I Love Muzzleloading

Read the full press release: https://www.ilovemuzzleloading.com/blog/estes-energetics-owner-of-goex-blackpowder-plant-acquired-by-voyager-technologies Voyager Technologies announced Nov. 20 it acquired Estes Energetics, a supplier of solid rocket motors and energetic materials. The move underscores Washington’s push to rebuild domestic production lines for critical defense components.

Today we talk with author and historian Jay Hopkins about his history in collecting muzzleloaders and how a lifetime of learning and losing mentors inspired him to write 3 books collecting his knowledge of southern horns. Learn more at https://www.ilovemuzzleloading.com/

In this episode, we catch up with Jake Book and chat about his latest immersive event, "Dark and Bloody Ground". Jake and I chat about the event, it's planning, and what he's learned for the next one. I hope this conversation provides some context for immersive events and helps you understand another part of this community to ultimately get involved and have some fun.Read Jake's blog - https://shirttailmess.blogspot.com/

Today we're talking with Dave Person and Maria Gray about the work their doing at Braintree Hill. Dave and Maria specialize in British arms from the muzzleloading period, but enter other avenues as we discuss. Dave and Maria are a unique pair, aged more than 50 years apart, the story of how they met, and how they continue to work together is a special one. I'm excited for you to hear it today. The Gunshoppe at Braintree Hill is composed of two artisans recreating historically accurate firearms from the 17th, 18th, and early 19th centuries. We are dedicated to creating examples of the finest flintlock firearms of the period that merge art with function.Follow their work online: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571370634703, https://www.instagram.com/bh_vt_gunshoppe/

Join to get access to perks & support the program: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7OQvf6lnzYUw8_g7ehxR_Q/joinToday I'm talking with Jeff Warner about his and the PA Federation of Blackpowder Shooters initiative to ADD flintlock muzzleloader hunting to the early Pennsylvania hunting season. Sign the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/implement-a-fall-flintlock-only-hunting-season-in-pennsylvania Learn more at https://www.ilovemuzzleloading.com/ Click here to SUBSCRIBE - http://bit.ly/ILMvideo Videos also available on Utreon - https://utreon.com/c/ILoveMuzzleloading/

Join to get access to perks & support the program: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7OQvf6lnzYUw8_g7ehxR_Q/join I've been itching to get into more research-focused projects and this is my first go at that. Trade Guns are a class of firearm made in northern Europe during the early 17th century. These guns were made specifically for barter to the natives of sub-Saharan Africa, North America, and South America By 1670 they had earned a reputation for being the “Cheapest, most dangerous to use firearm that money could buy” - SJ Gooding We’re going to look at how these arms went from being cheap trade trash to some of the finest, notable arms made before the 20th century When this was just an idea, I had a simple view of the NW trade gun. After researching, I’ve found a whole lot more that really shifts what I thought the North West trade gun was and is. It’s a fascinating story, this is just scratching the surface. CHAPTERS 0:00 An Introduction to the Northwest Trade Gun 11:32 The Evolution of the Northwest Trade Gun 12:27 The Hudson Bay Company 18:41 The North West Company 24:30 The Late 18th Century 31:10 Government Gift Guns 37:31 The 19th Century 41:22 The Last Flintlocks 43:08 Research Sources

In this episode, we talk with David Stavlo from Lodgewood Manufacturing about his story in muzzleloading and how he left college and purchased an aging business with no safety net.

Today we're talking to Eddie Davenport about some of the muzzleloading news coming out of the SHOT Show 2025. We'll cover the Pedersoli Baker, Traditions, CVA, Thompson Center and a few more.

In a bit of a deviation from my information focused format, today I'm sharing some of my thoughts on muzzleloading news, trends and culture. I try to pose some questions and thoughts to get all of our gears turning to capitalize on the new year where we can. Let me know your thoughts anytime in the comments or via email.