...our background

Unlike other arms collectors of the day these individuals were as much interested in the use of the firearm as in its historical study. At the time they may have been regarded as little more than amiable cranks playing with long obsolete firearms, much as contemporary members of the Veteran Car Club were seen as somewhat eccentric for their annual run from London to Brighton. But nowadays, with our developed appreciation of the past it is not difficult to understand the fascination that these people had for their subject.

Talk to any of the members from the early days of the Muzzle Loaders' Association and you will hear stories of the cased double sporting guns with ivory handled accessories, engraved presentation Enfields, flintlock target rifles with massive octagonal barrels, fine cased saw handled duellers, and much, much more. And, if you believe all you are told, these wonderful artefacts were to be found almost anywhere, obsolete and unappreciated, to be had for a few pounds.

Since then, such gems have all but disappeared into collections, and it is true to say that the appreciation of antique arms and their historical connections has seen a gradual decline as a result. Conversely, the shooting of muzzle loaders as a sport has increased out of all relation to its humble beginnings, to one of enormous participation worldwide.

In the UK there still remains a wealth of original arms available to today's modern muzzle loading shooter, but over the past thirty years or so there has been a remarkable increase in the use of replica firearms. This has been largely influenced by the market for modern commercially made muzzle loaders in countries that lack our heritage of original arms or have seen the destruction of their sporting arms during military occupation in two World Wars. Scores of muzzle loading long-guns and handguns of every description are now produced and to suit almost every taste.

The increasing demands for replica arms suitable for competitive shooting up to world class level have inspired manufacturers to produce products of superb quality, comparable with the originals they replicate. Cheap versions, of dubious quality, still abound but the serious shooter can now find all the qualities needed in a replica that were once only available in an original arm. He or she can now shoot alongside other muzzle loaders in mixed or replica classes at all levels of competition up to and including World Championships and, as the availability of original arms decreases - and as their cost increases - replica arms will naturally come to predominate. In many overseas countries this is already the case, but in the MLAGB at the moment there is about an equal split between the use of originals and replicas. Both forms are catered for, and encouraged, within the Association and in many competition events there is no distinction made between the two.

The size of the Muzzle Loaders Association has grown, particularly over the last two or three decades. It has branches throughout the United Kingdom and many affiliated clubs.

One of the most notable achievements of the MLAGB is Wedgnock Range Complex which lies on the outside of Warwick and was opened in 1994. This facility, with some 130 covered firing points for rifle and pistol on three separate ranges up to 100 meters. It was built with the assistance of a number of organisations including the Sports Council, the National Lottery and the NRA and serves primarily as the MLAGB's National Ranges. However it is open to all other shooters, clubs and associations and provides a much needed facility for police training and the like. At a time when so many ranges are closing, the construction of a complex of this size right in the geographical centre of England is an enormous achievement.

Wedgnock sees many muzzle loading events during the year and is the home of the MLAGB National Squad, but Bisley still features strongly in the Association's activities. Based in a most remarkable Victorian Clubhouse known as the Exhibition Hut from when it was used to display the NRA's notable collection of silver trophies and restored by the MLAGB themselves to award winning standard - the MLAGB holds practice and competition meetings for pistol and rifle throughout the year.

Other events, at Wedgnock, Bisley and throughout the country, are too numerous to list here but one can imagine with a sport as diversified as muzzle loading where there are over eighty national competitions and many times that number organised at branch level, the calendar is pretty full.

The pace and style of muzzle loading is different to many modern shooting disciplines but the sport should not be dismissed as unchallenging. The firearms, loads, shooting techniques and, most importantly, the scores attained are surprisingly sophisticated and worthy of the most dedicated marksman. Try it when you get a chance, but be warned - black powder smoke is addictive!