On May 9th, Burbank Muzzleloaders held its annual musket match hosted by Eric Blakely. It was a gorgeous spring day, perfect for permeating the air with plenty of smoke as puffy booms echoed off the hills! Brave musket men competed in this three-round match composed of five shots sitting at the bench and five shots standing at 100 yards, five shots standing at 50 yards, and five shots standing at 25. We were all equally dangerous, for the scores had never been closer at least in recent club history. Eric Blakely barely eked out a win with a total score of 164 points. Jannu Lorentson was just behind with an extremely close 163 and Sam Baseman 160. Honorable mentions are John Clevenger with 158 and Lee Bowman 157. As you can see, everybody pretty much did the same, and we can confidently say that we are ready for another civil war!

 

 

The match culminated with a bonus round of three shots standing at the 200-yard ram. What a close round that was too. Jannu, Sam, Lee, and Eric both hit the ram once in three shots; however, Sam and Lee hit it with the first shot. Consequently, there was a tie between them, and a face-off ensued to see who could hit the ram again with the fewest shots. Luckily, it didn’t continue for too long, and Lee Bowman emerged as the victor. Prizes were the usual “victuals” to keep our black powder arms well-fed: beeswax, musket and no.11 caps, and patches to name a few.

Burbank Muzzleloaders isn’t finished with May matches yet as the month happens to have five Sundays. We all know what that means- another walkthrough match at the end of the month, which can be held in honor of Memorial Day. Come on out and commemorate all the fallen heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our great nation. THEY deserve it! Additionally, don’t forget that this walkthrough will count to the cumulative score of walkthroughs for another prize (Morgan dollars!), graciously donated by Tom Trevor.
Shooting the walkthrough at the end of the month will keep you in shape, for in the following month of June, on the 13th, the club will again hold an off-hand silhouette match with chickens, pigs, turkeys, and rams at 43, 60, 75, and 100 meters, respectively.

Lastly, of noteworthy news, John Clevenger is the proud owner of, what the author would call, a “splendid little bad-ass cannon.” The piece is quite handsome in all its glory and quite the tack driver. The author has seen the paper evidence of its 200-yard prowess and is eager to have this bugger grace our presence at our range. Come one; come all, and marvel at its beauty!