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The Eighth MLAIC Long Range World


Championships Bisley England by David Minshall Programme


The World Championships comprise a series of individual matches fired at 300, 500, 600, 900 and 1000 yards. Additionally, there are international competitions for teams of four, fired at mid-range (300, 500 and 600 yards) and long range (900 and 1000 yards). Matches at 300, 500 and 600 yards comprise three convertible sighters and ten match shots. The 900 and 1000 yard matches are five convertible sighters and 15 match shots.


Shooting commenced with a training day which is essentially shooter’s opportunity to check that all equipment is functioning correctly and to verify sight settings. The week’s programme was;


Sunday - 11 September - Equipment Control. Monday - 12 September - Training 300, 500 & 600yds. Tuesday - 13 September - Individual Matches 300 & 500 yards. Wednesday - 14 September (am) Individual Matches 600 yards (pm) Mid-Range Team (commences) 300 yards. Thursday 15 September (am) Mid-Range Team (concludes) 500 & 600 yards (pm) Training 900 & 1000 yards. Friday 16 September (am) Individual Matches 900 yards (am) Individual Matches 1000 yards. Saturday 17 September (am) Long Range Team 900 & 1000 yards (pm) Prize Giving followed by evening closing banquet.


Equipment Control


The preliminaries of the event commenced with equipment control. As with ISSF target shooting disciplines, the MLAIC have rules governing clothing and firearms. In general, clothing permitted in ISSF disciplines is permitted under MLAIC rules.


Given the range of firearms that can be used for MLAIC events and variations between period gun makers, it is not possible to define exacting specifications for them. Equipment control is therefore carried out by a panel of experts with detailed knowledge of muzzle-loading firearms. Events are held in two classes: Original and Reproduction.


The integrity of arms entered for the original rifle class is checked to ensure that, for instance, barrels have not been relined or bedded using modern materials. Modern-made reproductions of original firearms, with sights, lock assembly, stock and barrel in the original style are permitted.


Original parts may be used to build reproductions, such that a new barrel can be exchanged with an original that is no longer suitable for shooting.


A typical specification for a muzzle loading rifle used for long range shooting is;


.45 cal percussion rifle.


34-36” barrel with 1:18 twist rifling. Weight 12lbs (in the 19th century weight was restricted to 10lb).


Aperture sights with vernier scale adjustment and spirit level foresight.


530 – 560 grain paper patched or grease grooved bullet.


Charge of 85 - 95 grains Swiss No. 3 or 90-100 grains of Swiss No. 4 black powder.


World Championships


The Championship was formally opened on Sunday evening with brief speeches by Match Director George Arnold, MLAGB Chairman Ken Hocking and MLAIC Secretary General David Brigden.


There were initial concerns about the weather conditions and potential disruption to the first few days of the Championship. A severe weather-warning forecasting gales combined with heavy rain had been issued as the tail of Hurricane Katia approached the UK. In the event, Monday’s practice session began in somewhat gloomy damp weather but only one competition was disrupted with a brief but heavy rain squall. Winds reduced through the week, although the improving conditions and clearing skies brought a tricky mirage for some of the long range shooting.


Targets used are the standard NRA full-bore rifle targets and the tiny 5.5 inch diameter bulls-eye at 300 yards is a challenge for muzzle loaders. Nonetheless, in the opening match John Whittaker (Great Britain) and Corena de Beer (South Africa) each won their classes, Original and Reproduction respectively, with a score of 45 in strong and blustery wind conditions.


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