WESTERN STATES MUZZLE LOADER ASSOCIATION
POLICIES, RANGE RULES, AND MATCH RULES (2009 edition)
I. PARK AND CAMP POLICIES
NOISE ZONES: It is your responsibility to be courteous to your camping neighbors.
1. There are two camping areas. a) Primitive Area b) Trailer with hookups Area
2. JCSA
CAMPING FEE: JCSA has a per day fee for regular camping and a per day for
the hook-up sites, subject to change by JCSA.
This is to be paid DIRECTLY to
JCSA at their range office at time of arrival at the park.
3. WEAPONS and THEFT: Loaded weapons in any area of the JCSA park, except the
authorized firing lines is prohibited.
NO weapon will be brandished in any offensive manner. Persons are expected to conduct themselves
in a proper and lawful manner.
4. FIRE RESTRICTIONS: There may be restrictions required by the Forest Service
and/or JCSA Range Master placed on campfires, bar-b-ques, smoking, entry into
the woods and other issues. Please check at the JCSA range office.
II. 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. Open sights are
defined as no hoods or shaders.
3. Flintlock rifles
may be used in any percussion rifle match.
4. 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. Incorrect targets will be disqualified.
5. 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.
6. WSMLA Target(s) may remain posted for more than one relay provided that NO scoring shots have been fired on the 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 that relay . Note: Slug Gun targets can be posted at all distances and shot in a subsequent relays to save posting time and shooter effort.
7. All targets SHALL
be turned in after the relay it was shot. The 2-day
high re-entry targets will bear the date per the Registration shack prior to
posting. If correct date is not on the
target, the Scorekeeper will disqualify that target. [Example: If a shooter is
not able to shoot a 2-day high target on the day issued, the shooter must have
the Shoot Secretary re-date and initial that target prior to posting].
8. Awards will take place, Tuesday morning,
as soon as all scoring is final. (Awards will not be mailed and
therefore must be picked up at the awards ceremony.
9. Scores will be
posted on the scoreboards daily. Don’t
ask the Range Officer for your score.
10. Any questions
arising over scoring are to be submitted to the Scorekeeper on a
“Challenge Form” available at the Registration shack.
11. Challenges and
protests must be made no later than Noon on the day after the match was fired.
III. 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
VI. DAN WEDMAN TRADE MUSKET
AGGREGATE:
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.
VII. JIM BRIDGER FLINTLOCK
AGGREGATE:
1. Rifle must be
traditional style rifle. No shaders.
2. See Sections on
Running Buffalo, Fer-Du-Lac, and X-Stick Buffalo.
VIII. JOE MEEK PERCUSSION
AGGREGATE:
1. Rifle must be
traditional style rifle. No shaders.
2. See Sections on
Running Buffalo, Fer-Du-Lac, and X-Stick Buffalo.
IX. WYOLA APPLEWHITE
AGGREGATE:
1. Aggregate for Women
only.
2. Rifle must be
traditional style rifle. No shaders.
3. See Section on
X-Stick Buffalo.
X. WAYNE FINCHER AGGREGATE:
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. No shaders.
5. Shooters will shoot
all aggregate matches on the Offhand range.
XI. HIAWATHA AGGREGATE:
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. No shaders.
5. See Section on
X-Stick Buffalo.
6. Shooters will shoot
all aggregate matches on the Offhand range.
7. Hiawatha shooters
may also enter matches in the Wayne Fincher Aggregate but must shoot the
position as stated, i.e. offhand.
XII. PEE-WEE SHOOT:
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. No shaders.
5. See Section on
X-Stick Buffalo.
6. Shooters will shoot
all aggregate matches on the Offhand range.
7. Pee-Wee shooters
may also enter matches in the Hiawatha Aggregate.
XIII. ONE GUN AGGREGATE:
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.
XIV. UNLIMITED BENCH
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.
2. All bench matches
will be shot on the Walker Mountain bench range.
XV. MUSKET AGGREGATE:
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.
3. All Musket matches
will be fired on the Offhand range.
XVI. 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.
XVII. RUNNING BUFFALO MATCHES
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.
XVIII. 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. Shooting from a
“harder” position is only allowed;
as a substitute for the “over-the-log or prone” position.
XIX. X-STICK BUFFALO
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 will use
WSMLA supplied cross-sticks for all 5 shots fired.
4. Sighter targets are
allowed.
5. Buffalo targets will
be shot on the muzzleloading Offhand range all days.
6. Wayne Fincher,
Hiawatha, and Pee-Wee X-Stick matches will be shot on the Offhand range and
under adult supervision.