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dave951

62 Cal.
Joined
Feb 27, 2019
Messages
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Location
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Face it, we need to expose more folks to muzzleloading and how much fun it can be. The numbers of people in the hobby have been dwindling and those left getting grayer and grayer. On February 26 in Winchester VA, one of our N-SSA members held a "recruit skirmish" that he had organized and then invited a number of folks who had expressed an interest in our form of competition. Of the group in the picture some are N-SSA members assisting in the event. There were about 20+ non members attending and of those, 10 joined the N-SSA. That's a 50% rate, outstanding in marketing terms. People don't know how much fun you can have with muzzleloaders until you get them to the range and actually shooting. Guests were outfitted with muskets and gear and put through a training session and then an informal version of our competition. Tim Scanlon, our property manager, brought out one of his cannons and did an artillery demonstration as well.


"Papa" Rob Harrison, 48th VA Inf, event organizer and certified NRA Muzzleloading Instructor, demonstrating how to load a musket.
274886348_10223611238942087_4294650001160630566_n.jpg



Guests on the firing line with N-SSA members monitoring for safety and to assist. Note this is Positions 9&10 on our National range. Look how far it goes into the distance to Position 73.
274817325_10223611219941612_8785640262113094397_n.jpg




Get them interested at a young age. Even this little fellow was shooting.
274878546_10223611232901936_4692473577060017136_n.jpg




The musketoon is perfect for young shooters to learn how to load and fire a musket safely.
274882400_10223611244182218_1980502710987503413_n.jpg



Those who get aggravated by my shameless promotion of getting kids to the range, maybe this will help you understand why I do it. This is what it's all about. Moments like this are priceless and those who help will never ever forget.
274967118_10223611228021814_2729260375346771430_n.jpg



Today's kid is tomorrow's adult. Get them interested, teach them well. There's no reward other than seeing our hobby live on after we're gone and being a positive influence on a young person. Take a kid to the range!!!
274927356_10223611240822134_8171635302828006497_n.jpg




Yup, artillery got fired live as well. This is a full size "mountain rifle" used by cavalry and in rough terrain.
274940019_10223611226661780_6496746252641432901_n.jpg




"Papa" Rob issuing ammo.
274976979_10223611221181643_195891290917743816_n.jpg



This is "Papa" Rob Harrison, the driving person organizing this event. He's a fellow NRA Muzzleloading Instructor, US veteran, fellow N-SSA member, and a true example of what makes a Southern Gentleman. Although he's on a different N-SSA team from me, we share a passion for working with others to share muzzleloading and frequently discuss muzzleloading and instruction. At a competition, when the horn sounds, I'll do my dead level best to beat him and he'll be returning the favor but at the end of the day, this is the kind of person I will always be proud to call my friend.
274926377_10223611230141867_563301384852724160_n.jpg
 
Those who get aggravated by my shameless promotion of getting kids to the range,
No one that I am aware gets aggravated with your promotion of getting kids to the range,,,,,

It's your incessant whining about not getting free powder from Goex, and then having to beat us about the head with it regarding the new ownership and that you are already on their case about it,,,,, that gets folks aggravated.
 
:)
looks like a fun time for all

That kid won't remember much of his time at that age when he grows up, but that first day he got to shoot the musketoon will stick in his brain for life.
I can remember my first time shooting when I was 7 like it was yesterday.
 
Face it, we need to expose more folks to muzzleloading and how much fun it can be. The numbers of people in the hobby have been dwindling and those left getting grayer and grayer. On February 26 in Winchester VA, one of our N-SSA members held a "recruit skirmish" that he had organized and then invited a number of folks who had expressed an interest in our form of competition. Of the group in the picture some are N-SSA members assisting in the event. There were about 20+ non members attending and of those, 10 joined the N-SSA. That's a 50% rate, outstanding in marketing terms. People don't know how much fun you can have with muzzleloaders until you get them to the range and actually shooting. Guests were outfitted with muskets and gear and put through a training session and then an informal version of our competition. Tim Scanlon, our property manager, brought out one of his cannons and did an artillery demonstration as well.


"Papa" Rob Harrison, 48th VA Inf, event organizer and certified NRA Muzzleloading Instructor, demonstrating how to load a musket.
View attachment 124888


Guests on the firing line with N-SSA members monitoring for safety and to assist. Note this is Positions 9&10 on our National range. Look how far it goes into the distance to Position 73.
View attachment 124889



Get them interested at a young age. Even this little fellow was shooting.
View attachment 124892



The musketoon is perfect for young shooters to learn how to load and fire a musket safely.
View attachment 124893


Those who get aggravated by my shameless promotion of getting kids to the range, maybe this will help you understand why I do it. This is what it's all about. Moments like this are priceless and those who help will never ever forget.
View attachment 124895


Today's kid is tomorrow's adult. Get them interested, teach them well. There's no reward other than seeing our hobby live on after we're gone and being a positive influence on a young person. Take a kid to the range!!!
View attachment 124898



Yup, artillery got fired live as well. This is a full size "mountain rifle" used by cavalry and in rough terrain.
View attachment 124896



"Papa" Rob issuing ammo.
View attachment 124899


This is "Papa" Rob Harrison, the driving person organizing this event. He's a fellow NRA Muzzleloading Instructor, US veteran, fellow N-SSA member, and a true example of what makes a Southern Gentleman. Although he's on a different N-SSA team from me, we share a passion for working with others to share muzzleloading and frequently discuss muzzleloading and instruction. At a competition, when the horn sounds, I'll do my dead level best to beat him and he'll be returning the favor but at the end of the day, this is the kind of person I will always be proud to call my friend.
View attachment 124900
It scares me that the kid had his eye above the hammer. I hope he had safety glasses on.
 
When being introduced to flintlocks, the young ones just need to be taught and reassured not to be frightened by the flash and sparks. (Safety glasses are essential) That effort goes a long way in cementing their love for this type of shooting. They can’t love something they’re afraid will hurt them.
 
When being introduced to flintlocks, the young ones just need to be taught and reassured not to be frightened by the flash and sparks. (Safety glasses are essential) That effort goes a long way in cementing their love for this type of shooting. They can’t love something they’re afraid will hurt them.

One thing further, when instructing, you have to be cognizant to the "hand" of the shooter. A left hand person will not enjoy being stung by cap fragments nor will they like a flint in their face.
 
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