5Th Long Range World Championships
Bisley Camp, Brookwood, Surrey, Great Britain
Updated: 02/01/2006
by Joseph M. Hepsworth
THE MLAIC 5TH LONG RANGE MUZZLE LOADING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Ever do any target shooting? Long range, out to 1000 yards target shooting? High Power-Black Powder Cartridge-Muzzle Loading? Well, I have and I have had a blast (no pun intended) doing it and I would admire to share a recent experience, with you...............................................................
Early in 2005, I was asked by Donald "Bucky" Malson, Secretary General of the Muzzle Loaders Associations International Committee (MLAIC) and Chairman of the U.S. International Muzzle Loading Committee, to act as United States International Muzzle Loading Team (Long Range) lieutenant and organize the USIMLT (LR) to represent the United States in the 5th Long Range World Championships, to be held at Bisley Camp, Surrey in the United Kingdom, under the auspices of the MLAIC. Hosted by the Muzzle Loading Association of Great Britain (MLAGB), these matches (scheduled for 12-17 September, 2005) are a revival of the long range, muzzle loading competitions held in Great Britain during the 1860's to 1880's. Shot at ranges of 300-500-600-900-1000 yards with either original and/or replica percussion Long Range Muzzle Loading Match Rifles. The matches duplicate the environment and spirit of those times. After organizing the U.S. Team, I was asked to be acting Captain, as well.
Rules are rather straight forward - the rifles must be in the spirit of the times, black powder and lead bullets, iron sights (peep rear and post/aperture front), sling only for mid-ranges and sling or wrist rest for long range, weight not over 15 lbs.
Beginning in March of last year, I published requests for shooters interested in joining the U.S. Team. No special funding is available for the Team Members, though we did receive donations from kind and interested parties. So, for the most part, all team members funded themselves. Our Team, finally consisted of thirteen members from all over the USA - Dave Gullo, Idaho; Ray Hopkins, Ohio; Howard Markham, California; Joe Martinez, New Mexico; Tom Matpack, Ohio; David Munch, Ohio; Mike Pifer, Connecticut; Al Roberts, Alabama; Al Schings, Connecticut; Lee Shaver, Missouri; Richard Vrooman, Washington; Mon Yee, Jr, Kansas and yours truly, Ohio.
Total outlay by each Team Member was approximately $3,000.00. This included air fare, transport to and from London Heathrow or London Gatwick and Bisley Camp, lodgings, meals, individual entry fees (the USIMLT paid the team match fees), powder, caps and UK Visitor's Firearms Permits. Since the Team Members were representing the USA and the USIMLT is a 501c3 organization, most of these expenses are tax deductible.
Basically, we all flew over individually and met at Bisley. I, along with Ray Hopkins, Tom Matpack and Joe Martinez (Joe is my eldest Grandson and currently enrolled in Trinidad Gunsmithing College) flew out of Cincinnati to Gatwick on the same Delta Air Line flight. Traveling to and from the UK with firearms proved to be no problem, but one must have the Visitor's Firearms permit (cost about $30.00) or it would be. We were asked to show our permits at both Cincinnati and Gatwick. The officials treated us with the utmost courtesy here in the USA and in the UK. The flight of about 8 hours was uneventful and right on time. Upon arrival, the four of us had the great good fortune of being met, at the airport, by my very good friend and assistance British Team Captain, Len Jackson who went out of his way in plain good hearted kindness to assist us and take us to our lodgings. The other Team members either rented (hired) autos or used the services of a cab. Bisley is about 30 miles from Gatwick and a bit closer from Heathrow. Car rentals are comparable to those here in the States and cab fares run around 40.00 GBP (almost $80.00 USD with September, 2005 exchange rates of $1.91 to the pound). Gasoline (petrol) for the autos ran about $7.00 per USA gallon.
MORE TO COME, PLEASE TUNE IN AGAIN, THANKS, JMH.................................................