Hello and welcome to the February/March edition of Muzzle Blasts Online. I hope everyone is keeping warm. We had 9 hearty souls show up in frigid temperatures for the NMLRA Blanket Shoot back in January. All reports indicate that everyone had a great (although chilly) time.

On our cover this month are brothers Matt Cleland and Chad Cleland who hold national championship titles in archery and muzzleloading respectively. Short Starts has a recap of their accomplishments. Chad you will remember, won the first NMLRA Manufacturers' Match in September, 1998. Also this month: John Woolfolk will share Thoughts on the Hunting Rifle with readers; Charlie Maggard gives insight on Flints, Frizzens and Touch Hole Liners; and Parson James Burow suggests ways to make your primitive shelter more fire resistant. We hope you enjoy this issue.

Take care--Terri