Two Great New Books

Gettin' the Lead Out by Karl Z. Smith is a joint production that we participated in. Karl did a great job presenting over 200 ball and shot bags from his collection. Measurements and descriptions are included for each bag, making it a great resource for do-it-yourselfers.

Building the Southern Banded Horn by Scott and Cathy Sibley is a must for learning how to build a banded horn. Sharp color photos of each step plus a photographic presentation of original Southern horns and some recreations that the Sibleys have built. 

For more information or to order, go to store.scurlockpublishing.com

Bill Scurlock

Me in 1973

I recently found these images tucked in my high school yearbook. I reckon this was me in Greenhorn-Stage 1 (using the Mark A. Baker scale). This was January of 1973, and I was 14 years old. We were shooting in a local muzzleloading club at my uncle's farm. Our local newspaper sent a photographer out to take photos for a story on the club. In perspective, the first issue of MUZZLELOADER magazine was not published until March of 1974.

Good ol' T/C Hawken, .45 caliber. It wasn't as grand as the rifles I shoot now, but it was extremely accurate. Shot some squirrels and placed in a lot of shooting matches with it. 

Bill Scurlock

Camryn's First Deer

My niece, Camryn (11 years old), shot her first deer last weekend while hunting at our lease. She took this spike buck with a bow. Made a good shot through the vitals. My brother-in-law said he was shaking like a leaf while she was preparing to shoot, but that she was outwardly calm and collected, until after the shot. Way to go, Camryn!

Bill Scurlock

Second Deer This Year

This is my second deer this season. Got her on the evening of the 23rd. Another nice doe weighing 134 lbs. Once again, I was using my Mark Thomas .54 caliber rifle.

Son, Jacob, scored one that morning, but I didn't get a picture before she was skinned. This made three in the family, so it's time to slow down on the shooting. Running out of freezer space.

I hunted parts of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday last week. Saw quite a few more deer, but not the big one, so I didn't shoot. I did have a relaxing time away from the computer.

Bill Scurlock

Arkansas Muzzleloader Season

I have been gone for a few days, taking some time off deer hunt with my flintlock in South Arkansas. Last Saturday evening, I shot a mid-sized doe at about 20 yards with my Mark Thomas .54 caliber rifle. Same rifle that I have been carrying the two previous years. Everything worked right, and I killed my first deer of the season.

Contact info: Mark Thomas, rifle www.markthomas-graver.com
                      Mike Small, powder horn www.mspowderhorns.com
                      Greg Hudson, pouch www.revwarsupplier.com

Bill Scurlock

Frizzen Bounce-Back

One of the special features in the Sept/Oct issue is Frank Twist's article discussing the causes and remedies of frizzen bounce-back, which can break your flint.

Bill Scurlock

Mark Sage and the Northwest Gun

In the Sept/Oct issue, Mark Sage continues his journey into the world of the NW gun with a look at his method for discovering the past.

Bill Scurlock