Shiloh 45 2 4/10ths

[Stephen Borud]

It was a rainy cold morning, but I promised a couple of my boys we would go shooting. After shooting .22 pistols, a 1911 Colt and a 45 Colt SAA, we pulled out the first Sharps I ever bought. A 45 2 4/10ths for Kaleb to shoot. He has shot several of my Shilohs, both 50s and a 40/50 BN. We set the target up at about 60 yards. I handed him my rifle so he could get the feel of it. He shouldered it and said, WOW, this doesn't feel like your others. I smiled at him with a reply of nope. This Hartford has the standard pull, and a #1 32" long heavy barrel. It's a bit nose heavy compared to my other rifles.

I told Kaleb to give me the rifle and I would show him how it was done. I dropped a 500 grain pp round in the chamber. Pulled the hammer back, set the rear trigger and put a nice 6 o'clock hold on the target. BANG. The target fell over. We walked out threw the mud to set the target back up. By God I hit the steel at 9 o'clock. We walked back and I handed the rifle to Kaleb, gave him a round and said aim at 6 o'clock and it's a sure hit. He dropped the round in and shouldered the rifle. It seemed to be minutes but I'm sure only a few seconds and he pulled the rifle off his shoulder and said, Dad I can't keep it steady. Kaleb is use to shooting off cross sticks or a bench but not off hand. I gave him some breathing and timing advice, don't over think the shot, when the target swings in just right pull the trigger.

He shouldered the rifle again, slowed his breathing and bang, Ching, the target fell over. We walked out and what do you know. He center punched that target. He proceeded to hit it three more times in a row. We ended our shooting after his fourth shot, the rain started to fall again.

Now some might not think this all that important or a hard shot to make. To me on thee other hand, I saw my son get it, he got it, he understood it, he grasped what I was telling him. It was to bad it started to rain again or we might of shot all 60 rounds I brought with me.

Have a great Sunday my friends.

SB

[Lumpy Grits]

You have set the 'hook' for sure.
Well done
Gary

[Don McDowell]

Good job Stephen. Thanks for sharing your adventures with those youngsters of yours.