GETTING STARTED
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| Applying for VMLC Membership: Applicants must be members of the SSAA (Vic). Select here to go to the SSAA (Vic) web site to download an application form. Select here to download a VMLC Membership Application form. Getting Started: Detailed below is a list of items you will need to shoot targets with the VMLC. Not all the items are absolutely necessary, but in time you will probably acquire most if not all of them. Muzzle Loading Longarms: See the BP FIREARMS page for some more information. The most popular muzzle loading firearm is a rifle which shoots a lead ball encased in a cloth patch (in SSAA / VMLC parlance, a Class 2 Muzzle Loading Rifle (MLR)). These are most common with percussion cap ignition, and less so with Flint ignition (in VMLC parlance a Flintlock Muzzle Loading Rifle, or Flintlock). A Flintlock can enter all Class 2 competitions, but a Class 2 Percussion cannot compete in Flintlock competitions. In addition, Class 2, and Flintlock’s can enter all Open Class or Class 3, but not Class 4 competitions. There is no upper or lower limit on calibre, but .54” is recommended (by Hawkeye). Ladies or juniors may prefer a smaller calibre. The next most popular MLR is a Military Muzzle Loading Rifled Musket (Class 1 Muzzle Loading Rifle) which is designed to shoot a Minie Ball, or a patched ball (as described above). A Class 1 can enter all Class 1, Open Class or Class 3, but not Class 4 or Flintlock competitions. Minimum calibre is .531” with the most common being .577” or .578”. Slug Projectile Muzzle Loading Rifle, or Class 4 MLR, is the least popular MLR. These can compete in Class 3, 4 or Open MLR competitions. There is no upper or lower limit on calibre, with .451 being the most common. Class 3 MLR is any of the above, including Class 4. There are also Muzzle Loading Shotguns (single or double barrel, 11 gauge maximum), usually percussion ignition, and less popular with flint ignition, and Smooth Bore firearms, with Flintlock or percussion ignition (any calibre). General Muzzle Loading Longarm Accessories: Metal or Fibreglass Loading / Cleaning Rod with appropriate size Jag ........ Mandatory, bore size dowel or similar is acceptable for smoothbores Short Starter / Loading Hammer ....... Mandatory, but often not required for Class 1, never for shotgun Powder Measure ....................... Mandatory Powder Flask / Horn .................. Preferable Appropriate Projectiles .............. Mandatory Black Powder * ....................... Mandatory Percussion Caps * / Flints ........... Mandatory Appropriate Patches .................. Mandatory, not required for Class 1, never for shotgun Appropriate Patch Lubricant .......... Mandatory, not required for Class 1, 4, or shotgun Appropriate Projectile Lubricant ..... Mandatory, not required for Class 2, or shotgun Cleaning Patches ..................... Mandatory Bench Rest ** ....................... Mandatory for some competitions Target Frame ** ...................... Mandatory for most competitions Eye Protection ....................... Mandatory Hearing Protection ................... Mandatory Bore Oil ............................. Mandatory Shot #7, or smaller .................. Mandatory for Shotguns Over Powder Wad ...................... Mandatory for Shotguns Over Shot Wad ........................ Mandatory for Shotguns Lubricated Wad ....................... Mandatory for Shotguns Cross Sticks ......................... Mandatory for some events. The VMLC has some for members’ use. Flintlock Side Shield ................ Mandatory for some events. The VMLC has some for members’ use. Spotting Scope / Binoculars .......... Recommended Tripod / Stand for Scope ............. Recommended Bench Side Rest for longarms ** ...... Recommended Stapler (for targets) ................ Recommended Tool Box or similar .................. Recommended Flintlock Primer ..................... Recommended, flintlocks only Flint Knapper ........................ Recommended, flintlocks only Bore Light ........................... Optional Projectile Puller *** ................ Optional Pill Bottles for Powder * ............ Optional Blanket / Carpet for Bench ........... Optional Carpet / Rubber for Butt ............. Optional Brass / Plastic Powder Funnel ........ Optional Percussion Cap Dispenser ............. Optional, percussion locks only Patch Puller *** ..................... Optional C02 Projectile Discharger ............ Optional Breech Scraper *** ................... Optional Hammer for Target Frame .............. Optional Possibles Bag **** ................... Optional Patch Container **** ................. Optional Short Shorter Sheath **** ............ Optional * Available from VMLC, strictly for members only. ** Can be made for you by a VMLC member. *** Screws on to a Loading or Cleaning Rod **** Handy for Off-The-Body Shooting Handguns: See the BP FIREARMS link for some more information. The VMLC has competitions (which are approved by the Victoria Police, Licence Services Division) for two types of recognised Black Powder Handguns as follows: 1. Class 3 Handgun which includes, in the main, Single Shot Muzzle Loading Handguns with either percussion or flint ignition, and rifled barrel (smoothbores are extremely rare), and Cap & Ball Revolvers, all of which are rifled. The approved match for this Class is 25 metres Black Powder (or 25metre Precision in SSAA / VMLC parlance). There is no upper or lower limit on calibre (except as described legally), with .44” being the most common. Competitions for these handguns are held every month. 2. Single Action Black Powder Cartridge Revolver. The approved match for this is “Cowboy Single Action”. There is no upper or lower limit on calibre (except as described legally), with 44/40 being the most common cartridge. Note that to compete in CSA events, a Lever Action Rifle, or similar, is required. Competitions for these handguns are held every month. Class 3 Handgun Accessories: Metal or Fibreglass Loading / Cleaning Rod with appropriate size Jag ........ Mandatory, bore size dowel or similar is acceptable for smoothbores Loading Hammer ....................... Optional for Single Shot Handguns Powder Flask / Horn .................. Preferable Powder Measure ....................... Mandatory Appropriate Projectiles .............. Mandatory Black Powder * ....................... Mandatory Percussion Caps * / Flints ........... Mandatory Appropriate Patches .................. Mandatory Appropriate Patch Lubricant .......... Mandatory Cleaning Patches ..................... Mandatory Handgun Rest ......................... Mandatory for some events. The VMLC has some for members use. Target Frame ** ...................... Mandatory for most competitions Eye Protection ....................... Mandatory Hearing Protection ................... Mandatory Bore Oil ............................. Mandatory Filler (Semolina or similar) ......... Mandatory for Cap & Ball Revolvers Over-Projectile Grease / Lubricant ... Mandatory for Cap & Ball Revolvers Flintlock Side Shield ................ Mandatory for some events. The VMLC has some for members’ use. Spotting Scope / Binoculars .......... Recommended Tripod / Stand for Scope ............. Recommended Stapler (for targets) ................ Recommended Tool Box or similar .................. Recommended Flintlock Primer ..................... Recommended, flintlocks only Flint Knapper ........................ Recommended, flintlocks only Loading / Cleaning Stand ............. Recommended Bore Light ........................... Optional for Single Shot Handguns Projectile Puller *** ................ Optional for Single Shot Handguns Pill Bottles for Powder * ............ Optional Blanket / Carpet for Bench ........... Optional Brass / Plastic Powder Funnel ........ Optional Percussion Cap Dispenser ............. Optional Patch Puller *** ..................... Optional C02 Projectile Discharger ............ Optional Breech Scraper *** ................... Optional Hammer for Target Frame .............. Optional * Available from VMLC, strictly for members only. ** Can be made for you by a VMLC member. *** Screws on to a Loading or Cleaning Rod Single Action Black Powder Cartridge Revolver – Black Powder or Pyrodex: See the BP FIREARMS link for some more information. Metal or Fibreglass Cleaning Rod with appropriate size Jag ......... Mandatory Appropriately Loaded Cartridges ....... Mandatory Cleaning Patches ...................... Mandatory Target Frame ** ....................... Mandatory for most competitions Eye Protection ........................ Mandatory Hearing Protection .................... Mandatory Bore Oil .............................. Mandatory Stapler (for targets).................. Recommended Tool Box or similar ................... Recommended Loading / Cleaning Stand .............. Recommended Blanket / Carpet for Bench ............ Optional Hammer for Target Frame ............... Optional ** Can be made for you by a VMLC member. Breech Loading Rifle – Black Powder or Pyrodex: See the BP FIREARMS link for some more information. Metal or Fibreglass Cleaning Rod with appropriate size Jag ......... Mandatory Appropriately Loaded Cartridges ....... Mandatory Cleaning Patches ...................... Mandatory Target Frame ** ....................... Mandatory for most competitions Eye Protection ........................ Mandatory Hearing Protection .................... Mandatory Bore Oil .............................. Mandatory Stapler (for targets) ................. Recommended Tool Box or similar ................... Recommended Loading / Cleaning Stand .............. Recommended Bench Side Rest for longarms ** ....... Recommended Blanket / Carpet for Bench ............ Optional Carpet / Rubber for Butt .............. Optional Hammer for Target Frame ............... Optional ** Can be made for you by a VMLC member. |