Gong Shoots
The competition consists of rifle fire at metal animal targets from 100 to 200 meters depending on firearms used. Twenty (20) shots per match plus sighter shots.
Buffalo Match
Single shot, exposed hammer 1870s buffalo gun style rifles in caliber .375 and greater. Black powder or substitutes only, no smokeless powder, no Duplex loads, no scopes or micro-click adjustable sights.
Sporting single shot rifle match
Any caliber rifle and the use of smokeless powder is permitted but no scopes or micro-click adjustable sights. No bolt action, pump or semi-auto rifles.
Cowboy action
Lever/pump action rifles in pistol calibers (38 special, 32/20, 44/40, 45 Colt or similar calibers), 30 to 100 yards. Smokeless powders are permitted.
Muzzle Loader
Flint and Percussion, .36 cal and larger, iron sights.
We would like it if shooters would pre-register even if you are only thinking about shooting. This would keep the cook happy, as she does not like running out of food. RAIN OR SHINE THE FIRING LINE IS COVERED.
Lunch is included in the entry fee. Match fee is $20.
Questions and Answers for the Black Powder Rifle Shoots
This will be up-dated from time to time so refer to the date.
March 2009
- What type of Cartridge Rifle?
- Sporting or Military style rifle, single shot, originally made for black powder cartridges, of United States manufacture prior to 1896 and being typical of the era. Replicas thereof, regardless of origin of manufacture, are permitted. Hammer must be exposed. No Schuetzen-style rifles permitted. Examples of permissible rifles are: Ballard, Buck, Bullard, Cole, Farrow, Maynard, Peabody, Redfield, Remington Hepburn, Remington Rolling Block, Sharps, Springfield Trapdoor, Stevens Tip-up, Stevens No. 44, Wesson Falling Block, Wesson (hinged barrel) Whitney Phoenix, Whitney Rolling Block, Winchester 1885 and Wurfflein.
While the following single shot actions may not conform to the exact criteria, they are allowed because they conform to the spirit of the competition in form and function, provided the firearms conform to all other configurations: Browning Model 1878, Browning Model 1885, C. Sharps ’75, Falling Block Works, Stevens 44 ½ and Wickliff ’76.
The Rules Committee as described above, must pass replicas other than exact reproductions of pre-1896 Black Powder actions. Examples of this are the current productions of Wesson and Harrington Buffalo Classic Model 1871 in 45-70 and the H & R Model 1871 Target Rifle in 45-70 or 38-55. These two rifles seem to fall within the Spirit of the Game. Sights must be original or reproductions of the same vintage. It shall be the competitor’s responsibility to provide any documentation that may be required to establish that all Black Powder Cartridge Rifle / equipment confirms to the rules. We try to follow very closely the NRA Black Powder Rifle Rules for Silhouette shooting with our Gong Shooting Rifles.
- What is the difference between Sporting and Military?
- Many of the above listed makers produced certain models for military use. A trapdoor Springfield is a good example of a military rifle if is (as issued) original. If not, it would have to go into the Sporting Rifle class.
- What caliber?
- Most American black powder cartridge rifles have a cal. / powder load designation such as 38-55, 40-65, 45-70 and 50-90 are some examples. For the cartridge rifles, we require a minimum lead bullet diameter of .375. For muzzle loading rifles, it’s 36 Cal.
- Most American black powder cartridge rifles have a cal. / powder load designation such as 38-55, 40-65, 45-70 and 50-90 are some examples. For the cartridge rifles, we require a minimum lead bullet diameter of .375. For muzzle loading rifles, it’s 36 Cal.
- Can I use metal-jacketed lead bullets?
- No metal jackets. Paper patched is ok. No metal gas checks. Veg., fiber, poly, plastic, felt, paper and cardboard are all ok.
- Can I use smokeless powder or a duplex loading?
- No duplex load. Smokeless Powder may be shot in the Sporting Class.
- No duplex load. Smokeless Powder may be shot in the Sporting Class.
- What type of black powder?
- Real Black powder or one of the recognized black powder substitutes like Clean Shot (Pioneer), Clear Shot, Triple Seven or Pyrodex are good examples
- Can I use my single shot Ruger No 1 (or No 3) if it is in an appropriate caliber?
- No, for two reasons. First, it’s a modern design, first introduced in 1966, 70 years after our 1896 deadline. (Although externally it looks similar to the early British falling blocks by Alex Henry and Farquharsen, its mechanism is quite different and more modern). Second, and most important, it is a hammerless action and for range safety reasons, we have excluded all hammerless actions (including the Sharps Borchardt of 1878 – 81) from the competition.
- No, for two reasons. First, it’s a modern design, first introduced in 1966, 70 years after our 1896 deadline. (Although externally it looks similar to the early British falling blocks by Alex Henry and Farquharsen, its mechanism is quite different and more modern). Second, and most important, it is a hammerless action and for range safety reasons, we have excluded all hammerless actions (including the Sharps Borchardt of 1878 – 81) from the competition.
- What about scopes?
- No. If we had a couple of folks or more that have the old time, long buffalo or target type scopes on their cartridge rifles, we would consider a class.
- Can two or more people share one gun?
- Certainly, as long as they both enter and shoot separately.
- Certainly, as long as they both enter and shoot separately.
- Can I use more than one rifle per class?
- No, but you may only use another rifle in another class. There could be an exception if a competitor had a malfunction, but it would be up to the Match Director.
- Can I use a rifle sling?
- No.
- No.
- Can I use my own cross-sticks?
- Yes.
- Can I use my own shooting mat?
- Yes.
- Yes.
- Can I use my range finder to check the distance?
- Yes.
- Yes.
- Instead of shooting the sitting with the cross sticks stage, can I shoot it standing with my long cross-sticks?
- Only if you have some physical handicap which prevents you from sitting for shooting. The person in charge of the event will make the call.
- Only if you have some physical handicap which prevents you from sitting for shooting. The person in charge of the event will make the call.
- Do I have to wear safety glasses and ear plugs?
- Yes.
- Yes.
- Can I use my lever action CAS rifle?
- Only in the Cowboy class.
- When the match is over, do I have to stay to collect my certificate?
- No, we can mail you your Certificate to you if you must leave early.
- No, we can mail you your Certificate to you if you must leave early.
- Is lunch free?
- No.
- How about a campsite?
- The limited space next to the clubhouse is used on a first come, first served basis.
- The limited space next to the clubhouse is used on a first come, first served basis.
- How many classes can I enter?
- As many as you can comfortably shoot.
- Will the shoot results be posted?
- We will try to get them posted in the Club’s web site and e-mailed to all the contestants who supplied their e-mail address.
- We will try to get them posted in the Club’s web site and e-mailed to all the contestants who supplied their e-mail address.
- What will the targets be like?
- Metal targets. A hit any place on the target scores you the point.
- Metal targets. A hit any place on the target scores you the point.
- Will there be an entry fee?
- Yes, it will be determined and be on the registration form.
- Yes, it will be determined and be on the registration form.
- How far away will the targets be?
- BPRC 50,100,150,200 Meters
- Cowboy, Muzzleloader, 30,50,75,100 Yard
- Do I get fouling shots or sighting shots?
- On each stage, you will be allowed up to two such shots before shooting for score.
- On each stage, you will be allowed up to two such shots before shooting for score.
- How many shots for score?
- 5 shots for score at each of the four stages.
- Will I be timed?
- No.
- No.
- What about tied scores?
- A shoot off may or may not occur. The distance and target will be up to the person in charge of the event. You must use the same rifle that you used in that class.
- I have a Sharps, breech loading rifle that shoots paper cartridges. Can I enter and in what class?
- Yes, using black powder it would fit into the Military Rifle class.
- Yes, using black powder it would fit into the Military Rifle class.
- Can I use my in-line muzzleloader?
- No.
- No.
- Can I enter my Schuetzen rifle?
- No.
- Can I use a peep sight on my muzzleloader?
- No.
- If my cartridge rifle is otherwise legal, can I use a breech-seated bullet?
- No.
- No.
- Am I allowed to use a fiber-optic sight?
- No. Sights must be typical of the era.
- If I miss my first shot for score and did not take any sighter shots or only took one, can I take one or two then?
- No, once you have told your spotter that you are going for score, there is no changing your mind.
- No, once you have told your spotter that you are going for score, there is no changing your mind.
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If I am shooting in two classes, either with the same rifle or a separate rifle, can I shoot the two classes back to back at the same stage?
- No, you may only shoot one class, at any one stage, at any one time. An exception might be granted if the Match Director were to determine that all others were done shooting at this stage.
Download Questions and Answers for the Black Powder Rifle Shoots
Match Director Information:
Ron Vaillancourt
207-622-7989