NMLRA 2023 Territitorials

The NMLRA is now accepting applications for clubs to host an NMLRA Territorial. The Territorials are the NMLRA’s outreach program to bring competitive shooting to its members locally.

Let’s face it: not everyone can make it to Friendship. This doesn’t mean you have to be shooting the center out of all your targets to participate. Even the best shooter has been known to pull a shot out into the white on a target.

Territorial match directors and competitors alike welcome new shooters to participate in the territorial program.

Nowhere else does the statement the more the merrier ring true. Don’t be intimidated by the word competitive or competition; really, we’re all a bunch of blackpowder enthusiasts looking to have a good time and shoot a respectable score – a score that can withstand the good-natured ribbing that is bound to happen around the campfire at the end of the day. 

2023 Territorial Application

2023 NMLRA TERRITORIAL INFORMATION

 Greetings from your NMLRA Territorial Committee!

 We are so thankful for all of you and the jobs you do as territorial match directors. We also want your clubs to be successful while providing this vital outreach program.  We have been working to streamline the current program and looking to make this more profitable to your clubs. In doing so we have made several changes to the 2023 territorial program.

 The first change we have instituted is building a committee to help each of you with hosting each territorial event.  The committee is Lonnie Vermillion, Bob Shepherd and Branch Meanley.  Lonnie will be chairing this committee and will be your direct contact person for any questions you may have. 

 The second change will be in the pricing structure.  The current prices were established over 20 years ago.  We all know that the association and each of your individual clubs are losing money by hosting these events.  We have taken into careful consideration the total number of shooters and the average number of aggregates shot by each individual.  The prices will increase to $20 per registration and $20 for each aggregate purchased.   Juniors will remain at the same $1 for registration. 

 Thirdly, we are also streamlining the territorial program.  In past matches the rifle program offered 25 different aggregates.  This number will be reduced to 20.  In addition to reducing this number there will be 10 aggregates that are uniform to all territorial events.  In addition to those 10, each of you will choose UP TO six more aggregates allowing you to customize your event for your shooters.  Moving from 25 to 16 aggregates will save costs on the number of medals and prizes to be awarded.  Clubs will have larger numbers of shooters within each aggregate, rather than in some cases, only  one or two shooters. Shotgun aggregates will remain the same.

 Fourth, due to popular demand from several competitors from around the country, the following aggregates will be allowed to use ANY Metallic Sights (AMS) for any of the matches within those aggregates. 

Aggregate C (Heavy Bench,) Aggregate F (Cross Sticks,) and Aggregate W (Light Bench.) These changes are ONLY for the Territorial Program and do not affect the matches that are available at the spring and Fall National shoots at Friendship.

 We would also encourage each of you to sponsor your own “club” match! This could build a unique fun match into each of your clubs! You decide what target to shoot, what price to charge for entry into the match and what rules for the match.  i.e. re-entry offhand, re-entry bench, split monies 50/50 with winner etc. The monies earned for these matches will remain 100% within your club and to use to your discretion.  Have fun with this one!

 In addition to medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each aggregate we will be awarding other prizes for the individual matches.  We want to see a little friendly competition between host clubs! So we will be offering bonuses for the club with the most paid aggregates, club with the most women shooters, club with the most junior & sub – juniors and the club that shoots the most shotgun aggregates.  See attached flyer for details!

Something New! The NMLRA will also be hosting the “National Open Territorial” in Friendship during the spring Nationals!  Details to follow!

 Please have your applications into the NMLRA at your earliest convenience.  Deadline is December 31, 2022.  We are aware that this application process is later than normal, but we as a committee feel that these changes were necessary and will ultimately make your jobs less complicated and profitable. We Sincerely Appreciate All Of  You and what you do for this outreach program, and we want to thank each of you for hosting a Territorial in your area!

The Territorial Committee can be contacted at:

Lonnie Dale Vermillion
150 Co Rd 2477, Barnsdall, Oklahoma 74002
Phone: 918.408.0465
Email: possumridge@yahoo.com

NEW FOR 2023!!!

2020 NMLRA Membership Meeting

 

The NMLRA will be holding its annual Membership Meeting Sunday, September 13, at 6pm in the NMLRA Education Center in Friendship, Indiana.

Due to expected limited attendance, the proposed bylaw changes have been officially withdrawn and will not be voted on at this time.

Questions or concerns may be directed to the NMLRA Board of Directors. Their contact information can be found here

The NMLRA begins the Pittman Robertson Application for Range Improvements

NMLRA representatives have taken another step forward on a series of range improvements for NMLRA Headquarters! This week we have contracted an engineering firm to begin drafting site plans that will be taken to the INDNR to begin the NMLRA's application into the Pittman Robertson Grant Program.

NMLRA Board Members are hard at work completing other sections of the application process with hopes of approval and a swift start to the range improvements.

Follow the NMLRA on Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram for live updates as we continue this exciting process.

NMLRA meets with Western Powders |SHOT Show 2020

It was great to meet up with the team behind “Blackhorn 209” at the SHOT Show last week. We talked about last year’s sticker promotion, where an NMLRA sticker directing customers to our website was placed on many bottles of 209, continuing it in 2020 and bringing more promotion to their small company in thanks to their support of the NMLRA.

Western Powders has been a great industry partner for us, and we are excited to continue working with them. Lookout for the Black Horn 209 team on the Muzzle Blasts podcast later this spring.

Modern black powder substitutes aren’t for everyone, but they are doing a great job of getting more people interested in muzzleloading and hunting with muzzleloaders.

Load Development for your Flintlock Squirrel Rifle | Black Powder TV

It’s Monday, which means Black Powder TV released a new video yesterday! This week, follow along as Bob begins developing a blackpowder load for his .36 caliber flintlock squirrel rifle. This rifle is built from a Kibler “Southern Mountain Rifle Kit”, one of the more popular DIY muzzleloader kits we see!

If you are interested in building your own kit muzzleloader, learning how to develop loads for your muzzleloader, or just want to enjoy some blackpowder fun vicariously, be sure to watch!

IN PART #1 OF THIS SERIES WE PREPARE THE BARREL OF THE TRADITIONAL BLACK POWDER .36 CALIBER FLINTLOCK SQUIRREL RIFLE BUILT FROM A KIBLER 'SOUTHERN MOUNTAIN RIFLE' KIT FOR DEVELOPING THE MOST PRECISE LOAD.

We are excited to be working with content creators like Black Powder TV and the Black Powder Maniac to promote not only the NMLRA, but our love for muzzleloading and living history so it may last for generations to come.

How to stop grave robbers in the 18th century

Happy #flintlockfriday! Here’s a look at a flintlock I’ve never seen before. This is an English “Cemetary gun”, used to keep grave robbers away from your newly deceased relatives during the height of medical “study” in Victorian England.

Mounted on a swivel, this beast of a muzzleloader would be tied to trip wires that, when tripped, swung the muzzle in the direction of the thief and sent a lovely lead gift their way.

An original Augusta County Virginia | Original Flintlock from 1750’s

Longrifle made in Augusta County, Virginia Circa 1750s. This is a quintessential Virginia frontier workhorse rifle, which likely saw more than a century of service. At .62 caliber, it has an extremely large bore for a rifle. It is a rare example of a French and Indian War era rifle, in a conflict and time mostly comprised of smoothbore guns.

This is a very early relief carved longrifle attributed to Augusta County, Virginia School of longrifle gunsmiths. Possibly made by John Hannah, Augusta County Gunsmith or from the Augusta County Gun Factory in Staunton, VA. It is very possible that it was made by John Hannah. John was among the earliest gunsmiths known to have worked in Augusta County, Virginia. Prior to 1739, the Hannah family settled in Augusta County on land southwest of Staunton, Virginia on Colliers Creek (Colliers Creek lies southwest of Lexington, VA in present day Rockbridge County).

They settled on land acquired from Benjamin Borden who had been the recipient of the Borden Land Grant in 1738. In 1754, John Hannah agreed to teach his indentured servant, John Mitchell, the art of a blacksmith and gunsmith. In 1768, John built a mill on Colliers Creek.Based on his inventory of tools recorded after his death in 1782, he was a blacksmith, white-smith, silversmith, and gunsmith. Early southern wooden patchbox longrifles attributed to a Virginia maker are rare.

This longrifle was owned for many years by George Shumway. There is wonderful early carving on the check piece and the longrifle retains a period patchbox lid which may be the original patch box cover. The check side of this longrifle was subjected to heat from a fire in George Shumway’s home. The damage to the wood was minimal and the wood was sucessfully stabilized after the fire.

The lock was converted to flint by Alan Guthchess (Curator at Fort Pitt). Alan commented that this was his favorite “frontier longrifle”. This longrifle was on display at Fort Pitt in their renowned French and Indian War display, “Captured by Indians” in 2015 – 2016, along with the original spike tomahawk I posted yesterday.

Thank you John H Bryan for sharing this rifle

Muzzleloading Basics, an excerpt from Guns & Ammo Magazine

Our friends at Hodgdon Powder shared this great excerpt on muzzleloading basics from Author Dave Emary and Guns & Ammo Magazine.

“For all you muzzleloader hunters headed out this season, be sure to check out January’s issue of Guns & Ammo Magazine for a nice write-up on our GOEX black powders and Pyrodex and TripleSeven substitutes from our good friend Dave Emary.”

Starting with blackpowder’s origin in China in the 9th century and continuing through modern black powder substitutes, author Dave Emary brings a comprehensive look at our beloved powder’s history.

Editor’s Message | Muzzle Blasts Vol. 81, #5

The following article appeared first in the January 2020 Issue of “Muzzle Blasts Magazine”, the official magazine from the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.

Happy New Year! It is always exciting to greet January 1st as it holds all of our dreams and expectations for the coming months. New muzzle loaders to sight in, new loads to explore, and new hopes for Longhunter adventures are just but a few of our wide-eyed hopes. And here at the NMLRA we look forward to the many opportunities to serve our membership through black powder shoots, rendezvous, educational programs, seminars, shooting and sighting in at our world class ranges, and of course our two gatherings during the national shoots. Moreover, our Muzzle Blasts staff can’t wait to bring you the best stories and columns full of muzzleloading equipment; muzzleloading rifle/pistol/shotgun building tips; history; treks; hunts; primitive camping/cooking; trips beyond Friendship and insight into the best information from our muzzle loading culture.

To improve our arrival of monthly MB magazines, we are asking our magazine writers to get their articles/photos to us a week ahead of the previous deadlines. In other words, submit your material by the 25th of two months prior to publication. This allows the USPS time to get the magazines to the members by the 1st week of the month. If you would like a new schedule for submissions, email the office and we will reply with a schedule.

Our old friend (and past editor) Eric Bye brings sage advice to this New Year Muzzle Blasts with his article “Charge!” He writes, “I just bought a dandy antique gun that needs some TLC. At home the first thing I did was remove the barrel from the stock, insert a wooden ramrod as far as it would go, mark it with a pencil at the muzzle, and lay the rod along the outside the barrel to see if it reached all the way to the breech plug face. It stopped almost an inch short, so I re-measured to confirm. Sure enough: there was something inside that barrel.” Obviously, checking the inside of a muzzleloading barrel is not as easy as with a modern gun. But there’s nothing difficult or technical about it, and this article will reinforce the wisdom of making sure there is no charge lurking inside the breech.

Clary Estes brings a heartfelt story to our souls with a story about Rifle Number 42. Growing up with the idea that a gun was equal to art work seemed odd to my peers, but in my house it was always understood. “It’s country boy art is all I can tell you,” my father, Wayne Estes, a talented gun maker in his own right, once told me, but these were no ordinary guns. These were guns that took 60–160 hours to make. They were guns that were meticulously handcrafted by artisans who had spent decades honing their craft. These guns were heavy and loud, shooting off a KA-PANG of smoke with the pull of each trigger, before needing to be cleaned and carefully reloaded with hand molded round lead bullets for their next shot. These were guns that tied men to their American ancestry. These were long rifle muzzleloaders, the guns of colonial America.

There are so many great articles in this issue that it will be hard to decide which to start with first. But if you are me, I always read from the back to the front and am never disappointed. In “Beyond Friendship,” Jim takes us to Union City, Tennessee to visit with the iconic business that gave many of us a nudge down the muzzleloading trail. Dixie Gun Works was officially started in 1954 by Turner Kirkland. He started it as a hobby to make extra money while working as a traveling jewelry salesman after World War II. He would travel from town to town visiting stores to sell jewelry but would ask about any antique guns and gun parts. He bought sold and traded antique muzzle loading gun parts and his car trunk until it became full. He placed a small ad in Muzzle Blasts magazine in October of 1948. He placed a three inch ad at the cost of $3.50; he would make $16 from the orders and his wage as a salesman at the time was $20.00 a week. From there Turner Kirkland’s business would grow and continues to grow until his death on July 26, 1997. Dixie Gun Works has an over 600 page catalog which is loaded with a lot of information. The catalog isn’t just about what is for sale, but it also has a large section with reference tables covering service loads of muzzle loading rifles to muzzle loading cannons; weights and measure tables, including drams to grains to ounces. I always make sure I have a Dixie catalog at my desk.

And if your imagination hasn’t run wild yet, you need to pay attention to Bob Copner’s “The Campaign Horns of Copner!” Yes, this is our Bob Copner who serves as our 1 of 1000 Endowment Fund Chairman. Bob has put together a memorable article detailing how campaign horns had another place in the history of American campaign powder horns . . . in Vietnam!

Bill Carter, Editor of the HCH Horn Book, has given us permission to reprint The Campaign Horns of Copner following the American tradition as it is dedicated to the men and women who have served, or are serving honorably in the Armed Services of The United States of America, especially those who were wounded or WHO gave their lives for their country. The intent of this article is to document that the long- standing American tradition of creating a powder horn, while serving in the military in time of war, was continued in the 20th Century. Copner is quoted, “On July 25, 2009, the powder horn that I made and scrimshawed in 1972, at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, while flying a combat tour with the United States Air Force, was awarded the Madison Grant Award at the 2009 Gunmakers’ Fair at Dixon’s.”

Keep yer powder dry!

Dave Ehrig