Black powder

Black powder shooting uses muzzleloading firearms and other historic designs that use black powder, the propellant used before smokeless powder replaced it. Shooters use original or replica rifles, muskets, pistols, revolvers and shotguns, many of the kinds used in Australia's colonial days.

Firearms and classes

The SSAA, which runs a national muzzleloading discipline, lists four types of ignition: percussion, flintlock, matchlock and wheel-lock. Events are divided into classes, for example:

• Military, for original and replica firearms as issued to troops.

• Traditional, for civilian-style percussion rifles and pistols loaded with a ball and patch.

• Open, for any rifle or pistol using black powder and lead bullets, with iron sights without click adjustment.

• Firelocks, for muskets, matchlocks, wheel-locks and flintlocks shooting round balls.

• Shotgun, for percussion and flintlock shotguns at clay targets.

Events and distances

In SSAA muzzleloading, rifle events are shot offhand (standing), from cross-sticks or prone, and from a bench rest. Offhand events are shot at 50 metres, while prone and bench rest events are shot at 100 metres. Some clubs also run long-range shoots.

Target Pistol Australia runs black powder pistol events at 25 and 50 metres, plus a 13-shot event, under its own rulebook. Eye protection is mandatory in its black powder events. The NRAA's rules also cover long range black powder target shooting.

Many muzzleloading shooters also take part in rendezvous and military re-enactment events, which aim to recreate the dress and equipment of a period as closely as possible.

How to try it

Start by finding a club that runs black powder events. Contact your SSAA state branch or a pistol club that runs Target Pistol Australia black powder events and ask whether you can watch a match or try under supervision. Loading black powder firearms involves extra safety rules, such as how percussion caps are stored and handled, so expect careful instruction.