rendezvous in the Gila Nat. Forest

[prairie dog]

Just returned home from rendezvous with the Gila Trappers and New Mexico Mountain Men. 
Had a great time.  32 round rifle trail, 32 round smoothbore trail, 17 round pistol trail.  Also a long distance rifle match known as one-tie-all-tie where we start shooting at a gong from about 100 yards.  The second shooter to hit the gong moves the mark back as far as he likes and we continue shooting at that distance until again, the second shooter who hits it moves the mark back.  That continues until every shooter has shot from that distance and only one shooter hits the gong and is declared the winner of the match.  This time it went to 140 yards before we had a winner. 

Night time temps were in the 20's.
My favorite winter camp activity
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Taking a break on the rifle trail walk.
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[rollingb]

Sounds like a fun time,.... and thanks for the pictures. 

Is that your new rifle leanin' agin the tree?

[prairie dog]

Yes, that's my baby.  Still learning to shoot it and getting acquainted.  I'm not yet up to speed but getting better with practice.  Hope to get dialed in well before my new Hawken rifle build is finished.  It's going to be a close example of the Kit Carson Hawken.  Percussion, 32 inch Rice barrel in 54 caliber, tapered from one inch at the breach to 7/8 inch at the muzzle, Maple stock, iron furniture.   

[Ohio Joe]

Sounds like a mighty fine event, and some mighty fine times were had! 

[Bigsmoke]

That continues until every shooter has shot from that distance and only one shooter hits the gong and is declared the winner

The Coeur d'Alene club has done a similar match to that at their rendezvous in the past.  Don't think it has been done the last couple of years.

I think the match I won went back to about 180 yards.  The one I didn't won went back well over 200 yards.  Sorry to say, they have a bore size restriction and do not allow anything over .58 cal to be shot.  My little .62 or my .72 were both starting to come into their own at those ranges.  But, they were kinda leary about big bore rifles and their steel.  Interestinngly enough, the only one of their targets I ever broke was shot with my .54.  I think it was the foot off a rabbit silhouette. 

But, I really like those one tie - all tie matches.  They are fun.

John

[prairie dog]

They are fun and keep everybody shooting until it's won.  Typically, we shoot longer distances with a larger gong.  This time space was limited so a smaller gong was used.