Why are or aren't you an NMLRA member?

[coloradoclyde]

If you like to go to Friendship or you like the magazine then $40 is money well spent.....Beyond that, it's all a matter of opinions...

 

[coloradoclyde]

Good point. Wonder how that’s achieved when I read in M.B. magazine that circulation is 20k?
Assuming all pay $40/yr = $800k.
2 National matches: 2000 registered shooter @ $35, $70k.

Investments
Land
Concessions
Merchandise
Donations
Estates

 

[52Bore]

If you like to go to Friendship or you like the magazine then $40 is money well spent.....Beyond that, it's all a matter of opinions...

Agree, don’t know any other ML organization that tries or does it any better...

 

[Skychief]

I've been a member for 25 years. My latest 3-year re-up expires in July. I hope to make it to Friendship in the next few days and am undecided if I will re-enlist.

The inclusion of the unmentionables is my biggest barrier at the moment. I never thought I would see the day where they would be front and center in the association's rag, Muzzle Blasts. Let alone, encouraged to shoot and "compete". :barf: :barf: :barf:

That said, I hoped that insight gained from posting this thread and reading through 80+ replies would nudge me one way or the other.

I don't understand how "watering down" the basic ideals of the association with the unmentionables will bolster its future.

Still mulling this over.

I find it interesting too that the NMLRA doesn't do more politically. For my money, I wish that they would.

I appreciate all the thoughtful replies everyone.

Best regards, Skychief.

 

[meanmike8665]

I hope you stay as a member, I attend the Western every other year or so and the unmentionable are in the very minority. Please don't let them bother your experience with traditional muzzleloaders. I don't.
Be sure a speak to a Director about why the Association does not to more on the political side, it makes sense to me, but not everyone understands.
If you can't find anyone else ask to see Joe Hill ( he is the current President )

Michael

 

[52Bore]

I've been a member for 25 years.

The inclusion of the unmentionables is my biggest barrier at the moment. I never thought I would see the day where they would be front and center in the association's rag, Muzzle Blasts. Let alone, encouraged to shoot and "compete".

I appreciate all the thoughtful replies everyone.

Best regards, Skychief.

Can you elaborate on the ”˜front and center’?

MB has 1 article/page out of 84 pages.
Looking at the latest June program online - I noted 3 matches for them out of what looks like 500 total.
There has been an AGG for unmentionables on the offhand line for over 25 years - Unlimited Hunter.

I bought their history book - Shooting ML by their rules, plain and simple to see. The guys who started the organization were ML shooters - guess that’s why they continue to get 1000 registered shooters at each of their matches - to shoot ML.

From their rules - “BATF approved Black Powder and BP Substitues and any safe projectile” seems to define a ML to them and the NRA. (I see no mention of allowing smokeless and I know they were against Savage doing so around 2000)
Looks like people don’t know or want to accept our countries definition of a ML.

Look at what/how your state defines a ML?
If it’s not what the NMLRA/NRA define a ML - look in the mirror.

 

[Gene L]

While MB may only dedicate a single article on unmentionables, they are the only BP mag I know of who does. While technically, yes, they do load through the muzzle so the fit the technical definition, I don't think they fit the moral definition. They are machines without a link to history and many shoot pellets and seemed to be only designed to kill more deer.

But maybe I'm wrong in my outlook. I don't like compound bows, however they don't offend me as much as a Remington bolt-action ML with a 3 x 9x scope mounted on top.

 

[52Bore]

But maybe I'm wrong in my outlook. I don't like compound bows, however they don't offend me as much as a Remington bolt-action ML with a 3 x 9x scope mounted on top.

I too don’t fancy them - but they have their place in ML as well in history as listed in the top 50 of ”˜guns of all time’ (Knight).
Being that they outnumber us by 10.000:1 or more - We can only hope in our lifetimes it we can show some of them what we cherish and pass it on.
I see no reason to alienate those who shoot a muzzleloader even if it’s not what we prefer to shoot - in their minds they are shooting a muzzleloader.
Thanks

 

[52Bore]

I shall add: the times I’ve been to the NMLRA and shot - I have been overwhelmed by the number of original and FINE reproductions being shot... from shotguns and longrifles to long range rifles and everything in between...
I actually dispise the cheap CVA’s, Lyman and other cheap manufactured repos more than the ??? as they belittle what should be a piece of chraftsmsnship.
I don’t and wouldn’t bash someone if that’s all they know or could afford - as they still are shooting a ML.

 

[Gene L]

None of us come from a traditional ML past; we came to it usually from modern firearms. So we didn't "know" about them from experience, we had to educate ourselves. Something drew us to it. Various reasons appealed to us, but most (my age, at least) weren't drawn to it because it extended their chances to kill more deer. I see the xxx guns attraction for just that reason; no love for the guns of our past, ignoring tradition for the sake of gaming the system. The few I know don't care about the tradition, they care about putting lead down range almost always with modern scopes and increasing range to CF distances.

I've got lots of modern guns and don't object to them at all. What I find less attractive is ML posing as something they're not.

 

[52Bore]

Unfortunately, with many kids today their 1st ML is the xxx.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I wasn't going to respond because I feel like I have sort of deserted the cause. I lived near Friendship for about seven years and was a very dedicated member for a long time. But, NMLRA has forgotten it's roots and drifted. I am one of those opposed to the acceptance of modern inlines. We see much on the web site and in the magazine that has nothing to do with muzzle loading. e.g. I once opened the web site and was greeted by a picture of an archer. Wats going on with that? My club has been trying for years to just get a visit from the area field rep. Not even a response. :cursing: If the association is not interested in it's members and charter clubs how can it be expected that we will be interested in the association? :idunno: The magazine, despite some recent changes just does not hold interest like it used to. And the magazine is the only contact many have with the organization. Travel to the big shoots is out of the question for many. I don't believe there has been a territorial shoot in the Arkansas/Missouri region since I conducted one in the 1980s. Just yesterday I saw a Facebook post by a dealer going to the Friendship shoot taking his archery equipment to sell. Archery again? I have been an on and off member for many years. Will probably rejoin again one day but just do not feel motivated at this time. I think NMLRA is killing itself by not sticking to its founding principals. Sad.

 

[Jimbo47]

Unfortunately, with many kids today their 1st ML is the xxx.

They are cheap, unlike the despised CVA's and Lymans.

 

[52Bore]

Not AK/Mizzu, but OKC held their NMLRA Territorial (state ML match) was held last month. Jim Chamberlin, I believe, was the match director.
Your club isn’t trying very hard..

 

[azmntman]

Unfortunately, with many kids today their 1st ML is the xxx.

They are cheap, unlike the despised CVA's and Lymans.

CVA doesn't sell traditional BP arms anymore. You can buy a modern in line for less than a Lyman though. :idunno:

 

[coloradoclyde]

You can buy a modern in line for less than a Lyman though. :idunno:

Look how their made....Tube shaped barrel, plywood or plastic stock, plastic furniture....painted steel.... :shake: Chinese quality with an American price.....Embarrassing.

It probably costs more to buy a box of bullets for one of those than it does to manufacture it. :youcrazy:

 

[azmntman]

Agreed.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Your club isn’t trying very hard..

That's a crummy statement to make. You know nothing. If you want to get insulting take it to private topics. :cursing:

 

[52Bore]

Unfortunately, with many kids today their 1st ML is the xxx.

They are cheap, unlike the despised CVA's and Lymans.

CVA doesn't sell traditional BP arms anymore. You can buy a modern in line for less than a Lyman though. :idunno:

Talk about losing focus! NMLRA looks like a saint with preserving our heritage compared to CVA.
To add: how can anyone who’s got ”˜made in Spain’ roll stamped with n their barrel be complaining about loosing focus or our Heritage?

 

[Adui]

After reading all this I think I am glad I never joined the NMLRA. Turns out, for the same reason it took me so long to start reaching out to other ML shooters and clubs.

Every time in the past I did any poking around at all I got a bunch of HC PC manure, that scared me at one point into believing they wouldn't accept my Traditions Hawken because it isn't EXACTLY HC/PC.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't like the modern front stuffers any more than the rest of you for much the same reason. But I can tell you from experience holding onto rules that say someone is excluded because that weapon is HC/PC is a good way to alienate people who just might come over to the HC/PC side of the fence if given the proper respect and encouragement.
I dont feel they have any place in a historical rhondy, but they shouldnt be shunned either. Let em come in and shoot, just not in the contests. Let em join the camradere and learn from you old timers who have been at this since ol' Davy Crocket passed away.