Henry Rifle Forums

Spent last weekend at a local Rendezvous. Weather was good, had about 22 black powder shooters. Mostly short barreled percussion cap rifles with adjustable sights. There were 3 flintlock long rifles, mine included. Placed 3rd overall but I was the only one to get a hit on the 125 yd 8" steel plate so pretty happy with that considering fixed primitive sights and all shots are off hand. Best part, after having my lock rebuilt last winter, was zero misfires or problems. Every shot out of about 50 or so shots went kaboom. Only used 2 flints all weekend, and the second one is still good to go. There were only 2 tent campers there, me and one other. The rest are in trailers or greyhound bus size mobile homes. But I try to keep it real circa the early 19th century fur trade era, sleep on the ground in my little wedge tent, started my fires with flint & steel, no modern stuff as much as possible. My coat is smoked brain tan buffalo hide. Cell phone to take pics unfortunately, but I only turn it on to take the pics. Evenings are spent by the fire writing or sketching in my journal. Nightime temps about 40F and daytime in the 80's.

Cool. I know for you RR you are living the dream. Im glad you can do that

Thanks for the post and the pictures.. I was wondering how you were doing and am impressed as always.

Nice! Thanks for sharing, and ditto Al's remark.
And as a side note, no need for the coat down here at the moment.

RP

Now all you need is a pet brown bear.

A few years back we went to a rendezvous in Owatonna, Mn. at a place called "The Big Island" state park. It was very interesting and my wife, who is a city girl, got to experience what it feels like when an actual cannon is fired. It scared the heck out of her.
We saw them smoking turkeys in a make shift tent smoker and many other things that we found very interesting.
Have fun and check each other for ticks.

Nice to see you keeping the tradition and that lifestyle alive, RR. Impressive, as always.

Some days this is as energetic as I get. Enjoying a real nice summer out here in God’s country.

You are the coolest. That sounds like a great time for you and those who attended.
It's funny that only two folks camped out. I wonder how the others felt as they were inside their mobile hotels?

daytime dave wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:01 pm

It's funny that only two folks camped out. I wonder how the others felt as they were inside their mobile hotels?

Hey there! We love our mobile hotel.

daytime dave wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:01 pm

You are the coolest. That sounds like a great time for you and those who attended.
It's funny that only two folks camped out. I wonder how the others felt as they were inside their mobile hotels?

They think I’m nuts.

RanchRoper wrote: ↑

Wed Jul 30, 2025 5:09 pm

They think I’m nuts.

Nope, you're not nuts. You're trying to experience what it was like in those days.
Curiosity is what it is.

Hmmmmm, shooting a long barrel flintlock with primitive sights and camping in a primitive site using primitive tools. Yep, you’re nuts! Just kidding of course, we’re all enjoying what you do and love the pics you post.

You aint nuts. the people that are nuts are the people with colored hair, rainbow flags and those who support the idea

When I used to Rendezvous I usually would stay with a couple that had a Teepee. Definitely more work to set up than your tent, he had to have a special rack made for his SUV to carry the poles. Also had a wire mesh covered rack to go over a small inside campfire.

He also shot a flintlock and he and another flintlock shooter were usually a couple of the best shooter's there. I had a long rifle but it was cap and ball and I was just barely an OK shooter with it. It was just too heavy, I should have had it made with a swamped or tapered barrel.

My favorite Rendezvous was put on by a local guy. He had a road alongside a gully that he had set up with numerous steel targets, the only paper target I remember was a deer but he had set it up on a zip line so you had to shoot it while it was moving. My favorite was a duel, 2 guys with unloaded rifles, you had to load and fire at the target as quick as you could but if you fired first and missed the other guy could then take his time aiming.

The nice thing about a wedge tent is only 3 poles, or can string it between 2 trees with a rope if no poles.