Monday, December 3, 2012

Out of Town Match - Dec 3, 2012

Arizona Palma Championships  -- Nov 31-Dec 2, 2012

From: Rick Curtis and the Desert Sharpshooters  

Day One:
LOCKWOOD ELECTRIFIES IN F-TR! SHAW BLOODIED IN F-OPEN! TOMPKINS FAULTLESS IN SLING!
  
Another stellar day greeted the competitors who arrived at one of the nations finest shooting complexes, the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in north Phoenix Arizona. From as far away as Minnesota, Kentucky and even Canada they came to test their skills against some of long range shootings legendary greats. No less than forty-one High Masters took the line today to see who, in a battle of skills and wills, would walk off with the day 1 victory. With out any further delay or convivial utterance lets get to the stories of the day!
 
Starting with F-TR, dedicated family man and small business owner Steve Lockwood took his newly re-barreled Barnard across the Palma course in fine form today. Opting to run the sweet Berger 185's through his new 12 twist Krieger, Lockwood let his presence be known at 800 by firing one of only three cleans put up by the bi pod bunch. Californian Lane Buxton and recently retired Border Patrol agent Jeffry Calhoon accounted for the other two. At 900, Steve's 148-5X fell short by only one point to Raton regular Lige Harris' brilliant stage winning 149-7X. Calhoon kept pace by also posting a 148 and by a mere two X's over, led the daily aggregate with only the 1000 yard line to go. Buxton suffered a setback at 900 with a less than sterling 143-1X locking him into a tie for third with top level F-TR shooter Michael Smith. In Palma shooting, both the sling and the mechanically supported shooters alike know that the match is usually won or lost at 1000 yards. The long line can be especially cruel to those who fall out of step with the vagaries of the wind as Calhoon clearly had. His anemic 128-2X dashed his hopes for the daily win. Buxton regained his National Team form by posting a stage high 147-7X's, grabbing the clubhouse lead. As Lockwood took the line, down just two, it was his to win or lose. Buxton was down ten for the agg, Smith and Harris eleven and Calhoon was flopping around in the parking lot on the sword he had fallen on at 1000. So with the same workman like manner he had displayed all day, Steve Lockwood pounded out a solid 146-6X's, carding a 444-15X's and winning the first of the three daily aggregates. Good Job Steve!
 
Steven Blair and Steven Shaw are now clearly down the road to a historical rivalry in F-Open. With Shaw's win two weeks ago at our State Long Range Championships, the stage was clearly set for a nail biting rematch between the two in the Palma Championship. At the 800 Shaw appeared to be clearly in command as he and his mighty 300 WSM, spitting 215 grain pills at well over 3000 fps, posted an unbelievable
150-14X's! It was clear though that despite Shaws accomplishment his fellow F'ers were not about to lie down. Dennis Welker made his presence known with a great 150-10X's, Blair was right their with a 9X 150 and Colorado Springs resident Charles Clark also posted a 150 with 7X's to be exact. Moving back to the 900 yard line Blair and Shaw continued their mistake free performance by posting identicle 150-10X's. Welker and Clark fell off the torrid pace with scores of 148 and 146 respectively. So again, the 1000 yard line was to be the scene for a spectacular finish. Clark and Welker limped across the day one finish line with lackluster scores at the long line to finish up with duplicate 439's on the day. Blair and Shaw, laying side by side, began their assault on the 10 and X rings and when the dust had settled on the pivotal 1000 yard line Blair had carded a gutsy 147-6 besting Shaw's effort of 144-5 giving him a slim three point lead going into day two. Great shooting by both men and I'm sure we will see more tomorrow.
 
Last, but certainly not least, the 56 competitors in the sling division compiled a number of stories of success themselves today. Ratons own Trudie Fay, one of seven National Team members to top the days aggregate, shown brightly at 800 as both her and Peter Church posted 14X cleans to start the day. Fellow National Team member and your intrepid reporter, Rick Curtis, found an acorn at 900 with a nice 11X clean. At the 1000 yard line another National Team member and perennial Palma Team shooter Bob Gustin cranked out a very good 13X clean to end the day on a nice note. All these great performances would, in the end, become but a footnote to the days crowning achievement. Nancy Tompkins, numerous time National Champion, Palma Team shooter and a young woman I am proud to call my friend put together a doozy of a score today. In her shooting career, Nancy has amassed well over thirty perfect scores over the palma course and today she added one more as her cleans at 8, 9, and 1000 yards resulted in a day one 450-27X which just edged out runner up Trudie Fay's 449-29X. Kentuckian Mark Del Cotto sits solidly in third with his 448-26X. Gustin, Curtis, Church and Phil Hayes rounded out the top seven finishers today.  
 
Day Two
BLAIR BLINKS, SHAW PREVAILS, STILL TRAILS BY TWO!  SMITH AND HARRIS DEFUSE LOCKWOOD!   GUSTIN LEADS A TRIO OF CLEANS, TOMPKINS STUMBLES!
 
A chilly 6-8 mph breeze from the north greeted the shooters  in Day 2 of the Arizona State Palma Championships today. It would not however be a deterrent to those who were determined to succeed as no less than twenty-five possibles were fired at 800 yards. One competitor rose above all others as Californian Bob Gustin produced a brilliant 15X clean at the first distance of the day! The best however was yet to come, with each passing minute the flags drooped more and more until every flag in the facility lay glued to their poles. Such tame conditions are a recipe for monster scores and many ate with gusto and enthusiasm!
 
In F-Open Steven Blair set the pace early on with an outstanding Stage 1 score of 150-12X's. Steve Shaw took his mighty .30 cal to the line and reeled of a noteworthy 10X clean in the first and set the stage for yet another Blair, Shaw battle. Taking the line at 900, Shaw continued to avoid the nine ring as his sterling 150-9X kept the door open for a run at the National Record, currently a 450-24X's. Blair on the other hand balked at the courses middle distance as his 149-7x not only put him down one to Shaw for the day but also dropped his lead in the overall to just two points. As the two men mounted the 1000 yard line for the last string of the day anticipation ran high among the small group of onlookers eager to see history in the making. Lets face it, with Shaw's talent and a rifle that spits 215 grain pills at almost Mach III, a record for the ages was a real possibility. Shaw began his assault, as he had at the previous yard line, by layer those Bergers into the ten and X rings. Suddenly, in a mid string flurry of X's a nine came up, dashing his record run hopes! To the big mans credit he kept his cool and finished as he had started, in the middle and carded an 8X 149 to finish the day with a stellar 449-27X. Blair too felt the sting of an errant shot at the long line, leaving him with a two down 448-24X's for the day, maintaining that slim two point lead, going into the final day. Stay tuned as it looks like these two will battle down to a photo finish in the final!
 
Lige Harris, in the F-TR division, got his mojo going early by firing the only clean at 800. Steve Lockwood answered with a competent 148 but saw his five point lead in the overall drop to only three. The 800 yard line also saw Michael Smith surge to the fore with a powerful 147-10X to take his place at the table with the leaders down a scant six points to Lockwood. The action at 900 saw Harris and Lockwood battle to a draw as each man posted a 145 but Smith, uncorked another three down score to move within four points of Lockwood and trailed Harris by only one. The 1000 yard line turned out to be a carbon copy of the 900. Lockwood and Harris again battled to a stalemate by posting a pair of 146's and "steady eddie" Smith whipped out yet another 147. It's interesting to note that Harris and Smith had battled to numerical ties on both day one and two only to see Smith get the nod on both occasions by "Creedmooring" Harris. A quick peek at the scorecards shows Lockwood finishing in third trailing Smith and Harris for the day but still maintaining a narrow three point lead for the overall victory. Once again we have areal nail biter tomorrow as all eyes will be watching the drama unfold. 
 
In the sling division it was a "California Dreaming" day as not one but three left coasters grabbed the brass ring and nailed down perfect 450 scores! I've lost track of how many 450's Bob Gustin has fired in his storied shooting career, though I'm sure it never feel like "old hat". Being only two targets away I was able to watch the day unfold and Bob's holding ability was simply outstanding at every yard line. Starting off the day with that incredible 15X run at 800 was truly amazing and was underscored by the fact that 12 of those X's fit neatly beneath a dollar bill! Complimenting the effort at 800 were brilliant strings at 900 and 1000 netting him a dominating 450-33X agg for the day and giving him a twelve X lead over Tompkins in the overall. Bob Gill and Allan Thomas were the other two "clean" shooters today and I would be remiss in not saying that this was both men's first clean palma course score ever! Congratulations guys that is one heck of a club to be a member of indeed.
 
My friends, with close battles in every division raging tomorrow I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday. So grab a spotting scope or a pair of binoculars and come on out to watch one of America's oldest sporting professions play out and give us our newest Champions!  

Day Three  
 SMITH, TOMPKINS, SHAW - TAKE STATE TITLES BY ONE!
 
The 2012 Arizona State Palma Championships are now part of the rich historical record here in our desert arena, the Ben Avery Shooting Facility. Mother Nature provided us with three of her very best days with light winds and morning temperatures in the 60's, rising to 80 degrees by the time the last relays mounted the 1000 yard line. The competition was very close this year and the scores, thanks to the great weather and the awe inspiring talent assembled, were very high across the board. All in all I'm certain that a good time was had by everyone who attended. 
 
In F-TR Michael Smith was not going to be denied in his quest for the State title. His final day 441-18X effort was a full thee points better than third overall finisher Lige Harris and four points better than second overall Steve Lockwood. Lockwood seemed to have lost his mojo after posting what turned out to be the highest daily aggregate score of this years championship on day one. Regardless, the overall victory earned by Smith was certainly no fluke. His steady, consistant shooting throughout this years championship rightfully earned him the top spot. Congratulations to our 2012 State F-TR Palma Champion Michael Smith!
 
When Steven Shaw informed me of his intention to shoot in this contest early last week, I had a feeling that we would see another great match in F-Open between him and Steven Blair. Turns out that I was not disappointed as the two friends really went at it all weekend. Immediately following the awards ceremony I got a chance to chat with Mr. Blair and what he told me is worth noting here. Blair calls sunny San Diego California home, so when Shaw offered him a place to stay at his east valley house, he gladly accepted. Each evening after a five star meal, courtesy of Mrs. Shaw, the two friends would retire to the gun room, snifter of brandy in hand, to discuss the days events. Turns out that Shaw's big .30 caliber beast, spitting those potent Berger 215 grain Hybrids at 3050fps, was shooting a full ring or more inside of Blairs 7mm in the wind! Makes one wonder just how long the 7mm variants will remain the flavor of the week. The end result of this was a 1 point 15X difference with Shaw prevailing over Blair to win the 2012 Arizona State F-Open Palma Championship. Congratulations to both men for a brilliant battle all weekend.
 
The Sling Championship was tight all day Sunday as Bob Gustin and Nancy Tompkins, both down only three points for the championship, cleaned both the 800 and 900 yard lines. With Gustin ahead on X's the two took there places, shoulder to shoulder, on the 1000 yard line. To make things interesting the wind, finally awakening from it's slumber, began to stir. As the string began the pair traded X's and 10's for awhile and then suddenly Gustin missed a change. His target came up to reveal, after nearly three full days of competition, his fourth nine for the championship! Tompkins stayed the course and came away with yet another clean at the long line to wrest the championship from Gustins grasp, with what I think may be a State Record score of 1247-83X, Nancy Tompkins is our 2012 Arizona State Palma Champion! Congratulations Nancy on not only your stunning victory, but your 40th perfect 450 score over the Palma course.
 
The team match was won by US National Team Hayes with a score of 1789-73X's, firing  members were Rick Curtis, Peter Church, Justin Skaret and Trudie Fay. Second overall team was won by Coalinga Rifle Team O'Connell members were Jim O'Connell, Jared Perry, Tony Miller and Bob Gill.  Third went the US Veterans Team of Bud Solis, Bob Gustin, Bill Otten and Mick Dunia.
 
In closing I want to recognize some of the notable scores from the three day match. I know that a number of personal best's were fired over the course of this tournament and please forgive me if I miss any. Going down the grand agg results I see that Mike Toliver, current High Power Director at the Rio Salado Sportsmans Club, shot a very capable and steady match that yielded a fine 1330-73X finish. Capped I might add with a very good personal best on day two of 445-26X. Good job Mike! Mike also reminded me that the next ASRPA event will be the CMP State Championships at his range Dec 9th. This is a 50 shot NMC match for both Vintage and modern service rifles. There is still room but if you are going to attend, get your entries in ASAP. Click HERE for the match program. Next on the list are Texans Tom Titcomb and Tony Miller. Tom's 445-16X effort on day two is pretty good for the seasoned veteran shooter/ gunsmith firing a 95 year old US P-17 Enfield! Tony's brilliant 447-25X, also on day two, and his great effort in the team match were I'm sure memorable moments for the Lone Star state resident. In the Master Class, Adrian Harris from the Rocky Mountain High State, executed a steady scoring performance over the three days to grab the class win with a 1315-54X total. Also in the Master Class, Michael Walker posted a very nice personal best score on day two of 444-19X's. Good job guys!
 
Thanks to everyone for coming out to the match. It was great to see all of you and to catch up with so many of my shooting friends. The next big long range match here at Ben Avery is the Berger Southwest Long Range Nationals February 5-10 2013. Last year we had 205 competitors for this outstanding match so click HERE for the program and get your entries in! Please click HERE for the sling results and for the F Class final scores click HERE
Be well and see you on the line,  

 Rick Curtis   highpower@asrpa.com,  
Thanks, Rick for writing this great article about these Great matches

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Small bore March Madness

Smallbore Outdoor Prone
Now is the time for all you prone shooters to start planing to visit Phoenix next March and participate in all or part of the fantastic "March Madness" small bore shooting competition that leads up to the best Smallbore matches of the year---The Western WildCat Matches
It doesn't get any better than this!  There are 16  1600 matches in 5 weeks !!!!!!!!

From: Mick Walker 
This is a Preliminary SMALLBORE 2013, March Madness Schedule.
       I will update this as needed.--

Sat – 2/16 SB 1600 Irons      Black Widow 3200 @ PRGC                               
New Smaller  PRGC LogoSun – 2/17 SB 1600 Any’s        Metric/Prone                          

Sat – 2/23 SB 1600 Irons      Road Runner 3200 @ PRGC
Sun – 2/24 SB 1600 Any’s        Conv./Prone

Sat – 3/02  SB 1600 Irons      Junior/Mentor  3200 {Bobcat}        After The Match There Will Be a Senior Olympics 1200.
Sun – 3/03 SB 1600 Any’s        Conv./Prone @ PRGC

Sat – 3/09 SB 1600 Irons      @ BEN AVERY
Sun – 3/10 SB 1600 Any’s    DiamondBack 3200 Conv./prone

Western WildCat  6400
Wed – 3/13  SB Teams/ Irons & Any’s.         Western WildCat 6400
Thur. 3/14 SB 1600 Irons                                       Conv./Prone
 Friday 3/15 SB 1600 Any’s                                  @BEN AVERY
 Sat 3/16 SB 1600 Irons
 Sun 3/17 SB 1600 Any’s 

 Sat 3/23 SB Irons 1600      ASRPA State SB   @ PRGC  
 Sun 3/24 SB Any’s 1600    Conv./Prone

      Mick Walker    602-722-7209 Cell               mickeagle7@msn.com
                                            

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Shooters News for the Minn Area -- Nov 15, 2012

From George Minerich 
Hi All:
The Minneapolis Rifle Club Winter High Power League will start Dec. 8, 2013.  We will shoot every other Saturday December through March ( 8 Saturdays).  League fees are $70.00 for the season on the first day or $10.00 each time ($80.00 total).  The schedule is below.  We will shoot on the MRC heated  300 Meter range from noon to about 3 PM (or when finished).  Targets used will be SR, SR-3 MR-63 or 300 meter International  on the electronic targets.   If there is interest this year, we will again have a "pot luck" lunch at the range.Please contact me if you need more information -- George Minerich: george.minerich@q.co 

December 8, 2012
December 22, 2012
January 5, 2013
January 19, 2013
February 2, 2013
February 16, 2013
March 2, 2013
March 16, 2013

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Shooters News for the Minn Area -- Nov 7, 2012

Yes, the 2012 Highpoower Season is over here in Minn, but that just means it's time to start reloading for next year.   The 2013 Minn Highpower match schedule is published and it looks like there are plenty of great matches to participate in.  Click Here for 2013 Minn Highpower schedule.












Late season matches -- upcoming
300 meter international at Mpls Rifle Club -- Nov 11, 2012
300 meter international at Mpls Rifle Club -- Dec 9, 2012

From: Brian Shiffman
Registration for next Sunday’s MRC 300 meter match is open.  There will be two relays, the first one starts at 10AM and the second will start at noon.  Reply to this email with your relay preference; relays are filled on a first in basis.   (note--1st relay is full)

Fee is $20 for the 60 shot match.  MRC rules for electronic targets apply.  Only full metal jacket or bullets specifically identified as “Match”; no expanding bullets (e.g. A-Max, or hunting bullets).  Bullets must be supersonic at 300 meters in order for the electronic system to record the shots.  Our target is the standard ISSF 300 meter target.  Single loading only, no multiple rounds in magazines.  No muzzle compensators or brakes; flash hiders are OK.  Shooters will be able to shoot in one the following classes: 3-Position, Offhand, Prone (English), F-Open or F-TR.  Empty chamber flags will be required; bring one.
 See you at the range.
Brian D. Shiffman  shiff004@umn.edu

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Shooters News for the Minn Area -- Oct 9, 2012

Included --  Women in F class - from Cathy Hagen

The Week ahead
After a wind whipped and chilly weekend at Gopher long range rnatches last Sat and Sunday, competitive shooters can fire prone or position competition from the warm comfort of the Mpls. Rifle Club's 300 m shooting house.  Don't like to pull targets with your 300 meter shooting -- no problem here as the computer operated targets down range plot the shot right on the computer screen by your padded firing position.  Now that's nice conditions for  Shooting!
 From Brian Shiffman: 
   "Greetings to all.  
It appears that summer just suddenly ended; bummer.  It may be chilly out but it will be comfortable in the 300 meter shooting house this Sunday, October 14 for the October 300 meter match.  
Pre-registration is now open for First (10AM) and Second (Noon) relays.  Send your request by return email.  I will respond to those requesting a particular relay starting time as I receive them.  
As we head forward, these next few months usually produce the most challenging wind conditions.  
See you at the range."
Brian D. Shiffman  shiff004@umn.edu  

last Weekend   
The Full Bore matches at GRRC last Sat, saw about 20 hardy soles brave the 30 deg morning temps, and the constant breeze with gusts topping 30 mph.  Shooters fired strings of prone slow fire starting from the 300 yd line and moving back through the 600, and 800 yd line before finishing with 20 shots from the 1000 yd line.  
   Up front, it was Brian Mrnak winning the first two matches in the sling class with scores of 149/150. Paul Cross, Erik Rhode and Eric Hazelton were close behind.  F- class shooter Eric Johnson pulled out an early lead by a few pts over John Rykhus, and Scott Brabec
  At the 800 yd line the top three iron sight shooters, Eric, Hazleton, Erik Rhode,and Brian all fired the same 147score. None of them were ready to concede the day yet. Erik Johnson shot the top F class score of the day to win the 800 yd line in that class and pad his overal lead by a few more points.  
  At the 1000 yd line Erik Rhode overcame bad light,  and winds gusting in the 20s, to fire an awesome 145 score and get the match win for that yd line.   Brian Mrnak's 142 in such difficult conditions is equally great shooting, and while only 2nd in this match, Brian's consistant top scores count up to give him the Overall Match Win for the day.  Great shooting Brian.  
    John Rykhous fired an amazing 143/150 on the tough F-class 1000 target only to fall short by one pt to Erik Johnson who added that match win to his column and posted the Highest F-class score for the day of 593-22X.  Erik is the F-class Full Bore match winner.  Great shooting Erik!. 
  Click Here  for Slide show of match --  includes complete results

  

F- Class News
Women in F-class shooting 
From Cathy Hagen  
Okay, so if you have read any of my blogs you may have realized my husband and I are into competitive shooting with both pistol and rifle. This summer I dragged him into a newer shooting sport we had not tried yet. F Class shooting. We are shooting on the F Class league at the gun club we belong to, and will be shooting the State Championship this weekend.

So what is F Class? F Class shooting is high power rifle shooting in a prone position, using either a bipod or a front rest and a rear bag. Basically it is benchrest shooting on your belly. Shooters also use high power scopes (20x to 42x power). The distance we shoot is 600 yards. Yes, that's a long way, think of 6 football fields lined up. And it is FUN!

This is a picture of my F Class rifle. It is a Savage Model 12 and shoots .223 bullets. That is basically a .22 bullet in a larger brass cartridge to give it the oomph to travel 600 yards and hit the target accurately. The rifle is a single shot, which means I load the bullets one at a time and close the bolt on the action. You can see the bolt at the end of the silver rod. I push that forward with the bolt and then lock the bolt with a downward movement once it is in place. I have a 20x power Leupold scope on top of my rifle, and you can see my bipod rest on the front and my back rest in the back under the stock. My score cards were in the plastic bag since it was raining on Monday night when we shot.



Here is my husbands F Class rifle. This was taken on a nice sunny day. He has a wood stock on his. The yellow flag is a safety flag so everyone knows the gun is not loaded when you are not shooting.



Here is how F Class is shot.



See the front rest under the barrel with the guy with the tan shorts? That is a really nice front rest, with super sensitive adjustments. The shooter has the adjustment knob in his left hand and can make minute adjustments for his rifle as he looks in the scope. The rest alone cost is at least around $1000 I believe.

Here is a custom made gun one of the shooters has. With the gun, scope and front rest there is probably well over $6000 sitting there.



Here is a view down the firing line last Monday.



So that is a brief intro to F Class Shooting. I am really having fun shooting at 600 yards this summer, something I just thought would be fun to try. I am averaging around 93% with scores from 185-189 out of 200 possible. We shoot 20 shots for score when we shoot. We have to shoot the 20 shots and our 2 sighters, in 22 minutes. And even better I am out-shooting Jim for a change. emoticon
Hope you enjoyed the mini tutorial and photos on F Class shooting. 

Remember
300 meter match on Sunday, Oct 14th.  Shoot under comfortabe conditions at the Mpls Rifle club near Now Then MN.  

That's all folks
Hawkeye

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Shooters News for the Minn Area - Oct 5, 2012

The Week Ahead

Last Chance!
Ok, Guys and Gals, the Last Rifle match of the season will be held this weekend at Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club.  Just a few miles north of the Twin Cities near Harris, Mn,  Gopher will be hosting a "Full Bore" match on Saturday, Oct 6th. This match will be a prone match, consisting of 15 shots for record with sighters, to be shot from the 300,600, 800, and the 1000 yd line.  Any match or service rifle is allowed, but the caliber used must be .223 or .308.  Note: this caliber rule does not apply to F-Class.  Shooters will fire "Two to a Mound" where the two shooters on the line at each point alternate firing and must get the shot off within 45 seconds after their turn starts.  For those who haven't shot this way, let me tell you it is a fun way to shoot a match.  You must make your wind call before each shot and can't just "chase the spotter" like many of us do all the time.  This is a great way to learn to proficiently read the wind. This match is open to F-class shooters.
 Sunday, Oct 7th, the format changes to a "Long Range course of fire". This is basically an "over the course' with both slow fire stages and Rapid fire stages starting at the 200 yd line and finishes with 20 slow fire shots from the 1000 yd line.
   There will be "Special awards for Sunday’s match; High Service Rifle and High Vintage Military Rifle (Springfield, Mauser, Swedish Mauser etc. NO Optics)"  
Squading for both day's matches starts at 0800hrs and first shots down range at 0900hrs.

   Click Here for match program and entry info

Last Weekend
 Results of last weekends Eau Claire matches not forwarded to me. 

That's all Folks

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Shooters News for the Minn Area - Sept. 25, 2012

Tim Thole and George Cwach win Leg Points at GRRC Leg match! 
Matt Cwach, George Cwach, and Tim Thole
 *Hd Video below

The Week Ahead
Traveling shooters will be heading east to Eau Claire, Wisc. this weekend for the end of the season matches at the Eau Claire Rifle Club.  Saturday, Sept. 29, prone shooters will have the opportunity to shoot a 4x20 Mid-range match. All 4 matches will be fired from the 600 yd line.  On Sunday, Sept 30, the action switches to an 80 shot 'Over the Course' style match, and shooters will fire 4 position matches from 200 to 600 yds.
    Click Here for match program and entry info.

Last Weekend  
300 meter International  at Mpls Rifle Club
From Brian Shiffman:
   Another fine day to shoot.  We have been very fortunate so far this year with good shooting weather.  Although there was only a little wind until about 11AM when it picked up a bit, it was still a day where skill was involved.  
   Chuck Diehl took me up on the statement I made in the email announcing the match and came with his dear gun, a 300 Win Mag!  He did not finish the match but I think he accomplished what he wanted to do.  He has other shoulder fired cannons for larger game.
   Greg Meller shot above his average and took first place in F class with a 595.  SecondPlace was 8 points back with third another point back and 4th place another one point back. 
   The most impressive shooter was Dick Nelson’s grandson, 11 year old Jake Olson who shot Dick’s competition AR15 with a bipod.  In addition to Dick and his wife, Jake’s parents were there, too; Jake handles pressure pretty well. 
    The 300 meter match for October will be on the 14th.  I will send email as the date approaches.
 Brian D. Shiffman  Shiff004@umn.edu 


Service Rifle Leg Match at Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club 
  On Saturday, Sept 22nd, GRRC hosted a Beginners 50 shot service rifle match.  Kurt Borlaug and Tom Toberg introduced a few new shooters to the sport of Highpower shooting, while a number of other folks used this opportunity to get in some needed practice for Sunday's upcoming Leg Match.  Everyone got a lot of practice reading the wind as the  peak gusts were up to 30 mph, and 20 mph gusts were common all day.  Click Here for Mark Havlik's excellent slide show of Sunday's Leg Match (with music!)
  Sunday dawned cold (34deg), but light wind and bright sunny sky's for the all important Leg Match. Since the match started at the 'reasonable' hour of 10:00, I knew that it would warm up to a really nice sunny fall day, and I headed up to GRRC. It would be just a 'fun' match for me as I got all my Leg points some years ago, and now I could just enjoy the day with maybe the hope of a Medal if my shooting went well.  I do like Leg matches, as it's a chance to shoot the service rifle (my favorite) and it's only 50 shots, so us old guys don't get too tired, and we only have to shoot 10 shots standing.  I was squaded with Britanny O. and David Ronning, and since they were really going for Leg points, I said I would take 3rd Relay and go to the pits first to pull targets while they shot in the calm conditions. Standing Match -- Nine shooters fired in the 90s for off hand scores with Carl Haagenson taking the match win with a 95-0x. No Xs?  No problem-- 95 still won the match. Kurt Borlaug was 2nd with a 94-3. As a matter of fact there were only 15 Xs total fired by the whole group.  I got a 91-2x, which was much better than I expected having not shot standing all summer and I started the Sitting Rapid Fire match still thinking I would be competitive for the day.  Well, that didn't last too long as I shot all over the target and got only a 94-4x.  Mark Havlik dominated the match with a 99-2x and took over the lead for the day with George Cwach just behind.  The 300 yd Prone Rapid Fire match put me out of contention, but Larry Weidell got to do the 'happy dance' after firing a clean target with 5 Xs and 5 tens to win that match. SSgt. Al Schneider was 2nd with 99-2x. 
   Moving back to the 600 yd line for the Prone Slow Fire match, It was George Cwach in the lead, down just 13 pts for theday, with Larry Weidell and Tim Thole just a couple pts back.  
      
Complete Results
   Now the pressure was on. An 8pt, and a 6 pt leg were on the table.  The scores were close, and the wind was gusting to 19 mph.  When it was my turn, I put on 6 clicks of  left windage and fired the first shot into the 10 ring. Yes!  With no sighters in a leg match, its important to get that first shot in the middle or you could be out of it right away.  I took a little time watching the wind to get the next shot off.   It looked good through the sights, but came up a 7, straight out the left on the water line.  The wind had dropped while I was on the gun.  As I looked in the scope, I could see that all the shot spotters on the other targets were either up-wind or down-wind.  The wind gusts were making us all humble.  All of us except Tim Thole. Tim played the wind gusts like a fine violin and put every shot in the 10s and Xs except for 4 nines.  His 196-5x was 8 pts higher than the best that Matt Cwach could do for 2nd in the match, or Ross Opsahl's 186 for 3rd.
    Click Here for 1080 HD Video of this Match. Select HD, full screen, and turn up the volume!  
                  
    When the scores were added up, It was Tim Thole who would be the Match Winner, with a great score of 480-8x. No cheap Leg Points here!  Tim wins the 8pt Leg and that brings him up to (I think) 20 pts total.  George Cwach (471-9x) won the 6 pt leg and is now up to 22 pts, on his way to a Distinguished Rifleman's badge with Tim T.   First Leather goes to Matt Cwach -465-10x.
   Congratulations to Tim T. and George C. --- Great Shooting!  

Small Bore 
Last week we shot a prone 1600 at the little used, but very nice  Elk River Sportsman's Club Sm Bore Range.  Unfortunately, I didn't notice the range sign and get a picture of it. this range is named after club member and long time shooter Ed Hassig. 
From Leo Huhta:
Lest We Forget---

ED Hassig - 3rd from Rt
Ed Hassig was Born Oct 10, 1910  In Devils Lake No Dakota
    He entered the Marines in 1929 and retired 27 1/2 years later as a Warrant Officer
Prior to WW2 Ed shot rifle competition in the Philippines
He was stationed for a number of years at Wake Island and was part of the troops
establishing defenses on Wilkes Island one of three islets forming Wake Island.
2 days after Pearl Harbor was attacked Wake Island was also attacked.  After 13 days of attacks by the Japanese, Major James Devereux Commanding officer of the Wake Island detachment of the Wake Island troops was forced to surrender on Dec 22 1941.
    Ed spent the remaining 4 years of WW2 at a POW camp in China called Woo Sung Forest south of Shanghi close to Manchuria
Ed’s brother was also killed in Europe during these 4 years.
While in the POW camp our troops learned of the end of the war by listening to a contraband radio.  Ed mentioned that the Formosan troops guarding the POW camp were good people and that our men were not treated badly.
    After the war Ed stayed in the Marines and was stationed in the Hawaiian Islands for 8 years and continued to shoot both Rifle and pistol competitively. Earning Distinguished badges in the 50’s in both events. His rifle shooting was with a 03 Springfield NRA Match Rifle and said that the Garand wasn’t as good as the Springfield at longer distances.
Ed started shooting NRA registered matches in 1956 and began attending 2 or 3 per year.
While still in the service Ed meet his wife in San Diego and they married in 1950. After 53 years of marriage, his wife passed away in 2003.
    After retiring from the Marines in 1957 Ed and his wife moved to Minneapolis where they joined family members.
Ed joined the NorthStar rifle range, which was later
closed and merged with the St Louis Park sportsman’s club, now the Elk River Sportsman’s club.
    At that time the Elk River sportsman’s club property was a bit bare, however with the help of the Minnesota National guard who also needed a range to shoot.  Equipment was brought in and helped our members prepare most of the ranges on the club property helping to build berms and the individual ranges.
     Ed was responsible for hauling dirt, and grass along the small bore firing line, setting the firing lines, and continued to haul water and maintain the range to it current shape with the threes being planted in approx 1990. After getting the current range up and running many regional and sectional matches were held here at the Elk River club. In later years, with the help of John Erickson who also took care of the range but did a lot with a major junior shooting program.
   Ed continued to shoot rifle matches in the area, especially at the University of Minnesota, various matches in Wisconsin and also at the Nationals in Camp Perry.
He also held many regional and sectional matches here at the Elk River Sportsman’s club.
He continuing to be involved in both Hi power and smallbore matches helping out in the running of both for a number of years.
   By listening to Ed and seeing the trophies dating back to the 50’s in his living room
There is proof he has attended more than a few matches in his days.
Ed said that a Springfield or a Mod70 Win is his preferred Hi Power rifle and he shoots an Anschutz for a small bore rifle.
When I asked him about air rifle shooting he commented it’s not the same as shooting good ammunition because an air rifle is like eating chocolate cake without frosting on it.
    Ed’s other hobbies have been building beautiful tables from wood he shipped over from Hawaii. Ed has created checkerboards from veneer woods and many other wood working projects  All finished to look like fine rifle stocks.
    Since the death of his wife in 2003 he now has a 10-mile driving restriction, so it’s difficult for him to get to the range. Any volunteers available to get Ed to the range from Crystal might be very welcome in the future.

    Semper Fi, Ed.  It was men like you who drove me to become a Marine. You guys were my hero's!  -- and still are today.    

Notes:
When the shooting season is over and you have too much time on your hands, you can build this Lego sniper rifle-- Click here    

 Two Weeks Out
Oct 6,7  Full Bore and Long Range at GRRC - Click Here for Match bulletin

That's All Folks
Hawkeye

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Shooters News for the Minn Area - Sept 18, 2012

The Week Ahead
Dig out that Service Rifle and at least 50 rds of ammo. The end of season service rifle Leg Match weekend is being held at Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club this Saturday (9/22), and Sunday (9/23).
  The weekend starts out Saturday  with a beginner match.
  From Kurt Borlaug:
"Purpose of this match is to familiarize new Highpower shooters to the sport in a low-impact environment. Coaching will be available for new shooters. This will include the all important phase of pulling targets in the pits. Please contact Kurt if you need gear. There will be rifles available (AR15 type) and suitable ammo on a limited basis at .50 cents per round."     Click here for Match bulletin and entry info

Experienced shooters and leg point seekers alike can use Saturday's match as a 'full course' tune up for Sundays Leg Match.

The Sunday forecast is for 66 deg, wind 5-10 WSW, and Sunshine. What more can you ask for?
  Whether you are a beginning shooter, a leg point zealot, or an old hand that hasn't had the Service Rifle out in a while, this is a good match for you.  It's a 50 shot match, so you only have to shoot 10 shots standing (I like that), but you still get the fun of Sitting and Prone rapid fire, and a full string 20 shots prone slow fire.  You can even sleep in an extra hour, as this match starts at the leisurely hr. of 10 am. There are leg points and medals on the table for prizes. We encourage all 'non distinguished' service rifle shooters to shoot this match and support the Civilian Marksmanship Program.  See you there?
                Click here for match bulletin and entry info

Last Weekend  
 Mpls. Rifle Club OTC matches -- Results not available. I do know that our MRRA Pres., George Minerich shot a new personal record score.  Good shooting George!

Small Bore Prone 1600 at Elk River Sportsmen's Club
Ed Hassig Sm Bore Range at ERSC
  This last SB prone match of the season was shot under just about the best conditions of any match this summer. It was 65 deg, Sunshine, and very little wind to worry about all day.  More than a doz. competitors took advantage of the mild conditions to shoot under the shade of the old Maple trees behind the line at ERSC Sm Bore range.  The Juniors outnumbered the adults 3 to 1, and also shot most of the highest scores.  Gabe Staufer from Iowa came up to join us for the day in only his 2nd prone SB match.  We hope to see Gabe back again next year.    
   The 50 yd match was the first competition of the day, and intermediate junior Carmen F. fired the top score of 399-22x. Jim Biles was taking advantage of the Senior Scope class, and also had a 399 but was 1 X short of the win.  Jim also fired a 399 in the Dewar match where shooters shoot one target at 50 yds and one at 100yds.  Just one point behind in that match, and using Iron sights, and were Juniors Nick Learn, and Eric Hazelton.   In the 100 yd match, it was Erick H, who again fired a 199 score on each target to win with 398-19x.   Going into the last match of the day, Erick H. was leading all the Iron sight shooters, but just a few pts ahead of Carmen F., and Nick Learn.  The 50 m match, or the "meter" match as it is known, is the hardest target.  There is just no room for error on that tiny 10- ring.  If the shot isn't perfect, it isn't a 10.  Junior, Nick Learn made the fewest mistakes and scored a solid 396 to lead the Iron sight shooters. It wasn't good enough though, as Eric H., and Carmen F. shot 395's, and would remain ahead in the days aggregate scores.
Complete Results - click to expand
   The match winner and highest score for the day was Jim Biles with a 1594-98x - Senior scope class. A couple more scores like that and Jim might get that Master Card.
   The Iron sight match winner was Jr. Eric Hazleton, who fired an awesome 1587-89x, to beat Carmen F, and Nick L. by just 2 pts over all.  Even though I ended up 14 pts back, it was a really great day to be out on the range pulling triggers with a lot of good folks.  Thanks to Chris Hazleton for running this Match.

 Notes: 
Remember -
 The Vintage Military match at MRC, scheduled for Sept 22 is cancelled.
Sept 22  --  Beginner Service and HP rifle match at GRRC -- Click Here for match bulletin
Sept 23  --  Service Rifle Leg Match At GRRC -- Click Here for match bulletin

Two Weeks Out
Sept 29, 30  -- Mid Range and OTC at Eau Claire - Click Here for match bulletin
Oct. 6-7       --  Fullbore prone, and Long Range at GRRC - Click Here for match program

That's all Folks

Hawkeye

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Shooters News for the Minn Area - Sept 11, 2012


9/11 Another Day that will live in infamy - Lest we forget.              
Long Range wind -- M. Dietrich

The Week ahead  

  Fall has arrived and that means great weather for shooting rifle matches.  This weekend will prove no exception to that rule.  There are three good rifle matches to choose from, and the forecast is for mild temps and nice fall Sunshine.
  Now that everyone is rested up from the big Mid Range Regional at NWGC last weekend, it's time to dig out the Over the Course Rifle and head to Mpls Rifle Club this coming Sat and Sunday (Sept 15-16).  Just a few miles North of Mpls. in Anoka Cty, the Mpls Rifle Club is great place to shoot a low key fun OTC match. Shooting from covered firing lines at both the 200 and 300 yd lines makes for a comfortable day. This will be a great opportunity to practice up for that all important "Leg Match" at GRRC in two weeks - don't miss it!  New shooters always welcome.
                     Click Here for match bulletin and map info. 
   If you are not an OTC shooter, then you probably are a "Prone" shooter, and there is a great match for you on Sunday.  Chris Hazelton will be hosting a 160 shot Prone Sm Bore match at the Elk River SportsMen's Club on Sunday, Sept. 16th.  We don't get to shoot at this range but once a year and as I said last week -- nice grass firing lines under the shade of the large Oak trees makes this range a pleasant place to hone your prone skills.  160 shots prone with instant feedback will be great practice for the up coming Mid Range match at Eau Claire, and the Long Range matches later on at GRRC.  Hitting the 10 ring at 100 yds with a Sm bore rifle and trying to shoot a clean 200 is every bit as hard as doing it at 500 yds with a Highpower rifle.  This is the best practice for HP prone matches you will ever get - See you there?  
       Click Here for math bulletin and entry info

Last Weekend   

Steve Knutson -  Mid Range Champion
9/11 Mid Range Regional
The long anticipated fall trip up to NorthWestern Gun Club for the 9/11 Mid Range Prone matches came and went this past weekend.  This year, the weekends matches were also the Regional Championships for the areas Mid Range shooters, and that made it even better.  An early start (0515 hrs) from the WhiteBear Lake area got me up to the range, just East of the Cloquet River, on the shores of Hunter Lake by 0730, in plenty of time to socialize with shooters I don't get to see as often as I'd like to.  
  The turn out was great -- about 3 shooters short of a full line.  This match has become very popular in the last few years. I think due to the well trimmed, great condition this range is always in, thanks to Dale Wickstrom and the rest of the guys, and the beautiful setting. 
Saturday
Tough Conditions Sat at the 300 yd line - rain
   First shots down range from the 300 yd line at 0900 were in the first "Any' sight match.  I was on pit duty for the first two relays.  The first shooter on my target was Dave Salo, who started off the day with a 200-11x and then up was Mike Theis with a 199-13x. It was going to be a tough day -- lose a couple pts and you are out of it.  Back to the firing line, I went to the line with my 6BR tack driver, but wiggled one shot out into the 9 ring, so the 14 Xs didn't count for much.  Five shooters had fired 200s, with Steve Knutson setting the bar very high with his 17 Xs. Other 'clean' shooters were Dale Wickstrom, Brad Ylinieni, and Dick Van Valkenburg.  The 2nd 'Any' sight match was won with an awesome score of 200-17x by Mike Theis, but only on a tie breaker over Steve (Knute) Knutson, who also fired a 17x clean to stay in the lead for the day. Mike missed tieing a National Senior record by 1 X. So near, yet so far!  Your's truly held for a 3rd place 200-13x and this would be my best of the weekend. Erik Rhode also fired clean, as did Chad Danielson, who cut his teeth on Sm Bore prone shooting, and is in only his first year of HP prone competition.  
   The last two matches of the day were fired with "Iron" sights", and again it was Steve K., who won the first of them with and amazing Iron score of 200-16x. Phil Klanderude was finally settling in to his usual good form and fired the only other 200 score.  At this point, Steve K. had dropped no points -- That's right - 3 matches down, and 3 clean 200's posted on the board. Now it was starting to rain!  The pressure was on. the sky was dark. Few people have ever fired a perfect 800/800 in these matches.  Those last 20 shots must have been nerve wracking, but even though it was raining heavily and the visibility was poor, Steve used his Eliseo Tube gun to shoot between the rain drops and fire another incredible clean 200-13x score and ended the day with a perfect 800/800 including 63- X shots along the way !!!!  Is that a record of some kind???
   Four pts. back were Brian Mrnak, and Phil Klanderude with 796s taking 2nd and 3rd, but they must have been shaking their heads about how could they could they possibly beat a guy that drops no points. Well tomorrow is tomorrow, the sky was clearing, and it's 4 new matches from the 500 yd line to go before the champion is crowned.   
Sunday
   The day would be clear sky, but windy with gusts that would plague the inattentive shooter.  Again we would start with the Any sight matches as often there is a little fog at this range early in the day.  While the sky was clear and sunny, there was a heavy mirage running and this would cause elevation problems for many shooters. 
   Eric Hazelton, a Junior shooter who has been setting the Sm Bore world on fire, and is in his first full season of occasional HP prone shooting, used the first match of the day to to show all the regular HP shooters how much you can learn in SB prone matches, by firing the only clean 200, and taking the day's early lead.  Erick R. and Dick VV topped the Master class with 198s.   In the 2nd match, it was again Stave K, and Mike T. who fired the highest scores with 200-13x each, but this time it was Steve who took the win on tie breakers.  Phil K. holding close but 6 Xs back, and Chad Danielson again putting up the highest Master class score. In the 3rd match, it was Craig Bennis, who finally got a match win to cap off a great weekends performance, after losing just 5 pts. all day Saturday. Junior, Eric Hazelton takes a 2nd, and Leo Huhta gets the Ex class win with a 195-8x. In the last match of the day, Steve K. wrapped up the weekend's Grand Aggregate, and took another match win with his 200-10x score. Erik Rhode was 2nd with the only other 200 score and that was also a master class win. 
Mid Range winners - Steve K., Phil K., Brian M.
   Congratulations to Steve Knutson whose awesome score of 1595-110x over the two days shooting, earned him the Gold Medal and the Regional Championship.  Phil Klanderude's steady high scores earn him the Silver medal.  Brian Mrnak is the Bronze medal winner.            
            Mid Range Regional  (Sling class) complete results -- Click Here 

On the F-class side of the line, it was Adam Shidla, and Jon Clauson who stole the show. Adam S. won the first F-open match with 200-13x, and then Jon took the next 3 matches to tie Adam, each with 797 for the day, but Jon getting the most Xs and the day's win.  

   In the FTR class, John Andres wins the first match, but Edward Higgens takes the last 3 matches and scores one more pt than John A, for the day's FTR high score.
  Sunday 
Jon Clauson- FClass Gold
   The BIG story on Sunday in the F-open class is all about Jon Clauson, who did not drop a point in the four 20 shot matches. Jon's perfect (clean) 800-72x score is probably a National Record.  Jon fired an amazing 200-18x score in each one of the four 500 yd matches.  Think about this --- Jon only let 8 shots of 80, slip out of that microscopic f-class X-ring into the 10ring-- from 500 yds!!!   Jon wins the F-open championship with a 1597-135x while Adam Shidla is just back  4pts in 2nd place.  
F-Class MR Results (Click to expand)
  FTR class was won convincingly by Eward Higgins, his 1577-74x weekend score is 30 pts ahead of 2nd place.

300 m International   

   No results of last weeks matches forwarded 

Minnesota St. Offhand Championship  

 The Highpower Offhand St. Championship was held at Mpls. Rifle Club on Aug. 25th.  Shooters fired five 20 shot offhand matches from 200 yds on the SR target.  Dick Van Valkenberg shot a 190-5 to start things off with a win in the first match.  Kevin Bangen's 188 takes a 2nd.  Dick was just getting started with that win, and continued to improve in the next two matches, taking wins in both with 192 and 193 scores.  Brad Yliniemi had a rough start in the first match, but struggled back with a 189 and a 190 to move into 2nd place for the day.  Brad knew that it isn't over till it's over and fought hard in the last 2 matches of the day, winning both with scores of 191 and 193. Brad had the momentum at the end but could not overcome the deficit from that first match and ended up just 5 points back in 3rd place.   Dick Van Valkenberg had held on for a score of 947, and is the Minnesota State Offhand Champion.  Kevin Bangen finishes 3 pts back in 2nd place over all.    Click Here for complete results  
Congratulations to Dick Van Valkenberg -- St. Champ!  

Small Bore Prone Championship at Hibbing -  August 25-26    

10 Master Class Sm Bore Prone shooters showed up at Hibbing to fight it out for the SB prone championship.  In the end it was a great battle between Larry Sawyer and Emily Quniar. In 6 of the 8 contested matches, Larry was able to put just one or two pts more on the board than Emily and his 3188-216x earns him the Championship.  Congratulations to Larry Sawyer -- 2012 Minn. St. Sm bore Prone Champion. 
Eric Hazelton is High Junior with an excellent score of 3177-187x, and Junior Nick Learn just one pt back.  
Rumor has it that Eric is planning to enter the 4 days of the WildCat matches in Phoenix next March -- watch out expert class!!
    Click Here for complete Results

North Dakota Long Range St Championship

Local top Sm Bore Prone shooter, Morgan Dietrich, travelled to Bismark, No, Dak, last weekend to show the HP shooters there how much a little Sb prone practice will pump up your scores, and he did just that.  He won the Gold Medal -- Congratulations!!!
From Morgan Dietrich
"Jim:
 Ventured to Bismarck this last weekend to shoot the LR Regional.  Tough choice between there and Duluth, but I wanted to shoot my 284 to see if I had a  load that will work for next year.  
 Let’s just say the wind was more than breezy, but since Bismarck is an open range it is very fair to all on the line.  The picture of the flag is about 8:30 am on Sat, I ran between 7min up to 11 min of Windage.  Sunday the winds were the same, but in a completely opposite direction.  Tommy Thompson ran a great match, it really is a nice range.  If you haven’t shot at Bismarck yet, you should plan on making a trip out West.
 Looked back at my score from 2 years ago, and it was a 972-41, so I guess it always blows hard out there- or at least when I go.  Nice showing of new F-class shooters." 
 
 Results: Sling and F-class





Good shooting Morgan. I think I'd keep that .284 and tks for the match report. Is that Coby Dalgliesh in the photo? Haven't seen him in a long while.  
Notes: 
1. The Vintage Military match at MRC, scheduled for Sept 22 is cancelled.

Two Weeks Out
Sept 22  -- Beginner Service rifle Team match at GRRC -- Click Here for match bulletin
Sept 23  --  Service Rifle Leg Match At GRRC -- Click Here for match bulletin
Sept 29, 30  -- Mid Range and OTC at Eau Claire - Click Here for match bulletin
Oct. 6-7       --  Fullbore prone, and long Range at GRRC - Click Here for match program

That's all Folks

Hawkeye