Places to shoot BP revolvers in Virginia

C

CarbineWilliams

New member
Hi,

Just joined the forums so hello to everyone. I'm an ex-Army tank gunner and even did a stint on M109 155mm SP Howitzers in the National Guard so I know a thing or two about guns, and I've missed shooting quite a bit since I got to northern VA. I've always wanted one of the repro 1858 Remingtons and finally went ahead and got one. But, I didn't think about the fact the few ranges around are mostly no blackpowder.

I've heard of Clark Bros. up in Warrenton, but after reading a lot about them it strikes me that it seems like it would be an awkward experience to be trying to learn the ins and outs of operating this weapon at a public range and (apparently) a hard-nosed RO.

Are any of you in the northern VA, southern MD, or even Charlottesville area that are into shooting BP revolvers? I could use some info on where to shoot and also would like to get some hands on instruction and advice and just meet people who enjoy shooting these iconic weapons.
 
The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) has their charter clubs listed by state. Here's the list for Virgina with a window to select other nearby states:

http://www.nmlra.org/clubs.asp?WhichState=VA

Accessed from this page:

http://www.nmlra.org/clubs.asp

The National Shooting Sports Foundation also has state lists of shooting ranges & clubs.

http://www.nssf.org/shooting/

Virginia is below. Click on the name for details.

http://wheretoshoot.org/Find_Range/wts_subresults.asp

The NRA also has an affliliated clubs and associations directory. Enter Zip Code and check the box for "clubs and associations directory".

http://www.nra.org/nralocal.aspx
 
Last edited:
Thanks Articap. I had seen a lot of those links and will be getting in touch with a few of them. I was hoping for something more informal; when I lived out in western VA (not WV) the best shooting 'ranges' were informal affairs where someone had property that had a good backstopped hill and folks would just get together on weekends or after work to shoot. I know it would be doubtful to find that in Northern VA but thought there might be a few places like that in central VA. Might be I'll just make the 4 hr. drive to go that :-/
 
There are several Izaak Walton League outdoor ranges in NoVA. The Alexandria chapter has a range in Stafford county, and that's where I usually shoot. Pretty sure there's a league range up north further, and one in Spotsylvania county also. Google Izaak Walton League Virginia and see if that works out for you. My fees are $100 per year, and a one time membership fee of $100.
 
There's an Isaac Walton league out in Centreville but the dues are a bit higher than you mentioned, and you have to volunteer to do a few hours of yard work. I might check them out. I'm just surprised that there isn't more BP revolver shooting in the area considering how close Manassas/Bull Run is to here and all of the Civil War re-enactment in the area.

Well, there's always the option of getting the .45 Cowboy Action cartridge conversion cylinder, but tbh loading the revolver looks like half the fun to me.
 
Well, there's always the option of getting the .45 Cowboy Action cartridge conversion cylinder, but tbh loading the revolver looks like half the fun to me.
Click to expand...

Loading the revolver is a lot of the fun. I have a conversion cylinder and rarely use it. When I do, I shoot my own black powder cartridges through a Pietta target model 1858. Cap and Ball is a bit more accurate in my standard model 1858's.

I've heard of Clark Bros. up in Warrenton
Click to expand...

If Warrenton is north of you, then you aren't too far from the Stafford (Alexandria Chapter) IWLA range for a day's shooting. It's near the border of Stafford and Fauquir counties on state rd 610. If you want to see the range sometime, let me know and I'll meet you there and give you a tour. I wish they still allowed guests to shoot at the range, but unfortunately they don't.
 
Charlottesville has a shooting club with an active Cowboy Action group. They have an indoor range, trap/skeet/sporting clays as well as Bullseye, action pistol and rifle, a 25yd plinking range and NRA Highpower on a 100yd covered point firing line. BP is fine on any of the outdoor ranges.

Membership is annual, with no other fees other than match/competition fees. Compared to indoor ranges in urban areas, it's a fantastic deal.
Details here:
www.rrpc.org

PM me if you want more information.
 
Just got the pistol

Just got the revolver delivered the other day and I have to say I am incredibly impressed with the quality. I was a little worried considering all of the opinions I've heard regarding the Pietta's, but having worked with a lot of quality weapons I can find no flaws with this one. The finish is great, the action is great, I could not be happier with it.

I probably won't have time to do any shooting until after the New Year what with work and school, but when I do I'd sure like to get in touch with you Noelf2 and check out the IWLA range and look at becoming a member. It's not too far and I hear good things about the organization as a whole.

Poodleshooter, ty and I may well check out the Charlottesville range. It's not that far and Charlottesville is a great area (not including all of those d**mned traffic lights on Hwy 29).
 
It's locked except for members, but will be open on meeting days when they admit new members. Check the website for the online calendar. You can also tour it as a guest with a member, or on the rare days that it's open to the public.
 
I finally got around to ordering my powder, balls, caps, wads and everything else. After much debate I decided to go with the pyrodex pistol pellets instead of powder, so we'll see how that works. I've heard a lot of the people who were claiming to have had issues with them were actually loading them backwards!

Anyway, maybe if you are going out to the IWLA range sometime (noelf2) to shoot I'd like to check it out and get some shooting tips. I'd definitely be interested in becoming a member there as the Alexandria chapter is not far away at all. I had to buy 1,000 #10 caps (Cabela's didn't sell them in smaller quantities), so the percussion caps are definitely my treat!
 
Well....

Indoor ranges don't like BP stuff because of the smoke.


Outdoor ranges, if they ban BP weapons may want to avoid the long load times.
 
Carbine, I'll get with you soon. I'm away for the holidays. Problem with IWLA is that you have to be a member before you can shoot, and there's one day a month that new members can join. I have a good friend in Midland VA (probably even closer than IWLA), and he has a berm. I'll check with him since I'm sure you are anxious to make some smoke.
 
Take a weekend trip, there is a National Forest range 1/2 hour west of Harrisonburg, VA, another near Staunton. I used to shoot BP at Chickahominy WMA when I was stuck in the city.
 
Thanks Navy I'll look into that. Just got my pellets, wads, and balls in the mail today and the caps should be arriving soon :-)

I still need to get a nipple wrench. Anyone know if I can get one locally? I'm wondering if Blue Ridge Arsenal or one of the stores out in Manassas sells them (and for that matter other cap and ball revolver supplies). If not I guess I can just order one from Cabelas.
 
Carbine you can usually get nipple wrenches and lots of other BP supplies at Gander Mtn if there's one close to you. Could also check Dick's sporting goods. Cheapest would be to order online though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top