OK, we now unveil a new masthead for the newsletter. We didn't have the original "line art" for the old one, and frankly it was getting a bit tattered after so many copies of copies of copies, etc.. It went through a couple of iterations, with the board voicing their opinion at the last meeting. We hope you like it (drop us a line if you feel so moved).
Also, the Director of Civilian Marksmanship has a new address, and it is: DCM, 6551 Loisdale Court, Suite 714, Springfield, VA 22150-1855. DCM phone number is 703-924-0502.
Note that Paul Fitzgerald's e-mail address has changed. You can send comments or input for a future newsletter to either: P. Fitzgerald, [email protected], or B. Sliger, [email protected].
Back to the Index for this Issue.
In this issue MSSA Legislative Issues Chair Tim Oliver has a couple of articles on how YOU can make a positive difference right here in Missouri for the sports you love, and your future rights. I encourage every MSSA member to read these closely, and seriously consider what you want to do to make a difference in the issues that are important to you. Not everyone is in a position to be an effective liaison with their local sheriff, but I'll bet most of you have telephones, and a few hours a month available to serve in MSSA phone trees. Please also consider giving MSSA your e-mail and fax numbers, if you have them, so as we develop our "early warning system" for legislative issues in the state we may take advantage of these most effective tools for getting out timely information. Remember, MSSA is really nothing more than it's members. We don't have a single employee, and without active volunteer members we WILL be a "do nothing" organization, by default. Let's not. EVER.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Other State Associations: Please note we are sending out change of address notices to those of you who have been sending us complimentary copies of your newsletter. ALSO, we have been sending out The Shooter complimentary to all 50 state associations for 1 year now, and only approx 25 of you are returning the favor. For those of you who are not responding, this will be your last newsletter if we don't receive one from you before our next one goes out.
Next MSSA Meeting: The association's next meeting of the board of directors will be Sat May 10, 10AM at the Runge Nature Center, which is located on Hwy 179 just around the corner from MDC Headquarters, in Jeff City. All MSSA members are welcome.
Newsletter: The next issue of THE SHOOTER will go out near the end of June 1997. The cutoff date for material to be sent to the editor & included is June 15, 1997.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Calling Mike Hornbeck, coach of the Univ MO-KC rifle team, nine years ago and telling him I wanted to shoot for him was one of the best moves I have ever made. I let him know that I had been around shooting all my life, had helped my dad (Harold Miederhoff) run all the matches held at Bucksnort Shooting Club for years, had been shooting for six years competitively and was the Missouri Junior State Champion for most of the six years. I informed him that I had also participated in Junior Shooting Camps as a student and as an example for less experienced shooters. Mike was happy to hear from me, an experienced shooter, since the UMKC team was going to be in only its second year in the fall when classes were going to start and he had been building a team with hunters and totally inexperienced shooters. Now there was much more competition to be on the team. It is very important to learn good shooting skills early, have shooting experience and to have a good competition record. Like most collegiate rifle teams, the UMKC team can be more selective now since the team is drawing shooters from all over the country.
Good grades in school are also important. Coach Hornbeck always says that "school comes first." If you need to skip practice to study for a test or work on a paper for class, all you need to do is let him know ahead of time and you are excused from practice. Grades are important to a student athlete (in any sport) because the NCAA has regulations about student athletes maintaining a certain grade point average in order to be eligible to compete. If you do not have a good base of study skills and educational experience when you go to college, chances are you will have problems with all the changes college life includes, especially the higher expectations of professors. Good grades in high school also show a prospective coach you have the ability to concentrate and complete tasks, which are skills important to shooting.
Rifle teams are a family away from home for young shooters. As a whole, the team wants the best for everyone and will work together to achieve goals. Team members are there for each other when they are needed, whether that means helping with something for school, a pep talk before a match, correcting a problem with position or follow-through, or any number of things. Team members are proud of each other when one does well and supportive when one is having difficulties. It has been my experience when traveling to shooting matches that most teams are very hospitable and eager to share experiences and insights. I have spent a lot of time after matches getting together with other teams for dinner and talking. Not many sports can say that opposing team members will share secrets about positions or equipment!
If you are interested in collegiate rifle shooting there are many fine teams around the country and most have scholarship opportunities for their shooters. Many of the teams have full ride scholarships available which pay for tuition and fees. Other programs have a limited amount of scholarship money available and give as much to each shooter as possible. At any rate, shooting in college is a way to help pay for your education while doing something you enjoy.
The NRA publishes a Collegiate Shooting Sports Directory each year which lists all colleges and universities with an NRA affiliated shooting team. The directory provides names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers, and e- mail addresses for each of the schools. The directory is produced by the Collegiate Shooting Programs Department, Competitions Division. You may contact the NRA Collegiate Shooting Programs Dept at 703-267-1473 to order the new directory, or send an e-mail to [email protected]. The directory is also available in summary form via internet at http://www.nra.org/competitions/coldir.html.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
It was 18 years before I was born. My father was 5 years old. Hitler had invaded Austria, and Jewish property was attacked in Germany in the Kristallnacht (night of broken glass). Chester Carlson invented xerography, the first electrostatic dry-copying process. Orson Welles' broadcast of "War of the Worlds" caused panic in the U.S. Glenn Miller was just organizing his band, and Walt Disney was showing "Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs" for the first time. And last but not least, the Missouri State Rifle & Pistol Association was hosting their 12th Annual Missouri State Rifle & Pistol Matches in Jefferson City.
Do you have a VERY GOOD memory or is your history pretty good?? The year was 1938. I have had the privilege of looking over an original copy of the Official Program for those matches, and it is most interesting. The copy belonged to Lt. Col L.M. Rumsey of St. Louis, who was a Director of MSRP at the time with a term expiring in 1940, and who was serving as the Match Exec Officer for the 1938 matches.
In 1938, membership in the MSRP cost $1.00 for annual members, $1.00 for clubs, and 50 cents for juniors. Registration for the state matches cost $1.50 for senior competitors, and 50 cents for juniors, however, a meal ticket for dinner on Saturday night was included in the registration price. Individual match fees were 50 cents, and prizes consisted of half of all entry fees paid to the top 20% of the competitors, in addition to bronze medals being given to the top finishers.
From the "General Info" section of the bulletin came the following selection of tips to prospective competitors: "The Missouri Hotel is a fireproof establishment, first class, a modern hotel in every way. If you have a car, bring it with you, as the range is a short distance out of town. Competitors are warned they are responsible for their personal equipment such as rifles, pistols, ammunition, etc.. Keep your personal equipment under your eye."
Standing records going into these matches for Highpower included:
Free Rifle Championship (Standing 20 shots, 200 yards) Thurman Randle score
of 98, 1934
Governors Match, 3-position, 30 shots total, slow fire, William Woodring
score of 257, 1937, with telescopic sights.
Tyro Indiv Championship, 20 shots slow fire prone, 200 yards, Ruth Vaugh
score of 100, 1937
Service Rifle Championship, 20 shots total, 200 yard sitting and 300 yard
prone, both rapid fire, tie score of 142, V.J. Tiefenbrunn 1932 and Sgt.
Porter, 1937
Standing records going into these matches for Smallbore Rifle included:
Junior Indiv Dewar, tie score of 395, Jack Ziervogel 1934 and George Lenney
1937
Women's Indiv Dewar, Mrs. P. Jasserand score of 394, 1937
Indiv Dewar, 399-26X, H.E. Potter 1937
High School Dewar Team, score of 1570, Cleveland HS, 1933
Dewar Team Championship, score of 1587, Milan Rifle Club, 1937
Standing records for pistol competition were not shown in the bulletin.
Several advertisers were listed in the match bulletins as follows:
Fiendoil, the perfect gun oil for a perfect score. A picture of a can of
Fiendoil had a devil's head on it and the comment, "The enemy of
corrosion."
Marble-Goss sights - Give greater precision and sharper definition. A
picture of a receiver tang sight on a Win model 52 with a price of $12.
Other applications listed included U.S. Enfield and Remington No 30, price
$12. Springfield 30-06 and Win models 54 & 70, price $15.
Leacock's Sporting Goods Company of St. Louis, Complete service for the
shooter. For your convenience, our representative Mr. J.T. Winburne will
have a supply of the most essential shooters' supplies on the grounds at
the matches.
3-in-One Oil, showed a picture of a hunter treed by a bear saying, "and all
because I didn't oil my gun with 3-in-One!" Get it at hardware, sporting
goods, drug and grocery stores for 10 cents a can.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Meeting called to order at 10AM by Pres Steve McGhee. Those in attendance were Harold Miederhoff, Paul Villmer, Fred Smith, Paul Fitzgerald, Bob Sliger, Jim Roan Sr & Jr, Willis Corbett, Gregg Pearre, J.K. Chester, Roscoe Morris, John Lienberger, Kent Finlay, Tom Nield, Ralph Redstone, Joe Nicastro, Jim Hill, and Dave Giarratano.
Steve gave a president's report - the information being contained in a handout. Noted that Youth Hunter Ed Championship will be held on May 31-June 1--need workers.
Treasurer's report was read and approved. Cash on hand $4050.36. Motion by Harold, 2nd by Bob to write the Unertl team scope off the books - motion carried.
Exec Officer Fred reported that the CMP (DCM) report was complete. The state assn has 14 M-14's and 5 Rem 513T's. The 513T's must either be purchased or returned. Motion by Paul Fitzgerald, 2nd by Bob to purchase them for Gregg Pearre to use or for use at Junior Shooting Camp.
Tom Nield was appointed MSSA Historian.
Roscoe reported that CFM is working with concealed carry as well as hunter harassment in the legislature. The annual meeting is March 14-16, 1997. Motion by Willis, 2nd by Fred to reappoint Roscoe as MSSA rep to CFM board, motion carried.
Discussion followed on Eddie Eagle, Willis suggested going to the State Supt of Schools to try to get the program in statewide. Several members were working on a local level.
Bob reported there would be several High Power matches throughout the state this year.
John stated the Junior Shooting Camp would be at Warrensburg June 19-22. He is working with the Cub Scouts of Linn to implement a shooting program.
Tim, who is an ad hoc lobbyist, is working with concealed carry. Both sides agree on most issues except state wide referendum. Pro carry forces are working on a survey of all sheriffs to see if they favor concealed carry and if they want a state wide referendum. He proposed establishing a database of members to implement a phone tree to contact legislators. An article will be in the next newsletter soliciting help with the phone tree.
Latest membership numbers given by Harold were 135 life, 17 active clubs, and 326 active members. He is actively pursuing lapsed members with a follow-up letter; response has been good.
Willis reported the legislative shoot will be 1st week of May. Speaker of the House is a shooter. Motion by Paul Villmer, 2nd by Harold to help Willis with legislative shoot up to $300; motion carried.
Harold reported smallbore and state championship dates published in the newsletter. Steve interjected that shooting schedules are on the web site.
Harold also brought back from last meeting the idea for a booth at the Sportsman's Classic in St. Louis in Aug--no interest.
Discussion followed on a new masthead for the SHOOTER. Paul Fitzgerald showed some examples. The board made suggestions as to what they wanted. Paul to have new design for next newsletter.
Discussion on the annual meeting centered around keeping it in the middle of the state and possibly holding it in the spring. A committee will be appointed next meeting.
Motion by J.K., 2nd by John for the Pres, Sec, and Treasurer to all be on the signature card for the bank in case of emergency. Treasurer will still be the primary source of checks - motion carried.
Steve stated he had checked with the Secy of State and had been told MSSA was a pro- forma corp, therefore not required to file an annual report.
Motion by Willis, 2nd by Tim to accept changes in bylaws as printed with one exception - Article VII subsection B as follows: Vacancy: Any vacancy on the board shall be filled by appointment by the President. Appointee is to be approved by simple majority of the board at the next general board meeting. Said appointee shall serve until the next annual meeting at which time the general membership shall vote to fill the balance of the unexpired term - motion carried.
Steve summarized NRA bylaws concerning state assns as follows: state assns shall support the NRA and its bylaws, must be approved by the NRA and can only be 1 assn in the state.
Motion by Dave to sponsor teams at the National Championships. After lengthy discussion about possible financial liability the motion was tabled until the next meeting.
Motion by John, 2nd by Fred to allocate $250 to Mo Sport Shooting Camp for 1997 - motion carried.
Motion by Gregg, 2nd by Roscoe to continue bonding of Treasurer - motion carried.
Motion by Gregg, 2nd by Willis to maintain current dues schedule - motion carried.
Motion by Gregg, 2nd by Fred to table discussion for awards for state championships until next meeting in lieu of Dave's motion for national team sponsorship - motion carried.
Board meeting dates for 1997: May 10, Aug 9, and Nov 8. Motion by Gregg, 2nd by Fred to accept dates - motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 5:00PM.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
(The following info comes from the 1997 Remington Catalog, Mar/Apr 97 North American Hunter magazine, and Spring 97 Zanders Sporting Goods Catalog)
Remington Arms has introduced two new rifle calibers for 1997; the 7mm STW (Shooting Times Westerner) which is supposed to have more energy and flatter trajectory than any other 7mm, including Weatherby. They also have introduced the .260 Remington (6.5mm) with a 140 gr bullet. The claim for this one is that the energy overtakes the 270 Winchester at 200 yards.
To me the most exciting announcement is the revival of the Remington No 1 Rolling Block Creedmoor. This rifle is not a reproduction, but a reintroduction of the original design produced by Remington in 1875. Caliber is 45/70, stock is semi-fancy American Walnut, with vernier tang sight on rear, spirit level globe on front. Suggested retail is $2800, wholesale at Zanders Sporting Goods is $2300. This revival is no doubt Remington's response to the Browning 1885 Hi Wall intended for Black Powder Cartridge Rifle (BPCR) competitors.
Speaking of black powder, you can now get Pyrodex in the form of 50 gr "pellets." The pellets come 100 per box, are 50 cal diameter, and are intended for hunters using in-lines. You load 2 pellets down your bore, and "away you go!" Price at Zanders is $15.95 for a box of 100 pellets. Other calibers and weights will be brought out in the future.
For archers, have you ever went through the complexities of buying new arrows, with all the shaft numbers available, not to mention tuning your bow? Easton makes this selection simpler with its new Easton "Shaft Selector Plus" software for Windows. This computer program places the Easton shaft selector chart used by archery shops in full color on to the screen of your home computer. You answer a series of questions, and this computer program selects the best shaft for you. In addition to information about arrow shafts, the Shaft Selector Plus provides trajectory info, kinetic energy estimates, and detailed bow tuning tips. The program is user friendly for owners of Windows 3.1 or 95 programs, requires 1.56 Mb and easily loads in about two minutes. The software can be ordered from Easton, and costs $20, which includes shipping.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
A highpower rifle shooters clinic is planned for April 12 at 9AM at the St. Louis Benchrest Club on the BR20 range to familiarize interested shooters. The clinic will cover the basics of high power rifle competition, rules, equipment, range procedures, safety, and a demonstration of the shooting positions. There will also be one on one coaching on the firing line.
To get started in the sport only a minimum of equipment is required. The first thing is a rifle. You can use any centerfire rifle with iron sights that you can fire 10 rounds in a minute with a required reload. The M16/AR15, M14/M1A, and M-1 Garand are used in the service rifle category. All other rifles are classified as match/target rifles. Other items include a shooting coat or jacket, a mat, a stool, a spotting scope, and a few other items.
The clinic is free, and targets will be provided. Anyone interested in coming to the clinic must signup by calling the St. Louis Bench Rest Club Hotline 314-928-7094. This is a great way to get ready for the upcoming shooting season. Juniors, 12-19 years of age are highly encouraged. This is a great father-son, father-daughter activity. Moms too!
Back to the Index for this Issue.
On Jan 27, 1997 at 2:00PM, in MO Senator Caskey's office, leadership of the top law enforcement groups in Missouri sat down for the first time to discuss concealed carry with leaders of the grassroots groups (WMSA, SACMO, MOLIC, and others) who have tried for five years to pass this measure (See related story entitled "Help Needed to Pass Concealed Carry"). All the major provisions of a concealed carry bill for law-abiding Missourians were discussed and more or less agreed to, except one. Jorgen Schlemeier, speaking for the Missouri Sheriffs' Association, insisted on a referendum "because that's what the majority of sheriffs want."
Senator Caskey asked us to find out what the majority of sheriffs really wanted, and now we have responses from the sheriffs of 40 counties. Sheriffs were either contacted personally by someone in their county and asked about ccw and referendum, or they had filled out and signed a candidate survey prior to the '96 election, stating, in writing, their position. Of the 40 sheriffs responding, 36 are IN FAVOR of concealed carry, and only 4 are opposed. Of the 36 in favor, 11 (less than one-third of those in favor) want a referendum.
After hearing of our polling of their membership, the President of the MO Sheriffs Assoc (MSA) sent out a letter to all of the sheriffs informing them of MSA's position and instructing them to "stay in line." We still have many sheriffs left to contact, but I sure like the early results. If you are someone your sheriff would have a hard time saying, "No, I don't want you carrying a concealed weapon and, even if it passes the legislature, I want to put you through the cost of a referendum," please contact me and let me know of your willingness to contact your sheriff. The counties already covered are listed at the end of the previous article and on MSSA's web page. This effort is grassroots 2nd Amendment activism at its finest.
In order to have legislators respond favorably to our positions, they first require communication and education. Paraphrasing Sun Tzu's THE ART OF WAR, "The side with foreknowledge (accurate intelligence on a timely basis) and communications usually wins." In Jefferson City, if a legislator hears from 1-5 of their constituents on a given issue, they take notice. If they hear from 10-25 constituents, they really start to pay attention. If they hear from 25 or more constituents in a one-page, well written letter, or a polite phone call asking the legislator's position and asking them to support ours, they many times do as asked.
Our most effective method of communication with our legislators is via phone tree. When a phone tree is activated, a 2nd Amendment citizen lobbyist such as myself contacts the leadership of each organization (MSSA, WMSA, SACMO, GRIM, etc.) and asks them to contact their phone tree captains with a clearly stated message discipline we want the membership to communicate to their respective legislators. The person in each organization who is the phone tree coordinator then contacts the phone tree captains, who then contacts 7-10 people each, briefs them on the message discipline, and asks them to call or write their legislators on a particular issue.
MOLIC has used this very successfully in the past and, when necessary, has "shut down" the phones to certain legislators" offices by the great volume of calls. You must remember to be polite and stick to the message discipline. We all have to be on the same page of the hymnal. We are now in the process of organizing a phone tree of MSSA members. Participation is strictly voluntary, and you will not be put on the phone tree unless you provide the information requested in this newsletter. If you want your voice and position to be heard, this is how you get started. Please send Tim Oliver the information listed below.
We need to bring your votes to bear this year.
Information needed if interested in MSSA Phone Tree:
Name
Address
Home phone/work phone
e-mail
State Senate District
State House District
(You can find these last two out by phoning the library or voter registration board)
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Date Class (size limit, contact) Fee Location Mar 22-23 NRA Basic Pistol (15, A) $25 GVH-GVC Apr 5-6 NRA Basic Shotgun (15, A) $25 GVH-GVH Apr 11-12 MO Hunter Educ (20, B) Free GVH Apr 18-19 MO Hunter Educ (50, C) Free HHS May 3-4 NRA Rifle Instr (12, C) $90 GVH-GVC Jun 28-29 NRA Pistol Instr (12, C) $90 GVH Jul 5-6 NRA Shotgun Instr (12, C) $90 GVH Aug 2-3 NRA Pers Protn Instr (12, C) $90 GVH Oct 17-18 MO Hunter Educ (20, B) Free GVH Oct 24-25 MO Hunter Educ (50, C) Free HCC Contacts: A. Columbia Adult Educ Program, 573-886-2289 (Day) B. Green Valley R&P Club, 573-696-3738 (Day) C. Steve McGhee, (E)573-696-2218, (D) 573-886-1129 Fee Structure for Classes: No fees are charged for Hunter Ed, all materials provided; min age 11. $25 fee for Basic Pistol covers all materials. Under 14 accompanied by parent. $90 fee for Instructor courses covers all books. (Green Valley members pay reduced fees). Locations: GVH Green Valley Hallsville Range Facilities GVC Green Valley Columbia Range Facilities HHS Hallsville High School HCC Hallsville Community Center
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Pioneer Gun Club and the Pony Express Pistol League have recently sent MSSA revisions to their 1997 Match Schedules; Please bookmark the MSSA Online Match Schedules site for the most up-to-date info. on Missouri competitions available. And please remember, NOTIFY MSSA ASAP with any corrections or updates of your own! Thanks. -sdm
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Beginning in May, NRA Grassfire will be a standard feature in NRA's new monthly magazine, the American Guardian. Within the pages of the Guardian, you'll now be able to find all the latest legislative and political information you've come to expect from NRA Grassfire. This change is consistent with our ongoing efforts to reduce the costs associated with the newsletter and to ensure this critically important legislative and political information reaches as many NRA members as possible.
Those NRA-ILA Volunteers who previously received Grassfire free each month and wish to continue receiving it, have three options. First, they may switch their current NRA magazine to the American Guardian. Second, they may pick up the American Guardian (and thus, Grassfire) as a second magazine service for $15.00 per year. And finally, of course, Grassfire will continue to be posted monthly on NRA's web site (http://www.nra.org). We regret any inconvenience this may cause, and believe that by expanding the readership of NRA Grassfire, we'll all be better equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities we'll face in the future. To switch your magazine or to receive the American Guardian as a second magazine, call NRA's Membership Div. at 800-672-3888.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Well, I figure I've put close to 10 pounds of lead down range since the last newsletter--can anyone top that? Seriously, at approx an ounce per slug, and over 150 rounds, it adds up pretty fast. I have picked up a few more molds; a Thompson Center 50 Cal Maxi-Hunter from Dixie Gun Works; it makes sense to cast this one, as they cost $8-10 per twenty at the store. Also, a Lyman 45 cal 520 grain behemoth; this one is for BP match shooting, and slugs like this can't be purchased economically that I'm aware of. But I'm still buying my 38 and 45 cal SWC hard cast bullets from Midway (Bullseye and other places offer good deals, too). You can buy 500-45 cal cast pistol bullets for about $30, and when shooting PPC or Bullseye matches, you go through a bunch. Why you would want to labor over the kettle for these when you can get them cheap, I don't know; I don't plan on doing it!
Several things to report this issue. It is claimed in the literature that real black powder will produce better groups than Pyrodex in BP cartridge shooting. This was confirmed at the range (at least in my gun). Also, many shooters I have talked to swear by SPG bullet lube for BP cartridges. So that is what I have used for all my initial shooting. Since I don't have a reference point for any of this, I couldn't see exactly what SPG was doing for me. But I found out real quick how fast you use up a stick of the stuff. Now granted, I had to get my sizer primed and filled with lube for the first time, but I was a bit disappointed when I only got approx 100 bullets lubed from one stick of lube. (BP slugs have much deeper grooves for lube than those used with smokeless powder). The sticks of SPG lube are 1-1.5 ounce, and cost $3.95 each, whereas other types of lube cost approx $2.50. Is it worth it? I planned on finding out sometime, maybe after I was tired of experimenting with alloy percentages, bullet weights, seating depths, and other so-called "big" factors in the quest for accuracy.
I ran out of Black pretty fast, since I have used Pyrodex exclusively since it first came out about 15 years ago. So I started looking for a place to buy some. Guess what? It's hard to find black powder; apparently, no one wants to fool with all the additional precaution regulation crap, like special container safes, blah blah blah. OK, but I looked long enough to find some. The Gunsmith Shop, on Lindbergh about 2 miles north of Hwy 270 in Florissant had some. And I was pleasantly surprised at the price: $11 per pound. Have you bought a pound of smokeless lately? Generally it is $15-17, and $12-14 for Pyrodex. The Gunsmith Shop is nearly 100% for the black powder person, and they have original firearms as well as kits, and do a lot of gunsmithing on BP guns.
I spent some time looking over their wares, and stumbled onto a lube discovery. They had 8 ounce sticks of "Long Knife Lube," made by Ed Hamberg of Alton, Il, for $7.00. Hmm...interesting. The directions on the stick said to mix it with 8 ounces of shortening (thus giving a pound of lube for $7). I asked the store owner, Gary Trapp, if I could open the package and look at it. Sure. It looked just like SPG. I'm pretty much a "buy local when possible" kind of person, and this looked pretty promising, so I bought a stick. Mixed up real well on the stove top (my wife has gotten used to my silliness). Now the issue with this lube was going to be how to apply it; I had it in an empty, pound cottage cheese container, and wasn't too sure on how to get it in the sizer, which takes 1 inch diameter sticks with a hole in the center. Oh well, I'll have to dry size and put it on manually afterwards.
I've been experimenting with alloy percents and the amount of sizing of the finished slug. Tried to cast some pure lead slugs with the Maxi- Hunter mold. Pure lead doesn't cast real well; looks like you've got a cold mold (wavy lines on your slug), even though I knew I was at temperature. The Lyman manual refers to this as "castability." Well that's original! So I calculated how much of a bar of 40/60 "bar solder" to put in to give a 20-1 lead-tin mix, and it made a substantial difference, giving nice looking casts. Don't know how difficult it will be to load these "harder" slugs in my muzzleloader, but will try it out and report next time. I did go back and look at some "store bought" Maxi- Hunter slugs, and THEY don't appear to be pure lead either.
Speaking of alloy mixes, I mentioned last time using soft lead shot, and talking to an engineer at Taracorp (Lawrence Brand Shot). He was a bit reserved about giving me the percentages (98% lead, 2% antimony, no tin, trace arsenic). It was one of those conversations where, "I could tell you, but then I'd have to kill you." I have found that the cast weight using soft shot is identical to a 20-1 lead-tin mix.
Also more recently, I have found in PRINTED LITERATURE from Lyman the mix for Taracorp Magnum (hard shot): 92% lead, 2% tin, 6% antimony, for a Brinell Hardness Number (BHN) of 15. This is the same hardness as Lyman #2 alloy, which is the standard alloy that all of their mold bullet weights are calculated from. What does all this mean!? Simply, if you want to cast consistently at a 20-1 lead-tin ratio, soft shot is probably the least expensive way to go, certainly with the least aggravation. Also, if you want to try some hard slugs, a 25 pound bag of magnum shot is cheaper, and much easier to work with than trying to cut up one of Lyman's 20 pound ingots of #2 alloy. OK, enough on metallurgy for one issue.
Lastly, I have fired groups in my 45/70 using cast bullets with .458 sizing, .459 sizing, and NO sizing. It is claimed in the literature that you only want to size just over the diameter of the groove, or in my case, .458 nominal. NO sizing works best in my gun. What does that mean? I don't have to find a method of getting that new lube into my sizer!
Back to the Index for this Issue.
The Missouri Dept of Conservation is hosting the 5th "Becoming an Outdoors- Woman Program May 16-18, 1997, at the YMCA of the Ozarks, Potosi, Missouri. The two day event gives women an opportunity to learn how to participate in outdoor recreation in a supportive, friendly environment.
The first BOW workshop in the nation was held in Wisconsin in 1991, and since then, workshops have been held in over 40 states and four Canadian provinces. What is the reason for the success?
Many women simply have not had the opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as fishing, hunting, shooting and backpacking. At every BOW program, each participant has an opportunity to learn a total of four new outdoor skills. These skills are taught in 3 hour time blocks. The teaching focuses on the needs of adult learners using a hands-on active approach. Evening activities include fish and game banquets, outdoor clothing fashion shows and campfire activities.
The BOW program is important because it teaches women who attend how to enjoy the outdoors to the fullest. It is important to resource agencies like the MO Dept of Conservation because women that have attended the workshops better understand the role of fish and wildlife management and can make educated decisions as they relate to Missouri's natural resources. It is important to manufacturers and retailers because women represent the fastest growing market for outdoor equipment and clothing. And because most women affect the majority of family decisions regarding use of leisure and vacation time, it is important to the travel industry. Finally, it's important to future generations because of the number of single parent families headed by women in Missouri. If women can be taught outdoor skills that they can practice and enjoy with their children, their children will grow up appreciating and understanding the role of healthy natural resources to the quality of their lives.
If you are interested in learning more about the BOW program in Missouri, call the Runge Conservation Center at 573-526-4496. A fall workshop is planned for Sept 12-14, 1997, in Osceola, MO, and the Dept of Conservation plans to host 3 BOW workshops in 1998.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
There was an old shooter who had just come off the 300 yard rapid fire line and was sitting on the benches. A new shooter asked him, "What did you use for wind?" "Four left," said the old shooter. The kid went up and fired his 300 rapid. When he was done, he came back to the benches and was pretty upset with the old shooter. "You told me you used four left, and I used it, and I was way out to the left!"
"So was I," replied the old shooter.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
The Board of MSSA is discussing the length of The Shooter. For 5 pages or less it costs approx $275 each quarter, while a 6-10 pager costs about $200 more. What do YOU want? Send the Editor or MSSA a note on this. Also, is quarterly about right, or do you want bi-monthly (5 pager or 6-10 pages)? Would you be willing to pay an extra $5 in dues for more in your newsletter? Let us know what you think about length/frequency/cost.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Back to the Index for this Issue.
Check out the December '96 'Shooter.
Back to the Index of Issues.
Get the MSSA Online Application.
Return to the MSSA Home Page