Bevel Brothers Are Back

[Zonie]

"They are back"? Who are back?

The Bevel Brothers.

I just noticed in my January copy of "Muzzle Blasts" magazine, the Bevel Brothers have come out of self imposed retirement and are now writing a new Column.

While their old column was titled "Stump the Experts" and answered all sorts of questions about muzzleloading, the new column is called, "Back to Basics".

It will be aimed at newcomers but should have some information even experienced shooters might not know and they may want to explore.

For those new to muzzleloading and not aware of what "Muzzle Blasts" is, it is the official magazine of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association" (NMLRA).

It usually includes information about muzzleloading guns, shooting them, History, interesting websites, many ad's from both big and small suppliers and a host of other things.

The magazine's Hunting column is perhaps the one thing they have that can cause some distress. Seems the author likes modern things better than he likes Traditional things.
That said, I just ignore his articles.

Membership in NMLRA keeps going up in price but even the current $40/year price works out to less than a "Big Mac" a month.

For those of you wondering, yes, I could have posted this in the "Muzzleloading and History in the Media " section of the forum but I know a lot more of you read this General Muzzleloading section more often than you read the Media one.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Their Hunting column is perhaps the one thing they have that can cause some distress. Seems the author likes modern things better than he likes Traditional things.

That's a deal breaker for me.....It's kind of like eating in the outhouse. :td:

I'll just keep rereading my old issues from days gone past, before those things were invented.
:haha:

 

[ohio ramrod]

Zonie, do you mind if I call you Zonie; I always found their articles to be informative. :idunno: :idunno:

 

[Gene L]

I don't like the idea of including in-line muzzle loaders which turns me off big-time. I belong but won't renew. The production values of the magazine are not up to snuff, IMO. There needs to be more money spent on appearance. Some good articles, a few, but some of the regular columnists are just eating up word space. I read one a couple of issues ago where the columnist just reported on walking through a rondezvous. There was nothing there. Muzzle Blasts needs editorial help, IMO. Regular columnists can be a bane to content. There were three or four pages of pictures and articles of officers running for positions.

I'm sure there are much more interesting submissions to the magazine than the regular fare, or there should be. Color is expensive, but not THAT much more expensive.

Very disappointed.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Muzzle Blasts needs editorial help, IMO. Regular columnists can be a bane to content. There were three or four pages of pictures and articles of officers running for positions.

Sounds like they might be getting "long in the tooth"....I think they might even realize this themselves, if they are bringing back the Bevel Brother.... :idunno:

I also think catering to inlines is a poor long term strategy.

 

[pwbsmokey]

Just curious, would the author of the hunting articles have the initials; TB? If it is, I'm definitely not a fan. He pretty much feels that traditional muzzleloaders shooting a PRB are useless.

 

[Alden]

Big Macs are pretty good. I wish McDonald's had a club I could join w/a color newsletter....

 

[Don Steele]

Thanks for letting our fellow Forum members know that the Bevel Brothers are back. I was just tickled when I read that myself. I see a lot of posts on this forum from relatively new members of the Black Powder Community. Those folks will undoubtedly be able to get a "leg up" in this sport from the Bevel Brothers. Their old articles, previously published in Muzzle Blasts are a continuing source of information and entertainment. For those who wish to criticize the magazine..that's fine. I only hope you're taking the time to communicate your excellent suggestions to the Editor, not just coming on here to express your concerns to people who have nothing to do with it.
As to another point mentioned..IMHO: if a shooter is loading a projectile from the muzzle...he (or she..) is shooting a muzzleloader, we have something in common and I'm glad to see that person at our range, enjoying their freedom to choose. We can continue to parse out the many and varied choices folks make...all to no end other than driving people away and shrinking our numbers. If that makes you feel good about how "pure" you are in your particular pursuit, go ahead. Prepare to shoot alone a lot...while you still can.
Ok..Rant Over. I won't be offended if this post gets removed. I feel better having had my say.

 

[Dave Marsh]

+1 from me Don. Couldn't agree more. The shooting sports need to stick together no matter what it is you shoot. I shoot them all and love it. :thumbsup: :hatsoff:

Dave

 

[Tom Compton]

I agree w Don and Dave. I don't shoot Modern Muzzle Loaders (MMLs) and I don't shoot black guns either but I do shoot cartridge guns and even associate with folks who shoot black guns. This is the same division as we saw in archery - stick, recurve, compound and cross bows.

I see target shooting, hunting, Rendevouz, reenacting, PC, HC, PRB, bullets, pellets, subs and BP dividing us. We complain of our declining ranks while putting up barriers to new participants. I hunt and compete with PRB in a flinter. I don't Rendevouz but I am not allowed to participate at MOST rondys to see if it is interesting enough to pursue.

Paper punching I advocate aggregates for MMLs to 200 yds w scopes off a bench AND some off hand aggs w any metallic sights shooting against TMLs or the same targets so they can see how well TMLs shoot. Out of 100 I predict we'll win a couple over to TMLs and rondys.

Advertise, recruit, publicize we are open to SHOOTERS.

Last step on my soap box: younger shooters. Work w individuals, scout groups, 4H etc shooting anything whether .22 or BB guns or ML. The Youth Hunter Education Challenge program has 4 shooting (archery, ML, small bore and shotgun) as well as wildlife ID, orienteering, hunting ethics. There are local groups, state, national and international competitions. NRA Whitington Center was preparing for the nationals when I was there last year. Texas has a Youth Hunting Program I have volunteered and do some TML show and tell programs for the kids, parents and volunteers.

Ok I know enough is enough
TC

 

[coloradoclyde]

I think you guys misunderstand me....
I think modern inlines have their place, I just don't think it is along side traditional muzzleloaders.(which by the way, were just called "muzzleloaders" until they came along)

It's the same as someone repeatedly writing articles about trap shooting with an AR-15 shotgun in a magazine about trap shooting.. It shouldn't be anything more than a footnote. :youcrazy: It belongs in a magazine about AR-15's.

 

[Larry Pletcher]

Just curious, would the author of the hunting articles have the initials; TB? If it is, I'm definitely not a fan. He pretty much feels that traditional muzzleloaders shooting a PRB are useless.

The main hunting writer is not T B. Initials are A R. Likely, you wouldn't run across his name elsewhere.

I talk with Bevel Up and Down at every national shoot. I'm always interested in projects they have in mind. I enjoy talking with folks who have their curiosity. We cooperated on slow motion stuff.

Regards,
Pletch

Regards,
Pletch

 

[M. De Land]

That is good new indeed, I loved their articles and experiments.
I kind of like to read the in-line stuff to stay abreast of what's happening on that end of muzzle loading as I feel that it quite possibly a source of many new traditional shooters that can be garnered from that end of the spectrum.
I've yet to see a modern shooter that will turn down a chance to shoot a traditional style muzzle loader if invited to give it a try.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I don't have a beef with the bevel brothers at all....
I could discuss inlines to length but this isn't the place........PM me if you want to.

 

[Zonie]

Zonie, do you mind if I call you Zonie; I always found their articles to be informative. :idunno: :idunno:

Sure you can call me Zonie. :grin:

I've been called a LOT worse, many times.

For the curious, "Zonie" is a slang term often used by people in Southern California when their talking about people from Arizona.

They don't like it when we flock over to their beaches during the summer (although I've never heard of one of them complaining about the millions of dollars we spend there each year).

Getting back to the subject, the magazines hunting column is written by Al Raychard.

This months article talks about early and late deer seasons in States with muzzleloading seasons that run from December thru January or, start in January.
He has a lot to say about the subject and I'll congratulate him on not saying anything about what kind of gun is (in his opinion) best. (The 2 pictures shown don't show Traditional guns though).

There is also a good article about using an original Patrick Mullin 10 guage double bbl shotgun to hunt with. The tundra swan the author downed is huge!


As for pages dealing with the Club members, what would one expect from a Club magazine? Hell, even the American Rifleman shows club related stuff every month.

A lot of the articles are written by people who don't make a living out of writing.
Even our own Pletch has had several of his articles published in Muzzle Blasts.

By the way, for those who have never had their writings published, give it a try.
You have little to loose and a real "ego trip" (and increase in your head size) if you win.

 

[Rat Trapper]

I don't have a problem with modern muzzle loading rifles being in Muzle Blasts. They know they need to grow the membership and that's where it can happen. Some of those who shoot modern muzzler loaders will become converted to traditional rifles, but ya have to get them into the fold first. I feel everyone who shoots is on our side.

 

[Dave Marsh]

Another +1 here. :thumbsup: I started with an unmentionable but saw the light and converted to percussion and then bang -- one day I tried a guys flintlock and got hooked.

Dave

 

[coloradoclyde]

They know they need to grow the membership and that's where it can happen.

I don't have the numbers, but I suspect one reason they have low membership is because they have disenfranchised their base by allowing inlines.
Muzzleloader Mag doesn't include inlines and their business is booming. :hmm:

Anyone interested in muzzleloading will find their way to traditional rifles eventually.
But those that choose a modern inline have done so deliberately and specifically because they did not posses the same qualities, features and aesthetics of a traditional.

Modern muzzleloaders are not geared towards the sport of muzzleloading. They a modern weapon specifically designed for Deer hunting and use in "special" state seasons.
this is why they don't make inline squirrel rifles or shotguns or pistols. Now before someone shows me an example of one remember I am talking about the majority of production and not rare customs or "one offs".

 

[Claude Mathis]

For a place that prohibits discussing inlines, you guys are doing a good job. :haha: