The SSAA-Victorian Muzzle Loading Club (VMLC) is a Sub-Club of the Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (Victoria) (SSAA (Vic)), and was formed in 1970, making it one of the first Muzzle Loading / Black Powder clubs in Australia. The VMLC conducts organised competitions on the third Saturday of every month at the SSAA (Vic) Eagle Park Shooting Complex located on Gifkins Road near Little Rive
r, at the northern end of the You Yangs. Competitions are organised for all black powder original and reproduction fi****ms including:
• Handguns: cap & ball revolvers, cartridge, and single shot.
• Muzzle Loading Longarms: firelock, percussion lock, patched ball, Minie-ball, slug-projectile, and smooth-bore.
• Breech Loading Rifles: single shot, and repeating.
• Shotgun: muzzle loading, and breech loading. It is not a prerequisite to own all these types of black powder fi****ms; indeed some members have one or two fi****ms whilst others have sufficient to enter all Class competitions. Competitions are held every month, and members attending are encouraged to participate, it is not a Club requirement they do so. The emphasis is on appreciating the use of black powder fi****ms, and most members find that shooting in competitions is the best way to achieve this. Competitions are held every month, and the winners are presented with award cards as well as trophies (subject to availability) for the various Championship competitions, which includes the following:
• Breech Loading Rifle,
• Class 1 Rifle (military muzzle loading rifle),
• Class 2 Rifle (traditional patched ball muzzle loading rifle),
• Class 4 Rifle (Slug-Projectile muzzle loading rifle),
• Firelock Muzzle Loading Rifle,
• Handgun - Class 3,
• Muzzle Loading Longarm (all muzzle loading longarms), and
• Muzzle Loading Shotgun. In addition to the black powder / muzzle loading competitions, extensive, modern / smokeless handgun competitions are also held every month. In November, many members camp at Eagle Park for the two-day State Championships where lots of black powder and lead is expended during the day, and at night everyone relaxes at the free barbecue exchanging black powder stories and generally having a good time. December is set aside for some traditional novelty, and cannon competitions. VMLC Membership also includes an entertaining and informative newsletter, The Ramrod, which is sent to members every month. The Ramrod includes competition scores, coming competitions and articles of interest to the black powder enthusiast.
