Set up a ‘muzzloading range’ committee or whatever you call your sub groups. Guessing a sportsman’s club would have committees for diffident ranges, shooting groups and events.
VERY sound advice. As for steel targets, you take them down and away when the Muzzleloaders are not being used.
One startup process I have seen work well is to get another nearby club already holding matches to help you set up and run a match or two at your club with participation from their members. And if you start to hold matches, do not compete with other nearby club’s match times.
Speaking of which..., I'm an hour away from Mercersburg. God willing, and a truck don't jack-knife on I-70 West.
I can help you out I hope, AND I have armor plate targets that I can bring up to use at a shoot. Not a lot but some.
Be happy to help you run it if it's on a weekend day that isn't already "booked".
If the date is good, I think I can bring a batch of helpers, and at least give you a good turnout of shooters, (if not helpers with the event). You might start with a "fun shoot" or "introductory shoot" just to get folks into the idea that muzzleloading is a good part of the club.
I might be able to arrange for a volley-fire demonstration vs. air filled balloons so attendees can see what a volley of muskets at 50 yards can really do?
Or maybe even a station where folks can try live-fire of a Bess..., just to see what it's like?
OH and be aware of the hunting seasons. One way to torque the current members is to tie-up the range the weekend before opening day of small game season, or deer season, when they are used to using that weekend as a last minute check-the-sights day.
If you have range fees for guests, wave them for the first two or three times a guest shoots in your matches. Encourages new members and most clubs are looking for recruits.
This is another very good idea. IF you do the "fun shoot" you just invite people to come and try things out. You can ask for donations if they had a good time. You just post safety rules for all the guests to follow, which are basic safety rules, anyway.
Let me know.
LD