Palmetto Muzzle
Loaders,Inc.
Founded in 1954 and a Charter Club of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, the Palmetto Muzzle Loaders hold monthly matches and are non-profit. We promote understanding and ability in marksmanship with early American Muzzle Loading firearms. We hold matches for the purpose of advancing fine accuracy with these arms and to promote standard practices for competition. We promote greater safety with all firearms, especially muzzle loaders, by participating in public and educational displays and demonstrations. As an organization founded upon our heritage of early American firearms, we declare our support of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States
Welcome to the Palmetto Muzzle Loaders
We hope this brief outline will help you become familiar with some of the activities of this blackpowder club. We welcome new members whether they are novice shooters or experts. All of our members are willing to answer any questions you may have about the activities of the club, firearms, or buckskinning. Please don’t hesitate to ask.
We strive to be a family-oriented organization whose activities extend beyond just shooting. However, shooting is what brought most of us together and therefore forms a major part of our club’s activities.
Shoot Schedule
The Palmetto Muzzle Loaders hold their meetings at Trailglades
Range the second Sunday of each month. These meetings include a shooting
competition beginning at 9:00 a.m. and a business meeting immediately following
the competition. This usually begins around 11:30 am. These are termed
regular shoots. The targets for regular shoots are paper targets shot at
25-, 50-, or 100-yards. The cost of a regular shoot is $12.00 and includes
the range fee and four targets. These four targets may be shot with any
muzzle loading firearm (see specifications below). Only five shots at each
target, unless otherwise indicated, will be scored. In addition, there
are special competitions for pistol ($1.00 for 10 shots), trade gun, and
flintlock rifle ($1.00 for 5 shots).
We may also hold special shoots. These usually consist of primitive targets that are scored on a hit or miss system. For special shoots we encourage our members to dress in "primitive" attire.
Firearm Specifications:
The Palmetto Muzzle Loaders philosophy is that we ought
to shoot as our forefathers did, therefore, we only allow muzzle loading
firearms with traditional lock mechanisms. In addition, only open iron
sights are allowed. We do not allow peep sights, scopes, or hooded sights.
We shoot only a patched round ball, no maxi- or miniballs.
Safety and Loading Procedures
We load our firearms at the bench. We never load directly
from a powder container. We always use a powder measure. We use only black
powder or Pyrodex. We do not prime our firearms until we are up to the
firing line and our firearm is pointed down range. When shooting at Trailglades,
never touch a firearm when the line is declared "safe".
SAFETY IS ONE OF OUR PRIME CONCERNS. Unsafe practices
will not be tolerated. If you have any questions about your firearm or
any procedures, simply ask any of our members or officers. They will be
very pleased to help you in any way possible.
Dues
The dues for the Palmetto Muzzle Loaders are $20.00 per
year. Our fiscal year runs from July to June. Dues are due by the July
meeting for the following year. If a member joins after Janurary 1st, the
dues for the remaining portion of the year are reduced $10.00.
Club Rendezvous
The Palmetto Muzzle Loaders tries to hold its club rendezvous
each February. This rendezvous is a camp-out for the entire weekend. Since
most of our members that participate in these rendezvous are "buckskinners",
most of the camping is of the primitive variety. We use tipis, wedge tents,
wall tents, and lean to’s. All of these primitive shelters are made of
white canvas.
During the weekend we usually have various activities
including a special primitive shoot, a Seneca run, and miscellaneous buckskinning
skill demonstrations. In addition, it is a nice family oriented weekend.
Community Activities
The Palmetto Muzzle Loaders participate in the South
Florida Historical Society's Harvest Festival every year. We set
up a display illustrating a fur trade encampment. Recently, with
all the new construction at the fairgrounds, we have had to limit our display
from years past.
For Further Information contact President Ralph West at 305-233-5512