Osage Roost
All Hunting => The Ol' Skinnin' Shack => Topic started by: Old Geezer on May 07, 2010, 11:18:23 AM
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I left my turkey guns at home and took the old gun out. I had been working on a load that would kill a bird with confidence out to 25 yds. This gun has no choke in either barrel, as old guns do. The final product put 12 to 14 #7 nickel plated shot in the brain and neck bone at the 25 yard mark with good penetration. This gobbler had a jake with him. I had called both birds in early in the morning, but made the mistake of having a decoy out. The Jake came in early behind me and left putting. The gobbler came in about 15 minutes later strutting, gobbling all the way, but would have nothing of the decoy either. After stuffing the decoy in my vest I went off to find another bird. Finding none, I approached the area where I thought the same birds might be. After setting up at the base of an old hemlock in a mosquito infested bottom, hammered out some yelpes on a box. Both birds answered but they were not together. After a time they joined up 75 yards in front and hung up. I worked them with a slate, then a tube. Still not budging, I put the Roanoke yelper on them and they started toward me. If the birds are in the last phase of their breeding cycle the Roanoke doesn't disappoint me. I dropped the gobbler at 24 yards.
Ralph
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/yelper_2006/Blackpowder1.jpg)
(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k273/yelper_2006/Blackpowder2.jpg)
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Ralph that is a nice bird, great looking gun and it appears you are one happy hunter!!! Sounds like you had a great day in the outdoors! Congrats on a wonderful hunt and thanks for sharing!!
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:) thats what im talkin about. congrats ralph!
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Congrats Ralph! *up*
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Way to take them out with the old smokepole! Congrats! *up*
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Way to go, Ralph!! Don't you love it when plan comes together. Congrats.
Rick
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Congrats Ralph, that is what is all about!! I love the gun and old school ways~~ *up*
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Way to go Ralph! Love the old school gun! Good job with the yelper!
Mike
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Thanks for sharing the story Ralph, Classic gun, Classic caller, One Old Geezer,lol, and a Fine Gobbler, makes for a Classic tale indeed!!! Congrats!! *cool*
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... congrats Ralph on the great hunt & the mighty fine gobbler - I sure do like the way that one all went down - sure does sound like a great day in the Turkey Woods !!! ... 8) 8) 8)
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Congrats Ralph!! *up*
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Ralph,
I often think about using a smoke pole myself but never have the courage. Great bird and very nice gun!
Congrat's! *up*
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Nice one Ralph. I love that first pic...
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great story and fine bird Ralph... CongraDULATIONS *dance*
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Guys, Thanks for the kind words. It's hard to pass on 30 yd shots.
Ralph
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Outstanding, Ralph.......
Wait till Smitty, Snozz and the boyz hear about this..... *up*
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Congrats Ralph on an awesome hunt! *gobble*
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Way to go, Ralph...what kind of load did you have in the old scattergun?...I love the fact that you called him in with an old fashioned caller and then took him with an old SxS muzzleloader Way to go!!! *cheers*
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I load equal volume of FFg Goex powder and 1 1/4oz, #7 nickel plated shot. On top of the powder goes 1/8" card, then 1/2" pre-lubed cushion wad, next PB12 cup cut to hold the 1 1/4 oz of shot with four cuts 5/8" deep from the cup opening. Over shot wad is cut from egg crate top using an old choke tube. This load gives my particular gun the pattern density, energy, and width to kill a bird at 25 yards, while sighting down a plain rib having a small metal bead at the end, and maintaining safe internal pressures.
For those new to muzzle loading each componet has a purpose. The card acts as a piston, cushion wad cushions the shot and keeps the fire from coming past it and melting the cup, (or in the old days melting and deforming the shot), BP12 cup aids in controlling pattern density and shot deformation, as does size and type of shot used, over shot wad keep shot from rolling out the barrel after it's loaded. As you can see there are many variables. Consistency is the key in loading each shot. I place equal importance on Loading, Shooting and Cleaning.
I clean my gun after every shot.
Ralph
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Thanks for the info, Ralph. I've been shooting muzzle loaders since since I was in the 7th grade back in the mid fifties, flints and percussions. Not a fan of the modern inlines. I settled on a load similar to yours except I use #6 lead and a thin cork overshot. It is a 25 yrd load at best...I prefer 15 -20 yrds...I also am a fan of cane callers and wingbones along with the the older style Turpin boxes. Again, congratulations on a fine hunt *cheers*
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AHHH, 2F, Nothing like it in the Morning.....
Congrats Geezer...... 8)
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Congratulations Ralph, Nice Bird and a great story !
Mike
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Well done Ralph!!
That had to be an exciting and very rewarding kill.
Danny
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Congrats to you Ralph. That's a fine bird. Gotta love that Roanoke Yelper!!!
Bob
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Congrats Ralph on a fine bird with an old smoke pole