Research Press

Recreating History, Creedmoor Match 2024

Oak Ridge, TN starts now!

Past NRA President Pete Brownell spoke at the 2017 Competitive Shooting Meeting and expressed his thoughts of growth in shooting sports by giving opportunities for people to ‘Pull the Trigger’. I totally agree as there is so much more to shooting than the shooting itself. 

After over 20 years of hosting LRML matches, I’m going to expand to allow more people to ‘pull the trigger’.  I have been given approval from the Oak Ridge (ORSA) BOD to host a Historical recreation of the original Creedmoor Match in 2024.  The NMLRA BOD have agreed to assist with sponsoring the match.  22-23 March 2019 will be the 1st year of this 5 year quest for LR-ML and LR-BL to prepare at Oak Ridge for the Historical 150th Anniversary of the Creedmoor Match of 1874. Yes, it will be Muzzle Loaders vs Breech Loaders.

I will be hosting these matches in the same manner in which I have hosted previously (some slight adjustments may occur year-after-year as we learn), the only difference - there will be more shooters that include both ML and BP Breech Loaders. I believe I can run both simultaneously and separate on the same line at the same time. My current thinking is everyone will run in our traditional 4 man squad rotation. ML will be pair firing for the 1 hour relay. The BL will be paired as well, but each of them will only get 30 min by themselves - totaling the 1 hour relay. Then, well rotate the same as we’ve done for years.  

We’ll be shooting 300 & 600 yards on Friday and 2x 1000 yards on Saturday (1 with support, 1 without).  Relay times will be 1hr at each distance, although these relay times may vary (extended) depending on participation. Sighters and 10 scored shots at each distance on standard NRA HP targets. (NRA Approved Match, as of now).

As with all my previous matches, this Match is designed to be an enjoyable shoot and as much as everyone wants to do their best, sportsmanship is needed in order for it to work successfully. This means that when you are shooting you’ll need the utmost attention from your spotter and pitman to assist you and vice-versa. This especially holds true at 1000 yards. This translates into good communication / feedback to the shooter when the pitman and spotter are doing their job.

Let me highlight that ORSA is allowing you use their facilities and it shall be treated with such respect at all times.  This also means there are NO pit boys/girls (at this time) and we all must be willing to spot and pull targets for each other. I will serve as range officer. High-power shooters primarily use the ORSA range and there are NO provisions for muzzle loaders. i.e. Loading Tables or covered firing line! Muzzle loading shooters are expected to bring their own loading table to safely support their rifle.

Download: Cover Page and Match Rules

facebook: Creedmoor 150 (1874-2024)

Rick Weber