About a month ago at the ISSA Schuetzenfest, Westerner and I were having a conversation about how to attract new shooters to the Schuetzen game. He suggested we consider a black powder bench rest event to be held next year (2025) during our ISSA Schuetzenfest. As our conversation continued we outlined a match that would capture the spirit of the old Schuetzen game, c.1900 when black powder, duplex and semi smokeless powders ruled the matches & tournaments.
The outcome of our discussion is that the ISSA will be holding a 50-shot, black powder bench rest match during the 2025 Schuetzenfest at the NRA Whittington Center, NM.
Precise details are still developing but the match format will be something like this:
-Only black powder, substitutes (Pyrodex, 777, etc.) or duplex (max 5 grains of smokeless with black main charge)
-ISSA Traditional rules* for rifle configuration (BPCR Silhouette & mid-range rifles will comply)
-Any sights
-Bench Rest for score (ISSA rules*)
-50 record shots at 200 yards
-ISSA German 25 ring targets
-Fixed ammo, breech seating or muzzle loading (muzzle loaders also allowed)
-Match length - 1/2 hour sight-in plus 3 hours for record shots
This is a forum so please feel free to join in the online conversation. I’d love to know if any of you think this is a good idea, okay idea or maybe just plain stupid? Would you consider shooting this match? Some input on the match format would certainly be helpful. If nothing else, just throw out your 2¢ worth. Your opinion is solicited.

*The ISSA rules are available at: issa-schuetzen.org
Click “Rules” in the left hand navigation bar.

I think it would be a good idea.  I would like to see something similar, maybe only 20-30 shots incorporated into the ISSA regionals.  Maybe cut back on the current awfully hand matches.  I will also suggest to the Tacoma match director that we do something similar next year.  There is a growing number of BP shooters at my local range only an hour south of Tacoma who shoot BP not off the bench but sitting.  I am thinking about shooting a few if their  matches next year and could probably persuade some of them to attend a bench match. 


Jack

We have had a 20 shot 200 yd bench BP relay at the Tacoma matches but over the last 3-4 years only two of us have been shooting it.  I am hoping that if we increase the number of shots, more shooters would be interested in coming.  No more sitting matches there though since the only place to sit is ahead of the fixed concrete benches.  With the requirement that we have to allow members to use the right 1/2 of the range while we hold our match, sitting in front of the firing line would not be allowed.  Besides, it is getting too hard to get back up!  I think that Tacoma would revert back to the MR52 target though since i believe there is a large quantity of them still there and target $$$ is drying up since match prices were dropped. 
Maybe at Spokane we could have the option of shooting any sight BP off the bench while the offhand shooters shoot their iron sight offhand relay.  Scores would not be counted in the ISSA results, but it would give us old eye guys something to do that doesn't embarrass us.  (I am sure Gary and Sue would not agree with me though

Jack

.22-5-40 wrote on Sep 5^th, 2024 at 1:09pm:


Sounds like a good way to prime the pump. 

A few of us had a BP prone side match at Tommy’s Stars and Stripes range on the off day when the matches spanned 10 days.  I still have a crick in my neck from attempting to shoot prone uphill.  If we have another match next year, I will ask Sue Miller if she could include the announcement in her emails.  I will volunteer to run it and track scores as long as it is any sight bench

Jack

A bench rest BP match as outlined sounds very interesting to me!  I would be interested in joining that one!

If you don’t get local shooters interested then they won’t even know about Raton.  I am sure our local club members have no interest in traveling there for a 50 shot BP match.  Several do shoot the Quigley. I bet most have never even heard of the ISSA.

No ISSA or ASSRA Schuetzen shoots in Alberta for a number of years.
Not many BP shooters around except for the BPCR Silhouette matches which continue in BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Appears AR rifles rule the day now.

I think this is a great idea I hope it takes off.I would love to see this at the local level.thanks for promoting a match like this.

We just finished a Black powder bench rest match at the Old Saratoga Muzzleloading Club.  Its been going on for a few years but only a couple of us have been shooting in it.  We're limited to single shot cartridge rifles using the same basic rules as BPCR with the exception of any scope or power.  It is shot at 100 yards using the NMLRA 50 yard round ball bench rest target.  The "X" ring is roughly .375" with the 10 ring .900" half the bullet or more to count.  We've been using mostly .32-40's and getting a 50 is really tough.  So far it's only been done once.  Shooting a .32-40 using black powder is a frustrating experience!  There are at least 5 other events from 100 to 200 yards, bench, offhand and sitting.
30 years ago, you had to arrive early to get a spot to shoot as there were a good many competitors.  Today it has dropped off so much many of the events don't get enough competitors to fill out all the awards.  There were several other clubs that had similar events but have all disappeared.  I like the idea of the event but don't travel long distance to shoot any longer.  Check it out, OSMLC next to the Saratoga National cemetery.