Pheasant bunting in western Kansas with a muzzleloading shotgun provided some unique and interesting experiences.
Flintlock Timing by Larry Pletcher | Muzzle Blasts Archives 1990
The equipment that I use to time locks consists of a computer and interface made to scientifically measure time in a high school or college physics lab. It has the ability to measure times to the nearest ten thousandths of a second. The lock is fired electrically, and time is measured until a flash in the pan triggers a photoelectric cell, stopping the clock.
500 Subscriber Giveaway | Muzzle Loading is alive and well
As a thank you to our first 500 youtube subscribers, we're giving away 5 one year subscriptions to the digital version of Muzzle Blasts Magazine. To enter, you must be a subscriber to the NMLRA youtube channel
Subscribing to our channel helps us get out and share the world of muzzleloading, living history, and traditional craft with everyone around the world. We can't thank you enough for your support of the NMLRA during these strange times. We'd love to be out filming events, but we aren't going to let covid19 stop us from sharing our passion.
We’ll draw the winners Friday, April 17th
Stump the Experts | Chunk Gun Sight Set Ups | Muzzle Blasts Archives 2007
Top 10 Movies with Muzzle Loaders to watch during Covid 19
Please note, this article is the author’s opinion and does not reflect the official views of the NMLRA. Thank you.
Last of the Mohicans (1992)
“Three trappers protect the daughters of a British Colonel in the midst of the French and Indian War.”
For me personally, this movie is a classic. I’ve heard there are some discrepancies in terms of historical accuracy, but we all live with those when it comes to Hollywood.
Jeremiah Johnson (1972)
A mountain man who wishes to live the life of a hermit becomes the unwilling object of a long vendetta by the Crow tribe, and proves to be a match for their warriors in single combat on the early frontier.
The Patriot (2000)
“Peaceful farmer Benjamin Martin is driven to lead the Colonial Militia during the American Revolution when a sadistic British officer murders his son.” IMDB
“Aim Small Miss Small”, I mean who can beat that as an instructional phrase!
While famously not super accurate, this is still a fun ride.
The Revenant (2015)
A frontiersman on a fur trading expedition in the 1820s fights for survival after being mauled by a bear and left for dead by members of his own hunting team
Based on the story of Hugh Glass, with some Hollywood alterations, this almost 3 hour epic is a wild ride for any fan of the frontier.
Drums along the Mohawk (1939)
Newlyweds Gil and Lana Martin try to establish a farm in the Mohawk Valley but are menaced by Indians and Tories as the Revolutionary War begins.
Johnny Tremain
Johnny Tremain is drawn into the Revolutionary War, and becomes a patriot fighting to free the colonies from England. Along the way he learns about life and about himself.
The Big Sky
The success of the journey focuses on keeping the Indian girl alive as well as themselves to complete trade with the Blackfeet.
Master and Commander
During the Napoleonic Wars, a brash British captain pushes his ship and crew to their limits in pursuit of a formidable French war vessel around South America.
Unconquered
Intrepid frontiersman Chris Holden foils the political and personal ambitions of renegade Martin Garth in the Ohio Valley following the French and Indian War.
NMLRA Black Powder Bonanza! May 15-17
KETTENBURG 12 Bore Early Bucks County Smooth Flintlock Rifle - PART 1
SPOTLIGHT ON THE 12 BORE EARLY BUCKS COUNTY, PA FLINTLOCK SMOOTH RIFLE SCHIMMEL MADE BY ERIC KETTENBURG- PART 1 VISIT www.erickettenburg.com FOR MORE INFORMA...
An original Jacob George | Kentucky Rifle Foundation
We’d like to thank the Kentucky Rifle Foundation for sharing this beautiful Jacob George rifle with us on facebook.
“Jacob George, 1793 to 1850, son of Henry George a gunsmith, both of Greenwich Township, Berks County, PA. This is a signed and dated rifle so look at the rifle and try to guess it's age before you read the date. This rifle a a great example of his work, probably one of the best. It's hard not to appreciate all the work that went into this example.”
Be sure to check out The Kentucky Rifle Foundation website for more of these great Kentucky Rifles.
2019 Postal Match Results
What's new from Thompson Center in 2020? New Muzzleloaders from Thompson Center
T/C Arms Brand Manager Danielle walks us through Thompson Center’s 2020 Muzzleloader line and shares some interesting updates to their bolt action centerfire line.
The March Downloadable Target is here!
Announcing the winners of the 2019-2020 Longhunter Photo Contest!
Can you keep up? | The Seneca Run at the NMLRA National Championships
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.
Traditions NitroFire | SHOT Show 2020
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.
