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Long range target shooting with the muzzle loading rifle offers the discerning rifleman opportunity to participate in a challenging and ultimately very rewarding discipline. The sport is rich in heritage and the origins of many of todays national shooting associations stem from the muzzle loading era. To discuss the sport today and historical topics, join the Long Range Target Shooting with the Black Powder Rifle group on facebook.
The following quote is from an unpublished ‘Manual for Muzzle Loaders’ by the late De Witt Bailey. Whilst written in 1973 it still provides a relevant introduction to the sport of long range muzzle loading with the small-bore (.451) rifle:
“The modern shooter who has spent time in firing with centre-fire target rifles, and who develops an interest in muzzle loading arms will find himself very much at home in many aspects of dealing with the small-bore muzzle loading rifle. It should be explained here that small-bore is used deliberately to distinguish this type of rifle from other muzzle loading rifles between .44 and .46 calibre. The term refers specifically to bores with approximately a one turn in twenty pitch, designed for a paper patched bullet of about 530 grains weight and about 2.5 bore diameters length, and a powder charge of between 75 and 115 grains, and intended primarily for target shooting as opposed to sporting use.
“The man who delights in detail and meticulous procedure will do well to take up this highly specialised section of muzzle loading, and by the same token men who have no patience with trivial detail and cannot concentrate upon meticulous procedures with pleasure should not consider this area of the hobby. From the shooting angle, the small-bore rifle approaches more closely than any other form of muzzle loader to modern rifles. There is a great deal to be learned in the successful use of the small-bore beyond the functional characteristics of the rifle itself, most of this additional detail being concerned with the accurate assessments of the effects of wind, light, atmosphere, sight reading and adjustment, record-keeping and study. Scrupulous attention in every stage of preparation of ammunition and equipment is mandatory for even satisfactory results even at the shorter ranges.”
Historical Background & Shooting Today:
- Long Range Muzzle Loading – Introduction
The following articles credited to Bill Roberts are reprinted (with permission) from “Long Range Black Powder Shooting” – William A. Roberts, Jr. Muzzle Blasts, USA, November 1999, December 1999, January 2000:
- A Beginner’s Perspective
- Bullets & Wads
- Loading Accessories
- Loading the Rifle
- Shooting Pointers
- Casting Bullets
Further reading:
- Pedersoli Gibbs: Instructions & Advice for Long Range Shooting – Special instructions packed with new Pedersoli Gibbs rifles after late 2006.
- Bedding the Parker-Hale – It is perfectly possible to clean a muzzle loading Enfield type of rifle thoroughly without ever taking the barrel out of the wood.
- Breech Plugs – The long range muzzle loading rifle is a specialty of its own and has components that are not found on any other type of muzzle loader. The most important of these is the breech plug.
- Enfield Optics – Problems with open sights for the shooter past the first flush of youth.
- Euroarms Volunteer: Disassembly Assembly – Removing the breech plug from the Volunteer is not a straight forwards process!
- Paper Patching: A Pictorial Guide – A quick tutorial on paper patching bullets.
- The Art of Shooting with the Rifle – Further contemporary articles, historical perspectives, and advice for the rifleman.
- Long Range Target Shooting with the Black Powder Rifle – a facebook group. Long range target shooting with the percussion muzzle loading rifle and black powder cartridge rifle. Historical study and shooting today. 19th Century competition at Wimbledon, Creedmoor and Dollymount. Rifles, ammunition and equipment. Riflemen and Gunmakers.
- Whitworth Rifle Enthusiasts – This facebook group is for those who shoot original or reproduction Whitworth rifles today, and those seeking to learn about and share knowledge of its special history. Whitworth artillery is also included.