Tradition, remembrance, and an affection for the game, guns, and people. This is the level of immersion, bordering on religion, that separates sportsmen from the crowd.
What a great Video, thank for that. I'm a UK Expat and this video made me miss England and the days like you just had. At 70 years young I have been muzzle loading for fifty years and have even represented New Zealand and Australia (MLAIC) with BP ML clays, flintlock and percussion. But I only took up game shooting 30 years ago after shooting ducks on Lake Ellersmere. I had shot the bag limit by lunch and I said to my friend, that I didn't really enjoyed it. He reminded me of the cheap SxS ML shotgun I had brought with me to NZ. So, out it came and I haven't looked back. I'm a beater on the Craigmore Station here in NZ and the 19th Aug was the beaters shoot because in NZ beaters don't get paid like in the UK. For the last five years, I've used my 28 year old custom Johnathan Jones BP ML 12g percussion shotgun. What a day we had, now looking forward to another season beating on Craigmore Station as our season has just ended.
Great insight, and another call to the reverence of the sport. I have always been of the opinion that shooting is about the people you are with, not the number in the bag. I have never seen the point of the 200 -300 bird shoot, (you just cant eat that many). If I shoot 4 that is great, as I have two meals and there is a brace for the beaters. That said every bird has a better than 60% chance of getting away when I am holding the gun. Great film !
Wonderful, thank you for sharing. It's a shame there weren't more full-speed clips so we could hear the noise and see the smoke. Especially as Jonny was describing the feeling he gained from watching a line of guns all using black powder! I'd loved to have just watched a whole drive from one end looking down the line.
I'm so happy to see this. I've been shooting flintlock rifles almost exclusively for over 20 years, and it remains my biggest shooting joy. I got into shotguns 2 years ago, and I admit that I've enjoyed not needing as much paraphernalia just to go shoot a few rounds. But the line, "...your shot is sacred," perfectly captures the essence of target shooting or hunting with a muzzleloader. It forces you to slow down, be mindfully engaged with each element of the experience, and really appreciate it. I hope to see more videos like this!
Thank you for a wonderful film! Having shot pheasant, duck, and rabbit with a flintlock, as well as with a side by side percussion gun, I was thrilled to watch this. Thank you so much.
I've been hunting Waterfowl in Minnesota since 1965. Circa 1980 non-toxic shot was required in all gauges of shotguns firing shotshells. However, it was legal to hunt Waterfowl with lead shot in a Muzzleloader until 1987! I hunted with a 10 Gauge Pedersoli SXS percussion replica and a 10 Gauge King SXS percussion original (London 1866-1888) with Damascus Barrels, and English Proof Marks. These Guns worked Great on both Ducks and Geese over Decoys! I still use them where lead shot is allowed for hunting Upland Game and also for Deer with either Single Round Ball (Pumpkin Ball) or Foster Slugs.
I've been shooting Black Powder arms since childhood. An old technique to make for best possible pattern is to use say 70-grains of 2f Swiss powder, then 70 grains of cornmeal (always equal amounts) over said powder. Use your ramrod to pack the cornmeal into a firm wad, followed by your shot, then an overshot card. do not use fiber plug wads, they will upset the shot pattern. the cornmeal will cushion the shot and prevent deformation of said shot and disintegrate on leaving the muzzle.
Brings a classical meaning to the modern brandishing of 'sustainability' in shooting. Was almost expecting to see the conclusion with a Norfolk coastal canon firing to awaiting skippers setting their clocks to calculate their safe passages of longitude home and beyond...
Fantastic video Johnny. Love muzzle loading guns very much. I have only one, but love it very much. It is so much fun to shoot. So different from modern guns.
Terrific vid,I’ve got and eye out for a nice BP shotgun, so really looking forward to giving this a try. Whilst the team unloading looks like a fun thing, there is an alternative if desired. There is a device, a CO2 cartridge powered tool which drives a blast of gas through the nipple and forces contents of the barrel out the end. One example where this is useful if you leave your gun loaded walking back to the truck, and you arrive exactly 30 minutes past sunset, it’s illegal to discharge your firearm. And you may not want to leave powder in the barrel.
Not often talked about is the lingering after effect of inhaling black powder smoke all day. Shall we say that, those of a flatulent disposition will constantly be reminded for the next twenty four hours of the sulphurous effluvia that they previously inhaled.
Another fantastic video! Whatever will happen to guns and days like this with the eminent lead ban? I agree that we need to evolve with the times but it would be a shame to see such history die.
Will there be a readily available supply of loose bismuth, or other compatible nontoxic shot in the coming year? It would be a pity to hang those guns up if they can't find something other than steel to use.
Speaking of things done the old way. Are there a lot of 16 and 24 gauge muzzleloaders still being used. As a gunsmith I would have made these calibers based on 16 ounces to the pound and 16 drams to the ounce. So to the loadings. I would use 75gr of Fg in the 16ga with 1oz of no 5 shot (English size) and 57gr of 2Fg in the 24ga with 3/4oz of no 7 shot. Is anyone using loads similar to these and if so, how effective are they on something like driven game.
Absolutely superb ! I did a little black powder shooting in my youth - thanks to a local character and friend who took me under his wing and introduced me to the delights of the "Cock, Ball, Nipple & Touch Hole Club" (yes, it's real ... ) There is something uniquely evocative about black powder and this film took me back 40 years to a time when I too would come home with a black circle around my lips and a smudged face. Also, I have to agree on the question of elevenses ... 👏
Probably not the "battlefield expedient" as there were ladies present. Failing that copper brush the worst of the fouling out and then hot water down the barrels (demounted if possible) I'd expect. Quite astonishing the amount comes out after only a couple of BP rounds in a breach loader (even after "cleaning" via diligent use of nitro cartridges)
Happy to see that you call it driven shooting, as it is not hunting, it is just shooting. I personally do not find any sportsmanship in it, even if the shooter wears the lord-like clothing we see depicted. Besides that, an exceptional video. Bravo to the cinematographer.
I can't understand those in this video who have a loader for their musket. Having a loader on a muzzle load shoot is like going to a classic motorcycle rally with your BSA Bantam on a trailer behind your RangeRover.
Put it this way - if you were trying to do it yourself you'd need a lot of discipline to not be looking at the birds whilst doing it and therefore probably rush the job which can lead to embarrassment or accident. It's not uncommon for a peg to be shared on these days either as a shoot one stand (reload) one or even alternating fire - plus it gives you someone to have a quiet natter with or just appreciate what the other guns are doing
Yeah nice one guys! Thanks for nothing. Now I'm gonna have to buy a black powder shotgun. Clicking on this video is now costing me a bucket load of cash.
Tradition, remembrance, and an affection for the game, guns, and people. This is the level of immersion, bordering on religion, that separates sportsmen from the crowd.
Well said!
Absolutely 🧐
There is nothing more to say. Well said.
What a great Video, thank for that.
I'm a UK Expat and this video made me miss England and the days like you just had.
At 70 years young I have been muzzle loading for fifty years and have even represented
New Zealand and Australia (MLAIC) with BP ML clays, flintlock and percussion.
But I only took up game shooting 30 years ago after shooting ducks on Lake Ellersmere.
I had shot the bag limit by lunch and I said to my friend, that I didn't really enjoyed it.
He reminded me of the cheap SxS ML shotgun I had brought with me to NZ.
So, out it came and I haven't looked back.
I'm a beater on the Craigmore Station here in NZ and the 19th Aug was the beaters shoot
because in NZ beaters don't get paid like in the UK.
For the last five years, I've used my 28 year old custom Johnathan Jones BP ML 12g
percussion shotgun. What a day we had, now looking forward to another season beating
on Craigmore Station as our season has just ended.
Great insight, and another call to the reverence of the sport. I have always been of the opinion that shooting is about the people you are with, not the number in the bag. I have never seen the point of the 200 -300 bird shoot, (you just cant eat that many). If I shoot 4 that is great, as I have two meals and there is a brace for the beaters. That said every bird has a better than 60% chance of getting away when I am holding the gun. Great film !
Oh the black dog! I lost mine recently. I miss him.
Wonderful, thank you for sharing. It's a shame there weren't more full-speed clips so we could hear the noise and see the smoke. Especially as Jonny was describing the feeling he gained from watching a line of guns all using black powder! I'd loved to have just watched a whole drive from one end looking down the line.
I'm so happy to see this. I've been shooting flintlock rifles almost exclusively for over 20 years, and it remains my biggest shooting joy. I got into shotguns 2 years ago, and I admit that I've enjoyed not needing as much paraphernalia just to go shoot a few rounds. But the line, "...your shot is sacred," perfectly captures the essence of target shooting or hunting with a muzzleloader. It forces you to slow down, be mindfully engaged with each element of the experience, and really appreciate it. I hope to see more videos like this!
That would be a great time, thanks for sharing
Thank you for a wonderful film! Having shot pheasant, duck, and rabbit with a flintlock, as well as with a side by side percussion gun, I was thrilled to watch this. Thank you so much.
What an amazing time, thanks for sharing.
Superbly filmed production as ever. Looked like such good fun. Thanks for posting👍
It looks great fun, i hope it catches on.
I've been hunting Waterfowl in Minnesota since 1965. Circa 1980 non-toxic shot was required in all gauges of shotguns firing shotshells. However, it was legal to hunt Waterfowl with lead shot in a Muzzleloader until 1987! I hunted with a 10 Gauge Pedersoli SXS percussion replica and a 10 Gauge King SXS percussion original (London 1866-1888) with Damascus Barrels, and English Proof Marks. These Guns worked Great on both Ducks and Geese over Decoys! I still use them where lead shot is allowed for hunting Upland Game and also for Deer with either Single Round Ball (Pumpkin Ball) or Foster Slugs.
Great video, chaps. Would love to have a day like this. Johnathan McGee has a great black powder video on his channel too.
I've been shooting Black Powder arms since childhood. An old technique to make for best possible pattern is to use say 70-grains of 2f Swiss powder, then 70 grains of cornmeal (always equal amounts) over said powder. Use your ramrod to pack the cornmeal into a firm wad, followed by your shot, then an overshot card. do not use fiber plug wads, they will upset the shot pattern. the cornmeal will cushion the shot and prevent deformation of said shot and disintegrate on leaving the muzzle.
Great video !! You should do this as an annual thing
What an amazingly well produced film. Jonny, you and Sasha do such a good job.
What a wonderful array of guns!!! Cheers folks!
Longthorne should make a throwback side by side in black powder…. Titanium…. Old and new….. I need a moment ❤
Hello TGS, John that looked like a lot of fun.
Fantastic!
So right about not remembering the kills. 10/12 is about the max.
Fantastic video.
So Jonny .... Longthorne muzzleloader next ? .
The ethos of a day like that is how I hunt.
Brings a classical meaning to the modern brandishing of 'sustainability' in shooting. Was almost expecting to see the conclusion with a Norfolk coastal canon firing to awaiting skippers setting their clocks to calculate their safe passages of longitude home and beyond...
Fantastic video Johnny. Love muzzle loading guns very much. I have only one, but love it very much. It is so much fun to shoot. So different from modern guns.
Another wonderful film Johnny well done. I’m starting to think the future might be indulging in the past!
Beautiful!
beautiful
Absolutely amazing to see. Given me some inspiration for something new to try. Thanks
I need to move over there.. East! Simply fabulous
What a day, perfect, very envious, your so lucky
Now that different, 👍 totally agree about the 11sie on each drink. As long as my mates driving 😂
Simply amazing…..thanks for sharing.
Now that would be a whole lot of fun!!!
Fantastic video brings you back to days when life had more class 👍👍
Great video keep up the good work please do a another one
That looked a fantastic day Johnny. So different but yet enjoyable 👌👏
Terrific vid,I’ve got and eye out for a nice BP shotgun, so really looking forward to giving this a try.
Whilst the team unloading looks like a fun thing, there is an alternative if desired.
There is a device, a CO2 cartridge powered tool which drives a blast of gas through the nipple and forces contents of the barrel out the end.
One example where this is useful if you leave your gun loaded walking back to the truck, and you arrive exactly 30 minutes past sunset, it’s illegal to discharge your firearm. And you may not want to leave powder in the barrel.
Brilliant piece of nostalgia
Not often talked about is the lingering after effect of inhaling black powder smoke all day. Shall we say that, those of a flatulent disposition will constantly be reminded for the next twenty four hours of the sulphurous effluvia that they previously inhaled.
Superb
Excellent 💥💥 but going to be completely finished with the lead ban
I have two!
Would like to have heard about each of the guns the men brought.
Really enjoyed this! How about a TGS game day next season with muzzle loaders 🤣
Дульнозарядка, дымарь, поэзия...
Как мы грезили ими, начитавшись Фенимора Купера, Луиса Ламура и прочих...
❤️it👍
All great fun best hope they don’t ban lead shot.
Magnificent
... then cleaning them 😆
Never tried old-fashioned muzzle loaders. I've done the modern stuff, but not the "old school." Mmmm....maybe.
Got news for you Jonny the only season on the dinner bird is salt pepper and thyme 🤣🤣🤣
another learning day from tgs!
Another fantastic video! Whatever will happen to guns and days like this with the eminent lead ban? I agree that we need to evolve with the times but it would be a shame to see such history die.
I love the shoes. These men are dressed for battle. They are the "Seal Team 6" of sporting gentlemen.😪
Will there be a readily available supply of loose bismuth, or other compatible nontoxic shot in the coming year? It would be a pity to hang those guns up if they can't find something other than steel to use.
Speaking of things done the old way. Are there a lot of 16 and 24 gauge muzzleloaders still being used. As a gunsmith I would have made these calibers based on 16 ounces to the pound and 16 drams to the ounce. So to the loadings. I would use 75gr of Fg in the 16ga with 1oz of no 5 shot (English size) and 57gr of 2Fg in the 24ga with 3/4oz of no 7 shot.
Is anyone using loads similar to these and if so, how effective are they on something like driven game.
You should review some BP fowlers- British vs American. Also are there any British manufacturers putting out BP fowlers now that you could review.
Absolutely superb !
I did a little black powder shooting in my youth - thanks to a local character and friend who took me under his wing and introduced me to the delights of the "Cock, Ball, Nipple & Touch Hole Club" (yes, it's real ... )
There is something uniquely evocative about black powder and this film took me back 40 years to a time when I too would come home with a black circle around my lips and a smudged face.
Also, I have to agree on the question of elevenses ... 👏
"I mean.. what else is a boy ment to do!" 🙂
Where is your video on the antique trigger cocked revolver?
Nice vid.
Yep, just added this to the #BUCKETLIST 😁
Dreaming of this in Germany…
A wonderful film as always. One question though. How do you clean them?
Probably not the "battlefield expedient" as there were ladies present. Failing that copper brush the worst of the fouling out and then hot water down the barrels (demounted if possible) I'd expect. Quite astonishing the amount comes out after only a couple of BP rounds in a breach loader (even after "cleaning" via diligent use of nitro cartridges)
Fabulous video. Lets hope that lead shot isn't banned or those guns will just be wall hangers.
You just need a Browning A5 sweet sixteen with blondie wood
I'm a driven man: driven by what is still up for debate.
The question is does Holt's have one in gold 🤣🤣🤣
Happy to see that you call it driven shooting, as it is not hunting, it is just shooting. I personally do not find any sportsmanship in it, even if the shooter wears the lord-like clothing we see depicted. Besides that, an exceptional video. Bravo to the cinematographer.
Using a ML is great but having some lacky load it for you is just crass.
Great video thank you, good to see fellow enthusiasts. If I experience a "hang fire", I take out my pricker and give my nipples a jolly good clean.
Anyone else spot that fox at 11:49 ..
Instructions to young sportsman in all that relates to guns and shooting by Lt. Col. P Hawker
Could you use steel in a shot cup?
nice to watch but reloading would drive me to self harming , what a faff 😁😁
I can't understand those in this video who have a loader for their musket. Having a loader on a muzzle load shoot is like going to a classic motorcycle rally with your BSA Bantam on a trailer behind your RangeRover.
Put it this way - if you were trying to do it yourself you'd need a lot of discipline to not be looking at the birds whilst doing it and therefore probably rush the job which can lead to embarrassment or accident. It's not uncommon for a peg to be shared on these days either as a shoot one stand (reload) one or even alternating fire - plus it gives you someone to have a quiet natter with or just appreciate what the other guns are doing
Havnt seen any of these at the food bank lately ?
Yeah nice one guys! Thanks for nothing. Now I'm gonna have to buy a black powder shotgun. Clicking on this video is now costing me a bucket load of cash.