Director: Chris West
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Muzzleloader                                        Link to Schedules

The Muzzleloading shooting genre is as varied as any other shooting sport. The one thing it has in common is the firearm is loaded from the muzzle end with a projectile being placed over a propellant charge. Projectiles include roundballs, mini balls and conical bullets. Traditionally the propellant has been black powder, but today there are several modern substitutes. Firearms can be smooth bore or rifled. The ignition systems include: Matchlock, Wheellock, Flintlock, and Percussion or Caplock.

When it comes to competitive muzzleloading events, they fall into two categories:
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Primitive: These events tend to involve some form of historic reenactment, such as period dress and camping, along with the competitive shooting. Shooting generally involves what is called a trail walk that includes clangers, string, feather, or card cut, knife and/or hawk throws, trap setting and fire start. Events may include paper targets too, either novelty or standard bullseye. There may be categories for smoothbore, flintlock, and percussion rifles, as well as pistol. Sights tend to be open without any shades. Categories may include gender and age classifications. Events are commonly referred to as Rendezvous, after the annual mountain men gatherings.​ 




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Courtesy - Barlow Trail Long Rifles

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  • Formal: These events usually occur at gun ranges and include a variety of targets shot at standard distances of 25, 50 and 100 yards. Targets are either standard bullseye or novelty targets depending on the match or aggregate. Depending on the event, categories could include smoothbore, flintlock, percussion, musket, shotgun, in-line, heavy bench, and pistol (flintlock, percussion, and revolver). Matches are shot offhand, sitting, kneeling, prone, behind cross-sticks or off a bench and consist of between 3-10 shots. Sights are specified by the match and can include open, peep and some allow the use of optics. Categories may include gender and age classifications.
To learn more about the muzzleloading shooting genre, visit the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.
Local Organizations: