WESTERN STATES MUZZLE LOADERS ASSOCIATION
POLICIES, RANGE RULES, AND MATCH RULES
I. GENERAL RANGE RULES AND
PROCEDURES
1. All matches,
equipment, and scoring will be done under the National Muzzle Loading Rifle
Association (NMLRA) Rules and Regulations, Latest Edition, unless otherwise
specified by Western States Muzzle Loaders Association (WSMLA) herein.
2. Flintlock rifles
may be used in any percussion rifle match.
3. Competitors are
responsible for making CERTAIN the correct match and shooter numbers are on the
target and that the target is posted at the proper distance. Fired on incorrect targets will be disqualified.
4. All NMLRA Territorial aggregate targets must be completed in the relay posted and allotted relay time, unless an acceptable mechanical breakdown has occurred and verified by the Range Officer.
5. WSMLA Target(s) may remain posted for more than one relay provided that NO scoring shots have been fired on the "match" target. If posting more than one "match" target understand that the first scoring shot on a target is considered as starting both match targets, they must be finished in the allotted time.
6. All targets SHALL be turned in after the relay it was shot.
7. Awards will take place, Friday morning,
as soon as all scoring is final. (Awards will not be mailed and
therefore must be picked up at the awards ceremony.
8. Scores will be
posted on the scoreboards daily. Don’t
ask the Range Officer for your score.
9. Any questions
arising over scoring are to be submitted to the Scorekeeper on a
“Challenge Form” available at the Registration shack.
10. Challenges and
protests should be made on the day after the match was fired.
II. RANGE SAFETY RULES
1. No smoking on the
firing line, in any loading areas, or when handling or carrying black powder.
2. No loading of
firearm directly from the powder horn or flask.
3. No open powder
containers. Cap all powder pouring
spouts.
4. Priming or capping
of firearms to be done ONLY on the firing line.
5. No “wet” loads
behind firing line. Notify Range
Officer is there is a problem.
6. Swabbing between shots
is recommended; and mandatory in some matches, see match rules.
7. ABSOLUTELY no blowing down the barrel.
8. For fire danger
reasons, greased based patches are FORBIDDEN
by Oregon Law.
9. While loading all
flintlock weapons, the frizzen must be open and the hammer in the down
position.
10. No loading from the
actual shooting benches or on the firing line.
11. False muzzle attachment cord is not required.
12. No firing permitted
after the Range Officer has called a cease fire.
13. No one is allowed
beyond the firing line, except during a cease fire.
14. No horseplay,
alcoholic beverages, or illegal substances in or around shooting areas.
15. Ear protection is
required and shooting glasses are highly recommended.
16. It is the parents’
responsibility to make sure that shooters who must be supervised are supervised.
17. Any command or
instruction given by the Range Officer shall be followed.
ANY ONE VIOLATING THESE SAFETY RULES MAY BE SUBJECT TO DISMISSAL FROM THE RANGE.
WSMLA INDIVIDUAL MATCH RULES
I. DAN WEDMAN TRADE MUSKET
AGGREGATE C:
1. Gun shall be any
smooth bore flintlock without a rear reference point above the plane of the
barrel.
2. No set triggers are
permitted.
II. JIM BRIDGER FLINTLOCK
AGGREGATE D:
1. Rifle must be traditional style rifle.
2. See Sections on
Running Buffalo, Fer-Du-Lac, and X-Stick Buffalo.
III. JOE MEEK PERCUSSION
AGGREGATE E:
1. Rifle must be traditional style rifle.
2. See Sections on
Running Buffalo, Fer-Du-Lac, and X-Stick Buffalo.
IV. WYOLA APPLEWHITE
AGGREGATE H:
1. Aggregate for Women
only.
2. Rifle must be traditional style rifle.
3. See Section on X-Stick Buffalo.
V. WAYNE FINCHER AGGREGATE I:
1. Shooters must not
have reached their 18th birthday.
2. Shooters under 14
must have an adult sponsor with them while shooting. It is the parent’s
responsibility to make certain that shooters who must be supervised are
supervised.
3. X-Sticks are to be
used in all 3- animal positions. See
Section on X-Stick Buffalo.
4. Rifle must be traditional style rifle.
VI. HIAWATHA AGGREGATE J:
1. Shooters must not
have reached their 14th birthday.
2. Shooters must have
an adult sponsor with them while shooting.
It is the parent’s responsibility
to make certain that shooters who must be supervised are supervised.
3. X-Sticks are to be
used in all matches.
4. Rifle must be traditional style rifle.
5. See Section on X-Stick Buffalo.
6. Hiawatha shooters
may also enter matches in the Wayne Fincher Aggregate but must shoot the
position as stated, i.e. offhand.
VII. PEE-WEE SHOOT AGGREGATE
K:
1. Shooters must not
have reached their 11th birthday.
2. Shooters must have
an adult sponsor with them while shooting.
It is the parent’s responsibility
to make certain that shooters who must be supervised are supervised.
3. X-Sticks are to be
used in all matches.
4. Rifle must be traditional style rifle.
5. See Section on
X-Stick Buffalo.
6. Pee-Wee shooters
may also enter matches in the Hiawatha Aggregate.
VIII. TERRY SAVAGE ONE GUN AGGREGATE L:
1. Must use same rifle
in all four matches.
2. The rifle must
weigh under 14 pounds.
3. The rifle must be
weighed by the Range Officer prior to shooting first match.
IX. GEORGE LAVERTY UNLIMITED BENCH AGGREGATE M:
1. False muzzles do not need to be attached to the loading bench. It is the responsibility of the shooter to remove the false muzzle prior to moving it to the firing line.
X. WOMEN'S UNLIMITED BENCH AGGREGATE
N:
1. False muzzles do not need to be attached to the loading bench. It is the responsibility of the shooter to remove the false muzzle prior to to moving the rifle to the firing line..
XI. MUSKET AGGREGATE O:
1. Muskets must be as
defined by NMLRA Rules.
2. Muskets must be inspected by the Range Officer or designee prior to shooting first match.
XII. BLACK POWDER CARTRIDGE AGGREGATE MATCHES:
1. Rifles: Late 1800
thru early 1900, single shot original style.
Modern single shot style in calibers designed for black powder. Lever action rifles in calibers designed for
black powder may be used. No bolt
actions.
2. Powder: Black
powder or black powder substitute only (e.g., Pyrodex, Black Mag,.).
3. Bullets: To be cast
lead or lead alloy. No jackets or gas
checks.
4. Sights: Must be
iron (no glass allowed in sights), non-click adjustable.
5. Accessories: Hook
butt plates and palm rests to be era of rifles. No modern equipment allowed.
6. Positions: (a.)
Bench: Will be front rest
only. Buttstock to be supported by
shoulder and/or hand.
(b.) Offhand: Body rest allowed, palm rest may be used in Target Class.
7. Target Rifles: Will be equipped with tang or adjustable rear sights located behind breech. Front sight may be of aperture style or fixed. Rifles can be equipped with open notched or ladder style rear sight. May use hunter peep. Front sight can be fixed open post or bead style (open iron sight). Globe with post may also be used.
8. Relays: On the bench you have two consecutive 30 minute
relays and offhand one relay. No limit to sighting shots. Record target must be completed if fired upon within that relay(s).
9. Scoring: Bench and
Offhand Targets: To be
scored from center of bullet hole.
XIII. RUNNING BUFFALO MATCH AGGREGATE S:
1. The Running Buffalo
will consist of 6 shots (5 shots for Tradeguns) fired at a moving single bull
buffalo target at approximately 25 yards.
2. Round ball
only. Three shots must be fired in each
direction of travel; starting from the left side.
3. Time allowed for
the shots is 5 minutes and 30 seconds.
Flintlock’s and Tradeguns will get 6 minutes.
4. Timing will start on
the first “Pull” call and the target will start at each "Pull" call from the shooter.
5. Time may be stopped
for target trouble or a rifle mechanical malfunction, but not dry loading.
6. Shooter will begin
with a loaded rifle. Pre-measured
charges and loading blocks are encouraged for ALL running buffalo matches.
7. Shooter MUST swab between all shots.
XIV. FER-DU-LAC (3-ANIMAL)
TARGET
1. The Fer-Du-Lac will
consist of 6 shots fired at the animal target at a distance of 25 yards.
2. Shooter shall
fire 2 shots offhand, 2 shots sitting or kneeling, and 2 shots over the log or
prone position; 2 SHOTS ON EACH ANIMAL. Shooting from a
“harder” position is only allowed;
as a substitute for the “over-the-log or prone” position.
Medical conditions or anyone 70 years of age are exempt from the position requirements and all 3 can be shot from the offhand position.
XV. X-STICK BUFFALO MATCHES AND RE-ENTRY
1. The X-Stick Buffalo
will consist of 5 shots fired at a 2-bull buffalo target at a distance of 50
yards.
2. Shooter will fire
three shots into one of the bulls and two shots into the other bull.
3. Shooters can use WSMLA supplied cross-sticks or their own, but they must comply with NMLRA rules
4. Sighter targets
WSMLA matches are
allowed.
5. NOTE: For the "National Territorial" matches, they can now be shot in the sitting position from the ground, chair, stool or a bucket; and the x-stick length is up to the competitor.