Glenn at the 900 Meter Range Black Powder Competition
Click on any image for full size
Joe on the line
The American Team
Every August, the Dominion of Canada Rifle Association (DCRA) holds its annual international shooting competitions, at Connaught Range in Nepean, Ontario (near Ottawa). This is similar to the NRA matches held at Camp Perry every year. Over a two week period, teams from all over the world gather to compete in many different types and classes of pistol and rifle shooting. Part of these events is the Long Range Blackpowder Rifle Competition. Three of our longtime club members, John Rountree, Floyd Russell, and Joe Lutz have been traveling to this match annually for about 20 years. Last year, I decided to give the sport a try, and I had the privilege of joining them. This year, however, Floyd and John had prior committments and could not make it, so Joe Lutz and I represented the NJACC contingent.
Connaught Range is located on a Canadian Army base, and has been the traditional home to the DCRA and their annual matches for many years. If you have never been to a full-sized competition shooting range, it really is a sight to behold. There are multiple ranges, with distances of up to 900 meters, and large enough to accommodate over a hundred shooters at a time. It was a truly uplifting experience to be in one place with so many people from around the globe who were all dedicated to shooting, compared to most of my usual social circles where I am a bit of an outcast for having such an interest.
The Long-Range Blackpowder Rifle matches are shot with blackpowder cartridge or muzzleloading rifles, at increasing distances of 200 yards to 900 meters, over two days. The top eight shooters each from the U.S. and Canada then are invited to form respective teams, who compete at 800 and 900 meters on the third day. When all is said and done, awards are given for high scores at each of the distances, aggregate scores, team awards, etc.
Report from the 2003 Dominion of Canada Rifle Association Long-Range Blackpowder Rifle Matches, August 15th - 17th.
This year the only NJACC members that attended were Glenn Kaye and Joe Lutz. Longtime shooters John Rountree and Floyd Russel were committed elsewhere, and couldn't attend.
It was a great match this year. The weather was just about right. And all despite the largest power failure in North American history. Attendence overall was a bit thin, with only about a dozen Americans and eight Canadians, because the dates of the match overlapped the matches at Camp Perry and at Raton.
The course of fire allows for five sighter shots and ten shots for score for each relay. The relays are at 200 yrds., 300 yrds., 500 yrds., 600 yrds., 700 meters, 800 meters, and 900 meters, over two days. On the third day, teams are formed (American and Canadian) from the best shooters, who then compete at 700, 800, and 900 meters.
There is also a separate match for pre-1960 original military rifles, including classes for single-shot blackpowder cartridge, bolt action, semi-auto, and sniper. Five sighters and ten shots for score from 300 yards at military silhouette targets.
Now for the results: Neither Joe nor I won any individual medals, but I did make the American team and helped them bring home the gold. I assure you, it was a big surprise to me when they asked me to shoot on the team, and an even bigger surprise when I found myself scoring higher than several long-time shooters. Joe unfortunately couldn't stay for the match, because he had to be home for his wedding anniversary. I tried to assure him that I would write a note to his wife excusing him, but he said that wouldn't cut it.
There was an interesting variety of guns in use. The most popular action at this match seems to be the Winchester Highwall, followed by the Ruger No. 1, and the Sharps 1874, with the remainder being Browning 1885's, Remington Hepburns, rolling blocks, Borchardts, and one fellow who shoots a caplock muzzle-loader with paper-patched bullets. The most common calibers are .45-70 throated to .45-90, .45-90, and .45-100. Joe was shooting his custom-made Ruger No. 1 in .45-100, and I was shooting a Browning 1885 Creedmoor model BPCR in .45-90.
For the original military rifle match, I shot a Connecticut Militia Peabody rifle in .45-70. There were several trapdoor Springfields on the line, and a Martini-Henry. The other classes included Swedish Mausers, Swiss K-11's, Lee-Enfields, Mosin-Nagants, Garands, and sniper versions of the latter three. Very reminiscent of the matches our club shoots.
Anyone interested in checking out the exciting sport of blackpowder cartridge shooting, feel free to drop me a line. The pictures to follow will include me with the American Team, me on the range, me with my Peabody, Joe on the range, Joe with his Ruger, Joe cleaning his Ruger.