For those interested in Black-powder cartridge rifle shootin', the 2005 Matthew Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match will be June 18 and 19, 2005. The place is the Forsyth Rifle and Pistol Club near Forsyth, Montana. Last year there was about 460 shooters. I have shot this match before and am looking forward to another good time this year. The information contact ph. # is (406) 356-7746.

Sounds great! I often thought I'd like to get into long range black powder shooting, but never did. I suppose for now I'll stick to the "short" range (200 - 400 yds) 22-250 shooting. But IF I ever wanted to try this out, what is the preferred rifle for this game? I'm thinking 45-100 or so. Am I very far off?

JohnnyG,

Yep, the 45-100 will work. Many of the .45s are seen at the long-range matches. I use a Shiloh Sharps in .45/90 (2.4"). Most black-powder cartridge rifles that have the long-range sights will work for this kind of shooting. And these match rifles will shoot into 2" at 200 yards, with the proper loads. Just havin' fun,

Kodiak,
I have done the black powder round ball thing and enjoy playing with cast bullets in modern rifle rifles. Just never, as of yet, done any BPCR shooting. What kind of equipment would you suggest for someone to start with?
Are there “off on the shelf” rifles capable of competing, assuming the shooter is, with the custom rifles.

Thanks, Ben

BenB,

As you have a mzl loader, you're familiar with BP and lead bullets. The BPCR shoots are all cartridge guns, using most anything from the 38/55s up to the 50 caliber guns. Types of rifles seen at the matches run from Trapdoor Springfields, rolling-blocks, Highwalls, Sharps, a few lever-actions and others. I started-out with a roller in 40/65 and I did ok with it. Then the 600-800 yards shoots caught my attention, so I moved-up to a 45/90 rolling-block. I like .45s , anyway.

If you want to shoot targets and hunt with the same gun I would look into a rolling-block rifle. They're operation is quite simple, and they come in several different calibers. But you need to look at them all. You might look in the Cabela's catalogs to get some ideas about gun prices and types.. Dixie Gun Works also sells BPC rifles ready to shoot. There are some custom gun-makers out there that make some really fine pieces and they charge accordingly.

Then after you choose a rifle, you will need some reloading tools to get it to shoot those small groups you expect from such a weapon . As you have probally grasped by now, it takes a certain level of dedication to the sport, as in any sport. Good luck,