acwsa.org

Guns’n’Grub Recruiting Event

Connor Ahrens — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 02:39:46 +0000

The Guns’n’Grub event on August 21st was a great start and an encouraging success for American Civil War Shooting Association recruitment. Seven members representing three different units attended and helped promote the ACWSA, N-SSA, and the general sport of skirmishing throughout the day at Range 10. Attendance was strong, with approximately 200 people coming through the event (apparently more than last year) and they had a steady flow of visitors from late morning until around 5:00 PM. Approximately 10 individuals expressed interest in learning more about future events, with several showing particularly strong interest. Overall, the event provided a valuable opportunity to introduce people to our sport and make connections with potential future participants. We will continue looking into other events where we can promote the ACWSA and skirmishing, but the success of these efforts will depend on participation and support from all ACWSA members and teams. The goal is bigger than any one organization though, as we want to promote the overall sport of American Civil War skirmishing and help ensure that it continues to grow well into the future for both the ACWSA and N-SSA.

2026 Beloit Friendship Skirmish – Hosted by 1st USSS & 56th VA

Connor Ahrens — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 02:17:24 +0000

The hot temperatures didn’t keep many from enjoying the weekend’s skirmish in Beloit. Competitors enjoyed plenty of food, including Ron’s excellent pulled pork sandwiches. As tradition continued, two additional awards were given out for the most authentic Federal and Rebel uniforms. Results for the team shooting were as follows:

Smoothbore

1st Place: 2nd WI with 326.4

2nd Place: 29th WI with 453.5

3rd Place: 114th IL with 645.4

Breechloader

1st Place: 29th WI with 250.6

2nd Place: 46th IL with 325.9

Carbine

1st Place: 46th IL with 529.2

2nd Place: 29th WI with 601.5

3rd Place: 2nd WI with 620.2

Musket

1st Place: 15th WI with 647.6

2nd Place: 46th IL with 687

3rd Place: 29th WI with 775.4

2026 Streator Skirmish – Hosted by Battery H

Connor Ahrens — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 01:50:39 +0000

A great turn of events this year for the Frank Matuszek Memorial Skirmish was that for nearly all of the shooting the weather was excellent. The rain held off and the muggy weather wasn’t unbearable until Sunday afternoon. A spaghetti dinner was provided along with a pancake breakfast, no one was left hungry. Results for the team shooting was as follows:

Smoothbore

1st Place: 114th IL with 545

2nd Place: 66th NC with 644

3rd Place: 56th VA with 713.2

4th Place: 2nd WI with 823.8

5th Place: 1st USSS with 871.4

Breechloader

1st Place: 66th NC with 228.6

2nd Place: 46th with 371

3rd Place: 2nd WI with 631.1

4th Place: 66th NC (B team) with 661.3

Carbine

1st Place: 46th IL with 609.5

2nd Place: 66th NC with 766.4

3rd Place: 114th with 861

4th Place: 1st USSS with 1156.5

5th Place: 2nd WI with 1239.1

6th Place: 56th VA with 1962

Musket

1st Place: 46th IL with 819.3

2nd Place: 66th NC with 1087.9

3rd Place: 114th with 1543.7

4th Place: 1st USSS with 1770.9

5th Place: 56th VA with 1856.8

6th Place: 2nd WI with 1933

2026 Appleton Skirmish – Hosted by 66th NC

Connor Ahrens — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 12:37:32 +0000

The Appleton skirmish once again had some interesting weather, but only on Friday evening with intense wind and thunder/lightning. Once the storm passed Friday, both Saturday and Sunday were perfect summer days for shooting. The skirmish saw two new shooters competing alongside veterans who were more than willing to help maintain skirmish safety and educate. The skirmish was ran smoothly and it was great to see everyone enjoying one of the northern most skirmishes. Results for the team shooting was as follows:

Smoothbore

1st Place: 8th WI with 518

2nd Place: 15th WI with 550

3rd Place: 1st USSS with 651

4th Place: 2nd WI with 740

5th Place: 56th VA with 750

Breechloader

1st Place: 56th VA with 314

2nd Place: 2nd WI with 697

Carbine

1st Place: 2nd WI with 852

2nd Place: 15th WI with 907

3rd Place: 1st USSS WI with 1251

4th Place: 56th VA with 1278

Musket

1st Place: 15th WI with 797

2nd Place: 56th VA with 1109

3rd Place: 2nd WI with 1447

4th Place: 1st USSS with 1609

8th WI attends DC Everest’s Annual Civil War Day

Connor Ahrens — Fri, 05 Jun 2026 01:46:11 +0000

The 8th Wisconsin attended the DC Everest’s Annual Civil War Days event by hosting a hands on learning experience with American Civil War artillery. Demonstrating Union loading and firing procedures for 8th grade students.

2026 40 Rounds Skirmish – Hosted by 114th IL & 2nd WI

Connor Ahrens — Sun, 10 May 2026 02:18:37 +0000

The first ACWSA skirmish of the new year was hosted at Lefthanders Gun Club. Mild spring conditions yielded ideal shooting and camping conditions. Results for the team shooting was as follows:

Breechloader

1st – 46th Illinois

2nd – 29th Wisconsin

3rd – Sharpshooters

Carbine

1st – 46th Illinois

2nd – Sharpshooters

3rd – 29th Wisconsin

Smoothbore

1st – Sharpshooters

2nd – Battery H

3rd – 29th Wisconsin

Musket

1st – 46th Illinois

2nd – 29th Wisconsin

3rd – Sharpshooters

2025 Bristol Skirmish – Hosted by 15th WI & 29th WI

Connor Ahrens — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 12:05:35 +0000

The weather worked out beautifully for the final ACWSA skirmish of the year. With seven skirmishing units there was plenty of black powder in the air and smiles all around. The only remaining skirmish of the year are for dual ACWSA and N-SSA (North South Skirmish Association) members coming up October 1st through the 5th is the N-SSA Nationals held in historic Virginia. Results for the team shooting at Bristol were as follows:

Breechloader:

1st Place: 66th NC 253.7

2nd Place: 46th IL 415.0

3rd Place: 2nd WI 512.8

Smoothbore:

1st Place: 1stUSSS 512.4

2nd Place: 2nd WI 551.9

3rd Place: 66th NC 556.8

4th Place: 56thVA 664.0

Carbine:

1st Place: 46th IL 422.7

2nd Place: 1stUSSS 592.9

3rd Place: 114th 991.5

4th Place: 56th VA 1283.3

Musket:

1st Place: 46th IL 727.1

2nd Place: 66th NC 897.6

3rd Place: 1stUSSS 978.7

4th Place: Batt H 1063.7

5th Place: 56th VA 1304.9

6th Place: 114th 1386.5

2025 Vacant Chair Memorial Skirmish – Hosted by 8th WI & 2nd WI

Connor Ahrens — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 03:44:24 +0000

The Labor Day weekend once again played host to the Rhinelander Vacant Chair Memorial Skirmish over the cool, yet sunny weekend. Four units attended, resulting in a small but fun and unique shooting atmosphere. Many individual shooters competed along with mini mortar golf to compliment the traditional team shooting events. Skirmishers enjoyed a variety of bottle targeting combined with different arrangements of clay pigeons. Shooting was followed up with a complimentary chicken dinner with potluck side dishes and plenty of campfire discussions until “o dark thirty”. Results for the team shooting was as follows:

Smoothbore

1st Place: 66th NC with 378.8

2nd Place: 15th WI with 412

3rd Place: 2nd WI with 576.4

Breechloader

1st Place: 66th NC with 242

2nd Place: 2nd WI with 403

Carbine

1st Place: 15th WI with 544

2nd Place: 66th NC with 719.7

3rd Place: 8th WI with 983.5

4th Place: 2nd WI with 1214.6

Musket

1st Place: 15th WI with 634.1

2nd Place: 66th NIC with 1005.5

3rd Place: 2nd WI with 1356.2

4th Place: 8th WI with 1441.8

2025 Phil Thouvenin Memorial Skirmish – Hosted by 46th IL & 66th NC

Connor Ahrens — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 03:26:00 +0000

Pleasant weather and the familiar Beloit Rifle Club provided a good skirmish on August 23rd to the 24th. The skirmish was highly attended with lots of individual competition shooting before the team events. Many also enjoyed the complimentary supper that was given at the clubhouse. Results for the team shooting were as follows:

Smoothbore

1st Place: 66th NC

2nd Place: Battery H

3rd Place: 114th IL

Breechloader

1st Place: 66th NC

2nd Place: 114th IL

Carbine

1st Place: 66th NC

2nd Place: 114th IL

3rd Place: 56th VA

Musket

1st Place: 1st USSS

2nd Place: 66th NC

3rd Place: 114th IL

2025 Beloit Friendship Skirmish – Hosted by 1st USSS & 56th VA

Connor Ahrens — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:32:52 +0000

The late July skirmish ran through some light rain and muggy, hot temperatures. The hosting units did a great job managing these conditions and hosted a great summer skirmish. Lots of free food and drink was available allowing shooters to easily tolerate the weather conditions. There were seven units (1st USSS, 56th VA, 46th IL, 66th NC, 15th WI, 8th WI, 2nd WI, and Battery H) competing in the skirmish, which made for two great relays of shooting for most events. Results for the team shooting were as follows:

Smoothbore

1st Place: 66th NC “A Team” with 177

2nd Place: 1st USSS with 295.4

3rd Place: 66th NC “B Team” with 334.5

4th Place: Battery H with 432.2

5th Place: 2nd WI with 647.3

6th Place: Provo Team “WI Militia” with 782.4

7th Place: 15th WI with 845

Breechloader

1st Place: 66th NC with 343.3

2nd Place: 46th IL with 386.8

3rd Place: 2nd WI with 559

Carbine

1st Place: 1st USSS with 541.8

2nd Place: 15th WI with 633.6

3rd Place: 46th IL with 653

4th Place: 66th NC with 688.7

5th Place: 2nd WI with 1165.2

6th Place: Battery H with 1182.8

7th Place: 8th WI with 1241.5

Musket

1st Place: 66th NC with 599.8

2nd Place: 46th IL with 622.4

3rd Place: 15th WI with 857.1

4th Place: 8th WI with 1180.5

5th Place: 2nd WI with 1188

6th Place: 1st USSS with 1198.4

7th Place: Battery H with 1210.8

Pictured below is the 66th North Carolina‘s 50 yard pigeon board from the rifled muskets event on Sunday. Only ONE MISS and they finished the event in 93 seconds! IMPRESSIVE!!!

One miss