January 2026 copy - Flipbook - Page 70
organises its events to tie
in with the MLAGB series
of mid and long range National Ri昀氀e Championship
Matches at Bisley, enabling
a full weekend (often 3
days) of shooting. Branch
events include:
• Asquith Cup for any .577
military ri昀氀e (600 and
800 yards)
• Volunteer Trophy for
open sighted military target ri昀氀es (600 yards)
• Rigby Cup for target ri昀氀e
(600 yards)
• Whitworth Cup for hexagonally bored Whitworth ri昀氀es (600 yards)
• Barry Custance-Baker
Cup for target ri昀氀e (900
yards)
• 1,000 yard Championship for target ri昀氀e
• Metford Trophy for target ri昀氀e (1,000, 1,100 and
1,200 yards)
Often, the MLAGB/LRR
match weekends have
an international feel to
them, with shooters from
throughout the UK, plus
Jersey, the Netherlands
and France attending. The
weekends usually include
some training sessions,
such that changes to ri昀氀es
and equipment can be evaluated, shooters can work on
developing skills like wind
reading, and newcomers
can be assisted / coached.
70
More information from:
www.longrangeri昀氀es.uk
The National Ri昀氀e Association (NRA) moved its
annual ri昀氀e meetings from
Wimbledon to Bisley in
1890, which still remains
their home today. While
modern target ri昀氀e shooting
features strongly, events in
which historical arms can
be used are also included
in their programme. The
Phoenix Meeting (May),
although dominated by
gallery ri昀氀e and handgun
events, includes black powder cartridge ri昀氀e matches
昀椀red at long range. Both
the Imperial Historic Arms
(July) meeting and the Trafalgar Meeting (October)
have events for military
and target muzzle loading
and black powder cartridge
ri昀氀es 昀椀red at mid and long
range. More information
from: www.nra.org.uk
The world governing body
for muzzle loading is the
Muzzle Loaders Associations International Confederation (MLAIC) and since
1999 has held Long Range
World Championship, with
competitions 昀椀red at 300,
500, 600, 900 and 1,000
yards. The MLAGB, as the
sport’s Governing Body
within the UK, selects the
British team. More information from:
www.mlaic.org
Equipment
Choice of ri昀氀e today will
be that of a modern made
reproduction, including
custom built ri昀氀es, or an
original ri昀氀e. Most UK competitions make no distinction between reproduction
and original ri昀氀es, although
in international events they
are 昀椀red in their own classes. Many originals are still
seen on the ranges and in
the hands of winning shooters, however their prevalence nowadays appears to
be on the wane. Use of such
ri昀氀es, with their premium
prices, on open ranges and
in inclement weather is not
an attractive proposition;
however, it will be a sad
day when their price is such
that they are consigned to
the gun cabinet.
Shooting in the 19th century did not permit arti昀椀cial
support, including slings.
Shooters 昀椀red prone, unsupported, or from the back
position. Today’s rules permit the use of a two point
sling for ranges up to 600
yards. At ranges greater
than 600 yards a wrist rest
may be used, or the shooter
can 昀椀re from the back position. Cross sticks or other support of the ri昀氀e are
not normally permitted in
matches in the UK. Despite
using 昀椀rearms of antiquated design, competitors are
not generally subject to
rules preventing them using
Modern BPCR Shooter - January, 2026
