Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain

28/05/2026

Up to THREE Free Competition Entries for First‑Time Entrants!

Thinking about trying a MLAGB competition?

Now’s your chance. At this years’ Black Powder competition, first‑time entrants at Wedgnock, Warwick, can claim up to three free entries across the weekend.

Eligibility
You must:
• Be a first‑time MLAGB competition entrant at Wedgnock
• Bring your own equipment
• Be trained, competent, and safe to shoot without instruction

(Both MLAGB members and non‑members welcome.)

Competition Schedule
Fri 17 July — Pistol & R***e only
Sat 18 July — Cannon, Pistol & R***e
Sun 19 July — Cannon, Pistol & R***e

Range is open: 10:00–16:30
Details: 30 minutes, with 15 minutes between details
Targets: 13 shots, best 10 to count (unless stated otherwise)

Safety & Rules
• Mandatory eye protection (with side shields) and ear protection
• No loading main charges from a flask — use pre‑measured phials
• Originals: black powder only
• Reproductions: modern alternatives permitted

Targets & stickers available from Shaun Twomey (Pistol Secretary) on the day.

Ready to Enter?

https://www.mlagb.com/Documents/Download

https://www.mlagb.com/Events/Calendar

https://www.mlagb.com/Cms/Spaces/PUBLIC/Wedgnock+Ranges

11/05/2026

MLAGB Members are reminded that the Annual General Meeting of the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain (MLAGB) will be held at the London & Middlesex Clubhouse at Bisley, on Saturday, 16th May at 11am. All members are invited to attend and to exercise their voting rights in directing the policies of the Association.

Please remember to bring the Spring edition of Black Powder magazine containing the Agenda, Treasurer’s Report, and Minutes from the 2025 AGM.

07/08/2025

'Fi****ms licensing: statutory guidance for police' has been amended and the current version can be found on the UK Government web site here -

How police chiefs should carry out checks when assessing someone's suitability to own fi****ms or become a registered fi****ms dealer.

20/06/2025

Members are reminded that the 71st Annual General Meeting of the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain (MLAGB) will be held at Wedgnock Ranges, Warwick, on Saturday the 21st June at 11am. All members are invited to attend and to exercise their voting rights in directing the policies of the Association.

Please remember to bring the Spring edition of Black Powder magazine containing the Agenda, Treasurer’s Report, and Minutes from the 2024 AGM.

12/04/2025

MLAGB members are reminded that 11 May is the National 500 yard R***e Championship and 8 June is the 600 yard R***e Championship (entries for the former close today, 12 April, and the latter on 19 April).

Each day has events for .577 Enfield r***e and .451 target r***e. They are open to original or reproduction fi****ms. Anyone who shoots short range (100m) with such r***es has the equipment necessary to try mid-range shooting.

These mid-range matches are ideal opportunity to commence learning wind judgement skills, following on from other shooting skills developed at short range. Paid butt markers are employed, who have experience in marking for black powder r***es and can provide feedback on fall of shot.

See 'Mid & Long Range R***e News' on page 31 of the Spring 2025 edition of Black Powder magazine for more information and contact details.

11/04/2025

Wedgnock, Warwick - 26/27 April. Pistolfest / Schutzenfest - a weekend celebration of muzzle loading! Lots of events to choose from, including those open to matchlock and flintlock musket / flintlock and percussion r***e / matchlock, flintlock and percussion pistol. See MLAGB Event Calendar for entry information - https://www.mlagb.com/Events/Calendar

02/04/2025

Short Siberia Changes

We have received the below communication from the NRA regarding their plans to develop the Short Siberia range and it seems some people have reached an incorrect conclusion. Mr Mercer’s statement follows.

‘We have lodged a planning application with Surrey Heath Borough Council for the Short Siberia tactical training development project. The application has been validated sooner than expected and has been picked up on social media.

We have published the News Release below on the NRA website and social media.

Planning Application – Short Siberia – Tactical Training Facility

The Bisley range complex provides important training facilities for the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (“CNC”) who provide critical security to the UK’s nuclear installations. CNC are major users of the NRA’s Bisley ranges, and have recently expanded their use of the NSRA’s Lord Roberts Centre for training.

The NRA has been developing plans with the CNC to create tactical training facilities on land adjacent to Short Siberia range; this project was included in the current Bisley Estate Development Plan published in September 2024– see https://nra.org.uk/nra-estate-development-plan-2024-to-2028/

The NRA has recently lodged a planning application with Surrey Heath Borough Council; the development will create areas of hard standing with 9 storage containers, 6 portakabins and 2 canopies – see Ref: 25/0272/FFU https://publicaccess.surreyheath.gov.uk/online-applications/

Shooting on the adjacent 100 metre and 200 yard Short Siberia range will be unaffected. NRA members and clubs will have priority for weekends, with CNC having priority for weekday use as at present. Weekdays use for NRA competitions and events will continue as usual. Additional alternative weekday range capacity will be provided at the Sporting R***e range complex.

This development marks a major financial commitment by the CNC at Bisley, increases the use of NRA’s assets for charitable purposes, and secures a long-term significant customer of our r***e ranges.

Andrew Mercer
Secretary General’

Search for Planning Applications, Appeals and Enforcements by keyword, application reference, postcode or by a single line of an address.

08/03/2025

Wedgnock, Warwick - 22/23 March. An ideal venue in the heart of England, with covered firing points at 25m, 50m and 100m, for the MLAGB Spring Open Meeting. Musket, r***e, pistol, revolver and miniature cannon events! Entries can be made via the Calendar of Events on the Association web site. https://www.mlagb.com/Events/Calendar

15/02/2025

The Minister for Policing, Fire and Crime Prevention has, this last week, made a Written Ministerial Statement to announce the publication of the Government response to the consultation run by the previous Government in 2023 on fi****ms licensing. As you will know, the consultation sought views on recommendations that were made to the Government by the Senior Coroner in his Prevention of Future Deaths reports following inquests into the deaths of the five people who were shot and killed in Keyham on 12 August 2021; on recommendations made by the Independent Office for Police Conduct following its investigation into the police force involved; and recommendations made by the Scottish Affairs Select Committee following its review of fi****ms licensing regulations which followed on from a fatal shooting on the Isle of Skye on 10 August 2022.

The Government response sets out the further action that it intends to take, and changes that they will look to introduce, informed by the significant number of responses to the consultation that were received. This includes their intention to strengthen further the Statutory Guidance to the police on fi****ms licensing, including in relation to the suitability checks carried out by the police before granting or renewing a fi****ms certificate.

It was also announced last week, as part of the Government response, that the Government intends to launch a new consultation later this year on whether the controls on sh****ns should be further strengthened and aligned with those that apply to other fi****ms. The previous Government decided not to include the recommendations relating to sh***un controls in the 2023 consultation, but the current Government now takes the view that it is right to look again at the differences in the controls and to consider whether changes should be made to better protect the public.

The Government response has been published and is available via this link: Fi****ms licensing: recommendations for changes -

We are seeking views on a number of recommendations made to the government relating to fi****ms licensing.

15/02/2025

Do you own a Miniature Cannon? How about trying the MLAGB Cannon Postal Leagues? The season runs from the receipt of your stickers until September 7th 2025, Medals and Certificates will be awarded at the October meeting 5th October 2025. (if you are unable to attend then certificates and any medals will be posted after that date).

There are 6 rounds to be shot within the above timescales. The course of fire is 13 shots with the best 10 to count. The normal range is 25 meters using a PL7 target, however if your home range is only 20 yards then don't worry you can still enter using the NSRA PL12-18 target. Entry fee is £8.00. The winner of each division will be awarded a MLAGB Medal. Certificates will be awarded to all competitors who complete the full season.

If you wish to enter or have any queries regarding cannon shooting then see the following link: https://www.mlagb.com/Cms/Spaces/PUBLIC/Cannon