I just got a .69 caliber 1728 model St. Etienne French musket repro from Loyalist Arms this year. I can't wait for partridge season to open. Now, instead of not shooting birds with my modern shotgun, I can not shoot them with a French musket!

I was about 6 or 7 years old when I shot a 10 guage for the first (and last!) time. I was flung about 5 feet backwards, into my father, who was laughing uncontrolably. I have avoided should fired artillery since then.