Muzzle Loading

Trafalgar Meeting 2025
Start Date:

Saturday 18 October

2025

Venue:
National Shooting Centre, Bisley

Contact Information:

For more information please contact competitions@nra.org.uk 01483 797777 ext. 139

Picture of Trafalgar Meeting 2025

Trafalgar Meeting 2025

Saturday 18th - Sunday 19th October

This Meeting is full of character, with competitors seen entering into the spirit of the event and some wearing appropriate clothing for the firearms used at the time

The firearms being used attract attention especially when, what is basically a museum piece, can be seen in full operational glory. This offers the pleasurable opportunity to use, view and handle historical, classic and vintage arms.  Museums and private collectors do preserve our heritage firearms, however practical use by shooters with knowledge of these guns adds another dimension. These firearms being shot across the ranges is a reminder of the history of their development, from flint muzzle-loader or matchlock, to breech-loading nitro cartridge firearms

Courses of Fire & Rules: All details are listed in the Classic & Historic Rulebook available to download from the NRA Handbooks page. The broad classes of eligible firearms is as follows:

Muzzle Loading

Pre-1874 design: Flintlock & percussion. Capping breechloaders are eligible but not modern ‘straight line’ patterns

Vintage

Pre-1891 design: Black powder only. Breech loaders only unless permission is given

Carbine

Pre-1961: max OAL 40.5 inches CF rifle or specified Carbine loads. No pistol calibres

Classic

Pre-1919: CF unless stated otherwise

Veteran

1919 – 1945: datelined at BOTH ends, CF unless stated otherwise. Rifles No4 Mk2, 1/2 and 1/3 accepted

Open

Design date up to 1975: Later designs of firearm that do not fall into any of the current classes. CF unless stated otherwise. Firearms must be either manufactured in the designated time period or be faithful reproductions of the original design. Modifications or modern interpretations of original designs are not permitted

Transitional

Designs between 1946 and 1960

Gallery Rifle

Pre-1961 designs: pistol calibre cartridge, open or aperture sights, fired standing, no slings

Pistol & Revolvers

Pistol: 19th Century pattern, single shot muzzle loading, open sights. Various ignition systems
Standard Revolver:
Basic 19th Century black powder Percussion design with fixed open sights and standard grips
Target Revolver:
As standard but allowing adjustable sights, match barrels, modified grips and nitro conversions
Pocket Revolver:
Size limited to height + length less than 15 inches

Competition Programme: See the full programme layout HERE

  • 10 Yard
  • 25m Advancing
  • 25m ARA
  • 25m Bobber
  • 25m Duelling
  • 25m Precision
  • 25m Slowfire
  • 25m Surrenden
  • 50m Advancing
  • 50m Precision
  • 50m Rook and Rabbit
  • 50 Yards Standing
  • Running Boar
  • Running Deer
  • 100 Yards Prone
  • 100 Yards Standing
  • 100 Yards Three Position
  • 200 Yards 'Agony' Snap
  • 200 Yards Double Snap
  • 200 Yards McQueen
  • 200 Yards Prone
  • 200 Yards Rapid
  • 200 Yards Standing
  • 500 Yards
  • 600 Yards
  • 900 Yards
  • 1000 Yards


🦺 Range Team: To be confirmed

🍴 Trafalgar Dinner: To be confirmed

Trade Fair: To be confirmed


🏅Awards: Based on 2024 awards: NRA awards are presented to the top scoring competitors in each match, subject to the amount of entries:

  • 2+ Entries: 1st Place (NRA Silver Shoulder medal, and a Gold Trafalgar Bar for each first place result)
  • 6+ Entries: 1st Place (NRA Silver Shoulder medal, and a Gold Trafalgar Bar for each first place result). 2nd Place (Certificate)
  • 11+ Entries: 1st Place (NRA Silver Shoulder medal, and a Gold Trafalgar Bar for each first place result) 2nd Place (Certificate) and 3rd Place (Certificate)

Trophies are awarded in certain matches, indicated by the 🏆 symbol on the entry form. Trophies are only presented when an event is contested by two or more individuals

All Competitors may also purchase Skilled Shot Certificates if they achieve a certain score (see individual match details for more information). Skilled Shot Certificates cost £1.50 each

🏆 The Trafalgar Letter: A framed copy of a letter written during the battle of Trafalgar will be presented to the winner of a specific match

🏆 Match Director’s award: A framed picture presented by the Match Director in recognition of a person/ person’s contribution to the Trafalgar Meeting