A regular column whereby Ken Hall keeps us up to date with black powder cartridge rifle shooting in the UK.
In the early days of the American mid west at the end of the trapping season, it was customary for the trappers to gather where the riverboat was to land in order to meet the traders and deal for the best prices for their hides and pelts. Whilst waiting for the trading to begin, some sort of entertainment was needed to keep things sociable, especially once the liquor tents arrived. It was natural for these hunters and mountain men to want to show their prowess with tall tales and examples of their skills and marksmanship.
Friendly (and sometimes not so friendly) competitions would be organised, usually with some items of kit or provisions as prizes. (And perhaps the odd wife or two for the more serious). Axe and knife throwing, offhand shooting with muzzle loading flint and caplock rifles and pistols, as well as the occasional wrestling contest would keep the men occupied as they awaited the riverboat’s whistle. These meetings or ‘Rendezvous’ as they became known, gradually attracted many famous hunters and trappers and were eagerly awaited by competitor and opportunist alike.
With the expansion west came the days of the cattle trails as enormous herds of longhorns were driven eastward to feed the ever-growing population. At the end of these cattle drives, the men would continue the ‘Rendezvous’ tradition and organise ‘End of Trail’ events, along the same lines as their predecessors.
The Quigley Shooting Association organises its’ own annual End of Trail events in the quaint old prairie town of Diggle, nestled in the Pennine foothills, and on a fine and fairly windless day in June, held an event consisting of competitions for muzzle loading revolver, black powder cartridge rifle and muzzle loading rifle or musket.
Event 1, for muzzle loading pistol, consisted of 12 shots at a small figure silhouette from 25 yards, followed by 12 shots from 50yards. This was won by Mike Davenport using a Euroarms .44 cal Rogers & Spencer, runner-up was Ken Hall, using his Euroarms
Remington 1858 in .44 cal.
Event 2 was for muzzle loading rifle and consisted of ten shots at a silhouette figure target at 100yds. Ken Jones took this one with his Lyman Tryon Rifle in .50 cal.
Event 3, also for muzzle loading rifle, consisted of five shots at a “V” notch target at 50yds. Greg Hoskin hit nearest the “v” to win this one.
Event 4 was five shots at a reduced buffalo target at 50yds with breech loading black powder rifles, Mike Davenport (Sharps .45/70) and Dennis Richardson (Cimarron ’76 in .40-60 tied this one.
Event 5, also for breech loading black powder rifles consisted of five shots at a reduced silhouette of a mounted Indian; Ken Hall (Win ’85 .38-55) and Dennis Richardson (Cimarron ’76 in .40-60) tied this event.
Event 6, also for breech loading black powder rifles consisted of 5 shots at a modified turkey target at 50yds. Dennis Richardson (Cimarron ’76 in .40-60) took the honours in this event.
Black powder competitions always seem to bring out the best in shooters, and all who attended had a really relaxed and light-hearted day. The next EOT is scheduled for Sept 10th 2011.
Some of the pistoleers making smoke Target Shooter 97
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