The 2026 AZWINS Short Range Event Has Now Been Booked! <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\nJanuary 25th through February 1st 2026.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\nClick on below flier for an Adobe.pdf copy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/azmuzzleloading.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AZWINS-2026-Event-Invite-Flyer-2025-08-05-791x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow the AZWINS Began.<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/azmuzzleloading.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSCF0055-1-300x225.jpg\")
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In 1992 the NMLRA initiated what was then called the Winter National Shoot (WNS). This was at the request of NMLRA members in not only Arizona, but other western states as well, to have a shooting competition in the west.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A dedicated group convinced the NMLRA to hold the event at The Ben Avery Shooting Facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Ben Avery is a world class shooting range built in the 1950\u2019s to hold the shooting events for the Olympics. One of the events was the Running Boar, it is one of the ruminants of those games and was popular with WNS competitors. Unfortunately, the Running Boar range has since been condemned and equipment removed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The event name of the event was ultimately changed by the NMLRA to Western National Shoot and retained the acronym WNS.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There were a variety of Coordinators in the first 8 years.\u00a0 In 2000, Bill Loughrige was selected to be the Coordinator and has remained so through 2018.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/azmuzzleloading.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/DSCF0083-1-300x214.jpg\")
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In Spring, 2018 the NMLRA Board of Directors voted to cancel the WNS. This was done without notice to the NMLRA Membership or to the group that had been running the WNS in Arizona.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That group led by Bill Loughrige decided immediately to continue the event as an independent event. Several months of discussions about whether or not the NMLRA was really abandoning the WNS event culminated in September 2018 when the NMLRA Board of Directors confirmed their abandonment of the event.<\/p>\n
The Arizona group chose the name for the event as Arizona Western Independent National Shoot or (AZWINS).<\/p>\n
We were initially sponsored by the Arizona Muzzle Loading Association for insurances purposes. We have incorporated as AZWINS, an Arizona Not for Profit Corporation<\/p>\n
No membership in any organization will be required to compete.<\/p>\n
We have offered to score NMLRA targets for those NMLRA members who want their scores recorded with the NMLRA. As of yet, we have not heard back from the NMLRA about that possibility.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/azmuzzleloading.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/IMG_0006-300x200.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
This is not an NMLRA effort. It is an effort to maintain a fun Muzzle Loading Competition presence in the West. Once lost it is almost impossible to restart it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
We will offer all the events the WNS once offered, they just will not be sanctioned by the NMLRA.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In addition to the original AZWINS program, Long Range Matches will be offered including partnerships with other organizations to create a one-of-a-kind experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nYes, the AZWINS is always looking for new shooting sponsors to help further active participation in the muzzle loading shooting sport. Please contact Bill Loughridge at (480) 223-8034 or azwinsemail@gmail.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Updated 07-05-2025 The 2026 AZWINS Short Range Event Has Now Been Booked! January 25th through February 1st 2026. Click on below flier for an Adobe.pdf copy. How the AZWINS Began. In 1992 the NMLRA initiated what was then called the Winter National Shoot (WNS). This was at the request of NMLRA members in not only … <\/p>\n
Click on below flier for an Adobe.pdf copy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1992 the NMLRA initiated what was then called the Winter National Shoot (WNS). This was at the request of NMLRA members in not only Arizona, but other western states as well, to have a shooting competition in the west.\u00a0<\/p>\n A dedicated group convinced the NMLRA to hold the event at The Ben Avery Shooting Facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ben Avery is a world class shooting range built in the 1950\u2019s to hold the shooting events for the Olympics. One of the events was the Running Boar, it is one of the ruminants of those games and was popular with WNS competitors. Unfortunately, the Running Boar range has since been condemned and equipment removed.\u00a0<\/p>\n The event name of the event was ultimately changed by the NMLRA to Western National Shoot and retained the acronym WNS.\u00a0<\/p>\n There were a variety of Coordinators in the first 8 years.\u00a0 In 2000, Bill Loughrige was selected to be the Coordinator and has remained so through 2018.<\/p>\n In Spring, 2018 the NMLRA Board of Directors voted to cancel the WNS. This was done without notice to the NMLRA Membership or to the group that had been running the WNS in Arizona.\u00a0<\/p>\n That group led by Bill Loughrige decided immediately to continue the event as an independent event. Several months of discussions about whether or not the NMLRA was really abandoning the WNS event culminated in September 2018 when the NMLRA Board of Directors confirmed their abandonment of the event.<\/p>\n The Arizona group chose the name for the event as Arizona Western Independent National Shoot or (AZWINS).<\/p>\n We were initially sponsored by the Arizona Muzzle Loading Association for insurances purposes. We have incorporated as AZWINS, an Arizona Not for Profit Corporation<\/p>\n No membership in any organization will be required to compete.<\/p>\n We have offered to score NMLRA targets for those NMLRA members who want their scores recorded with the NMLRA. As of yet, we have not heard back from the NMLRA about that possibility.<\/p>\n This is not an NMLRA effort. It is an effort to maintain a fun Muzzle Loading Competition presence in the West. Once lost it is almost impossible to restart it.\u00a0<\/p>\n We will offer all the events the WNS once offered, they just will not be sanctioned by the NMLRA.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to the original AZWINS program, Long Range Matches will be offered including partnerships with other organizations to create a one-of-a-kind experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n Updated 07-05-2025 The 2026 AZWINS Short Range Event Has Now Been Booked! January 25th through February 1st 2026. Click on below flier for an Adobe.pdf copy. How the AZWINS Began. In 1992 the NMLRA initiated what was then called the Winter National Shoot (WNS). This was at the request of NMLRA members in not only … <\/p>\n<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow the AZWINS Began.<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n
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\n\n\n\nYes, the AZWINS is always looking for new shooting sponsors to help further active participation in the muzzle loading shooting sport. Please contact Bill Loughridge at (480) 223-8034 or azwinsemail@gmail.com<\/a> <\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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