I have often loaded while walking, (both my smoothbore and my rifle) but never tried it at a run...
Interesting thread!
I have also loaded while walking.
It's not as difficult as some might think it is.
My own .69 smooth bore, while Quail hunting, has been reloaded several times while "moving around', sometimes walking, sometimes just kicking at brush.....often putting the shot directly on the powder, and sometimes even forgetting the OS Card, and several times having to look around to find my ramrod.
It's very aggravating to me, and some may say it's even dangerous, but I have done it quite a bit while when hunting California Valley Quail,.... Quail that often prefer to run on the ground instead of flying.
I'm pretty sure Steve Sells is very familiar with this crazy bird.
And, they can get out-of-range pretty dadburn quick, so you need to move around quite a bit yourself...loading while you move.
In the excitement you will immediately recognize the fact you forgot the Over Shot card....often a Wooosh, and smoke is about the most you get, while you hear the shot falling on the brush/leaves/dry mesquite, whatever, not that far in front of you.
I can pour a "pile" of powder in the palm of my hand and get enough, whatever
enough may mean, at the same time I will recognize too much, or not near enough. Black Powder is just NOT that critical IMHO, extreme accuracy will require more precision when using PRB, but shot is a whole 'nother world.
(I have practiced this quite a bit over the years by simply dumping my 80gr measure in my hand, then cupping my hand a bit and pouring it down the barrel.
In fact, I remember shooting a match in Las Cruces, NM back in the late 1970s where everyone had to do the same.
Nothing remarkable came of that match as far as my accuracy.
Back then I think I was a registered B Shooter, and anything over 20 hits out of 40 was a good day.
There was also little change in the A, AA, and AAA shooters score on that day, so I decided right then and there that, while a powder measure was nice to have for own piece of mind, it would never be a an absolute total necessity.)
Some "stories" I read, such as that of Wetzel is hard to believe once I think it about it a bit, but both the Wetzel, and Kenton stories I do believe happened, and not only that, but I can imagine it has happened more times than what has shown up in print. .
This is not only possible but very doable, once you've tried it a few times.....insofar as accuracy from such shots, I would never put too much stock in that. The "target" would have to be pretty close to even expect very much.
Topic: Speaking of "Short Starters" (Read 3333 times)