COVID 19 isn’t stopping these marksmen from getting out and burning some powder (While also following state guidelines on social distancing).
Read more at NMLRA.org
March 2020 Downloadable Target Results
COVID 19 Update | April 3, 2020
As of Friday, April 3, 2020, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has extended the state wide “Stay at Home” order through April 20, 2020.
The NMLRA office will be closed through April 20th, and staff will continue to work from home. Staff will be processing merchandise orders one day each week.
Thank you to everyone who has ordered books, targets and apparel. With our events canceled, your support means a lot.
Brandied Sweet Cherries | Cooking up a Taste of Rendezvous
Brandied Sweet Cherries by Linda Fulmer
Ingredients
3 cups sugar
2 1/2 cups water
6 pounds dark sweet cherries
Directions
First, prepar the syrup. Combine sugar and water in an 8 to 10 quart pan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stirring until sugar is dissolved. Keep Hot.
Rinse, Step, and pit the cherries. Add to hot syrup and bring to boil.
Pack into prepared, hot jars. Pour about 1/2 full of hot cherries and syrup. Pour in 3 to 4 tablespoons of brandy ( The amount depends on your preference for a moderate or strong brandy flavor).
Then fill the jars with more hot cherries and syrup leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Gently run a narrow nonmetallic spatula between the fruit and jar sides to release the air bubbles. Be sure to wipe the rims and threads clean; top with hot lids and then firmly screw on bands. Process the jars in boiling water canner for 15 minutes.
Makes about 6 pints.
Enjoy in about 3 weeks, storage time is up to 1 year.
The Revolutionary War: Animated Map from the American Battlefield Trust
We’d like to thank the American Battlefield Trust for sharing this great resource with everyone on the internet.
Follow along as this production takes you through the American War for independence with animation, live action footage, and informational narration.
We at the American Battlefield Trust are re-releasing our Animated Battle Maps with newly branded openings. Enjoy learning about our nation's Revolutionary War against Great Britain, the conflict that gave birth to the United States of America. Our collection of animated maps bring battles of the American Civil War to life, complete with troop movement animations, narratives, reenactment footage and more.
A map of the British empire in America with the French, Spanish and the Dutch settlements
Tip of the Day Tuesday
Tip of The Day Tuesday... With a large percentage of the country under some form of shelter in place order currently, take advantage of the extra time available to get your next several projects roughed out. If you're horn guy, get a few cut to length, ready to thin, carve and shape.
If you're a blacksmith, forge out a few strikers, knife blanks, etc. If your a leather type, cut out a few bags or pouches for assembly later.
In a few weeks when all this chaos fades away and we dive back into our normal hectic lives, you'll have a jumpstart on the next couple projects, which in and of itself will motivate you to complete them perhaps... Stay safe and healthy!
Jeff Luke
What is the best load for a Thompson Center Hawken?
Questions and answers from Facebook
“For those shooting a TC Hawken with a 1 in 48 twist barrel, what is your bestload? Bullet and Powder.
-Darrel Flurry
Here are some of the most informative comments from the post.
Michael S. “Roundball, 60 and 120 gr FFG. Plains bullet, 90Grs FFFG. Mine is a 54 caliber.”
Mike J. “Mine shoots good with 70 gr. BlackMZ and a.490 ball. .015 patch.”
Paul R. “Roundball 65 gr, lee real 75 gr”
Jeffery R “300 grain sabot, 100grns loose powder, fff works if your gun is clean and dry.
James B “90 gr. Goex FFF cut pillow ticking spit patch .490 round ball”
Here’s a photo Todd Shared.
Todd T “100 grains Goex 2f, .54 cal home cast Lyman Plains lubed with 45/45/10 with a felt wad between powder and bullet. Can’t wait to run one through an elk.”
Tony G “80 grains ff 490 ball 015 patch”
Dale N “My 45 50 grs RB, 60 grs maxi. My 50 60 grs RB, 80 grs maxi”
Fred W “Same as Bob above, 70gr 2f 490 orb .015 pillow ticking patch Goex BLACK POWDER ONLY.”
David C “40 gr FFg, lubed .015 patch with .490 round ball for paper at 25 yds. 85 gr FFg, same patch and ball, for hunting.”
Visit the “Muzzleloading” Facebook Group for more great posts like this!
If you’d like to join in on the conversation, head on over to our NMLRA Facebook Group! The group is open to anyone who is interested in Muzzleloaders and living history as long as they follow the rules.
Find out more about the NMLRA
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.
Wheel Gun Wednesday | Black Powder Revolvers
Thank you Buck Buchanan for sharing this beauty for #wheelgunwednesday Pietta “Shooters Model” NMA .44 revolver shot at Friendship at the fall national 1993. Scored a 99-5X at 25 yards in the “As Issued” Aggregate.
Did better in the Caplock Aggregate. Took 1st Place in the Expert Class with my Yazel .36. Agg score 290-13X/300. Shot a 93-2X at 50 yards. Beat the national champ and 43 master competitors. On “cloud 9” that year.
“Been busy with a different shooting sport and hadn’t done much with my black powder pistols in a long time. Dug them out today to dry fire them and now I’m itching to get them back out to the range some day. Wanted to share this revolver. A fantastic shooter. Helped bring me three revolver championships in a row as well as a national record. Good times. Can’t wait to visit friendship again some day.” Thank you Jason Gregoire for sharing this with us.
Daniel Howell on the revival of folk crafts and traditional skills | Muzzle Blasts Podcast
Daniel is a young father in the Western United States.
We're talking with Daniel Howell this week. Daniel has been involved in rendezvous out west for many years now, but in adult life has transitioned into studying and living by "primitive skills". A woodworker by trade, Daniel has continued to travel back in time, so to speak, re-learning what our forefathers and mothers lived by.
Daniel is from the western US, so we get into some of the history and differences between what he studies, versus what someone like me from east of the Mississippi river studies. We talk about the skills and craft behind muzzleloading, as well as its history in the United States and how muzzleloaders went hand in hand with skills like foraging, woodworking, blacksmithing and more.
Get 10% at the NMLRA store using the code "Podcast10" "
This week's episode is brought to you by Muzzle Loader Magazine. Since 1974, MUZZLELOADER has been the leading magazine devoted to traditional black powder hunting and shooting. Each issue is jam-packed with articles on hunting, shooting, gunsmithing, do-it-yourself projects, living history, American history, book and product reviews, and much more!
Links to topics discussed
The Folk Craft Revival Podcast
Daniel's Suggested Resources for any newcomer
Find out more about the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association at our website - NMLRA.org
A special thanks this week to the guys at Primitive Pursuit for sponsoring the podcast! Primitive Pursuit was founded in 2017 to be an outlet for learning experiences as a traditional bowhunter.
We couldn't have this conversation, the podcast or anything here at the NMLRA without the support of our members. Everything we do is made possible because of their generosity. Thank you.
Now Or Never: Yorktown Campaign of 1781
Don’t miss this video from George Washington’s Mount Vernon! This nearly 30 minute movie covers everything you need to know about the Yorktown Campaign of 1781.
George Washington's Continental Army has fought for five long years to drive the British from American soil. Now, with the aid of French land and naval forces, that time may be near. Washington and his allies have surrounded the British at Yorktown, Virginia. The dream of American independence hangs in the balance
Top 10 Videos with Muzzle Loaders to watch during COVID 19
April 2020 Muzzle Blasts Editor's Message
This article and many more are published each month in Muzzle Blasts Magazine. Order your copy today!
April showers bring May flowers, but what does the month bring to the National Range at Friendship? In a word, it is “fun!” On April 24th through the 26th, the NMLRA is hosting the “Women’s Weekend” at Friendship, Indiana.
Easy Pretzel Bars | Cooking up a Taste of Rendezvous
Easy Pretzel Bars by Linda Fulmer
Ingredients
Bag of square pretzels
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
1 8oz bag of chocolate chips (Any kind you like)
Directions
Lightly grease a 15 1/ x10 1/2 jelly roll pan.
Line the bottom of the pan evenly with pretzels.
Combine butter and brown sugar in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
Pour mixture evenly over the pretzels.
Bake in a 375 degree oven for 5 minutes, remove from oven.
Sprinkle with chocolate pieces, let stand 5 minutes.
Spread melted Chocolate over the Pretzels.
While they are still warm, cut between Pretzels
Chill in the refrigerator until set.
NMLRA Black Powder Bonanza! May 15-17
Pistol Marksmanship | Part 2 | Muzzle Blasts Archives
It is exceedingly difficult to explain what there is about pistol shooting, the sport of handgunning, that is so compelling as to cause it to occupy so much a part of my time, effort and thought. Can it be the diversity and challenge the sport offers? What is it that prompts one to persist ently try to better that last score, to shoot that "possible" or to look forward to that legendary perfect score, the 100-l0x?