We invite you to attend the annual 'Bob Lee' Virginia State Offhand Championship on second weekend of October at our range in Prince George, VA. This muzzleloading event has been held yearly since 1987 and will occur rain or shine. The range will open on Friday for practice at 8 a.m. through 12 p.m. and for competition from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.   The range will be open for competition from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday. The last relay starts on Sunday at 1 p.m. with the award ceremony at 3 p.m.

This muzzleloading championship is open to all shooters regardless of sex or age.

This event is sanctioned by the Virginia Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (VMLRA), and sponsored by the James River Black Powder Club.

      There will be muzzleloading rifle matches for men, women, juniors and seniors.   There will also be smoothbore and pistol matches.   Both primitive and some modern camping are available.   Sanitation facilities and firewood are provided, but please bring your own drinking water. (No electric, water or sewer hook-up available).   Quiet hours will be each night from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.   No pets allowed.

      A Saturday night pot-luck feast will be held with a Virginia Ham provided by the James River Black Powder Club. A concession stand will be available Friday afternoon, all day Saturday and Sunday. All Traders welcomed to attend with no fee required. Our loading tables are completely covered, giving protection from rain and sun.

      Pre-registration is requested, but not required.   Period clothing is highly encouraged, but not mandatory. Guests are always welcome.

      If there are further questions, feel free to contact us by e-mail at jamesriver2000@yahoo.com.

General Rules and Regulations

• All matches will be shot with traditional firearms that would have been available prior to 1850.
• All matches, except the buffalo X-sticks match, will be fired off-hand in accordance with NMLRA rules.
• Buffalo X-stick matches will be shot using X-sticks furnished by the James River Black Powder Club. No additional padding will be allowed.   X-sticks to be set in place with hand pressure only. Only ONE buffalo target shall be hung at one time (no herding).
• Pistol matches will be fired using the one hand hold method with arm extended.
• All matches will be shot using round ball ammoonly with exception of shotgun matches.
• All matches, unless otherwise noted, will be shot with open rear and blade front sights, without hoods or shades. (Thompson Center Patriot with factory front sights are considered to be shaded)
• All targets will be shot at as issued, no added markers or aiming points allowed.
• Squirrel and crow targets to be hung in natural position, e.g., horizontally.
• Targets must be turned in to then scorer at the end of the relay in which the target was shot.
• Re-entry is allowed on all matches except the aggregates. High score will count, except on ties in which case the original target or earliest fired re-entry target will take precedent.
• Aggregate matches must be purchased at the time of initial entry in any match which is part of an aggregate. Re-entry targets will not count in aggregate.
• No guns shall be capped or primed except while at the firing line while facing the target.
• Failure to comply at any time to requests, orders, or directions issued by the range or safety officers can result from immediate expulsion of the shooter.
• No loaded guns, primed or unprimed shall be removed from the firing and loading area.
• All protests will be charged a $5.00 fee, refundable if the protest is upheld.
• Any match not drawing a minimum of 3 entrants will be cancelled and target fees returned.
• Junior entrants (15 years and under) must be supervised by an adult.
• Range will be open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Saturday and from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Sunday.
• The line will be HOT for 20 minute relays, with the range/safety officer giving notice when 5 minutes are left in the relay. The relay will end when ALL guns that are loaded have been fired. CEASE FIRE will then be called and the line will be declared COLD.   Participants will have 10 minutes to post and retrieve targets before the next firing session will start. While the line is cold, all weapons are to be benched and made safe.
• There is no minimum restriction of caliber or gauge on smoothbore matches.
• Fees will be as follows:

Registration – Adults - $8.00 (includes camping)        Juniors - $5.00                      Re-entry - $1.00

Non-shooting campers - $2.00   (under age 13 free)    All Matches - $1.50              Sighters - $.50

Camping Rules

• There will be separate primitive, modern, and large RV camping areas. (A large RV is any vehicle over 6000 pounds)   No parking in primitive area except to load and unload.
• The camping area nearest the firing range is reserved for primitive camping. Modern camps should be set up from a line between the hooters, west towards the parking area.
• Open fires are allowed, but must be attended at all times. Unattended fires will be doused.
• No dumping of camper holding tanks on the ground.
• No littering.   Please police your area before you leave.
• NO PETS ALLOWED.   NO RADIOS OR BOOM BOXES!!
• No cutting of trees or vegetation.   Firewood and water will be available.
• Parents will be held responsible for the actions and safety of their children at ALL TIMES .