National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA)

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association started as a handful of shooters in 1933 and grew into America's premier muzzleloading community. Today, the NMLRA runs the Walter Cline Range in Friendship, Indiana—a working shooting facility where thousands of shooters compete, learn, and preserve rifle-making tradition every year.

The range hosts multiple national shooting events annually, including:

• •2025 National Matches - the flagship competition event
• •Spring and Fall Shoots - seasonal matches drawing competitors nationwide
• •Boy Scout events - youth introduction to muzzleloading
• •Family Fun Shoot - open to all skill levels
• •Rimfire matches - competition alongside traditional blackpowder
• •Postal matches - nationwide competition format
• •Charter Club competitions - organized club-level events

During shoots, the NMLRA's Gunmaker's Hall operates as a working workshop where master craftspeople demonstrate and teach traditional gunmaking:

• •Hand-forging rifle hardware
• •Barrel boring and rifling
• •Stock carving and inlet work
• •Engraving and metalwork
• •Leather crafting (pouches, hunting bags)
• •Horn work and powder horn construction
• •Knife making

These demonstrations are free and open to the public. Spectators watch master gunmakers work on actual competition rifles—many of which enter the annual Gunmaker's Hall Giveaway.

Each year, the NMLRA raises funds through handcrafted prize drawings:

• •2025 Gunmaker's Hall Giveaway includes:
• •Custom .45 caliber percussion rifle by Morgan Priddy (42" octagonal barrel, ash wood stock)
• •Longrifle by Dick Miller
• •Hand-forged powder horn
• •Leather shooting pouch
• •Hunting knife
• •Hand-made quilt

• •Bill Large Giveaway (drawing Sept. 2025):
• •Historic Hawken-style half-stock rifle with Bill Large match-grade .40 caliber barrel
• •Custom leather bag by Jeff Luke
• •Master-crafted powder horn by Henry Bowman
• •Hand-made shooting box by Peter Wygant
• •Rifle sleeve by Gary Nebel
• •Hand-made quilt by Nancy Thelen

"A Bill Large barrel was one to beat for match accuracy in the modern muzzleloading era. This rifle is a piece of NMLRA history."

Tickets: $20 each or 6 for $100. All proceeds support NMLRA operations.

The NMLRA offers structured learning:

• •Indiana Hunter Education certification
• •Classes in traditional crafts (powder horns, pouches, gun building)
• •Gunmaker's Hall workshops - hands-on instruction during shoots
• •Getting Started guides - muzzleloading and living history resources
• •NMLRA Scholarship opportunities for youth
• •Craftsman's Corner - expert articles and demonstrations

• •The Blackpowder Hall of Fame - honors shooting excellence
• •The Rifle Shooters Hall of Fame - recognizes competition achievements
• •The Long Hunter Society - celebrates traditional hunting heritage
• •Charter Club Program - supports local muzzleloading clubs nationwide
• •NMLRA Brick Program - permanent recognition for supporters
• •Field Representatives - regional contacts across the country

The NMLRA publishes Muzzle Blasts, a monthly magazine covering: - Competition results and records - Gunmaker profiles and techniques - Historical articles - Living history reenactment news - Product reviews - Member stories

Available formats: - Printed monthly magazine (subscription included with membership) - Video content - Podcast episodes - Social media channels

Member benefits include: - Monthly Muzzle Blasts magazine - Access to national matches and events - Discounted range fees at Walter Cline - Member-only discounts on giveaway tickets - Directory of gunmakers and reenactors - Historical records and match scores - NMLRA Legacy Endowment (for planned giving)

• •The Mission: Preserve American firearms heritage, support traditional rifle-making craftsmanship, and maintain muzzleloading as a living sport for hunters, competitors, and history enthusiasts.

National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association 7436 South Co Road 575 East Versailles, IN 47042 (812) 432-2670 [email protected]

PO Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021 (for mail-in giveaway tickets)

• •Camping available on NMLRA grounds during major events.