Loads of things have been happening in the muzzle-loading world this
year and its time for a little catch up.
Jim Magill, President of BRML, published an article in the NMLRA
official publication, MUZZLE BLASTS, on a do-it-yourself pistol stand.
If you have a couple of muzzle loading pistols that you’d
like to display, get these simple instructions for a beautiful display
stand from Jim.
Thomas Mason, Executive Secretary-US of the World Forum on the Future
of Shooting Sport Activities invited Winston Roland, President of the
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (and Bull Run Muzzleloader
member) and Jim Fulmer, past NMLRA President, to speak at the United
Nations Small Arms Conference in New York on June 29-30, 2006. The
Brazilian delegate’s speech sums up the anti-gun position.
You can check Jim Fulmer’s speech at:
http://www.un.org/events/smallarms2006/ngos.html You can hear others
too.
The National Rifle Association and the National Muzzle Loading
Rifle Association reached an agreement to have the NRA 2006 National
Muzzle Loading Championship match at the NMLRA Walter Cline Range in
Friendship, IN. The event was held on July 7-9, 2006. Participation in
the 2006 event MORE THAN DOUBLED over that during the past two years
(2004 and 2005).
The United States International Muzzle Loading Team won the World
Championships this past April. The event was held in Cape Town, South
Africa. I wanted to name the team members, but I went and lost the
piece of paper. I’ve looked everywhere for it. But
CONGRATULATIONS to the US Team on their win.
AJ Palik and I traveled to Friendship, IN in September (9th –
17th) for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Championships. The weather
did not cooperate this year. Every morning was plagued by heavy fog
causing 2 to
3 hour delays in getting events started. Monday and Tuesday saw HEAVY
rain that made shooting impossible.
Most people were watching the creek
that runs through the grounds and has been known to flood the range and
camping areas with as much as three feet of water. It did rise, but not
over its banks. Wednesday was cloudy and the light was poor, so many
people posted 25 and 50 yard targets and hoped for a better day.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday were bright and sunny after the fog
burned off. There was just enough wind to move the smoke off the range
quickly. The firing lines were full and people were waiting. The Range
Officers kept things moving in smart order and kept the ranges open as
long as light was safe. By Saturday afternoon the lines were thinning
out so everyone had been able to shoot their selected matches.
Meanwhile, back home the BRML September Shoot
featured a 6-target
(non-aggregate) match. The (dis)honorable Shoot Miester selected
targets guaranteed to
drive you to the optician. For the 25 yard targets there were the
GOPHER, which jumped every time you shot; the deceptively easy IRON
CROSS, with minus scores; and the NIGHTMARE critters, which are
invisible beyond 10 yards. At 50 yards the ugly oblong BLOB with the
off-center score rings; the winking TURKEY; and the –shudder-
FLEUR-DE-LIS.
(Glad I was enjoying the fog at Friendship) Les Boyd was the top
shooter of the month with Charlie Lewis and Woody Atwood in second and
third, respectively. In the pistol match Mike Kingsley was first, JP
Sherkus was second and Jim Hawkins was third.
Welcome to Ira Baker and Bob Worthington, two new
members. And welcome back to Rich Stock, an old member that has
returned to the area and rejoined the fun and games.
Bull Run Muzzleloaders meet on the third Sunday of every month.
Anyone is welcome. Club guns and individual instruction are available. Any safe muzzleloader, no optical sights. Competitions begin at 9 AM after a short meeting and safety instructions.
Competitions end at 2 PM with prizes being awarded as soon as the Shoot Masters have tallied the scores.
Children under 16, accompanied by an adult, shoot free and participate in the prize winning.
Prizes at BRML shoots are usually groceries, and
bragging rights. The competitions are unique in that everyone who
enters generally manages to take something home. The basic entry fee is
$15, with a re-entry fee of $1.00 per target. Alternately there is a
fee of $20 for unlimited re-entries.
The remaining 2006 BRML Shoots are as follows:
November 19 – Turkey Shoot
December 17 – Holiday Shoot
Till next time, keep yer powder dry, Tony Sucher
