2010 Open Day

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Muzzleloader’s Report

The 2010 Open Day attracted over 400 visitors, sold at least that number of burgers and subsequently received a significant number of applicants actively seeking to pursue an interest in shooting. In all it turned out a very successful day for both the club and the visitors. This success was due to the efforts made by all to publicise the open day and by the enthusiasm of club members working for the benefit of the club.

All of the ranges were in use, including the shotgun pit and the air gun range. The ranges were manned by enthusiastic members supervising the use of either their own or club guns, with ammunition cost reimbursed by the club, naturally the visitors paid to shoot but this didn't deter them in, fact several members ran out of ammunition towards the end of the day, the writers .577” Enfield shot 160 rounds without the barrel being cleaned, that’s got to be something of a record!  The club has over 350 active members and runs open entry competitions for all types of guns permitted on a range, including Cannon. Over the last 18 months, participation in club competitions including Black Powder events has doubled.

For the open day the Black Powder members used the 25 metre Farrington range utilising all 6 firing points. Needless to say it was packed, the queues waiting to enter were being sustained on burgers with enhanced flavouring from the drifting cloud of black powder smoke. The variety of guns available covered the full spectrum of the evolution of guns, i.e. muzzleloading pistol, rifle, revolver, shotgun and later breech loaders. Although we couldn't provide a Hande Gonne, there was more than enough to excite and entertain the visitors.

Our guests included all ages included teenagers, mothers, fathers and grandparents who expressing more than a passing interest on behalf of their children, showed a great deal of genuine fascination in the history and use of each gun. Of course their real interest was in trying out these strange weapons if possible using every type available. It was interesting to see the lack of inhibitions to shooting being displayed by all participants, especially the teenagers whose eyesight enabled them to be excellent shots.

One group of 4 youngsters took turns to try out a 577” Enfield, the first achieving an X bull with the 610 grain Minie , then as each friend took a shot they argued about who had missed the target.

At the end of the detail close examination of the target showed that all had hit the same spot to enlarge the original hole! At least it proved that the gun works, any future low scores must be the operators fault! These guys are now becoming members of the club.

As the day progressed the requests for and issuing of membership application forms became quite hectic. It was quite easy to spot who had been shooting black powder as they had by far the biggest grins :-) The subsequent conversion of issued application forms to probationary membership has exceeded expectations and the migration of existing club members to black powder since the open day is measurable by the greatly increased sales of black powder and guns from the club shop.

It is apparent from the feedback of the day, that if a club event is well organised it will be success. Most interestingly, people are not discouraged from shooting by the negative gun related press, it's up to the club to give them what they want and membership will thrive.