International Muzzleloading competition

[Jerry V Lape]

I have seen references to World Championship competition in Muzzle Blast, usually associated with adds for Pedersoli guns.  However, I haven't seen any information about the events included and US participation.  Anybody here well versed in these events? 

While I have no interest in competing, might we not learn something by finding out what these shooters are using and their techniques? 

[T*O*F]

I have seen references to World Championship competition in Muzzle Blast, usually associated with adds for Pedersoli guns.  However, I haven't seen any information about the events included and US participation.  Anybody here well versed in these events?

Jerry,
I am fairly well versed in them.  They are held by the MLAIC, which a web search should turn up.  You should be able to view the various classes there.  There are short range and long range championships. They are held in alternate years and rotate among the member nations.  Regional matches are also held.  The short range matches were hosted in the US a couple of years ago in Batesville, IN.  The long range matches will be held in 2009 at Camp Butner.

The best shooters don't always represent our team, but rather those with the deepest pockets.  It can cost $10-20K to attend an overseas match.  Some of the guns shot in the original classes are worth in excess of $50K.

There are classes for both original and reproduction guns.  Original guns are heavily scrutinized.  Repros must be submitted by the manufacturer to be certified, along with the original gun that they were copied from.  Pedersoli does this with almost all their replicas which is why they are the most used firearm in the repro class.  They also sponsor the matches monetarily and with prizes.

This is an Alex Henry rifle which I built last year for a friend who will use it in the 2009 long range matches.  It already set a new national record and took several gold and silver medals at Friendship this spring.

[Candle Snuffer]

That is a very nice looking rifle, TOF!

At one time I thought about the MLAIC Championship Matches held around the world, then as age crept in and the realistic thoughts of the amount of money one
would need (unless they had sponsors), it was all just a dream.  Heck, I can't even
make it to Friendship, Indiana on a regular bases and this is the place I'd like to someday be able to go each year, rather then just occasionally.

I do support this MLAIC program even if I'm not able to get on board with it.  I
believe it's a worthwhile program.  As a matter of fact, I can't think of one single
shooting program that isn't a worthwhile venture.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Beautiful work TOF!

[don getz]

TOF....was that made from a Don Brown "kit"?    When I highligted the word Kit, I wanted to emphasize it.  I have one just like
this, in the target version.  While it may be called a kit, it was probably the most difficult gun I have ever built.  Who made the
barrel for the one you have ?.  I know Ken Owen used to rifle a lot of Don's barrels......we made a lot of barrels for Don with
Ken doing the rifling.   You did a great job on it.........Don

[T*O*F]

TOF....was that made from a Don Brown "kit"?

   
Mostly, but it has a 4-pin Roller lock instead of the one Don uses.  The owner supplied his own Iowa black walnut.  The "old master" Ken Hurst did the engraving.  It's hammer chased, not machine done.

While it may be called a kit, it was probably the most difficult gun I have ever built.

 
I concur with that statement.  It was a PITA to get everything to fit.  I actually had to fit the lock to the wood, instead of the wood to the lock.

Who made the barrel for the one you have ?

It's a Badger target barrel, .45 cal with a 1-18 twist.  The gun is just a tad over 9 lbs. which puts it under the traditional 10 lb. English rifle limit.

I know Ken Owen used to rifle a lot of Don's barrels......we made a lot of barrels for Don with Ken doing the rifling.

Ken hasn't done them for many years.  He doesn't do ML anymore, just those custom $85K shotguns and double rifles.  I think he built the ML Express rifles taht Val Forgett used in his African safari.  I got my Rigby castings for my rifle from Ken but couldn't find anyone who would turn and fit them for me.  Roller said no right off the bat and Ron Snover said he would take a look at them, and then backed out.  "Rigby" seems to scare everyone off.

>

You did a great job on it

Thanks, only someone who has built one can appreciate it.

[don getz]

TOF....almost forgot, Mark Silver also built one.  It is the hunting version with a ramrod, and is done in typical Silver tradition....fantastic.....Don

[BPB]

Jerry,
 I don't see where you are located at BUT, here in New York you can contact Tom Henley. Tom was taking care of the web site, I think he is creating a new one.
 His information is at www.nysmla.org under contacts.

    http://www.nysmla.org/officers.html

 Regards,
 Bill
nysmla.org

[Mike OTDP]

The main US International Muzzle-Loading Team site is at www.usimlt.org .  The MLAIC site is at www.mlaic.org .

You can check the rules for details, but the short form is that the guns must be traditional.

Costs can be high, but not in the $10K range (unless you are taking the whole family).  The 2008 Worlds in Adelaide, Australia wound up costing about $4,500 per competitor.  The 2010 Worlds will be in Portugal and thus cheaper.

If you're interested, there is still time to qualify for the 2009 Pacific Zones in August - this will be the final tryout shoot.