by James C. Fulmer
Past President, NMLRA
Founded in 1933, the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) is the largest association of muzzleloaders in the United States. It is well known for its promotion of the sport of muzzleloading, which encompasses everything involved with the firing of a muzzleloader or a black powder firearm.
The NMLRA has granted charters to local and regional muzzleloading clubs, groups, and associations in all 50 states. Generally, each charter club will hold its championship muzzleloading shoot or an NMLRA Territorial sometime during the year. Here is where shooters can shoot and hone their skills in preparation for attending the granddaddy muzzleloading shoot of them all: the NMLRA National Championship Shoot.
This year the NMLRA National Championship will be held Sept. 8 to 16 at the Walter Cline Range at Friendship, IN, home of the NMLRA.
Here there will be competition for all skill levels. All types of muzzleloading firearms will be fired in these national matches. There will be muzzleloading rifles, pistols, shotguns, in-lines, revolvers, flintlocks, and caplocks.
There is something for everybody. All the matches are enjoyable and it is a great opportunity to learn by shooting with the best.
The NMLRA Youth Range is a special feature of the competition area of the Walter Cline Range. The NMLRA has developed this shooting area to get people involved in the shooting sports at a young age. Here is where instructors and range officers safely teach young people how to shoot air rifles and muzzleloading firearms. If we don’t teach our children, who will? Also at the center of the Walter Cline Range is Gunmaker’s Hall. During the National shoot there are many fine examples of muzzleloading gun building by today’s master craftspeople.
If you are interested in gun building there are several classes and lectures and techniques and tips you can see and pick up from these craftspeople.
The Walter Cline Range also has a world-class education building that will offer many seminars on early American crafts and history. For a complete listing of all the events at the NMLRA National Championship go to nmlra.org for more information.
During the late 1970s and the mid- 1980s the NMLRA created a number of regional primitive rendezvous, or historical reenactments of the North American Fur Trade. These rendezvous were managed directly by the NMLRA until 1998. In late 1998 the NMLRA decided to discontinue its direct control and created the National Rendezvous and Living History Foundation (NRLHF). Now the rendezvous participants are the officers of the NRLHF and manage these events while still affiliated with the NMLRA.
The premier NRLHF/NMLRA rendezvous is the Eastern Primitive Rendezvous. It will be held Sept. 21 to 29 near Troy, OH. This location is in western Ohio, and it should attract many new people. This will be the 36th annual Eastern Primitive Rendezvous (EPR). There will be between 1,000 and 2,000 participants dressed and living as people did before 1840. There will be muzzleloading rifle matches with traditional firearms of that time, along with knife and tomahawk throwing.
There will be a lot of vendors who sell items of that time period. If you have any interest in history from the early 1700s to 1840 you will see all types of clothing, firearms, and accoutrements.
The Booshway or the person in charge of the event is Rodd Pederzani. Rod and his staff have worked long and hard to make this event successful. But its success depends on your attendance.
If you are interested in this type of event, or want to introduce your family to your early American Heritage, you should attend.
The event is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22 and 23 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. In addition to public days the vendor area is open to the public Monday through Friday during the same hours. For more information and cost, visit nrlhf.com or rendezvousohio.com/ Eastern2012.
The vendor area features a myriad of muzzleloading guns and supplies for the serious shooter or the enthusiastic beginner. Many rows of booths offer merchandise ranging from guns and gun parts to books, period clothing, leather goods, and other supplies relating to the sport. The vendors offer a wonderful opportunity to listen and learn from the experts in the hobby
