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

The Black Powder Division’s Annual Bead Shoot is on Monday, Feb. 17/25.        Please see the “Club News” page on this website for details……… 

• 2026 Gunshows

• Jan. 31 – Duncan
• March 1 – Nanaimo
• March 28 – Duncan
• April 12 – SVI Rangers Hall
• May 3 – Parksville
• May 24 – Courtenay
• June 20 – Duncan
• July 26 – Malahat
• September 20 – Parksville
• October 18 – Courtenay
• October 24 & 25 – Victoria
• November 7 – Duncan
• November 22 – Nanaimo

Contacts

• Duncan – Stephen De Silva – (250) 701-2231
• Courtenay – Rurik Myrbo – (250) 218-7139
• SVI Rangers – Jim White – (250) 478-5787
• Malahat – Gary Kangas – (250) 474-3244
• Parksville – Graham Alexander – (250) 752-1855
• Nanaimo – Doug Miller – (250) 758-1303
• Victoria – Justin McPherson – (250) 889-5373