I shoot with the North South Skirmish Association and we were having a campfire discussion about the 2A and general state of affairs and what can be done. The consensus was that we need to work with youth to counteract the current tides and to build more interest in black powder/muzzleloading.
So the plan- several of us in the Carolina Region of the NSSA got certified as NRA Muzzleloading instructors and then volunteered to help at a local Scout camp for the summer. In most BSA camps, the number of certified muzzleloading instructors can be counted on one hand even if you're missing several fingers. We go up once a week while camp is in session. Morning and afternoons are spent doing Riflery Merit Badge sessions at the Mountain Man primitive camp range shooting muzzleloaders. In addition to the guns the camp has, we brought along Civil War era muskets to shoot. The folks at Schutzen powder donated powder and caps. S&S and Lodgewood have provided support to keep the muskets in top order. PJ Kelly of the NSSA donated the 5 muskets. Evenings after dinner we conduct an open shoot giving the Scouts the chance to experience shooting a Civil War era musket with live ammo. Our goal is to provide quality instruction in muzzleloading firearms, positive 2A, promote firearms safety and introduce kids to the world of black powder shooting and competition outside the confines of the camp.
So a couple pix of our activities-
Merit Badge lecture session. Short, Sweet, to the point, let's shoot!
NSSA member explaining a Civil War musket
NSSA member instructing on marksmanship with Civil War musket. Take note of the guns not being shot in the left side. The kids showed a marked preference for the muskets.
NSSA member instructing at evening shoot at the main range
NSSA member instructing in marksmanship at evening shoot at main range.
The sessions have been tons of fun and lots of work. The kids really enjoy the evening sessions where the target is an 8in gong at 50yd. When hit with a 22lr, it only "tinks" but a 58cal minie hits with quite a bit more authority. So much so that sometimes the gongs get knocked off the chains to the great amusement of the kids.
The merit badge sessions are where we can really get into marksmanship. Nearly every time, we start with a kid who cant' hit a paper plate at 25yd and get them to where they can pretty much center punch it with a Civil War musket. Then we start the "Cracker Challenge" The targets become "Ritz" crackers hanging on wires at 25yds and they're shot offhand. The kids get a great kick out this impromptu competition at a challenging target and yes, they can hit them very well, so much so, that we have to keep score to determine the winner for the day.
Yeah, we're busy. I haven't had much time to shoot for myself this summer but it's been worth it. We've helped improve the marksmanship with muzzleloaders of over a hundred kids this summer so far and we have 2 more weeks to go. Every time we're in camp, we get to interact with a number of Scouts in both the Mountain Man program and in the main camp and act as instructors and ambassadors to the world of muzzleloading.
So the plan- several of us in the Carolina Region of the NSSA got certified as NRA Muzzleloading instructors and then volunteered to help at a local Scout camp for the summer. In most BSA camps, the number of certified muzzleloading instructors can be counted on one hand even if you're missing several fingers. We go up once a week while camp is in session. Morning and afternoons are spent doing Riflery Merit Badge sessions at the Mountain Man primitive camp range shooting muzzleloaders. In addition to the guns the camp has, we brought along Civil War era muskets to shoot. The folks at Schutzen powder donated powder and caps. S&S and Lodgewood have provided support to keep the muskets in top order. PJ Kelly of the NSSA donated the 5 muskets. Evenings after dinner we conduct an open shoot giving the Scouts the chance to experience shooting a Civil War era musket with live ammo. Our goal is to provide quality instruction in muzzleloading firearms, positive 2A, promote firearms safety and introduce kids to the world of black powder shooting and competition outside the confines of the camp.
So a couple pix of our activities-
Merit Badge lecture session. Short, Sweet, to the point, let's shoot!
NSSA member explaining a Civil War musket
NSSA member instructing on marksmanship with Civil War musket. Take note of the guns not being shot in the left side. The kids showed a marked preference for the muskets.
NSSA member instructing at evening shoot at the main range
NSSA member instructing in marksmanship at evening shoot at main range.
The sessions have been tons of fun and lots of work. The kids really enjoy the evening sessions where the target is an 8in gong at 50yd. When hit with a 22lr, it only "tinks" but a 58cal minie hits with quite a bit more authority. So much so that sometimes the gongs get knocked off the chains to the great amusement of the kids.
The merit badge sessions are where we can really get into marksmanship. Nearly every time, we start with a kid who cant' hit a paper plate at 25yd and get them to where they can pretty much center punch it with a Civil War musket. Then we start the "Cracker Challenge" The targets become "Ritz" crackers hanging on wires at 25yds and they're shot offhand. The kids get a great kick out this impromptu competition at a challenging target and yes, they can hit them very well, so much so, that we have to keep score to determine the winner for the day.
Yeah, we're busy. I haven't had much time to shoot for myself this summer but it's been worth it. We've helped improve the marksmanship with muzzleloaders of over a hundred kids this summer so far and we have 2 more weeks to go. Every time we're in camp, we get to interact with a number of Scouts in both the Mountain Man program and in the main camp and act as instructors and ambassadors to the world of muzzleloading.