.500 Watson and 12-bore Whistler for spring shooting today

14 April 2015, 08:45

cal pappas

Gents:
Went shooting a bit today in the warm and balmy 50 degree spring weather. Shot two doubles and finished up with 25 clays. Buying the Do All Raven trap was a very good investment and great fun!
Here is the results of a bit of double shooting.

The two rifles were a Whistler 12-bore double from the late 1870s shooting a 590-grain ball sized to .741" and a charge of 110 grains or 4 drams of FFFg. The box lock is a 1907 Watson Brothers .500 nitro that was once owned by Jack Lott. I thought about putting it on the market this summer but it shoots so damn well I may keep it. May and June will see me take her for grizzly on the Denali Highway, about a four hour drive north of my home and take an ATV in 15-20 miles on an old mining road--actually more of a path. Anyway she regulates well with a 570-grain Woodleigh soft and 112 grains of IMR 4831. No filler is needed as the case is filled to the base of the bullet. I didn't use a chronograph today but will do so on future shoots.

Targets were a measured 50 yards over a very solid standing rest. Ball was recovered from a snow bank.

I hope a few out of staters will join us for our double shoot May 2. A few are coming and confirmed and all are welcome.
Enjoy the pics.
Cal
PS. For the clays I used a Jeffery 12 bore double with 32-inch barrels, both choked full. A unique double for Jeffery as she is marked LC for long chamber (three inches) and proofed for 1 1/2 pounces of shot.

_______________________________

Cal Pappas, Willow, Alaska
www.CalPappas.com
www.CalPappas.blogspot.com
1994 Zimbabwe
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1999 Namibia, Botswana, Zambia--vacation
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2019 South Africa
2019 Botswana
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2021 South Africa (2nd hunt a month later)
______________________________

14 April 2015, 08:48

cal pappas

PS. Both these rifles and many more will be at our shoot on May 2.
Cal

14 April 2015, 09:03

Mike Brooks

quote:
Originally posted by cal pappas:
Buying the Do All Raven trap was a very good investment and great fun!

So? How many Ravens did you trap?

14 April 2015, 09:53

cal pappas

quote:
Originally posted by Mike Brooks:
quote:
Originally posted by cal pappas:
Buying the Do All Raven trap was a very good investment and great fun!

So? How many Ravens did you trap?

It's a damn good thing you work on big trucks 'cause you ain't making any money as a comedian.
Cal