Hi! I'm Michael, aka Chgowiz. (Chicago-Wiz). Parent, grandparent, US Air Force vet, IT/programming guy. D&D/Traveller nerd, NERD! DIY/hobbyist at things. Co-author of One Page Dungeon template - author of "Three Hex Campaign Starters" Blog: https://chgowiz-games.etinerra.com/wp/ GMRS: WSPD979 #FlynnLives
Back in Nov 2021, my father in law gifted me a restoration project that is now almost complete! It was a 1990 or maybe earlier Kentucky Muzzleloader kit - now sold as Traditions. Kits like these have been sold as do-it-yourself kits for a long time - I remember pining over one as a young boy during the 1976 Bicentennial celebration of the founding of the US.
The rifle was in rough shape!
It became a late-COVID project, but then the project paused after I had completed most of the stock restoration and barrel browning. It sat for a couple of years, but when I went back to finish it, I ran into a road block - the dowel I put into the muzzle to hold the barrel whilst I browned it had swollen so much, I couldn't get it out.
I did something that was pretty dumb, I tried to drill it out, and the bit hit the inside of the barrel and dug some small gouges into the rifling. I was sure I had ruined the barrel, so I let the project sit some more.
After shooting an inline muzzleloader quite a bit last year, I decided to revisit the project - either replace the barrel or fix it. After some discussion on a related forum, I gently took a needle file to the gouge burrs and smoothed them out as best I could.
Assembly has happened and we are 90% done! I'll have better pictures when it's fully complete.
This won't be a regular shooter, but it will be nice to be in shooting condition. I fully intend on seeing how it runs!
#muzzleloader #sidelock #KentuckyRifle #shooting #restoration
10.3.2025 17:56Restoring a replica Kentucky sidelock muzzleloader(cross-posting from my Mastodon account)
From 2003 - 2007, I raced amateur stock cars at Lake Geneva Raceway in Wisconsin. Racing runs on money, not fuel. I didn't have full sponsorship, so I learned to improvise - a lot.
So when I buy things and they end up not quite working out, my first thought is usually "How do I modify it to work like I want?"
That's why this crossbow holder now has a much different mount for my tree stand than what it came with.
#Hunting #BowHunting #Crossbow #DIY
22.2.2025 01:49From 2003 - 2007, I raced amateur stock cars at Lake Geneva Raceway in Wisconsin. Racing runs on mon...This was the only planned high dollar purchase this year, so in before the tariffs. 3 lbs lighter, smaller footprint and I'm interested in how the crank cock/decock will work out. Wicked Ridge Commander M1.
#Hunting #Crossbow #BowHunting
16.2.2025 01:59This was the only planned high dollar purchase this year, so in before the tariffs. 3 lbs lighter, s...Blog post - My PCs recently ran into Tucker's Ewoks...
chgowiz-games.etinerra.com/wp/…
15.2.2025 16:08Blog post - My PCs recently ran into Tucker's Ewoks...(see alt-text for more)
OK, seeding/planting calendar is planned! Things start happening around the end of March, with me starting seeds. Most things go in the ground around Mother's Day (11 May) and after. These next two months can't pass fast enough!
7.2.2025 18:40OK, seeding/planting calendar is planned! Things start happening around the end of March, with me st...WOOHOO! Just got an email from the DNR...
"CONGRATULATIONS! You have been awarded a 2025 4th season IRAP site in the permitted county for which you applied."
That means I'm going to get two trips to the plate this year for spring gobblers! Can't wait!
#Turkey #TurkeyHunting #Hunting
6.2.2025 19:32WOOHOO! Just got an email from the DNR...