Today we're talking with Colton Fleetwood a young man dedicated to muzzleloading competitions about the 2023 Alvin C. York Memorial shoot. Colton gives us a report of how the York went this year and a little bit of information about chunk shooting for those of you wanting to try something new. Colton has only missed a few of the recent York matches and hopes to win someday.

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Watch this video about Chunk/Over the Log Shooting to learn more

Learn more about the Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot at their website here

The Alvin C. York Memorial shoot is held each spring in Pall Mall, Tennessee. The shoot has been held every year since 1993. The location is a pasture on the farm that was deeded to Sgt. York after his heroic acts during World War I. The farm is now a TN state park.

This shoot is a reenactment of the over the log shoots held and attended by Sgt. York, both before and after the WW1. For those who choose to participate in the shoot, dress of the early 1900s is the order of the day. Gentlemen wearing bib overalls sporting very wide loud flowery ties, some may be seen in suits of the day like pinstripe suits and wide-brimmed fedora hats. Ladies, wear dresses that would have been in stylish during that period or bib overalls. Period dress is not required to shoot in the match. Shooters, range from very young, to senior citizens, both male and female participants. Shooters range from those new to muzzle loading, to the weathered skilled veterans. Regardless of your level of skill, the important experience is fun will be had by all, and a great American hero will be honored.

The 30th Anniversary York Match welcomed 120 competitors, surging past recent year attendance. The increase in competitors was a welcome baramoter for the health of the match and muzzleloading in general. After multiple years of inclemant weather and cancellations in recent years, the weather improved significantly for the 2023 match. The sun was shining bright, with some competitors getting sunburnt. The largest hurdle for many was the wind. With gusts between 20 and 30 miles per hour blowing across the range, shooters had to be on their toes and monitor conditions to ensure their shots hit the mark.

30th Anniversary Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot Top 10 Shooters

1. Neil Eddington - 4.3345
2. David Krumme - 4.3745
3. Gary Test - 5.6495
4. Joel Gard (F) - 5.6665
5. Colton Fleetwood - 5.9105
6. Freeman Byler (F) - 6.196
7. Matthew Kencade (F) - 6.8655
8. Randy Grunkemeyer - 7.111
9. Dawn Swigart - 7.8858
10. Brad Schlehuser - 7.994

30th Anniversary Alvin C. York Memorial Shoot Scores

What is a Chunk Gun?

Part of our conversation with Colton revolves around answering my questions about a Chunk Gun and a Chunk, or “Over the Log” match. In short, a Chunk Gun can be any muzzleloader with open sights that shoots a patched roundball with no false muzzle attachment. Many competitors shoot their hunting muzzleloaders in Over the Log matches to extend the fun they have with their muzzleloaders. More serious competitos will build or commission custom “Over the Log” muzzleloading rifles for the express purpose of shooting these matches.

Charectaristically, these guns have long barrels with lengths over 48”. Colton’s latest build is 58” long. Caliber varies, with many shooters opting for .45 caliber and up. According to Mr. Fleetwood, the most common calibers are .50 and .54.

Ignition will vary for an over the log rifle. Shooters are allowed any traditional muzzleloading ignition like a percussion or flintlock. Newcomers to the sport will notice the popularity of the “underhammer” ignition in Chunk Matches. The Underhammer ignition is very popular in these matches because it provides a traditional lock for the early 20th century and it provides direct ignition to the powder, rather than the right angle turn needed out of side lock muzzleloaders.