by James C. Fulmer | Past President, NMLRA
Many people shoot muzzleloaders for different reasons. Some hunt with them, some use them for re-enacting to recreate the Civil War, Revolutionary War, or French & Indian War. There are re-enactors who also recreate the somewhat more peaceful times of the Age of Discovery and Rendezvous. However, almost everybody will take them out and shoot them at a target to see how accurate their muzzleloading rifle or pistol is or how well their shotgun patterns. Usually their success will determine if they become a competitive target shooter.
Barb and Eric Bye shooting a rifle and pistol side by side. (Jeffrey Robison photo)
The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association represents everyone who shoots a muzzleloader—the target shooter, the hunter, the re-enactor, and the muzzleloading gun builders and collectors. During the fall there are many great events which take place that would have never existed without the NMLRA.
NMLRA had a big hand in making the muzzleloading hunting seasons we enjoy across the country happen. Many of the people who introduced the idea of a muzzleloading season in their states were NMLRA members. In the early days of forming the muzzleloading seasons, many different states counted on the NMLRA to be the expert source on calibers, powder, and ignition systems. Many NMLRA Field Reps and Charter Clubs were—and still are—contacted by their local state conservation officers who wanted to learn more about muzzleloading. The NMLRA’s “How to Load a Muzzleloader” is one of the most used training aids around. This one page handout shows a cartoon character properly loading a muzzleloading gun step-by-step and is well received by both young and old beginners.
The NMLRA National Championships will be held Sept. 10-18 where the muzzleloading target shooter who has practiced all summer at his or her local club will have the opportunity to compete. The NMLRA National Championship takes place at the end of the year when the shooters and equipment are in their best condition. Every discipline of muzzleloading has a competition at the Nationals. There are primitive matches for people dressed in period clothing and loading out of their hunting bags to bench rest shooters who shoot 30 lb. plus rifles that are loaded out of tackle boxes. The matches are held at the Walter Cline Range, at Friendship, IN. Indiana is the home of Mike Pence who is Governor and is running for vice-president for the Republican Party for 2016. Pence visited Friendship during the National Championship shoot several years ago and I hope he will get a chance to visit the Walter Cline Range at Friendship again.
This fall also brings another NMLRA event—the 18th Century Market Faire and Rifle Frolic Oct. 7-9—hosted by the NMLRA and Village Restorations and Consulting, Inc. This event is celebrating its 4th year but the reconstructed Fort Roberdeau is celebrating its 40th year. The Fort was reconstructed in 1976 and it is impressive. The Fort was originally built in 1778 in the Sinking Valley near Altoona, PA, to defend the lead mine and the miners during the American Revolution.
The NMLRA Rifle Frolic event that is held there at the Altoona Rifle and Pistol Club is a perfect place for the re-enactor, the rendezvous people, the muzzleloading hunter, and the NMLRA target shooter to come together. Here is where there are “targets” of all sizes, shapes and distances. There is pre-1840 camping on the left hand side of the road coming in, and modern trailer and motor home and modern tent camping on the right. There are targets shot at 300 yards that are two foot wide and stand five feet four inches tall that you must be in period dress and shooting a flintlock long rifle, plus others you can shoot at 25 yards with a percussion gun.
Wes Griest instructs a new shooter at the beginner’s bench. (Jeffrey Robison photo)
October is when the NMLRA target shooters should be at their best, the rendezvous shooters have their skills honed to their best, and the hunters are coming out to practice and learn more so they can have a successful hunt. There are three different woods walks that are shot during this event. All the rifles and smoothbores are loaded out of the bag. These woods walks allow hunters to get in practice loading and cleaning in the field. The woods walks are shot Saturday and Sunday and can be fired wearing modern clothes. You could even wear the clothes you hunt in so you are used to where you keep your priming horn or capper. I have seen many modern muzzleloaders go to the range, load and practice shooting the rifle out of a shooting box. That is great until the first time in the field they try and use that plastic super deluxe quick second shot powder holder, bullet holder, or gizmo. They all work, but you better practice loading with it before you need it as your deer wanders farther away. Everybody needs to practice with their equipment and the best way to practice is target shooting.
Target shooting can be catered to your specific needs. If you are shooting squirrels with a .32 caliber you need to be shooting at least a one inch or less group at 25 yards. I always practice on a round bullseye-style target. I will take a NMLRA 50-yard 6-bull and shoot 5 shots at each bullseye while working up different powder, patch, ball combinations. Each rifle is different. I have had a .32 caliber 20-gr. to 35-gr. of FFFg work in different made barrels. As a whole, it seems the lighter the barrel 3/4 across the flats will shoot well with less powder and a 7/8 across the flats takes more in the small calibers.
But as a shooter, you can figure this out for yourself shooting a paper target. Also there are targets available the size of what you are hunting. You can buy deer, bear, and elk-size targets. Do you need to? Probably not, but it is fun. A paper target will tell you where you are shooting and how you are shooting. I am sure when the ancient Egyptians invented papyrus somebody promptly drew an X on it and shot it with a bow. Steel is fun, but paper is how you learn things about your gun. Practice!
