> > Personally, I have shot everything from BB's to 8 inch diameter artillery shells. I don't care for shooting at living things, but targets are fun.
>
> I agree. I can't seem to hit the broad side of a barn most times, but I did manage to hit a small target metal target with a black powder rifle once. It made a quite satisfying whinge. Black powder is a lot of fun, except for the expense.
>
> I'd really like to become proficient at shooting clay pigeons one of these days. That looks like a lot of fun. Considering my vast amounts of free time and my forementioned accurate aim, though, it isn't likely to happen any time soon.
>
> >The down side is that I have had a ringing in my ears for half a century.
> >
>
> That's why I wear ear protection.
>
> > There is a rather large group of people who shoot better than me, so I'll leave it up to them. The last time I shot anything, it was a slingshot.
>
> My brother used to be very interested in slingshots and bows and arrows. He was quite good a couple of years ago.
>
> >
>
> La"Shotguns are fun"Zorra

My I offer this formula for hitting the side of a barn? Go in, close doors, start shooting. Hitting the *broad* side may take a little practice.

Even the US Army didn't see the need for ear protection a few decades ago.

Black powder is definately fun. It's not too expensive if you consider the time it takes to load. I have a semi-automatic .22 that will burn up a box of shells in just a few minutes. But with a muzzle-stuffer, you have to measure powder, patch the ball, use the ramrod, and put on a percussion cap for each shot. To shoot 50 shots (the same number as a box of .22's) you have to shoot all afternoon. But I love the crack of a Kentucky rifle, the big cloud of smoke, and even the recoil, which isn't as bad as a shotgun. There is a real thrill to hitting a target at 100 yards with 18th century technology.

Howard