Long Range Muzzle Loading in the UK, 2024

[ResearchPress]

The ‘Asquith Cup’ is the first match of the season and was fired at Bisley on Friday 5 April 2024. Rules for this percussion military muzzle loading rifle competition are for 15 shots at each distance, 600 & 800 yards. Even in calm conditions this is a testing match! This year however there were extremely strong winds forecast (gusts over 40mph), and partial closures were already in place on Stickledown range. Rather than risk cancellation, at least in part, the whole match (30 shots) was fired at 600 yards on Century range. I wasn’t available to shoot in this one, but did get to the range in time to take some photos.

Well the forecast said it would be breezy, and boy were they right! I spent the weekend of 6/7 April with the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain at Bisley. Saturday was their 500 yard Championship and Sunday 300 yards. Each day there were two matches, one for .577 Enfield rifle and one for muzzle loading target rifle.

With the open sighted Enfield military rifles the only recourse for coping with the wind was to aim off. The adjustable sights of the match rifles allowed for a more consistent hold / sight picture, but the lulls and gusts in wind strength left no option but to aim off at times. A great weekend for learning to cope with difficult conditions, both in the shooting and organisation on the firing point, making sure you kit didn’t blow away!

It was good catching up with friends from the UK and the Netherlands. Chance to share a sport we all enjoy, and a chat over a beer and meal at the Club Houses at Bisley Camp (the National Shooting Centre) in the evenings.

Additional photographs: MLAGB at Bisley, April 2024

David

 

[PathfinderNC]

That is some serious long range shooting! Glad you got out there to enjoy the events.

 

[ResearchPress]

That is some serious long range shooting! Glad you got out there to enjoy the events.

Back again in May - shooting at 500, 600, 900 and 1,000 yards.

David

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Gotta love the gents donned in fine English tweeds!

 

[TFoley]

Gotta love the gents donned in fine English tweeds!

All about tweed - https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-tweed#3vj3vu7cxzk18KIfR1cc2X

 

[Urban Coyote]

GREAT post, thanks for sharing, very cool stuff.

 

[Sam squanch]

I had a Harris tweed deer stalker Sherlock Holmes hat that defied any weather.

 

[Jshorter]

Looks like a great time. Love to see the pictures from these events. Thank you.

 

[M. De Land]

The ‘Asquith Cup’ is the first match of the season and was fired at Bisley on Friday 5 April 2024. Rules for this percussion military muzzle loading rifle competition are for 15 shots at each distance, 600 & 800 yards. Even in calm conditions this is a testing match! This year however there were extremely strong winds forecast (gusts over 40mph), and partial closures were already in place on Stickledown range. Rather than risk cancellation, at least in part, the whole match (30 shots) was fired at 600 yards on Century range. I wasn’t available to shoot in this one, but did get to the range in time to take some photos.

View attachment 311276

Well the forecast said it would be breezy, and boy were they right! I spent the weekend of 6/7 April with the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain at Bisley. Saturday was their 500 yard Championship and Sunday 300 yards. Each day there were two matches, one for .577 Enfield rifle and one for muzzle loading target rifle.

With the open sighted Enfield military rifles the only recourse for coping with the wind was to aim off. The adjustable sights of the match rifles allowed for a more consistent hold / sight picture, but the lulls and gusts in wind strength left no option but to aim off at times. A great weekend for learning to cope with difficult conditions, both in the shooting and organisation on the firing point, making sure you kit didn’t blow away!

It was good catching up with friends from the UK and the Netherlands. Chance to share a sport we all enjoy, and a chat over a beer and meal at the Club Houses at Bisley Camp (the National Shooting Centre) in the evenings.

Additional photographs: MLAGB at Bisley, April 2024

View attachment 311280

David

This is sure fun to see and reminds me of the decade I spent in mid range competition, 200 yards offhand,300 yards sitting and 600 yards prone. We used long range black powder buffalo rifles and 500 plus grain lead bullets. Never did get to compete in the long range matches 800,900 and 1000 yards all shot prone.

 

[Coinneach]

I had a Harris tweed deer stalker Sherlock Holmes hat that defied any weather.

Harris Treed and Irish "thornproof" Tweed jackets, theres nothing more stylish for a gentleman IMO, and yes I have them.

 

[ResearchPress]

Not sure why the ‘tweed’ discussion has continued or what it has to do with the original post… there was none in sight on the range.

David

 

[Sam squanch]

Then they should be made to wear tweed as a point of national pride!

 

[ResearchPress]

Friday 3 May – Sunday 5 May saw three days of training and competition shooting at Bisley with the Long Range Rifles Branch of the MLAGB. Ranges booked were 500, 600, 900 and 1000 yards. After a disappointing start, with shooting on Friday morning rained-off, events proceeded as planned for the rest of the weekend. Some good sunny spells made for pleasant conditions; the playful wind offered good opportunity for training!

The Volunteer Trophy (600 yards) is fired with open sighted muzzle loading rifles, and will usually see a mix of .451 military target rifles and .577 Enfield rifles. The winning score was made with a Parker-Hale Volunteer, second place an original Whitworth military target rifle (that the firer borrowed!), and third place an original Turner military target rifle – all .451 calibre. The Sunday afternoon match for the B.C. Baker Cup (900 yards) was fired in dull conditions. The initial testing wind gave way to calmer winds but some light rain spells. The winner used his own custom built muzzle loading match rifle, second place an original Gibbs-Metford fitted with a new Metford barrel, and third place an original Gibbs-Metford - just two points separated these shooters.

Additional information photographs: LRR at Bisley, May 2024

David

 

[CyrusP]

Excellent report! Thank you!

 

[ResearchPress]

Another splendid weekend of long range muzzle loading at Bisley, with the MLAGB and the Long Range Rifles Branch! Travelled to the National Shooting Centre on Thursday and met friends for a meal, drink and good chat. Friday we spent the day shooting at 900 yards, Saturday 1,000 yards and Sunday 600 yards. Mostly competition this weekend (7-9 June), but also some opportunity for practice.

Long range shooting with the muzzle loading rifle is a challenge – there’s a lot that a changeable wind can do to deflect the heavy lead bullet from the centre of the target! The conditions for the weekend were testing! Light varied throughout the days, from bright sunshine to somewhat overcast. The mirage present during the bright spells also vanished during the dull periods. The biggest variable however was the wind – it was good training though for dealing with a fishtailing headwind! On the plus side it stayed dry…

Happily, I managed to figure some conditions out and was pleased with 2nd place in the target rifle match and 3rd place in the Enfield rifle match, both at 600 yards. Middle of the field at 900 and 1,000 yards. All in all, a good weekend with friends from throughout the UK plus the Netherlands. Plenty of time to relax in good company too.

For further information and additional photographs see - LRML at Bisley, June 2024

David

 

[TFoley]

Mr Minshall, I'd be grateful if you could explain the rules dealing with shooters with disabilities that enables them to compete on equal footing with those more spry individuals who can still lie down to shoot. TIA.

 

[Bad Karma]

It’s encouraging to see some younger folks among those gathered to shoot. Good stuff!

 

[Bad Karma]

Mr Minshall, I'd be grateful if you could explain the rules dealing with shooters with disabilities that enables them to compete on equal footing with those more spry individuals who can still lie down to shoot. TIA.

Are there accommodations? I cannot shoot from prone any longer, I have a three level fusion of cervical spine. (No problem laying down, just can’t raise my head!

 

[TFoley]

Are there accommodations? I cannot shoot from prone any longer, I have a three level fusion of cervical spine. (No problem laying down, just can’t raise my head!

Yes, I bleeve that the rules here in UK have recently been amended to allow people like yourself and others with debilitating permanent conditions to use seats of the kind that you can see in Mr Minshall's photo above.

 

[ResearchPress]

Mr Minshall, I'd be grateful if you could explain the rules dealing with shooters with disabilities that enables them to compete on equal footing with those more spry individuals who can still lie down to shoot. TIA.

The MLAGB and Long Range Rifles Branch permit shooters with a genuine medical reason why they cannot shoot prone, to shoot seated at a bench. The rifle is however supported in the same manner as those shooting prone - in this case the only permitted support is a two-point sling. This is not bench rest shooting. No competitive advantage has been seen to be gained - indeed the shooter is more exposed to buffeting from the wind for example. There’s no medical scrutiny, just a shooter’s declaration on the entry form that they cannot shoot prone or find it very uncomfortable. This has enabled some who would have had to pack up the sport they enjoy to continue to compete. We’ve been permitting this in the Branch for a couple of years or so now.

David