Obligatory intro

[LongWalker]

I hate doing intros. 

I got tagged LongWalker back in the early '80s, and have used that name on the old MLML, Dean Rudy's mailing list, on the MuzzleLoading Forum, and probably a few others.  I went by Habu on the ALR forum when I was active there. 

I've been pondering some follow-up on an experiment I did 10-12 years ago. As I wrote then on ALR, I took an old Dickert and played with long-range shooting to see if the results fit with what Colonel Hanger wrote of the day his bugler's horse got shot.  I've been thinking about picking up one of Kibler's Colonials in .54 and repeating my tests, then doing the same with a Colonial .50.  That is as close as I can reasonably come to eliminating variables other than bore size, in something close to a rifle of the Rev War era.  The Dickert was probably from ~1790-1800, and had some issues with condition: probably close to a well-worn Rev War era rifle, but not up to what a new rifle could have done. 

Maybe.  I'm probably going to wind up spending too much money and get worse results than I got with the Dickert!

Circling back to the intro, Snuffer had talked about doing some further work along those lines, I'm hoping he posted some results here. 

LongWalker, c. du B.

[BEAVERMAN]

Welcome to the TMA!

[RobD]

Welcome to the TMA cyber campfire, LongWalker!

i built a Kilbler .54 Colonial and she shot real well. 

Ah yes, Colonel Hanger ....

"Colonel Tarleton and myself were standing a few yards out of a wood, observing the situation of a part of the enemy which we intended to attack.  There was a rivulet in the enemy’s front, and a mill on it, to which we stood directly with our horses’ heads fronting, observing their motions.  It was an absolute plain field between us and the mill, not so much as a single bush on it.  Our orderly-bugle stood behind us, about three yards, but with his horse’s side to our horses’ tails.  A rifleman passed over the mill-dam, evidently observing two officers, and laid himself down on his belly, for in such positions they always lie to take a good shot at a long distance.  He took a deliberate and cool shot at my friend, at me, and the bugle-horn man.  Now observe how well this fellow shot.  It was in the month of August and not a breath of wind was stirring.  Colonel Tarleton’s horse and mine, I am certain, were not anything like two feet apart, for we were in close consultation how we should attack with our troops, which laid 300 yards in the wood and could not be perceived by the enemy.  A rifle ball passed between him and me.  Looking directly to the mill, I evidently observed the flash of the powder.  I directly said to my friend, “I think we had better move or we shall have two or three of these gentlemen shortly amusing themselves at our expense.”  The words were hardly out of my mouth when the bugle-horn man behind us, and directly central, jumped off his horse and said, “Sir, my horse is shot.”  The horse staggered, fell down, and died."

T'was a very Very long shot indeed!

https://allthingsliberty.com/2017/03/prowess-american-riflemen-mystery-now-solved/

[Bigsmoke]

Thanks Rob, so now we know "The Rest of the Story".

A warm welcome to you Long Walker.  Hope you enjoy your time here and do keep us informed of the progress on your experiment.

John (Bigsmoke)

[Winter Hawk]

Welcome from SE Ohio, LongWalker!  I'm looking forward to seeing the results of your long range experiments posted here after you build the necessary rifle(s).

~Kees~

[KDubs]

Welcome from north idaho.
 I'd be interested in your long range endeavors as well.
 Postem if ya gotem.
Kevin

[Bigsmoke]

Speaking of long range shooting in Idaho, I bet Idaho Lewis would like to have a piece of that action.

[LongWalker]

The more the better!  Lord knows most folks are better shots than me!

[Butler Ford 40]

Welcome!  Looking forward to following your experiment!

[KDubs]

I messaged Lewis once, just hi , hello kinda thing.
 Never heard from him.
Kevin

[RobD]

Lewis used to hang out at the MM forum, dunno if he still does, but I messaged him there yesterday.