April 2026 (2) - Flipbook - Page 43
band’ En昀椀eld. The Parker-Hale
Pattern 1858 Naval Ri昀氀e is popular, as are original versions of
this or similar Short Ri昀氀es. The
common feature is the 33 inch
barrel with 1 in 48 inch twist
ri昀氀ing. The Pattern 1853 Ri昀氀e
Musket is however seen on the
ranges and can perform well.
One attribute perhaps accounting for the popularity of the
shorter ri昀氀e is the sights; the
rearsight is placed four inches
further away from the eye and
this can assist the shooter in
gaining a clear sight picture.
There are probably as many
original ri昀氀es used in MLAGB
competition as reproduction,
and no distinction is made between them.
Grease grooved Minie bullets
are in general use. Some shooters have experimented with
paper patched bullets and there
have also been those that have
made the hollow nosed bullets
that William Metford had competition success with in the early 1860s. Paper cartridges don’t
generally feature, although
there is nothing in the MLAGB
rules preventing their use. Essentially there is no signi昀椀cant
di昀昀erence in loading between
short range (100m) and longer
range. An increase in powder
charge is generally made and to
compensate for this some have
modi昀椀ed base plugs on their
bullet moulds such that a thicker skirt is formed when their
bullets are cast.
Where the discipline really
comes into its own is the ability to aim o昀昀 to allow for wind.
Sights are crude when compared to the match ri昀氀e, with
just a simple slide for elevation
and no windage adjustment.
With the rainbow like trajectory of the typical 540-560 grain
bullet, close attention to changing conditions is essential.
Slight changes in head or tail
winds and the bullet will drop
short of or sail over the target.
Point of aim may be several feet
to the side of the target if the
cross wind is strong; if one is
lucky a clump of grass or other
such feature in the butts may
provide a point of reference.
MLAGB competitions are 3
sighting shoots and 10 match
shots at all distances except
600 yards where there are 15
match shots. Targets used are
the standard NRA(UK) type
(and as used in the MLAIC
Long Range World Championships for match ri昀氀e). All shoot-
En昀椀eld ri昀氀es in the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain National
600 yard Ri昀氀e Championships. Bisley, Century Range.
God bless Black Powder!
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