Patrick Palmer
Lead Reporter, Life Member

I am always on the quest for a scope that can handle the odd recoil of a springer air rifle. The recoil of a powerful spring air rifle, or "springers" as they are also called, can destroy an expensive scope in just a few rounds. Rifle scope manufacturers have solved this problem and offer a line of scopes specifically designed for use on air rifles. Aside from having an odd recoil signature, air guns need a scope that focuses very close and closer than many adjustable objective scopes. 

Recently I purchased a BSA 2-7X32mm AO Sweet Seventeen scope. This is a favorite of mine. It has all I want from an air rifle scope and is also an excellent scope for the .22 rifle. It meets other qualifications such as a delivered price of $40.00 from Graf and Sons and is now on sale from Midway at slightly more. Air gunners are a frugal lot as are most riflemen. Do not be deceived by the "Sweet" series of the BSA 2-7 scope.  All the 2-7 scopes are based on the same platform.  The only difference is this enlarged and kind of neat looking elevation knob and a scale that wraps three quarters around the knob. The BSA 2-7 OA scope has over 60 minutes of windage and elevation adjustment and focuses closer than 20 feet. 

I have this scope on my Hammerli 490. To the initiated, this rifle is known as pretty gutless. It shoots the .177cal Heavy Kodiak pellets at around 400FPS.  Not very impressive when we see adds selling powerful springers that shoot at 1000FPS or more.  The Hammerli 490 was designed as a first rifle and has a cocking effort of less than 20 pounds.  It also has a low terminal energy and does not penetrate a thick magasine.  Hence, I can shoot in the house all I want using a cardboard box stuffed with an old bath towel.  

In conclusion, for a good rifle scope at a very affordable price, this shooter will spend his $40.00 on a BSA 2-7 AO scope. 

[Hobby & Volunteer Expo- Saturday, April 25       We, ISC, will be participating in this event again this year. Time is 9AM-2PM at the Pickering Barn in Issaquah (across from Costco). If you are interested in helping man the booth, call Tom Mechler at 425 255 0922.

[Hunter Education- Feb/April/May classes are full! To register for the July/Aug/Sept classes, starting June 1^st call Don Wakeley (425 746 4480) or Jerry Pfeifer (425 557 9668 evenings & weekends or at 206 940 5862 during the day).

[Drawing Winners-  For goodness sake, isn’t the chance to win over $700.00 reason enough to come to the monthly meeting?! February: Don Wakeley won the small pot of $11.50 Michael Freimuth, had he been there, would have won the large pot of $705.50 March: Michelle Gipson won the small pot of $8.00. Joe Forkner would have won the large pot of $713.50.                            

[CORT/Eyes in the Woods Class- We will be hosting this class again on Tuesday, June 16 from 7-9PM in the Clubhouse. If you are a Master Hunter or are applying for that status, you must complete this course. To register call Tom Mechler at 425 255 0922 or email him at tmechler@peoplepc.com.  

Black Powder Shooting Tips
From The Cascade Mountain Men

Bud Maune
Reporter, Annual Member

Tip No. 4  Muzzle loader shooting on the cheap

One of the attractions of muzzle loader shooting is that it can be relatively cheap.

Cast your own bullets. There some up-front expenses but once equipped the bullets can be almost free. Invest in a good melting pot, ladle and bullet mold. These are great items to shop at gun shows and garage sales. Scrounge or buy the lead. The lead from wheel weights is too hard for round ball casting but can be OK for mine and maxi balls. When getting started on casting bullets, get a friend who already moulds bullets to help you out…….cheap.

Make your own black powder solvent. Here is a not so secret recipe for black powder solvent. Mix equal volumes of Murphy’s Oil Soap (original formula), rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide. This is a very effective black powder solvent.  It will loosen fouling and clean even the most stubborn black powder smudge. Take note, it is not a gun oil or preservative. You will need to follow up solvent cleaning by using a good grade of gun oil. You can buy all of the ingredients in the supermarket……cheap.

Recycle your cleaning patches. Start by buying a good quality flannel shotgun cleaning patch.  Save the used patches and put them through the laundry. Wash them in a net bag. They come out a little wrinkled but can be flattened, stacked and used many times over…….cheap.

Make your own shooting patches. Fabric stores have several all-cotton or linen products that work well for shooting patches. Be sure to use a fabric that is all natural fiber.  All-cotton mattress ticking is one typical choice. A yard of material makes a lot....cheap.

Try some alternative patch lubes. Crisco (the white original stuff) works. Water soluble oil on a wet patch can substitute for a spit patch……cheap.

Shop for powder and caps. The rules for shipping, storing and selling black powder are always changing. Know how much you can legally store. When you find a bargain, buy as much as you can afford. Find out from other shooters where they get their powder.   Shop for caps too.  Gun shows are a good place to shop for caps…not cheap but OK.

Which Target?

Patrick Palmer
Lead Reporter, Life Member

The Issaquah Sportsmen's Club sells many different targets. Each target type is indicated by a number from 1 through 19. The most popular are targets 1 and 2. These full size targets fit nicely on any target position. Repair centers, of many different styles, can be stapled to the bullseye area.

Rifle shooters can take full advantage of the red or black Leupold Grid targets. These targets utilize an inch grid system which coincides with inch adjustments on scopes and many iron sighted rifles. The Leupold targets are also an asset when checking the accuracy and consistency of your favorite scope.

Joel Estey
President ISC Board, Life Member

My wife always says she has a hard time buying Xmas gifts for me so I made it a bit easier this year (I’m such a great husband). While visiting a local bookstore I picked up a book called P.I.G. or “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Hunting” written by Frank Miniter. 

If you hunt and want concise information to use if confronted by vegans, PETA members or those that think hunting is for knuckle draggers then this book might be what you are looking for. It is filled with information that will inspire and educate you as well a giving you data that will support all that you know as a hunter and the ultimate conversationalist. 

If you shoot, but don’t hunt (like me) you will also appreciate this book. I love a good argument especially if I’m armed (no pun intended) with adequate information.

Contact Us!

Phone:  425 392  3311

Email:  issaquah_sportsmens_club@hotmail.com

Web:  www.issaquahsportsmensclub.com

Mail:  PO Box 88 Issaquah, WA 98027

Physical:  Range- 23605 SE Evans St, Issaquah

                  Clubhouse- 23600 SE Evans St, Issaquah

Sat. & Sun. April 4 & 5
WAC Gun Show
Monroe, Evergreen State Fairgrounds

Monday, April 6
Board Meeting 6:30 PM, Club Meeting 7:30 PM
At Clubhouse 

Tuesday April 14
Cascade Mtn. Men Meeting 8 PM
At Clubhouse

Sunday April 19
CMM Shoot, 12 PM-(approx.) 3 PM
At Range, most of 50-100 yrd. Line 

Saturday April 25 
Hobby & Volunteer Expo 9AM-2PM

Sat. & Sun. April 25 & 26
WAC Gun Show (in Pavillion)

Monday, May 4
Board Meeting 6:30 PM, Club Meeting 7:30 PM
At Clubhouse 

Tuesday May 12
Cascade Mtn. Men Meeting 8 PM
At Clubhouse

Sunday May 17
CMM Shoot, 12 PM-(approx.) 3 PM
At Range, most of 50-100 yrd. Line

Sat. & Sun. May 30 & 31
WAC Gun Show

Pat Moore
ISC Archery Director, Annual Member

Well the archery range is really getting fleshed out. I have a few minor adjustments to the target placement but it is certainly is open for business.

The longest shot is about 68 yards and the shortest target is set at 20 yards. The tree that fell over the winter has been cleared up and shooting lanes are again open. The 65 yard target has been re-worked so that the ground it sets on is more stable and more easily accessed.

If you are interested in starting a summer league I would be happy to split the admin duties with you please contact me at wcarchers@comcast.net.  

Also Washington State Archery Association (WSAA) still requires 7 members be associated with the club before we can register as a WSAA member club. For this reason I ask all those who have signed up to use the range please join WSAA and email me your ID number so I can submit the club membership application. Being a member of WSAA will lend the 

Starting in the third week of April there will be a Bowhunter Education Course at the club. The instructors are Alan Jones and yours truly Pat Moore. If you have an interest in taking the class please feel free to drop me a line or email me and we’ll get you signed up.

As always thank you for your support and shoot straight.

Pat Moore  wcarchers@comcast.net  
cell 425-233-2606 

Patrick Palmer
Lead Reporter, Life Member

I often wondered what those blue tipped special shotshells would be useful for. The ones with a blue plastic canister filled with number 12 shot. The ones you can shoot from a pistol or a rifle.  So, being the curious one, I purchased a ten pack of shotshells marked 38/357 and headed to the 7 yard lanes at the ISC. I was in for the surprise of my life. I fired my first round and was hit by ricochet shot. 

It appears that as the round is fired, it pushes this plastic canister along, through the forcing cone and into the barrel. It grabs the bores rifling and begins to split and spin. As it reaches the end of the barrel it is spinning at 30,000 RPM and throws everything, lead and plastic canister, sideways.

This round can be dangerous to other shooters if fired at the range. Further testing of this type of round indicates it useful and safe distance is between point blank and two feet.