Macon McLeod O'Smoke
03-13-2006, 08:28 AM
Well, I finally shot my new Marlin rifle this past weekend at the shooting range. I was using 44 spcl Goex Black Dawg cartridges. They put me down near the end since I was shooting black powder. At this range, you can sit at the bench and shoot through a box. I fired a couple of rounds and factory sight setting was pretty much on for both 25 yrd and 50 yrd. What was awesome was seeing flames shoot out from the barrel. I have never shot real black powder before. The Black Dawg cartridges I have are loaded with black powder. You can get them loaded with Pinnacle. After sighting in, I then stood up, and shot standing up. This range allows you to do that. Some ranges here, you are only allowed to shoot on a rest. As I let loose with smoke and flames, the women and children went running and screaming. The men ducked for cover, as I heard one shout "Holy s***!!!" At the beginning, I was worried that even though there is probably 28 grains of black powder in the cartridge, would I meet the smoke requirement. After 10 rounds, the rifle bay area was field with smoke and everyone was hacking and coughing. It was a couple of minutes before the smoke cleared enough for others to shoot. The range officers had to turn the fans on to blow the smoke out of the bay. Earlier I had field the pistol bay with smoke from my 1858 Remingtons while waiting for an opening at the rifle bay.
I shot 40 rounds through the rifle. Afterwards I cleaned it using scalding hot soapy water. I stuck the barrel end into the water, after removing the lever, bolt, and ejector, and took the wire brush and made a couple of passes through the barrel. Then I used maybe four wet patches, plus one patch to clean the carrier and receiver, and toothbrush to clean the bolt, ejector, and lever. Dryed everything. Passed a patch with bore butter through, then put the bolt back in, and put Ballistol in the action.
Macon,
shooter of Holy Black, accept no substitutes. :gf
I shot 40 rounds through the rifle. Afterwards I cleaned it using scalding hot soapy water. I stuck the barrel end into the water, after removing the lever, bolt, and ejector, and took the wire brush and made a couple of passes through the barrel. Then I used maybe four wet patches, plus one patch to clean the carrier and receiver, and toothbrush to clean the bolt, ejector, and lever. Dryed everything. Passed a patch with bore butter through, then put the bolt back in, and put Ballistol in the action.
Macon,
shooter of Holy Black, accept no substitutes. :gf