Modern muzzleloading competitors took to the range last weekend at the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Range in Friendship, Indiana. This match is another step towards the Spring Nationals in June.

12 competitors from several states attended this weekend match to test their rifles and their skills against each other and the range with targets out to 500 yards. This match is one of several hosted by volunteers at the NMLRA, so keep a look out for the next in this series of matches later this year.

A big thank you goes out to Robert Wetzler and Dan Thomas for putting this on. And to Vortex Optics for the spotting scope donation.

While there were many familiar faces and rifles on the line this weekend, there was something new that we haven’t seen before- the appearance of a CVA Paramount rifle. CVA Sponsored shooter Barry Brakebill brought the first known CVA rifle to this competition in his warm up to the spring nationals in June. Barry is no stranger to this range and it’s regulars, this year he’s just trying something new.

Out of the 12 competitors, 8 were shooting custom rifles. To give you an idea of how tough this competition is, Barry dropped only 3 shots off the course of fire and ended up tied for 4th place - this is not an easy game to win.

I made a trip to Friendship Indiana to the home of the National Muzzleloader and Rifle Association this weekend to compete in the annual Steel challenge match.

I decided to do some testing this weekend during the match. I shot the CVA Paramount 40 caliber with the new and improved ELR bullets.

The course of fire was as follows. Four pigs and one chicken at 330 yards, four turkeys and one pig at 440 yards, and four Rams and one Turkey at five hundred yards. You could take three sighters and five for score in a total of 15 minutes, this makes for fast shooting. I cleaned all targets at 330 and 500 yards and struggled at 440 dropping 3 points.

The wind blew at 10 to 15 mph that led to a 4.5 MOA left hold to hit the mark. I felt comfortable shooting a factory rifle with factory power belt bullets. For me it was about proving the gun can compete with the best guns built. The ELR is not a match bullet, but it does shoot half MOA at a 100 yards, and will work at any hunting application.

Before the questions are ask the load data was as follows, 78.5 grains of Blackhorn 209, 225 ELR new model. The data was obtained from my Lab Radar prior to the shoot at a 10 shot average of 2292 with a ES of 41 and a SD of 13.4. It’s my opinion this gun will and can take game past 500 yards with the right person behind the trigger. Stay tuned I will be shooting this gun at the National’s in a couple of weeks with a new update.

I wouldn’t listen to all the hype and negative reviews, for me I would spend more time shooting and less time reading. Everyone ask why would you change guns and bullets after winning the National Title. For me it’s about proving it can be done. Join me on this journey this season.

10-15 mph wind is enough to throw any shooter with any rifle for a loop, check out the scores below and see how you would compare. I’d like to make a note here that two of the top 3 shooters are under the age of 30! This is great news for the future of competitive muzzleloading. Congratulations to all the shooters!

In the end, JR Schultz of Schultz Precision Rifles took first, Morgan Greenle took second, Nate Connolly took third, and Jeff Fisk/Barry Brakebill tied for 4th place.

After the main match concludes, shooters can “Buy in” to the “Apex Hunter Match”. This is a $20 buy in, winner take all shoot off with an irregular course of fire. Jeff Fisk won the APEX match, congratulations Jeff!