Shooting the .44-96-520 Creedmoor Rifle. A Tribute to Mr. James Watson

Shooting a Whitney - Laidley chambered in .44-96-520 As a Tribute to Mr James Watson who made a record score with his rifle,... this rifle in 1877.

[@markcarew6724]

Thank you, Doctor, on many levels.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

My pleasure, and thank you for saying so....Doc

[@ar6985]

Who has the best firearms videos on KZbin? Dr. Durell Shepard, that's who. Once again, thank you for all your amazing presentations!!

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Good morning Sir, and thanks so much for the kind words, it is appreciated. Glad you could come along on the James Watson historical tribute shoot......Doc

[@AA-gj3kt]

Now that's how to make firewood. Beautiful! 👍👍

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hello Sir, and thanks for your comment. It beats the "Champion Power Equipment 27 Ton 224cc Log Splitter" hands down.

[@Dimwit_the_last_mountainman]

Good job bringing that rifle back to Glory! Thanks again for sharing with us. What a treassure!

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hi John, always good to hear from you. Hope it's not to snowy at the cabin so you can get something accomplished. Wishing you a Happy Turkey day......Doc

[@Dimwit_the_last_mountainman]

@@dr.durellshepard398 Thankyou Doc! We only have 2 inches of snow. Starting to drill for water at the cabin tomorrow. We don't celebrate Thanksgiving in Norway. One of the things I miss from America. Enjoy your turkey! I'll cook one up during Christmas instead..... John.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

@@Dimwit_the_last_mountainman Thank You, John.

[@a.r.m.4you182]

That's a fine looking piece.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hello A.R.M. Thanks so much. How's your Spencer shooting going? Later...Doc

[@a.r.m.4you182]

@@dr.durellshepard398 No worries. Thanks for sharing. I haven't played with the Spencer for a while now. Ive been tinkering more with flintlocks. They don't need primers. 😄

[@dr.durellshepard398]

@@a.r.m.4you182 You're ahead of the curve ! I hear that WW IV will be fought with them. LOL

[@chrischiampo7647]

Thanks Doc Great Tribute a Dime Size Group At 800 Yards in 1877 That’s Quite a Feat With Iron Sights 😮 This Rifle Is a Gorgeous Example of The Gunmakers Skills Of The Period More Accurate Than A Lot of Modern Rifles of Today 😮😲😀❤️❤️❤️😀😊👍🏼

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hi Chris, you said it all, Brother ! The gun, the distance and the Rifleman. Regards...Doc

[@neddenier2924]

I am currently working on my Laidley it also was severely abused and had to make a new forked spring and rear stock also converted it to center fire but am now thinking of bending the lower tang to make my own creedmor thanks again

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hi Ned, Good to hear from you, I remember we discussed this project back in February. Glad it's coming along. I'm always a fan of center fire, but I will say my Laidley .44 RF shot well with the converted cases, without any issues. Best of luck on the build. Regards....Doc

[@daveclemons1225]

Great video again Doc! What an honor it must have been to fire such a historical and fine rifle as this! I bet you were having a great deal of fun. I truely love the old single shot rifles, and the fun of shooting them. They are works of art to me! Thank you for making this video and all the work you put in, the pay off is the smile on your face when shooting...it is for me!

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Well Dave, you genuinely know why we do this. And it can't be explained to some folks. Sometimes you must take a muzzle-loader out into the forest and " realign your chi". My shooting friend and I were amazed at how easily the 90 year old Mr. Watson assumed the shooting position, while it was awkward for us. Have a Happy Turkey. Regards...Doc

[@albertogonzalez9152]

Siempre se aprende algo nuevo con usted, como el detalle de mezclar la pólvora y la sémola. Siempre relleno el hueco aéreo con sémola pero nunca la había mezclado,probaré para ver que resultados obtengo. Un saludo desde Toledo Spain.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Buenas noches Alberto, que bueno saber de ti. Cuando disparo cartuchos de pared recta, no mezclo la arena con la pólvora. Los tacos y los granos saldrán directamente de la caja sin acumulación de presión adicional. Cuando fotografío casos de cuello de botella, mezclo los dos y no uso tacos. No quiero que la sémola o los tacos se bloqueen detrás del cuello de botella. El único problema es que es posible que te queden granos sin quemar después de la inyección. Algunos tiradores ponen primero un poco de pólvora pura en el estuche y luego ponen encima la mezcla de pólvora y sémola. Los mejores deseos del Doctor. ((I always learn something new with you, like the detail of mixing gunpowder and grits. I always fill the air hole with semolina but I had never mixed it, I will try to see what results I get. Greetings from Toledo Spain.)) ((Good evening Alberto, good to hear from you. When I shoot straight wall cartridges I do not mix the grits with the gunpowder. The wads and grits will come straight out of the case with no extra pressure buildup. When I shoot bottleneck cases I will mix the two and do not use wads. I do not want the grits or wads to lock up behind the bottleneck. The only problem is you may get unburned grits left behind after the shot. Some shooters put a little pure gunpowder in case first and then put the mixed powder and grits on top. Best wishes from the Doctor.))

[@49walker44]

A DIME at 800yds, I'd have been impossible to live with if you could cover 3 shots at 100yrds. Even with a ransom rest it seems impossible, he must have put 1000s of rounds down range gaining the skill for 800yrd shots like that. Thanks for another great history lesson about such men as Watson.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hello "49", and yes, that is way above my skill set also, not to mention that I can't see anymore either. Best wishes for the holidays......Doc

[@49walker44]

@@dr.durellshepard398 yes this old age business can be cruel, losing my dominant sight eye and told a needle once a month will help. Great your still banging away for our benefit despite your eyes.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

@@49walker44 Thank you Sir, and good luck with your condition. ...Doc

[@steveinthethumb6441]

Another fine rifle and shooting expedition. Have a great Thanksgiving Doc to you and yours.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hi Steve, Glad you could come along on the adventure. Best wishes for your Thanksgiving celebration. ( A line of Turkeys just trotted through the yard.) Regards...Doc

[@paulbeck6410]

I have a Creedmoor. It's built on a Remington No. 5 smokeless action. Has a 34" octagonal Badger barrel. Windage adjustable front sight with spirit level. The rear sight is elevation adjustable. Single set trigger. Chambered in 45-90. Had it custom built by Fred Miller. Haven't shot it much, but now that I'm retired, going to have to load up some ammo and get to it.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Hi Paul, Sounds like a great build, around a classic cartridge, on a great action too. And, congratulations on your retirement ! I retired several years ago and didn't have the time to spend on the collection until I did. So I'm shooting these guns in earnest for the first time. Regards...Doc

[@robertrobert7924]

Doc, Was there ever an accident using those relining posiions whereby someone shot themselves in the foot?

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Good morning Robert, So far I have not read of any such accidents but it sure would be possible. We were very nervous while shooting in that manner. And we did spot for each other before dropping the hammer on a loaded chamber. It was cumbersome for two old guys. Regards...Doc

[@robertrobert7924]

@@dr.durellshepard398 Can you imagine modern Snipers trying to use that position.....LOL.

[@dr.durellshepard398]

@@robertrobert7924 Yes, that would be something to see ! I guess what created these imaginative positions were the rules that said no part on the gun could be on a rest of any sort. These strange positions tried to give the steady support needed and get the gun away from the chest so as not to be effected by heart and lung/chest movements.

[@williamcollins4082]

95 pushing a 44 cal pill. That's gotta hurt ???

[@dr.durellshepard398]

Yes Sir, For pleasurable, mid-range shooting, I do load them down.......Doc