Black Powder

Tradition, precision, and a whole lot of smoke

Black Powder matches offer a unique experience that blends historical firearms with precision shooting. Using cap-and-ball revolvers loaded with traditional black powder, these events are less about speed and more about skill, focus and yes, plenty of smoke and noise.

Palmerston Pistol Club supports several Black Powder disciplines, including both international match formats and local favourites.

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25m Black Powder

A dynamic event combining precision and timed rapid-fire stages.

Firearm: Cap-and-ball revolver, up to .46 calibre


Total Shots: 40 (20 precision + 20 rapid fire)

Precision Stage

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4 series of 5 shots

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12 minutes per series

Rapid Fire Stage

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4 series of 5 shots

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Each series includes 5 exposures
(3 seconds each)

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One shot per exposure

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50m Black Powder

A test of focus and endurance over longer distances, based on the ISSF 50m Pistol format.

Distance:  50 metres

Firearm:  Cap-and-ball revolver, up to .46 calibre

Shots:  40 (4 series of 10 shots)

Time:  30 minutes per series

Target:  PA Black Powder Target

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13-Shot Black Powder Events

A flexible match format for nearly every type of cap-and-ball pistol, designed to encourage participation across a variety of firearm types.

Distance: 25 metres

Shots: 13 (best 10 shots counted)

Time: 30 minutes

Target: Precision target

Suggested Categories

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Replica single-shot pistols

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Fixed-sight revolvers

Adjustable-sight revolvers

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Modern single-shot pistols