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These are YOUR OFFICIAL MEETING NOTICES for the next few months! Please make a note of our upcoming meeting schedule at the range, at 7:00 p.m.:

The club will no longer be sending out the red post cards as a meeting reminder. Everybody likes the cards, but they are expensive! It costs about $750 to run this program. If anyone feels moved to make a donations to keep these cards coming, it will be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, they will be discontinued. The Club needs your attendance and participation at the monthly meetings! We know there are lots of other things to do in the summer, but your RCRPC meetings are important, too.

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Unfortunately, I don't have a list of all the members who helped make the fall show a success, working at setup, cleanup, kitchen, guard duty, tickets, publicity and all the other duties which make a successful show. Your efforts contributed significantly to making the show in October a success financially.

The gun shows are our major revenue source and your efforts make them possible.

The books have been closed for 1999. For 1999, the Club had income of $21,467. Of that amount, only $3972, or just over 18% came from dues! If you have any doubt about the critical importance of the Guns Shows to the Club, just think about those figures. Imagine what your dues would have to be if we didn't have the income from the shows to support our club and the range. In March, if you're sort of wondering whether or not you're really NEEDED AT THE SHOW, just look at those numbers again.

All told, our income for the year exceeded all expenses by nearly $1500 so the year was certainly a success!

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Be sure to set aside March 4 and 5 for the Spring Gun Show. As you all know, our two gun shows are our major fund raisers during the course of the year and the Spring Show is the big one of the year. The Club will need LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS. If you have not participated in this event before, come out and join the other members this time around. Even a couple of hours is a big help. If you can't make it on Saturday or Sunday, help is needed on Friday, starting at noon for setting the show up. We really DO NEED HELP on Friday for setting up the show!

Look at the following article to see how important this show is financially.

Our Club dues are pretty low compared with other facilities and organizations. One of the main reasons is that these gun shows provide the bulk of our funds. Do your part in this effort.

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During the first five weeks of this year, the Club had expenditures of $4134 with income of zip. That's not unusual because we are coming up on Gun Show costs as well as significantly increased rent. There are a couple of things you can easily do to help out cash flow, including:

1. Get your ticket money for the Gun Show in as early as possible. While it can be turned in on Saturday at the show, it can also be turned in earlier than that at Goepfert's. Everything helps!

2. Don't be late with your 2000 dues. The Annual Meeting is April 8.

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

It's been quite a while since we had one of these and this one will be partially a repeat of one we covered earlier, but here goes.

Q. There's a lot of interest these days in shooting some of the "old timers" in guns. Many of these were built for black powder loads which generated pretty low chamber pressures. When smokeless powders came along, most manufacturers recommended that gunners NOT use older guns with the new smokeless loads. Now, however, many vintage shooters are saying that newer, progressive powders can be loaded to stay well within the chamber pressures of the old black powder loads in both rifles and shotguns. Can these loads be safely used in older (black powder) guns?

A. The answer is a firm, conclusive "it depends".

To start out, it might be good to review a previous discussion concerning "slow" and "fast" powders. This previous discussion was regarding handguns, but there are many common grounds with long guns, too. Before anybody gets too excited, it is acknowledged that "slow" and "progressive" powders are NOT the same thing, but for purposes of this illustration, they can be considered in the same way.

The original question appeared nearly 4 years ago, so I'll repeat it completely, as follows:

Q. I'm a pretty new shooter and am just thinking about loading my own ammo. I keep working at finding out as much as I can, but am confused by "slow" and "fast" powders and what the difference is. What do these terms mean? Why would anyone use a "fast" powder if a "slow" one keeps pressures safer and can generate the same velocity anyway?

A. A non-technical explanation. First, "fast" and "slow" refer to how quickly all the energy is released (complete combustion). This is a function of the powder composition and the shape of the powder grains. The faster the combustion, the higher the initial pressures and the quicker the pressure tails off.

Part of what you say about velocities is true. It is possible to get the same ultimate velocities from propellants (powders) of different burning rates, but (and it's a big BUT) whether or not that is possible will also depend on barrel lengths, case capacity, primer types and a bunch of other factors. It's probably easiest to illustrate this with a picture which shows how velocity and pressure are related in your gun.

In this example, two different powders are used to generate the same muzzle velocity. The fast burning powder generates high pressures very early in the cycle and then the pressures in the barrel drop off fairly rapidly with time. The slower one, generates much lower initial pressures, but maintains a higher level as the bullet heads toward the muzzle. In this case, the end result could be the same, but may have needed different amounts of powder to get there.

However, suppose you were working with a short barrel. In that case, two other possibilities occur. With the slower powder, your bullet may be out the muzzle well before the necessary velocity is obtained. You will also find that the short barrel "wastes" a bigger portion of the powder's energy by still generating a big portion of it's power after the bullet is gone, resulting in a need for more powder to do the same thing and much greater muzzle blast.

In this type of example, you will often find pretty fast burning powders used in short barrel guns and slower powders more frequently used where longer barrels allow the pressures and velocities to develop over more time.

è Now, to the new question:

Look at the graph again. The "fast" powder generates a very high pressure right away in the breech end of the gun. It is this high breech pressure which may exceed the capability of the older gun metal to withstand. (Shown as a cross-hatched area on the "fast burning" curve. It is for this reason, primarily that smokeless powders were not recommended for older guns, like damascus barrels. Progressive powders follow a pressure curve more like the "slow burning" curve in the graph. As you can see, powder can be used which keeps the chamber pressures below the "safe" level, even for most of the older barrels.

However, that is NOT the whole story. In long guns, the barrels are usually tapered and once you get beyond the thick breech end, the barrel is not able to withstand as much pressure as it can in the chamber area, because the barrel walls are thinner. When using a slow or progressive powder, the total area under the curve, must be the same as for the "fast" powder if the muzzle velocity is going to be the same. This means that, while the chamber pressure is lower, pressures will actually be HIGHER farther down the barrel. So, you may well have the situation where the new progressive load is well below safe chamber pressure but can bulge or burst the barrel farther down the line.

With all that said, many shooters of vintage firearms are firmly convinced that SOME loads of smokeless powders can be used with confidence in many of these older guns. It depends on the match THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE BARREL between generated pressures and safe pressures. There are shotgun loads, for example, both hand loads and commercial ammo, which generate lower chamber pressures than old black powder loads and which stay within reasonable limits all the way down the barrel. There is typically some sacrifice in muzzle velocity, though, even though it may be slight. For example, there are 12 gauge commercial loads which keep chamber pressures below 6500 psi and which will generate muzzle velocities of around 1100 feet per second, adequate for most applications.

What is MOST IMPORTANT is to have your older gun carefully checked by a competent gunsmith before you stuff either hand loads or commercial "low pressure" loads into it.

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The following quiz is from Taurus, as printed in Guns & Ammo. John Goepfert submitted it.

1. What US gun manufacturer produced a .44 Magnum double action revolver entitled the Crusader?

A. High Standard

B. Harrington and Richardson

C. Colt

D. Taurus

2. What company actually manufactured the Colt Junior .25 ACP pistol?

A. Star

B. Astra

C. Llama

D. Colt

3. What is the standard bore diameter of the 12 gauge shotgun?

A. .775

B. .729

C. .662

D. .615

4. Which of the following rifle cartridges is not currently available as a factory load from a major US ammunition manufacturer?

A. .35 Whelen

B. .300 Savage

C. .405 Winchester

D. .32 Winchester Special

5. What company manufactured the first commercially available firearm using caseless ammunition?

A. Voere

B. Weatherby

C. Daisy

D. Remington

6. Before the advent of the .357 Magnum, what handgun cartridge held the record for the highest velocity?

A. .45 Colt

B. 9mm Luger

C. .38 Special

D. .30 Mauser

7. What is the caliber of Marlin's Model 922 semi-auto rifle?

A. .22 Long Rifle

B. .22 Magnum

C. .30 Carbine

D. .40 S&W

8. What type of semi-auto action was used for the short-lived Detonics Pocket 9 pistol in 9mm Parabellum caliber?

A. Recoil-operated

B. Gas-operated

C. Blowback-operated

D. Long-recoil-operated

9. What famous semi-automatic pistol was inspired by an earlier design by Hugo Borchardt?

A. Mauser Broomhandle

B. Browning High Power

C. Walther P-38

D. P.08 Luger

10. What earlier cartridge provided the case on which the .17 Remington round is based?

A. .223 Remington

B. .243 Winchester

C. .22-250 Remington

D. .222 Remington

Answers will be found near the end of this newsletter.

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The anti-2nd Amendment coalition in Washington never seems to run out of ideas for harassing law abiding gun owners. The latest plan, proposed by Gore in his primary campaign and parroted by Clinton in the State of the Union marathon in not to register guns but to register gun owners. Under this plan, you would be required to have a photo id (basically a government permission slip) before you could make your purchase. The card would be proof that you had passed your background check. The first question is obvious: Since anyone NOT PERMITTED under the law to purchase a firearm could not pass the background check, is there anybody besides law-abiding citizens who would be required to carry and pay for this card?

Second question is: Since a purchaser is already required to pass a background check, what purpose does the "card system" serve other than provided the BATF with a roster of law-abiding gun owners?

Gore has said that one feature of the "card system" will be that if a card holder is convicted of a felony, then his guns can be reclaimed. Third question is: How can this be done unless the government maintains a list of the guns purchased? Isn't that gun registration?

Keep all this in mind come November!

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We certainly have lots of issues out there which concern all of us as gun owners. The next time you need to contact your senator or congressman in regard to one of these items, do it quickly by computer!

E-mail:

Paul Ryan pryan@mail.house.gov

Russell Feingold russell_feingold@feingold.senate.gov

Herb Kohl senator_kohl@kohl.senate.gov

Web Sites:

http://www.senate.gov/~feingold/

http://www.senate.gov/~kohl/

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Can you identify the gun in the picture on this page?

If you can you can win $25 worth of gun related merchandise at the Spring Gun Show. We had two winners at the Fall Gun Show, so I hope this one is a bit more difficult. The rules are simple.

1. You must turn in your entry, in writing, AT THE GUN SHOW or during set-up on Friday.

2. Identify the make, model and caliber of the gun. Include your name and phone number.

3. Contest open to members of the Rock County Rifle and Pistol Club only.

4. NO ONE in this Club is responsible for the quality of the picture or any other item related to this contest.

5. All complaints or protests will be ignored.

6. If no one identifies the model correctly, those who correctly identify the make will be eligible. If more than one entry identifies the make and model, then correct identification of the caliber will be the tie breaker.

7. In the event of ties, there will be a drawing of correct entries.

8. For all other questions, see #4, above.

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Our club has grown tremendously - we now have several hundred members. While this is great, it has also led to a situation where many of us just don't know the other members. With this issue, we begin a new feature for the Newsletter in which we will provide brief introductions to our members.

In order to do this - we need some information. Please fill out the little form which is elsewhere in this issue and turn it in (either mail or suggestion box) if you would like to participate in this program. It will be greatly appreciated.

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IN THE MAILBOX

 

Ron Schutz sent along FAX numbers for our legislators which should be of value to all our members.

 

 

Paul Ryan

608-754-8991

1-202-225-3393

Russ Feingold

608-828-1203

1-202-224-2725

Herb Kohl

1-202-224-9787

Whip Tom Delay

1-202-225-5241

Dep. Whip John Doolittle

1-202-225-5444

NRA/ILA

1-703-267-3734

Also, check the "Representatives by Computer" article.

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We still need help from the members for items for the NEWSLETTER, including:

· Questions and topics for the Questions and Answers portion of the Newsletter. Whatever the topic, we'll do our best to find out the answer.

· Schedule for any instructional programs.

· Match results and standings for the Club teams as the season goes along.

· Comments, questions and criticisms of the or on any other shooting topic, even clips from other publications, if you think they are of interest to the membership.

+ DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTALS FOR THE NEXT NEWSLETTER IS MARCH 30, 2000

At the fall gun show, we had two winners in the "Identify the Gun Contest". They were:

Richard Lee - Clinton

Charles Bunker - Janesville

In the drawing, Richard Lee came up the winner of the $25 Gift Certificate. Congratulations to both!

For the benefit of the rest, the gun was a Manhattan .31 caliber, Series I pocket pistol, pictured below in the unusual 6" barrel version.

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SHOPPING TIPS

Another reminder about where you spend your money. Please remember that every time you buy something, you cast a vote for the company and, indirectly, it's policies. Many anti-gun organizations, such as HCI and Cease Fire, Inc., receive support from corporations and/or their officers. Other companies actively support the anti-gun agenda. Some companies which fit one or more of these categories are:

the AMA

Burger King

Ben & Jerry's

Gap, Inc.

Good Housekeeping

Home Quarters

MTV Networks

National PTA.

Sarah Lee

Time, Inc.

Walt Disney Co.

Working Asset Long Distance

"Gun Free Mutual Funds"

• Calvert Social Investment Equity
• Calvert World Values Int'l Equity
• Citizens Index
• Domini Social Equity
• Dreyfus Third Century
• Parnassus

There is also a PLUS side. Check out the positive response in the American Rifleman, August issue, page 8 from:

Lowe's Home Centers

Also don't forget to support:

Keep this is mind the next time you're ready to buy something!

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Our Featured Member for this month is Ron Schultz. Ron is our Membership Director and one of the most active members of the Club.

Ron lives at 1420 Purvis, Janesville where he lives with, according to him, his wife, 2 dogs and 1000 fish!

His primary shooting interest is rifles, although he also competes with a handgun in the Border Pistol League.

He is a collector of Military Rifles and enjoys all kinds of hunting - as he says "anything that's legal". Ron also fishes, primarily for pan fish. An avid reloader, he loads for basically every firearm he shoots. His success as a hunter is pretty well illustrated by the picture which accompanies this article.

Ron has been a member of the Rock County Rifle and Pistol Club since 1996 and, currently serves as the Club's Membership Director.

We can all count on him to be at the Gun Show, helping out. He always does! Look him up there and introduce yourself.

How about filling in the form for yourself and bringing it along to the show?

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The TRADING POST

Every shooter has got some "stuff" he or she no longer needs ..... or is looking for something he or she has just got to have. Club members can put their own ads here in the NEWSLETTER.

WANTED Your ad for stuff you want to sell, buy or trade. Drop your ad in the suggestion box or send it in the mail.

Come on folk! You ALL know you've got something there that you should be selling to raise money for what you REALLY WANT! Let's hear from you

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READY FOR ANOTHER GUN SHOW?

Here's some upcoming ones in Wisconsin:

February 11-13 - Janesville, Fairgrounds, Wisconsin Sport & Military Firearms Collectors Association

February 18-20 - Oshkosh, Fairgrounds, Wisconsin Sport & Military Firearms Collectors Association

March 4-5 - Janesville, Rock County Fairgrounds, Craig Center, Rock County Rifle and Pistol Club

March 11 - Crivitz, Downtown, next to St. Mary's Hall, American Legion Netzel-Zenz Post 413

March 17-19 - Madison, Marriott Hotel Convention Center, Wisconsin Sport & Military Firearms Collectors Association

March 24 - 26 - Janesville, Holiday Inn Express Conference Center, Badger Knife Show

April 1-2 - Fond du Lac, Expo Center, County Fairgrounds, Central Wisconsin Gun Collectors Association

As of the February 9 meeting, Claude reported that he had some 6000 rounds of .22 caliber ammo in inventory, both CCI and Winchester. The inventory also included nearly 6300 targets. The total Armorer's account, both money and inventory totalled $1204.58 at the time of the meeting.

Claude has both ammo and targets available at every Club meeting. This is good ammunition at a good price, so take advantage of it!

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The correct answers to the earlier gun quiz are as follows:

1. - A

2. - B

4. - C

7. - B

8. - C

9. - D

10 - A

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Currently, in Wisconsin, there are a couple of legislative items under way which are of critical interest to all law abiding gun owners. The first of these involves protection of gun manufacturers from frivolous lawsuits such as those filed by a number of cities. These lawsuits seek to punish manufacturers for engaging in a legal activity. In reality, though, these suits seek to shift responsibility for criminal activity from the criminal to the manufacturer of guns, thereby assuring that no blame will attach itself to the politicians who are both bringing the suits and failing to control criminal activity.

This legislation is receiving lots of emotional opposition from a collection of anti-gun organizations. Contact your state legislator with your SUPPORT.

The other item of great interest is Wisconsin's CCW law. Again, it is unlikely that we'll ever see this again if it fails this time. Your calls and letters WILL carry a great deal of weight. Let your opinion be known.

Please attach any other information which might help in putting together an article about you. A picture would be great - you or a hunting trophy or you with a favorite hunting dog, whatever! Attach as many additional sheets of paper as necessary.

Drop this in the range suggestion box or give to me.