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The NMLRA Postal Matches allow members to compete with their friends and fellow members throughout the year by shooting targets at home and returning them by mail. Targets are scored in the NMLRA home office and scores are put online after targets have been received.

Registrations for the 29th Annual National Postal Matches are now open and will remain open until August 31, 2025. The registration form is provided below. A photocopy of the form is acceptable; however, all signatures must be original.

The top three winners from each of the nine NMLRA regions internationally, for both rifle and pistol categories, will be announced in Muzzle Blasts. The overall top three winners for both rifle and pistol will each receive a national plaque.

The National Postal Matches are open to all current members in good standing. The competition will consist of a four-target, 200-point offhand rifle aggregate and/or a three-target, 260-point pistol aggregate.

Rifle competitors may use any safe muzzleloading rifle, whether traditional or modern in design. All rifle matches must be shot offhand. Rifle targets consist of: Crow at 25 yards: 5 shots, Deer at 50 yards: 5 shots, Fox at 50 yards: 5 shots, Bear at 100 yards: 5 shots.

The pistol competition is open to any safe muzzleloading pistol or revolver, in either traditional or modern style. Projectiles may include round balls, bullets, or sabots. Allowed sights for both rifles and pistols include any metallic sights, including peep sights, but telescopic sights are not permitted. Pistol matches must be shot with one hand and the arm extended.

Pistol targets consist of P2-25 yards: 10 shots at 25 yards, Bottle Target: 1 shot per bottle; total of 6 shots, P1-50 yards: 10 shots at 50 yards.

All competitors are responsible for scoring their own targets and completing their score sheets. These scores will be verified by the Postal Match committee. It is important to note that the NMLRA does not use NRA scoring. In NMLRA scoring, to receive a higher score, more than half of the ball or bullet must be inside the ring. This standard is in place because not all shooters use the same size ball or bullet. For example, a .54 or .62 caliber ball may touch the scoring ring more easily than a smaller .32 caliber ball. The NMLRA measures the center point of impact, and all matches at the NMLRA National Matches are scored using the same method.

The results of the 2024 Postal Matches are in! This event provided an excellent opportunity for competition on a national level and helped foster connections with old friends, as well as new acquaintances, who may be too distant to compete with locally. As with any shooting event, the true competition lies within yourself. To keep the matches as affordable as possible, we offer options with or without an overlay. The 2025 aggregate fee will be $21.00 with the overlay and $20.00 without it.

Here is the finishing order from each of the nine NMLRA regions for both rifle and pistol categories from the 2024 event.

Click here for scores.