43rd Annual
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association

Western Kentucky University

Gunsmithing/Longrifle Seminar

At Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green, Kentucky

3-day classes 1 pm CST Wednesday May 29 to 1 pm CST Saturday June 1, 2024

6-day classes 1 pm CST Sunday June 2 to 1 pm CST Friday June 7, 2024

9-day classes 1 pm CST Wednesday May 29 to 1 pm CST Friday June 7, 2024

Registration Deadline Is February 16, 2024

Note: To all students scheduled or
scheduling for the class to be taught by:

Hershel House, John House and Ian Pratt
Building the Woodbury Flintlock Rifle.
This class is taught in Woodbury, KY at Hershel’s homestead.

With the passing of Hershel House the directors want everyone to
know that this class will go on just as planned.

 Important Dates and Information to Remember

Cost: of all classes is $130 per day.

Early Registration for PREVIOUS ATTENDEES ONLY – contact Brenda Hooton at the NMLRA at 812-667-5131 (ext. 223) beginning Friday, October 6th, 2023 – no registrations will be accepted before then. Please decide on your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of classes or no other choice. Minimum deposit of ½ the class cost, and Membership in the NMLRA.

Official Registration – Regular enrollment registration begins October 27,2023. A minimum deposit of ½ the total cost of the class or classes and membership in the NMLRA. Please select your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice of classes, or no other choice of class. Contact Brenda Hooton at the NMLRA (812-667-5131 – ext. 223) with your selection(s). Full payment due by February 16, 2024. Cancellation on or before February 16, 2024, will result in $150 being kept along with your membership fee to NMLRA with the balance due returned to the individual. Cancellation after February 16th, 2024 will result in keeping full payment for all 3- and 6-day classes, and $800 for 9-day classes with a $370 refund for the 9-day class if and only if there are sufficient funds to cover the loss. NO EXCEPTIONS since the instructional team has been confirmed.

Full Payment – for all classes required by February 16, 2024.

Cancellation – on or before February 16, 2024, will result in $150 being kept along with your membership fee to NMLRA with the balance due returned to the individual.

Cancellation after February 16th, 2024 - will result in keeping full payment for all 3- and 6-day classes, and $800 for 9-day classes with a $370 refund for the 9-day class if and only if there are sufficient funds to cover the loss. NO EXCEPTIONS since the instructional team has been confirmed.

Final Enrollment Notification – will be made to participants by March 22nd, 2024 based upon enrollment date and class preferences (1st, 2nd, 3rd, or none). Notification will be by email or USPS if preferred – please advise at enrollment regarding USPS restriction.

Superior Instruction

2023 will be the 42nd year of the NMLRA Gunsmithing Seminar, which is hosted at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green Kentucky.  Beginning with the first gunsmithing seminar in 1981, the quality of the instructional team has been superior in every aspect of the gun building trade.

Previous Seminar Instructors

The instructional team members are seasoned artisans who are recognized for their skill level as well as their ability to deliver quality instruction and best practices of the gun-making trade. Seminar participants have offered the following comments regarding the quality of the seminar: "more can be learned in nine days than in a year of trial and error; one learns to perfect skills before learning bad habits; instructors allow for the divergent skill levels of participants (beginning to advanced) in each class; troubleshooting skills are developed and enhanced; participants learn that fixing mistakes is as important as avoiding them!”

Most participants have attended the seminar for more than 3 years and several have attended more than 20 years. What has resulted among the participants at WKU is a family atmosphere where lifelong friendships have developed where they continue to collaborate on ongoing gun making projects outside the seminar.

You should consider attending the seminar because the teaching faculty to student ratio at WKU is low, the University is centrally located for ease of travel, and participants have the opportunity to visit each of the other classes taking place in order to enhance their overall learning experience. It goes without saying, you will not be disappointed with what you have learned in a short period of time at the NMLRA Gunsmithing Seminar at WKU.  Classes are offered in 3, 6, & 9 day increments.