Brigade of the American Revolution

2019 Firelock Matches

October 5&6

Ackermann Farms

Roseboom, NY

The American Revolution wasn’t fought using blanks. Here’s an opportunity to learn what your firelock is capable of and to test your skills so that the next time someone asks: “What is the effective range of your rifle?” and “Can a musket really hit anything?” and “How big is the hole it makes?” you can give them an authentic and truthful answer, adding: “I know because I did it!”

PROGRAM

This year’s match will challenge even the most experienced shooters as well as give plinkers the chance to satisfy their shooting pleasure. Period inspired targets will include scored marks (X’s), candles, turkey heads, tax stamps, blazes on logs, and bottles (paper for safety), and there will be a woods walk ending with a tomahawk throw. Team events will include advancing on the enemy (the paper kind), shooting at marks, and stake breaking--all timed. Awards and honours in the form of period prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of each day’s activities based on aggregate scores. Please bring a period item to donate to the prize blanket.

Individual events will be held on Saturday and team events will be held on Sunday, but come for both days and enjoy the camaraderie, entertainment and competitive challenges geared towards all levels of shooters. Novices are especially welcome and will get focused attention--just bring what you have and we’ll help with the rest. Remember: This is supposed to be fun so come, relax, camp with your friends and do a little shootin’.

SAFETY AND UNIFORM REGULATIONS

Safety Regulations per BAR Soldiers Manual, Chapter II (1989, rev. 2008) will be in effect. Your cooperation is kindly requested in this matter. All firearms discharged will be inspected for soundness and proper mechanical function, and flash guards and hammer stalls must be properly attached. NO BULK POWDER allowed on the firing line except that in priming horns (2oz. max.) Hearing and eye protection are encouraged.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Musket, Rifle, Pistol and Throwing events will be open to all BAR members, men and women, 16 years of age and older. Individual matches will be shot all day Saturday and team matches will be shot on Sunday. Practice frames will always be available for your use. Inspections and registrations begin on Friday afternoon and will be open 1 hour each morning before the ranges open.

Individual Course of Fire:

Smooth bore pistol 10 yards slow fire

Rifled bore pistol 15 yards slow fire

Smooth bore longarm 25 yards slow fire

Smooth bore longarm 50 yards slow fire

Smooth bore longarm 25 yards rapid fire

Rifled bore longarm 50 yards slow fire

Rifled bore longarm 100 yards slow fire

Rifled bore longarm 50 yards rapid fire

Smooth bore longarm Seneca run

Rifles bore long arm Seneca run

Team Course of Fire:

Smooth bore long arm 25 yards rapid fire

Smooth bore long arm Seneca relay

Rifled bore long arm 50 yards rapid fire

Rifled bore long arm Seneca relay

Slow fire relay = 20 minutes, 5 hits on paper, 1 re-entry per competitor if time permits.

Rapid fire relay = 4 minutes, unlimited hits, no re-entry.

Scoring = half ball, meaning where the majority of the ball’s area resides. In slow fire events only 5 hits on paper will be scored.

Estimated ammunition requirement:

Pistols 5 – 10 rounds

Individual muskets and rifles 30 – 40 rounds

Team muskets and rifles 30 - 40 rounds per person

CAMP AND VICTUALLING

Camping and RV space is plentiful and indoor space is available in case of inclement weather. A fee of $25 per person is requested to cover the cost of a light breakfast and a deli-style lunch on both days and a Saturday night dinner and jollification. Please plan any special dietary needs accordingly. RSVP’s by October 1st very important! P.ackermann@juno.com, 845-658-9248.

DIRECTIONS

527 Buttermilk Hill Rd., Roseboom, NY 13450. BAR Spontoon signs will be posted at the turn off Rt. 165.

-Safety Regulations per BAR Soldiers Manual, Chapter II (1989, rev. 2008).

-Targets will be of period design.

-Cartridges containing powder and ball must be wrapped in aluminum foil, no other combustible may enter the bore.

-Loose ball and paper wrapped powder charges may be used if the paper is discarded (no wadding).

-Cloth patched balls only allowed in rifled bore arms.

-BAR quality flash guards are required, and hammer stalls must be employed when loading and unloading and only removed to actually fire.

-Hearing and eye protection encouraged.

-No modern scopes or binoculars allowed on the firing line.

-A preparation and cleaning area will be near the range.

-While on the firing line the instructions of the range officer will be followed without question.

-No arm may enter or leave the firing line if loaded with a powder charge, misfires and stuck balls will be dealt with on the firing line.

Let’s see the true effects of live volley fire instead of the usual hail of blanks!