Muzzleloading

Muzzle Loading Discipline Chairman: DES PROWSE

PH: (07) 4774 0493

S.S.A.A. Muzzleloaders use all types of replica muzzleloading pistols and cap and ball percussion revolvers.
Most of the excellent replicas available are made in Italy, with others coming from the USA, Spain, Japan,
England and other European countries.

Muzzleloading handguns are divided into four classes, with separate events for each class. The classes are as follows:

* CLASS 1: Original and exact replicas of cap and ball percussion revolvers. Sights and grips must be as issued
and the only types of projectiles permitted are round lead balls or picket (conical) bullets. Colt, Remingtons, Rogers
and Spencer revolvers fit into this class.

* CLASS 2: Original and exact replicas of single shot percussion pistols. Once again, sights and grips have to be as
on originals and the barrels can be rifled or smooth bore. The only projectile permitted is round ball. Military style
holster pistols, Kentucky and duelling pistols all fit as specialised target pistols.

* CLASS 3: Other percussion revolvers and pistols with any type of non-optical sight, any type of grips and using
any type of bullets. This is an open class into which the excellent Ruger percussion revolvers fit, as they have
adjustable rear sights. Other revolvers that fit into this class include Remingtons, Rogers and Spencers with adjustable
rear sights.

* FLINTLOCK: This class covers all types of firelock ignition, matchlock, wheel lock and flintlocks. Flintlock pistols
are by far the most common, although more and more smooth bore Japanese matchlocks are being used. There are
separate events for smooth bore and rifled pistols and the only bullets permitted in both are round lead balls.

All competitions are fired standing with the handgun held in one unsupported hand. There is no pre-match practice
allowed on the day of an event and 13 shots are fired in 30 minutes with the top ten shots counting as the score.
Bullets holes cutting a line must be at least half way through the line to score the higher value, a rule that is
necessary as widely different calibres compete against each other - such as .31 cal to .58 cal.

Competitors shoot 30 minute precision events with both pistols and revolvers at 25m and 50m and also have a
25m timed event for both Class 1 and Class 2 handguns, with a four second target exposure. Pistols, of course, fire
one shot at a time while revolvers fire strings of 5.5 and three shots, four second exposures with ten second pauses
between shots.

The only powder used in muzzleloading pistols is commercially made blackpowder and for safety reasons shooters
do not load directly from powder flasks but use individual powder containers that each hold a single charge.

In the right hands muzzleloading pistols and revolvers perform just as well as modern handguns, the main
difference being the 'after shooting performance'. Muzzleloading handguns have to be carefully cleaned after
use with water or some water-based cleaning fluid. Blackpowder residues are hygroscopic and will cause rusting
if not attended to, so careful cleaning is essential every time the pistols or revolvers are fired.