More about Muzzleloading

Within the SSAA, muzzleloading involves competitive shooting with replicas of firearms used during Australia's colonial days.
Many of the excellent replicas available are exact in every detail and it surprises many people just how accurate these firearms can be in the hands of proficient shooters.
Being in touch with the guns the early settlers, farmers and bushrangers used transports you back in history. Many serious muzzleloaders have tried other types of shooting and have switched to what are lovingly described as 'smoke poles'.

The Firearms
The range of long arms in use by muzzleloaders include:
* Smoothbore matchlock muskets - circa 1600-1650
* Smoothbore flintlock muskets - circa 1700-1800
* Smoothbore percussion muskets - circa 1830-1860
* Flintlock rifles - circa 1750-1830
* Percussion rifles - circa 1830-1860
* Percussion shotguns - circa 1830-1860

The various types are divided into three classes:
* Military
* Traditional
* Open

Handguns also have three different classes:
* Revolvers
* Pistols
* Open

Handguns used include matchlock and flintlock single-shot pistols, smoothbored and rifled, and the revolvers are percussion cap and ball models used during the American Civil War.

Competitions
During the past 20 years, SSAA muzzleloaders have competed at many world championships and other international shoots, winning numerous gold, silver and bronze medals in both individual and team events.
State and national championships are held yearly. Every two years a world muzzleloading championship is held, with about 20 countries sending teams.

Target and Range
Competitions for pistols and revolvers are shot at 25m and 50m using the international 50m slow pistol target, while rifles compete at 50m, 100m and 200m using the same target standing, kneeling, prone, benchrest, sitting, and 3-positional.
The same 50m slow pistol target is used for all of the rifle events except for the 200m benchrest, which uses a much larger French 200m target. The same target is also used for the 50m musket matches.