Laurie recently turned more than a few heads by his second-place win at the 2019 World Long Range Muzzleloading Championship and a first-place finish at the 2020 United States National Muzzleloading Championships. We weren’t really surprised; we’ve known for quite a while that Laurie took his shooting very seriously and is a top-notch competitor.
We were fortunate to be passing through that area, so we stopped at Laurie’s house, had a great visit catching up on old times and discussed the new shooting matches in the area. I, naturally, had to question Laurie on the rifle and ammunition he used for his latest long-range competitions. I was struck by the fact that he was using a .40 caliber side-hammer muzzleloader, which most current wisdom deems a too light caliber for 1,000-yard shooting. Laurie is one of the few riflemen shooting from the old “back position” and I wanted to see how he manages to shoot so well from what many consider as an unworkable position. I knew that many readers of The Black Powder Cartridge News would like to know more, so I gathered up the pertinent facts over beer and a burger.
Laurie’s rifle was built by himself, along the lines of the British Henry, Gibbs and Metford long-range rifles of the late 1800s. Like many who are involved in muzzleloading, and particularly in long-range muzzleloading, Laurie does much of his own gunsmithing. He cut the stock pattern out from a nice stable piece of New Zealand English walnut and carefully inlet the barrel and furniture. He also modified the Rod England breech to give more of a direct ignition channel, which has paid dividends in eliminating hangfires and misfires. The rifle is a beauty, exhibiting careful workmanship, pleasing lines and weighs 12¾ pounds with the sights.
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Esta historia es de la edición Summer 2021 de The Black Powder Cartridge News.
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ON HUNTING AND SNIPING
Long-range target shooting here in the U.S. has become increasingly popular, at least since the first International Match with the Irish team in 1874.
Death in the Desert
This Colt .45 “Peacemaker” was found out in the desert in historically one of the most dangerous places on Earth.
A COVID-19 Project
As far as the COVID-19 pandemic is concerned, I can’t find much good to say about it. One thing I can say, though; I had a lot of idle time on my hands. After perusing YouTube videos during this time of lockdown, I came across a company that makes rifle kits – Kibler’s Long Rifles.
Smithmoor .22 Offhand Target Championship NSmithmoor Rangen Carpenter, Wyoming – February 20-21, 2021
The Smithmoor .22 Offhand Target Championship held February 20-21, was a great success! It was a two-day match with 50 record shots per day on the 100-yard German Ring Target from SPG Sales (blackpowderspg.com). Wyoming Schuetzen Union rules were used.
A .40 Caliber Long-Range Rifle
During a recent stay in New Zealand, we found ourselves in Rotorua, which is the stomping grounds of expert Kiwi rifleman, Laurie Kerr. Laurie has been a friend since we first met at Raton, New Mexico, a number of years ago and we have managed to stay in relatively good communication ever since.
BE MORE THAN A Wannabe PART II
Since my first article was published in Issue No. 113 of The Black Powder Cartridge News, I have received several emails and groups from readers.
The Hide Hunting Exploits of HARRY “SAM” YOUNG
It’s difficult now to remember exactly where I first read or heard about Hard Knocks by Harry “Sam” Young. The book is an extremely entertaining read and in the Publisher’s Note, it specifically states, “The great lesson of this book is that “truth is stranger than fiction.”
Match Results
World’s Largest Black Powder Target Rifle Match Phoenix, Arizona – March 1-10, 2021 BEN AVERY SHOOTING FACILITY
The Wyoming Schuetzen Union's “Center Shot”
John Bodine, “Old Reliable”
Who Was Albert F. Mitchell?
When somebody hears the words “Sharps rifle,” the first things that probably come to mind are the great buffalo hunts, the “Wild and Wooly West” and tales of long-range shots, Indian attacks, and hunters freezing in blizzards.
