA Range" Got target stands and hanging steel, etc.. Neibhors that boat on the river in the back know to stop at the property line and holler up the hill to get safe passage !. With the e-muffs on I can hear boat motors from around the bends, it the canoes and 'yaks I gotta watch out for. steve b

[aciera]

Mower fields so I guess I will unbuild some varmints with the weapon that best suits the range.

[Hobie]

Is that one of those Rezin Bowie bowies? Good match!

[hoss]

Why thank you sir. Was a present from my bride. I think the mediterranean pattern is classy... and I bet thats what Jim toted.