How to get started in long range muzzleloading

[rbazinet]

​Hello,

I am a long-time shooter and am looking to get into long range muzzleloader shooting.

Ever since I saw the Creedmoor 150 coverage on TV a couple months ago, I have been fascinated by the idea of shooting a relatively primitive rifle out to 1000 yards.

​How does someone get started? Where do the folks that shoot those matches hang out? Where do you find the rifles? I know there are modern reproductions of those older rifles and you can search and find those older ones but where?

I’m looking for any resources I can find.

Thank you in advance.

Rob Bazinet

[smylee grouch]

Contact the NMLRA.

[snapper]

Rob

I might be able to help point you in the right direction. 

Unfortunately, ML shooting is a niche sport and LRML a niche within a niche. 

There used to be a forum for LRML, but it went under from lack of participation.

If you dont want to shoot a Pedersoli Gibbs there is always an Alex Henry replica from Rod England.   

Originals come up on auction sites occasionally.  You can expect to pay $4K to $16K.

Where you located?

I was interviewed for the TV show, but I have not seen it yet.  I assume that at least some of the footage made the cut.

Art Fleener

[HighUintas]

Is the creedmoor 150 show/TV coverage available to watch anywhere? I didn't know they filmed it

[snapper]

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/shootingusa/1060672283

I see that they are using me in the promo picture.

I have not seen it yet, perhaps this weekend.

Fleener

[recurve]

try this

[Bob Roller]

These long range rifles are not primitive and are the most sophisticated of all the block powder guns.Rod England is a good source for guns,locks and guns for this type of shooting.Fleener has posted pictures of these guns here and he uses his in competition.
Bob Roller

[Leatherbark]

Long Range muzzleloading is definitely a conical game that is not as primitive and is basically post 1840.  I used to shoot round ball silhouette next to the long-range silhouette guys at Friendship.  They used long heavy 45 caliber bullets and heavy powder charges.  When one of them busted a cap on one of them you could feel it in your ears and jaw teeth on the short-range round ball silhouette line. It was still neat to hear the clang of the 500 yards critter falling a few seconds after the shot though.

Bob

[bob in the woods]

I built a .45 cal rifle and shot it in the matches held at the Connaught range in Ottawa.  My rifle liked 80 to 90 gr of FFg  [ depending on the lot # ...it's important to keep records ]   and a paper patched 535 gr bullet .  [ false muzzle utilized]
Aside from the rifle, you will need to have some excellent quality sights. To be frank, the access to 1000 yard ranges is limited here, and the whole "pandemic" thing caused more than a few to drop out of the game.  You may have luck picking up a used rifle from someone retiring from the sport. 

[HighUintas]

https://vimeo.com/ondemand/shootingusa/1060672283

I see that they are using me in the promo picture.

I have not seen it yet, perhaps this weekend.

Fleener

Thank you!