Black Powder Division

The Black Powder section is a group members who enjoy the challenge of shooting the guns (and replicas of them) used in the 1800’s and earlier.

Mount Benson Buckskinners

Chairman: Doug Miller

The Black Powder section is a group members who enjoy the challenge of shooting the guns (and replicas of them) used in the 1800’s and earlier. While the majority of us shoot primarily replicas of the guns of the fur trade, we also use replicas of the muzzle loading guns of the British, American and French armies prior to the mid-1860s. (roughly the introduction of cartridge rifles). Muzzle loading means that we pour powder and ball down the barrel to load the guns. The powder can be ignited with either a flint lock or a percussion lock. Our competitions are called rendezvous in memory of the early summer gatherings of mountain men trappers to sell their hides and buy new supplies, as well as party and participate in competitions of various kinds. In addition to rifle shooting, we also shoot muzzle loading handguns and compete for accuracy with tomahawks and bowie knives.

Additionally, some of us shoot single-shot rifles at longer ranges reminiscent of buffalo hunting and of the international long-range competitions on the Creedmore Range in the USA. (the range is now Central Park in New York)

Please check the Calendar for Trail walks and the annual Rendezvous dates.

BLACK POWDER CALENDAR

• 2024 Gunshows
• Feb 3 – Duncan
• March 3 – Nanaimo
• March 23 – Duncan
• April 14 – SVI Rangers
• May 5 – Courtenay
• May 26 – Parksville
• June 15 – Duncan
• September 8 – Parksville
• October 20 – Courtenay
• October 26/27 – Victoria
• November 16 – Duncan
• November 24 – Nanaimo

Contacts

• Duncan – Dave Drysdale – (250) 715 6541
• Courtenay – Rurik Myrbo – (250) 218 7139
• SVI Rangers – Jim White – (250) 478 5787
• Malahat – Laurie Page – (250) 388 0705
• Parksville – Graham Alexander – (250) 752 1855
• Nanaimo – Doug Miller – (250) 758 1303
• Victoria – John Pullen – (250) 474 2512