Make time to give back!!!!

[dave951]

At some point in your youth, you were introduced to guns and even led over to the dark side of black powder.

A group of us have been active in working with kids in muzzleloading instruction. We had one summer in with the Scouts at Camp Raven Knob prior to Covid and now we're back. This week we've worked with two camps- Bud Schiele and Raven Knob instructing in muzzleloading safety, history and marksmanship.

We're all certified NRA/NMLRA instructors. N-SSA member PJ Kelly was kind enough to loan muskets for use in the form of 5 1863 Remingtons aka "Zouaves". Schutzen Energetics donated powder and caps, THANK YOU TAMBI! Lead is covered by honorariums from speaking engagements by one of our instructors. We also have some PRB guns that we personally bring to this table. We cast the bullets. We assemble the ammo. We cover our instructor costs. We spend the time to instruct kids. There is no better thing you can do in the shooting sports world than give a kid a fun and safe introduction to shooting!

Some pix-

 

[Captain*kirk]

Thank you for investing in the future of BP!

 

[Rebel Dave]

Good Job Dave, well done. Start them early, and safeley.

Rebel Dave

 

[white smoke]

I always take the time to thank parents who bring their children to the range. I’ll ask if their child would like to shoot a flintlock and I’ve never been turned down. They are indeed the future. Thanks so much for what you do.

 

[Shortgrub]

I have recently taken my 2 nephews shooting. I thought they would like the semi's better but they wanted to shoot my black powder guns.

 

[windini]

Nothin' like giving a kid a safe, positive, informative intro to shootin'! BP even better, as you're teaching them history and construction / load development along with the fun.

Good work, Dave951!

 

[dave951]

Loading PRB is a pain in the neck compared to minies.





Minies are much faster and easier to load, just as designed. This kid was from Serbia. He was very interested in US history and a darn good shot after we worked with him a bit.

 

[dave951]

Some more pix from the last week.


Schutzen puts their product where others just talk. They contribute to youth shooting sports in a material way. We use powder and caps graciously donated from Schutzen and they have our deepest thanks!!




We do start out our shooting with PRB guns and do some initial work on marksmanship. The kids don't know it, but we're always looking to put in tidbits on marksmanship to improve with every shot. That's why this picture composition is very common.


Notice the instructor (moi!) in almost the exact same posture. Part of it is initial work in marksmanship but also safety. My right hand is near the gun so if the kid has issues with muzzle discipline, I am right there to take control.



Here's the switch to minie balls and the 1863 Remington (Zouave). We change a little bit but we're still close to maintain control. We issue one round to be loaded and then one cap to cap the gun just prior to firing.




Here's the difference between us instructors who shoot N-SSA competition and one who doesn't compete or actively shoot muzzleloaders. The guy on the left isn't a competitor or regular muzzleloading guy. He's issuing ammo out of his pocket and a cap tin. I'm on the right. Ammo is in the cartridge box and cap is in the cap pouch. Both methods work, but one is much easier to work with. Part of that stems from many instructors aren't active muzzleloading shooters nor competitors. That's not to say there are lots of instructors and that's a problem we're working on solving but its' going to involve help and contributions from companies and individuals. We need more folks like Schutzen to step up and more individuals take the time to get certified and volunteer to help. We aren't at camp every day, we have committed to be there one day per session (week). In the case of the camp where this photo was taken, there is no certified Instructor onsite for this program. If we weren't there, these kids would NOT be shooting. Yes the problem is real and getting worse.

 

[Mike OTDP]

I'm pleased your program is so successful. I offered the NRA/NMLRA course at my club twice...had three students the first time, two the second.

 

[Shortgrub]

good your workin with our youth. Thank ya for doin so.