TX Muzzle Loading Rifle Association

09/10/2026

🏕️ COME FOR THE SHOOT… STAY FOR THE WEEKEND!

Planning to join us for the TMLRA October Prize Shoot, October 1–4 in Brady, Texas? Make a weekend of it!

Brady Lake offers camping options for just about everyone—from full-hookup RV sites and water/electric sites to tent and primitive camping. Cabins and screened cabanas are available too.

And there’s plenty for the whole family to enjoy when you’re not on the firing line—fishing, swimming, campfires, bike riding, beautiful Texas sunsets, and time spent with old and new friends.

📅 October 1–4, 2026
📍 Brady, Texas
🏕️ Camping reservations can now be made online through Brady Lake Campground.

👉 Reserve your site here:
https://www.campspot.com/park/brady-lake-campground-brady-tx

October is a popular time at Brady Lake, so reserve early!

Come shoot with us, bring the family, and enjoy a few days of tradition, friendship, family & competition.

4.4★ (120 reviews) · Brady, TX · Sites from $10/night · Beach, Waterfront, Canoeing / Kayaking · Book instantly on Campspot

09/09/2026

🐃 KNOW YOUR MUZZLELOADER: THE BUFFALO RIFLE

Before the famous cartridge-firing buffalo rifles of the late 1800s, hunters on the American frontier relied on powerful muzzleloading plains rifles for large game—including buffalo.

As Americans moved west during the first half of the 19th century, the traditional long rifle evolved to meet the demands of the Plains and Rocky Mountain frontier. These rifles were generally shorter and heavier than their eastern predecessors, making them easier to carry on horseback while allowing them to fire a larger, heavier ball.

🔸 Built for the frontier: Sturdy construction with relatively little decoration made these working rifles well suited to hard use.

🔸 Larger caliber: Plains rifles were commonly built in larger calibers to provide the power needed for deer, elk, buffalo, and other large game.

🔸 A different profile: Many featured a half-stock rather than the full-length stock associated with earlier American long rifles.

🔸 Black powder & muzzleloaded: Powder and projectile were loaded from the muzzle, with percussion ignition becoming especially common during the plains-rifle era.

🔸 The Hawken connection: Rifles made by Jacob and Samuel Hawken of St. Louis became some of the most famous examples of the American plains rifle.

🐃 Did you know?
The term buffalo rifle covers more than one chapter of fi****ms history. Early western hunters used large-caliber muzzleloading rifles, while the great commercial buffalo hunts of the post–Civil War era became associated with powerful breechloading black-powder cartridge rifles such as the Sharps.

From the fur trade and westward expansion to the buffalo ranges of the Great Plains, these rifles are an important part of America’s black-powder heritage.

Keeping the history, skills, and traditions of muzzleloading alive—one shot at a time.

— Texas Muzzle Loading Rifle Association

08/31/2026

🔎 TMLRA EDUCATION SERIES: THE SMOOTHBORE

Unlike a rifle, a smoothbore has no spiral grooves—or rifling—inside its barrel. Although this limits accuracy at longer distances, the smooth barrel made these fi****ms easier and faster to load repeatedly than early rifles.

That advantage mattered on the battlefield. Smoothbore muskets remained the principal infantry arms into the 1850s, valued for their simple operation, quicker loading, and ability to sustain repeated fire.

Smoothbores were not limited to military use. Civilian smoothbore muzzleloaders, often called fowlers, were commonly used for hunting and everyday life. Depending on the firearm and its intended purpose, they could fire a single round ball or shot, making them versatile tools for generations of hunters and settlers.

Today, smoothbores remain an important part of traditional muzzleloading competition and living history—connecting modern shooters with some of America’s earliest firearm traditions.

Have you ever fired a smoothbore?

Sources: National Park Service and Smithsonian National Museum of American History

08/29/2026

🎯 Ladies, take your shot!

There’s a place for you at the TMLRA firing line. Whether you’ve been shooting for years or are still discovering muzzleloading, the Fall Prize Shoot is a wonderful opportunity to challenge yourself, enjoy friendly competition, and spend time with others who appreciate the traditions of the sport.

The ladies’ rifle competition includes multiple matches and distances, with dedicated Ladies Matches 48, 49, and 50.

📅 October 1–4, 2026
📍 Brady, Texas
🏕️ Primitive and RV camping available
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family friendly—spectators are welcome!

Competitors must be TMLRA members. Annual membership is $20, and each competitor should bring a prize valued at $10 or more for the Prize Shoot drawing.

Come join us at the firing line and be part of a Texas muzzleloading tradition!

08/24/2026

TMLRA EDUCATION SERIES | KNOW YOUR MUZZLELOADER

THE MUSKET

One of the most recognizable fi****ms in early American history, the musket played an important role in both military and civilian life for generations.

Typically smoothbore and muzzle-loaded, muskets were designed for relatively quick loading and dependable use rather than the longer-range accuracy associated with a rifled barrel.

From flintlock muskets of the 18th and early 19th centuries to later percussion conversions and designs, these fi****ms represent an important chapter in the history of muzzleloading.

Today, muskets remain part of the living history and traditional shooting sports that help keep that history alive.

Follow along with our Know Your Muzzleloader series as we explore the fi****ms, equipment and traditions of muzzleloading.

Preserving history. Passing on tradition.

Texas Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
Founded 1946

08/17/2026

TMLRA EDUCATION SERIES | Know Your Muzzleloader

From flint to cap — the percussion rifle marked an important step forward in muzzleloading history.

By replacing the flint, frizzen and priming pan with a percussion cap, shooters gained an ignition system that was simpler and generally more reliable — especially when weather conditions weren’t ideal.

More than a century later, percussion rifles are still right at home on the firing line.

Take a closer look at the Percussion Rifle and how it works. 👇

For our experienced shooters: Flintlock or percussion — which do you prefer, and why?

08/15/2026

Think you have to be an experienced competitor to shoot with TMLRA? You don’t.

Never competed at a state shoot before? We have matches just for you.

The October Fall Prize Shoot includes First Timers Rifle and Shotgun matches — plus novice pistol matches for shooters who are new to pistol competition.

It’s a chance to step onto the line, learn, meet some great people and experience a TMLRA State Shoot for yourself.

No long competition résumé required. Everybody has a first match. 🎯

📅 October 1–4, 2026
📍 Brady, Texas

Tag someone who needs to come try it with you!

08/12/2026

TMLRA EDUCATION SERIES | Know Your Muzzleloader

Today’s spotlight: The Flintlock Rifle 🔥

Before percussion caps and modern ignition systems, the flintlock helped shape generations of marksmanship, hunting, and American history.

Simple in concept, fascinating in operation, and still very much alive on the firing line today.

Have you ever fired a flintlock rifle? Tell us about it in the comments! 👇

Preserving the history. Sharing the knowledge. Keeping the tradition alive.

08/08/2026

Welcome to our new followers! 👋

If you’re new to the Texas Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, we’re glad you’re here.

TMLRA has been bringing muzzleloading shooters together since 1946, with our home range outside Brady, Texas since 1966.

Whether you’ve been shooting black powder for decades or you’ve never fired a muzzleloader before, there’s a place for you here.

Over the next several weeks, we’ll be sharing:
• Muzzleloading history and education
• Tips for first-time shooters
• A closer look at the different fi****ms and equipment used in our sport
• Information for women and junior shooters
• Details about our October 1–4 Fall Prize Shoot

You don’t have to already know everything about muzzleloading to come shoot with us. That’s what the experienced folks on the line are there for.

Follow along, ask questions, and come see what TMLRA is all about.

Preserving the tradition. Sharing the knowledge. Welcoming the next generation.

08/07/2026

Every expert started as a beginner.

Whether you’re brand new to traditional muzzleloading or you’ve been shooting for decades, this series is designed to explore the fi****ms, equipment, history, and traditions that make our sport unique.

Each post will highlight a different firearm or piece of equipment, explain its purpose, and share a little of the history behind it.

Whether you’re looking to learn something new or simply enjoy the heritage of traditional muzzleloading, we hope you’ll follow along.

Preserving Texas muzzleloading heritage since 1946.

💬 Which traditional muzzleloader was your first? Tell us in the comments!