The Week Ahead -- 4/27/11

Shooters news for the MN area 

Highpower

Rain, Rain go away!
Yes, I know that April showers bring May flowers, but enough is enough!

The forecast shows a possible  break in the weather for Saturday, Apr 30,  and this is great because NorthStar Rifle Club is hosting their season opening Mid Range Prone match for all who have been cooped up throughout the winter.  You will get a chance to exercise those itchy trigger fingers and shoot a 20 shot matches at 300 yds, 500 yds, and 600yds with iron sights.  There will also be a final 20 shot match at 600 yds and any sights can be used in this match. Two sighters and fouling shots will be allowed at the start of each match.
Click Here for match bulletin and entry info.
  On Sunday, May 1st, NorthStar will also be having a Mid Range team match, for all comers. Make up a 4 man team or call Capt. Bob to get on a pick-up team.  This is a fun match (not registered) and the idea is to introduce newer shooters to prone shooting and Palma style matches.  Nationally ranked coaches will be passing on their skills to each shooter on the line. 
  Bonus!-- this match will offer FREE AMMO and you can't get a better deal than that!
Click Here for match bulletin. 
   Note:  Time is short to enter this match---Call or msg Capt. Bob today!  dilligas@means.net 
Capt. Bob needs to know today  (Wed) if there are enough shooters to host this (Sun.) match.

From Capt Bob:

As of Mon. evening it's looking like a good chance of rain this coming Sat. for the MRP & F class match.  Sunday prospects look a little better for the team match if we get enough names. I still need at least 7 more shooters for this FREE AMMO match. Wed. noon is the dead line.

    I know it's a long drive to Red Wing for many of us, especially at 4 bucks a gallon.  So here is my plan.

    After the 7PM forecast is out Friday evening I'll send an email either way to let you know if it's on or canceled.  The experts are saying a 70-80% chance of off & on all day Sat. DO NOT head to North Star until you check your email AFTER 7 PM Fri.  Pass this along to your buds.

Small Bore news -
F-class and Senior Scope class are being added to Local small Bore Prone matches.
   See Post Below---

Two Weeks out:
May 7 --  Bob Hall Mem. 80 OTC at GRRC --  Match bulletin Click Here
May 7 and 8 -- Mid Range Prone at Lacrosse Rifle Club -- match bulletin Click Here
May 8 -- 300 m match at MRC

That's all Folks
Hawkeye
 

F-class and Senior Scope class added to Sm Bore match

F-class and Senior Scope class are being added to Local small Bore Prone matches.
    In many parts of the country, F-class shooters shoot alongside the sling shooters in their own class, trying to hit those little 10 rings with their sm bore guns out to 100yds away.  Scopes and rests are allowed in this class and if you have a hard time with Iron sights this is the perfect way to still be able participate in a great rifle match.
    In order to encourage more participation in local Sm Bore prone matches, these matches will now allow F-class shooters and Senior Scope shooters to compete.  Because many Seniors shooters have put away their match rifles due to failing eyesight and the inability to accurately use Iron sights,  we encourage Seniors come out and use "Any" sights for the whole match.
    So, all you F-class  and Seniors shooters out there will now have the opportunity to get in some great practice and competition starting with the May 15th 1600 sm bore prone match at the Mpls Rifle Club.    Click Here for match bulletin and entry info   
   So grab that Small bore rifle you may not have used in a while and give it a try.  There is a great group of folks at these prone matches and as we all know --  the more shooters the better the match! 

    The May 29th and May 30th 3200 Sm Bore Regional Prone Championship at MRC will also include F-class. Click Here for match bulletin

Small bore F- class rig at the WildCat Matches

John Andres Sm Bore rig

 Who will be the first to shoot a 1600 score in F-Class Sm Bore ?

The Week Ahead for Minn Area Shooters - 4/20/11

The Week Ahead for MN Area shooters - 4/20/11

Highpower
 This coming weekend, traveling shooters will be heading to the Eau Claire Rifle club for their annual season opening matches. Always well run, and a good time, these matches will consist of, as usual, a Mid Range Prone match on Saturday, Apr 23, followed on Sunday, Apr 24 with an 80 shot OTC match.  I don't have a match bulletin for these matches, but they are on the schedule (Click Here) and have been a tradition for many years.  Bring your best rifle and ammo as the the competition is always top notch at Eau Claire.

Upcoming Highpower matches
April 30 - NorthStar Rifle Club will host their first match of the season. This match will also be a Mid Range prone match to be shot at 300yds, 500 yds and 600 yds. and will consist of 2 sighters and 20 shots for record at each distance with Iron sights and then followed by another 20 shot match at 600yds with Any sights.  To See match bulletin  and entry info  Click Here
May 1 - NorthStar Rifle Club is holding a special match that is geared to introducing newer shooters to Prone mid-range and Long range Palma shooting.  "The purpose is to introduce potential new prone shooters to the Palma course. Several serious Palma shooters and others have indicated a willingness to loan their rifle to new shooters without a suitable rifle. This is going to be a laid back fun only match and score will not be sent in to the NRA"
  Now, What is so special about this match?   There is Free Ammo-- that's right -- Free Ammo!!!
This is a team match, so newer shooters can be coached. Make up a team and get your entry in or contact the match director to be on a pickup team.  This match is too good an opportunity to miss.  Capt Bob needs to know asap who will be coming --

From Capt Bob:

"The mini Palma team match is fast approaching on May 1 at North Star. See attached program. Thus far I have exactly 5 NAMES interested in being on a team.  As per the program the deadline for notification is noon April 27.  If I don't have enough shooters for at least 5 teams the match will be canceled.

Remember, you'll be shooting FREE 223 or 308 MATCH ammo.  I'll have my M1 308 available and my LH Palma rifle & LH 223 match rifle.  There will be a few other RH loaner rifles for those without either.  I'll even bring my AR15 if someone wants to borrow that.

NOON APRIL 27 deadline to contact me with your interest in being on a team. I'll email out the teams Wed. evening if we have enough for 5.

Capt. Bob"

See Match bulletin and entry info Click Here 

Small Bore
The next scheduled Small Bore match is a Conventional Outdoor Prone 1600 to be shot at the Mpls Rifle Club on May 15th.  These matches are shot at 50 yds, 50m, and 100 yds, for a total of 160 shots with unlimited sighters.  Click Here for match bulletin.
   Hope to see you there. Sm bore Prone is becoming one of my favorite matches, as I don't have to load the ammo and they are the best possible practice for Highpower prone matches.  Remember, almost all top long range shooters are also Small bore shooters. It's 160 shots a day with instant feedback on every shot -- and no target pulling! You can even shoot one of those .22 rimfire AR-15s for service rifle practice.  Those rifles can actually score fairly well. Wayne Ulrich shot an awesome 1548 score with one in the WildCat matches last year! That's pretty darn good with "battle sights".

High Power notes:
For a interesting read on the 6BRX cartridge, read this article by former USMC Team shooter, and one of today's top MR, and Long Range shooters-- Rick Curtis: 
"The Little Power House" -- Click Here 

That's all folks
Hawkeye

Prize Table winners from Western WildCat Matches

Check out these prizes given out at the Western WildCat Matches.  I won more value in prizes than the Entry fee, as did many of the shooters -- even though I was only 3rd expert.  This is a match worth shooting! Hope to see all you small bore shooters there next March.
Click Here for prize table winnings.

The Week Ahead for Shooters in the Minn. Area -- 4/15/11

The Week Ahead
Let's all hope that the weather moderates for Saturday, Apr. 16th, because it is a good opportunity for all of us that need some lessons in wind reading to attend the "Wind Reading Clinic" that will be taking place at the Elk River Sportsman's Club. 
   "The event will consist of (2) 20 shot matches at 300 yards, followed by a delicious lunch.
After the lunch, a wind reading/shooting clinic will be held both in the clubhouse and then at the 600 yard line of the club's KD Range. The instructors will be Steve Knutson and Rick Hunt, both coaches for the US National F-Class Team. This is a rare chance to learn from the best coaches in the country! The match will continue on the second day with (4) 20 shot matches at 600 yards."-- from Match bulletin.  Click Here for more info and Entry
  Saturdays shooting opportunities also include:
   1.  An 80 Shot OTC match at Mpls Rifle Club that starts at 0900 hrs. This is a 300 yd OTC match that will use targets reduced from 600 yds to 300yds for the prone slow fire part of the match.  Click Here for info and Entry
   2.  A Small Bore Offhand Match to be fired at Mpls. Rifle Club.  "There will be two courses of fire available to shooters. One is the 50 meter ISU course of 60 shots offhand with unlimited sighters, and the other is a Schuetzen course of 50 shots at 100 yards at a 25 ring "German" target. The ISU course follows olympic rules and the Schuetzen course uses Wyoming Shooting Union rules as a guide."  Click Here for more Info
   3.  A Mid Range prone 80 shot match to be shot at 600 yds--  at the Elk River Sportsman's Club. Click Here for info.

Small Bore News
From: Mark Schoess

  "GRRC will again be host to an Outdoor Smallbore Prone League this shooting season. You do not need a special rifle to have fun and compete! While NRA Smallbore rifle rules apply, most .22 rimfire rifles are designated as NRA Smallbore rifles.

 The league will consist of two separate matches; competitors can fire Match 1 or Match 2 or both. Match 1 will begin on Monday, May 2 at 1700 (5:00 PM) and will continue most Mondays, ending July 11. Match 2 will begin on Monday, July 18 at 1700 and will continue most Mondays, ending on Sept. 19. No league May 30, July 4 and Sept 5 due to holidays. Some in the league may opt to shoot on Tuesday mornings, these details are pending."  Click Here for more info 

Mark Schoess, cell: 651-357-4281, markschoess@yahoo.com

  
HighPower notes: 
F-Class practice will take place at Elk River Sportsman's club on Monday nights
Highpower Practice will take place at Elk River sportsman's Club  Tuesday evenings. 
High power Practice at GRRC is on Wed nights. 

Brass capacity Testing by -- Capt. Bob Peasley

From:  Capt. Bob Peasley:

     "Over the winter I started weighing brass into lots for better extreme spread control.  During those long lonely hours over the electric scale I wondered if it was really worth the effort.  Thus when it warmed up I began testing. 

       

April 8, 2011 was another dandy day to test some of the pent up ideas from a long lonely winter in Minnesota. It was 60 degrees, sunny and all bullets were moly coated, fired in a Krieger bbl. on a Stolle action. The bbl. has about 2250 rounds thru it at the start of testing. I weighed a bunch of 5 times fired WW brass over the winter and sorted into batches of about 1.4 gr. increments.  For reasons unknown to me I found about 10 pieces that were well above the highest average.  These 10 pieces averaged 171.5 gr. I picked 6 each of these and 6 of the lowest weight for testing. Results are shown below.

Read the results of Bob's testing--  Click Here

Hawkeye says:
   Over the years I have heard and read many opinions on case capacity vs velocity.  I have no doubt that there is a definite correlation between the two.  However, I am not so sure that there always is a correlation between the weight of the case and the capacity of the case.   Why not you say?
    Well, think of it this way.  Let's say you resize all your cases and then trim them to length.  You may or may not have taken off the same amt. of brass when you trim the neck to length.  So, therefore, even though the capacity may have remained the same from the shoulder down to the case head, the weight may no longer be the same for all the cases as you may have taken off a different amt of brass from the neck of each case, and then took off a little more when champfering the neck inside and outside.  
   Neck turning causes the same problem.  You won't take the same amt of brass off each case and therefore they will not weigh the same even if they have the same capacity.  Capacity equals internal volume, not weight. 
     Any other thoughts on this?   

Junior Olympic Rifle Championships Results

4 Minnesota Junior Shooters place impressively at 2011 National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships. 
From: Chad Danielson

               "Earlier this month 4 Minnesota juniors competed at the National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships in Smallbore and Air Rifle at the US. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Emily Quiner (Brooklyn Park, MN), and Carmen Fry (Forest Lake, MN) represented Minnesota in both Women's disciplines. Emily and Carmen both competed in Women's 3X20 Smallbore, shooting 20 shots in each of the positions Prone, Standing, and Kneeling, which is shot two times for a possible 1200. Emily Quiner posted an 1152 / 1200, securing her a place in the final, and finishing 6^th overall out of 71 other female shooters.  Carmen Fry shot a 1094, for 47^th finish overall, in addition to winning the smallbore Bronze Medal in the J3 age category.  In the Women's Air Rifle portion female shooters shoot 8 standing targets over the course of two days for a possible 800 points.  Emily Quiner in Air shot a 781, again securing her a slot in the Air Rifle final and finishing 7^th overall over 126 other female competitors. Carmen Fry in Air Rifle shot a 746 placing her 5^th in the J3 age category and 86^th overall.  Emily Quiner also is currently in her sophomore year competing collegiately for Murray State University in Kentucky.

                For the Men's competitions juniors, Patrick Sunderman (Farmington, MN), and Alex Giesar (Coon Rapids, MN) represented the State in Mens Air Rifle, where competitors shoot 12 Air Rifle standing targets over the course of two days for a possible 1200. Patrick Sunderman posted an 1148 for a 5^th place J2 category finish and a 27^th overall finish. Alex Giesar put up an 1139 for a 30^th J1 category finish, and 42^nd overall. Men's Air Rifle saw 108 competitors compete in the event.

                In the Men's Smallbore competition Patrick Sunderman was the only Minnesota men's qualifier for the event, which consists of 60 shots in Prone, and 40 shots in both Standing and Kneeling for one day of competition, and repeated for a second day of competition, for a possible 1200 in the Men's Prone competition, and a possible 2400 in the Men's 3X40 position portion of the competition. Patrick posted in the Prone competition a total score of 1161 out of 1200, giving him a 13^th J2 category finish , and a 49^th overall of the 66 total competitors. In the Men's 3X40 position competition Patrick posted a 2242, placing him 9^th in his J2 age category, and 36^th overall. Complete results of all the matches can be found on the USA Shooting website at www.usashooting.com

                All junior competitors had to qualify through previous competition shooting a minimum qualification score to receive an invitation to compete out at this championship. All four above Minnesota shooters showed exceptional skill, and tremendous dedication in the accomplishment of even qualifying for the competition, as it is only each years top juniors shooters in the country who receive invites. Please be sure to congratulate these four shooters if you happen to have the opportunity to see one of them on a range during this upcoming summer shooting season."

Minn. Junior Shooters and their coaches should be proud of their accomplishments. They continue a long history of top notch junior small bore competition coming out of  this state.  Well done!

Results of April 10th 300 meter Minn. Championship at MRC

From: Brian shiffman
 It turned out to be a fine day for the match.  There was just a hint of a breeze when we got started at 10 AM which only picked up when most people were on their 3^rd string of 20.  Even then, it was not strong but it did catch some folks not looking.

Matt Busse shot with us for the first time and scored a 599 with 44 x's.  Mike Jones came in second with a 592 shooting a Les Baer AR-15 in .223.  Robert Smith was our only non-F-Class shooter and used an AR-15 to shoot Offhand for the match.  I'm still working out sight alignment so used front are rear rests but with iron sights.  Good iron sight Prone shooters can match most F-Class shooters.  Clearly I am not in that league.

The full results can be seen at http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=4 

The next 300 meter club match will be held May 8^th.

Brian D. Shiffman  shiff004@umn.edu

Junior Shooter news

"Carmen Fry, with the Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club, earned a bronze medal in the 3 x 20 small bore National Junior Olympics match last week for the J3 (sub-junior) age group.  Centershots sent two competitors for this weeks boy's match."

 Renae Fry

 

Thanks Renae for posting this news.  We don't get enough news about our junior shooters. 

Eric Stecker Shoots First ever 200 yard rapid fire - By Rick Curtis

The Week Ahead - Shooters News for the Minn Area - 4/6/11

Spring is here and the Competition Shooting season has started.

This coming weekend
 

300m competition
From Brian Shiffman:
The April MRC 300 Meter match will be held this coming weekend, April 10^th with firing beginning at 10AM. We will contest in 4 classes, F-Class, Prone, Offhand and 3-Position.  Entry fee is $15 per shooter. I can almost guarantee there will be no snow that day, but, you never know; this is the winter that never ends and I'm getting more and more grumpy as this continues.

See you at the range.

The Fergus Falls Rifle Club is the scene of the 4 position Sm Bore State Championship.  The Junior 4P Matches start off the weekend's championship series on Friday, Apr 8th at 7pm. Saturday and Sunday there will be more Junior and Open class Matches to decide who is the position shooting champ for the year.  Click Here for more match and Entry information.

300 m State Prone Champ is Matt Griffin.   The 300 meter State championship was shot last weekend at the Mpls. Rifle Club's range in Anoka County.  The top prone shooter was Matt Griffin, who fired a 585/600.  No other information forwarded to me at this time.

Coming up
Two weeks is a busy weekend for both High Power and Small Bore shooters. Highpower shooters who want to learn more about the important skill of "wind reading" can sign up for:

Saturday's Apr.16th "Wind Reading Clinic"  to be held at Elk River Sportsman's club. 

      "The Elk River Sportsman's Club is proud to host this fantastic event.  The event will consist of (2)20 shot matches at 300 yards, followed by a delicious lunch.  After the lunch, a windreading/shooting clinic will be held both in the clubhouse and then at the 600 yard line of the club's KD Range.  The instructors will be Steve Knutson and Rick Hunt, both coaches for the US National F-Class Team.  This is a rare chance to learn from the best coaches in the country!  The match will continue on the second day with (4) 20 shot matches at 600 yards" ---Scott Olson

For Clinic program and Entry --Click Here

Saturday Apr. 16th  - There is also a match for Sm Bore shooters at the Mpls Rifle club.  This match will be the third in the series of MRC's Offhand champion series.  match program and entry -- click here

Saturday Apr. 16th  will  be the opening match of the  "Over The Course" competition season, with MRC hosting an 80 shot OTC match on their highpower range.  This match will be shot at 200 yds and 300 yds with reduced targets. There are both Service Rifle and Match Rifle classes.

 Match program and Entry -- Click Here 

Sunday Apr 17th -- following up the Mid Range Wind Reading clinic, Elk River Sportsman's Club is hosting an 80 shot prone match to be shot at 300yds and 600 yds with Any Rifle and Any Sights.  Entry -- Click here

Do you remember your "first time"  -- your first rapid fire match that is.

 We have here a short video made by Rick Curtis at last weeks Berger Bullets SW OTC Nationals. 

From Rick Curtis:

"I would like to point out that Berger's GM Eric Stecker, an active competitor in benchrest and F Class, bought a spacegun and all the gear to compete in this years match. Wednesday he sat down with Mid and Michelle and got some pointers on positions, Thursday he took the line for the first time at 600 yards and then Friday he shot his first ever across the course match. I caught up with Eric just before his first string at 200 yard rapid fire. Click
Here to see him in action."

  Turn up the volume, select full screen and enjoy Erick's first ever rapid fire string.


 That's all folks

Hawkeye

Garand Man Maury Krupp - Rick Curtis

At the Berger Bullets South West  OTC Nationals 2011,
Day Three  

Courtesy of Southwest Rifle Shooting by Rick Curtis

MN 300 meter Prone Champion

Just in from Morgan Dietrich:

Matt Griffin state 300M prone champ- 585!

AZ State Outdoor Prone Championships -- 2011

 When you are hot, you're hot and when you are not you are not.
  After last weeks good scores in the WildCat matches,  I thought I was ready to back them up in the final week of "March Madness" here in Phoenix.  This weekend it was the AZ Sm Bore Outdoor Prone Championships -- another 3200.
   The Iron sight match started unraveling right away.  On the 50yd Dewar My first sighter was about 3 inches left and I had to come over 6 moa from regular zero, but finished with 200-12x.  Then just before the 100 yd target I figured out that my extension tube must be loose and rotated to shoot so far left.  So as they were calling Prep Period for the 100yd target, I was taking off and re-installing the sight ext. tube properly.  I shot first sighter and could not see it on the target --anywhere.  Shot another sighter and couldn't find that one, but saw I hadn't raised the sights up the 8 moa for the 100 yd target.  It was gusty wind and I dropped at least 5 pts, but that wasn't the worst. When we went to change targets, I saw my first two sighters below the sighter line and one was just scratching the 5 line. Now I had extra shots on my target and I lost a bunch of pts for that error and went down eleven pts to Jim Cobb in the EX class battle in the first match of the weekend. Jim went on gaining a point or so per match and ended up winning the Ex class trophy.
  The Master clsss ended up as a battle between Richard Latyon, and Virginia McLemore. Richard won the overall 3200 championship by going 4pts up on Virgina in the irons sight 1600 match and losing only one pt to her in the Any sight 1600. A great performance by Peter Church left him in third place only one more point down from Virginia. Erick Sundstrom, Virginia, and Peter Church all shot 1597s in the Anysight match-- a pretty high score considering the gusty winds.
   Sharpshooter, Milk Walker will probably just skip the Expert class, as his scores the past couple weeks have been solid master scores.  Mick wins the SS class with a great 3187-198x.
   Luke Harper backed up his MK class WildCat Matches win with 3164-183 for his 2nd MK class win in two weeks. Trying his best, and shooting his first 200 clean score, Jack Greenleaf just could not could not keep up with Luke and was happy to get a personal record in the Any sight Match.
   Camille Bryant took the honors as High Junior.
   John Andres finished the weekend with a 200-20x on the last target and wins the F-class 

3200 aggregate

Match Director, and Chief Scorer,  Jack Arnold ran a great match.  The wind was gusty and fish tailing all day, but the temp was 72, and the Sun was shining.  It was a great day for the last of the March Sb marathon.  We have shot 14 SB 1600s in the last month, and it will be nice to shoot a Mid Range 600yd match Thursday as part of the Berger Bullets SW OTC Nationals coming up this next weekend.


Virginia McLemore's Junior Shooters practicing after todays AZ State Champs.

Minnesota Offhand High Power State Championship

The Season Opens---
March 26 - This coming Saturday.--Northwestern Gun Club is hosting the MN Offhand High Power State Champion Rifle Match.     Shooting at Northwestern's shooting shack Is always a good time and this traditional spring standing match is a great one to shake out the bugs out of that Offhand position While getting re-aquainted shooting friends you might not have seen since fall Matches.
Match program and Entry:  Click Here

Next Weekend - Sat. April  2nd is for you Mid Range prone shooters as Mpls. Rifle Club hosts the 300 M State Champs -- Click Here for Program and Entry
  Sunday April 3 will be the 300 m 3 pos. State Champs  -- Click here for program and Entry
Winter is over

The Western WildCat Matches of 2011 - The WildCats have tangled !

  50 some WildCats from states around gathered over the last 5 days in Phoenix, Az to fight it out for Honors in the  Western WildCat Sm bore Championships. These famous matches drew Eleven High Masters, and 10 masters who fought hard for every point -- match after match of the 32 twenty shot targets that made up the championships.  It was no different in the Ex, SS, and Mk classes.  Everyone knew that a 198 score would be a sure loser.
  The big Build up  
Trying to draw more shooters to the winter shooting Mecca of Phoenix AZ, plans were made this year to schedule other big matches just before the WildCats as a lead into the historic WildCat matches themselves. The Senior Olympics, the first Javelina 6400 metric, the venerable Road Runner, and the new DiamondBack 3200--  all in the 4 weeks preceding the WildCats.   We would offer the chance to shoot nine 1600s at the beginning of March before the WildCats, for those who wanted to practice, practice and practice more. It was to be "March Madness"  for the Sm Bore community.  It was the best shooting opportunity of the Spring. It continues next weekend with the AZ Sb Prone champs, and then the Berger OTC nationals, for HighPower shooters.  Come to Phoenix, rent something for a month and Shoot, shoot, and shoot.  I think this is going to be big next year!
  So, what happened?
Like a lot of shooters, in the middle of my classification, I mostly go to matches for the fun of it, as I don't win anything too often.  As an Ex classified Sb prone shooter I am expected to shoot at least a 1576/1600 in an outdoor prone match (98.5%)--thats the bottom Ex score/.  In the 4 years, I have been an Ex, i have probably shot 4 scores that high--averaging 1569 till last summer and then 1575 this winter.  I had no hope of winning anything at the WildCats with those scores.  I entered all the lead up matches, but still had no real improvement till last Satuday's DaimondBack  Iron sight 50m match. Right away in that match, I felt comfortable in the Position, and could see clearly a sharp bullseye, and front sight--and had the apertures adjusted right to be able recognize a center shot long enough to make a good trigger break.  I got good scores the last 3 targets. Wow !  I could see.
  On to the Wildcats -- The Battle in the Ex class.
Day One -iron sights -- I could see both the target and sight well -- and shot a high score for me at 1582, but that was low in the Ex pack.   Jim Cobb and Stewart Lind were 2nd and 1st --up in the 1590s-- ten pts ahead already.
DayTwo - Any sights --  I had good shooting for a personal best score of 1599 (where did that come from?) and got the Wild Cat sweatshirt for wining the Ex class I barely dreamed of winning.   Other EX class shooters, Jr.  Zach Kofron, Barney Higgins, and Frank Fisher just a couple pts back. Stewart Lind still led in the aggregate.
Day Three was Iron sights again, and I was hoping to pick it up a little from 1582 of Thursday's 1st day.  Jim Cobb was on fire  -- and on his way to a Master Card with continued high Iron Sight scores, this time posting a very competitive 1595-101x, beating Stewart by 3pts, and now with one match left to go-- only 3 pts back of Stewart in the overall aggregate.  3 days and 3 different winners in the Ex class.
    I could see the target again today sharp and clear.   All that practice, and the chance to shoot the matches of"March Madness" was paying off.  My position was relaxed, sight picture sharp, trigger breaks confident, and I was seeing the wind shifts clearly.  I got off the line with 1589,-- again a personal best Iron sight score.  I think that shooting in such good company and such great head to head competition is inspiring and really leads to good performance. 
Day Four -- Any sights
  Stewart Lind started out 3 pts up in the Ex class over Jim Cobb.  He held for a 400 in the Dewar match as did Doug Frerich who was not going to be easy competition in this day of shooting. Doug had  won the SS class a couple years ago and has the skills to take an Ex class win any day now. I had lost only one pt so was still technically able to match my good score of Friday.  There were 6 more targets to go though.  In the 100 yd match, Jim Cobb clawed back by shooting clean while Stewart dropped two and went one down to Jim.  I dropped one more and was now tied with Stewart, and Doug. The wind started fishtailing during the 50m match, and though the meter targets have usually been a downfall for me, all shots stayed in the ten ring and I got the only 400 putting me in a tie at two down with Jim Cob, who along with Stewart had shot one nine in this 40 shot match. (just one!)
The last match -- 50 yds.  I had to shoot clean just for a tie with Jim.
The dilemma: --I also had one other consideration -- an important one! I was hovering on earning a Master card.  Last week, I was barely able to shoot my class as an Expert.  Now in this last match, if I cleaned the target, I would score 1598,-- possibly get a least a tie in the EX class for the day, and get an overall 6400 aggregate of 6368--- exactly the score needed to bump me up into the Master Class and oblivion as competition in that class. What to do?   One little nine out of the next 40 shots would keep me in the Experts --where all of a sudden, I'm actually competitive.
   First target -  Cleaned it- 200-17x.  Of course, you have to go for it -- unwanted Master card or not. No one loves a sandbagger. Cobb, Stewart, and Doug Frerich also clean their targets-- refusing to give up till the last shot.
   Last Target -- One pt separates the top three- one mistake and it's 2nd place or 1st loser. Stewart, Yours truly , and Doug all shoot 400 , while Jim Cobb shoots one nine and drops out of the lead for the day.   I slip in for the Day's class win with a  1598-126x, and the 3200 Any sight agg  EX win (3197). Jim Cobb and Stewart with 1597s, and Doug Frerich just 1 pt short at 1596.
Overall, Stewart Lind wins the EX class at the Western Wildcats matches with a 6379-- dropping only 21pts in 640 shots for record.  Stewart will be cking the mail for his Master card, as will Jim Cobb who ended up 2nd Ex just 3pts behind Stewart.

The Master class end of the firing line was just as hotly contested.  Many 1600s were shot. One 3200 was shot by Nancy Tompkins, but in the end Rea Kemply out Xed her brother Tarl  for the 4 day win and the championship -- both dropping only 7 pts over the whole four days and 640 shots for record. Nancy lost only 9 pts for the week. Steve Goff losing only 8 and  Joe Farmer down only 11.  Joe shot 629 tens and Xs while shooting only 11 nines in the four matches.  Others just a couple pts behind.  Awesome performance!

For a report from the Master Class end of the firing line --Read: "Photo finish at the wildCats" by Rick Curtis

  All in all it was a great championship series.  I had some good scores,  Met a lot of great people and can't wait till next year. This "March Madness", the opportunity to shoot 12 top caliber 1600s in 5 weeks has really sharpened my skills and It'll be fun to see if I can back it up next week at the State champs -- PRGC
The Western  WildCat matches lived up to its reputation, once again,  as one of the Best Matches to attend. Hope to see you all there next year.
Aggregates and Pictures posted below--
Hawkeye

Top Shot in the West -- WildCats winner -- Rea Kemply!

Day Four Results:  WildCats 6400 --  Click  Pict to enlarge

Five Wildcats shot perfect 1600s today, with Six more just one point back scoring 1599s. Nancy Tompkins doubled up on her clean score in Fridays Any sight match to notch an amazing 3200/3200 in the Any Sight Agg. That's the kind of tough competition you find at the Wildcat matches.  Many shooters rose to the occasion of such great conditions to fire personal records over the 4 days of competition. The Battles in every class were closely fought. The coveted Wildcat sweat shirts were on the line. 
More Later-- 
From Rick Curtis: 
   read "Photo Finish at the WildCats"   

Wild Cat Champion-- Rea Kempley   6393-524x

Final Results -  6400 Aggregate Scores 

2011 WildCats 6400 results

 
The folks you meet, and make friends with, at the WildCat Matches in Phoenix, AZ

Fellow WildCats -- Shannon and Dad

Match report from the Expert class to follow shortly.

WildCats Matches Days 2 & 3

  Fair weather held for Day 2 & 3 of the WildCats Sm Bore prone Championships in Phoenix. That means 4 to 8 mph breezes from the SE in the mornings, and steadily moving towards the SW by the last match of the day.  The favored condition was 1 moa right for windage in the morning, ending in about the same to the left by the afternoon.
Stewart Lind and Jim Cobb had been top shooters in my Ex Class in the Day One Iron sight match, and left me in the middle of the pack by days end.  Day two, however was an Any Sight day, and I had been shooting good with the scope in matches over the last two weeks, so I was ready to be a little more competitive in this match. Since the conditions were good, I figured it was my best chance for a class win and the coveted sweatshirt that goes with it.  I had won a WildCat  in sharpshooters class in 2007, but was now an Expert and wins there don't come easily.  Stewart Lind had won it yesterday with a 1592 shooting Irons and I knew that he wasn't going to let the Any sight match go cheap.
  The 50 yd part of the Dewar went well and I got all 200 pts, but so did the others.  The 100yd target went OK with 16 Xs but I lost a pt. for no good reason out the top.  This would haunt me later. 

 

One pt away from a 1600

 Watching the targets in the EX group, I saw that everyone was scoring high.  The 100 yd match saw more wind shifting between 4 and 7 O'clock, but I got the only 400 in my class so I was tied up after 4 targets with Jim Cobb and Stewart.  I was worried about those little 50 m ten rings, but the shots fell well and I again survived to get the only 400 in Experts.  Stewart dropped one pt, so I had a 1pt lead with 40 shots left to go on the 50 yd targets. I was nervous, I hadn't shot many 400s all year and already had 2 today and needed another one to win.
  Stewart Lind would not let go and scored a 400 with 34 big Xs in the match but I was fortunate enough to also shoot the last two targets clean, and win the Class for the day. I had to shoot a 1599 (personal record) to beat Stewart Lind's 1598 and top the Experts.  That's tough competition !! 
Was a 1599 enough to win the match overall today ---  Nope, not even close! Nancy Tompkins shot a perfect 1600-136x to beat Joe Farmer's 1599-141x.  My measly 1599 was good for 6th.
   What a great day!  My best score ever.  A day like today makes up for all those bad days when nothing goes right.  I can't wait for tomorrow.  It's the WildCat matches.  Everybody shoots their best in the wildcats.
   Oh, by the way Day three in the Expert class was Jim Cobb's day and he made the 3rd separate EX class winner in three days running.  Jim shot little but 10s and Xs when the wind finally came to test the shooters.  Last match today was shot in a gusty 12-14 mph breeze out of the SW.  Who's turn to win tomorrow and what kind of a score will be needed?  We'll see?

The Rest of the Story from the Master Class end of the line--
Read Rick Curtis's article on day 2 and 3 -- Click Here  "The Lioness moves in for the kill at the Cat"

1st 3200 Agg results

Day One of the Wildcats Matches

There's no doubt about it --  Lones Wigger is still the best there is.  After the 160 shots for record, Lones leads the Wildcats at the end of  the first day.  Shooting an almost perfect 1599, he out Xed Tarl Kempley and they both went only one pt up on Rea Kempley -- who out Xed everybody with an amazing 136 Xs.

 Down in the Expert class end of the line there were 14 experts in class trying to win a Sweatshirt for the day.  The conditions for the Dewar match was a 4mph,  5 O'clock and I only moved the windage no more that 3 clicks for the 50 yd match and 9clicks on the 100 yd as the light breeze went from 5 o'clock to 8 and back.  The light was good and I started with a 399, and only down one pt to Jim Cobb with his 400 score. In the 100 yd match, I went from 3rd Ex to almost last of the 14 experts with a miserable 390 and was down eleven for the day already.
   I was positioned on the line between Frank Fisher (Wisc) and Shannon Dreaker, a Junior from Colorado, with my friend Doug Frerich one over from Frank.  All our targets looked about the same. Stewart Lind and Jim Cob were running away with the class win.  I had wanted to shoot a 1580 so now eleven down I could only lose 9 more with 2 matches (4 targets) left to go.  The 50 m match saw wind go to the SW and I shot a lot of sighters making sure that it stayed there. Things went better and I lost only 5 pts in the usually difficult 50 m match and now, with a min Left windage on the gun, got all but two pts in the 50 yd match. So I squeeked in just above my goal with a 1582. Last year I shot a 1578 on day one, but last year's 1596 score on Day 2- Any sight match is going to be be very hard to match. 
  On the Master class end of the line the battle for overall lead was just as hot as Rick Curtis describes here:  "The old lion leads the Cat" Click Here 
Now I'll go mount the Scope for tomorrow's Any Sight match --  Day two of the WildCats!

Now it Starts -- Day One of the Wildcats matches

Rick Curtis says "The cat is out of the bag"  He's right, the biggest matches of the month are about to start.  The WildCats Small bore prone Championships day one starts tomorrow.  160 shots for record, Iron sights, in good weather, lots of great competitors.
  This is week 3 of March Madness and there are four 1600s to be shot in the next four days. I can't wait. Maybe I'll shoot that 1580 tomorrow.

New Shooting Blog started by Rick Curtis

Rick Curtis

Top competitor and shooting ace Rick Curtis, Phoenix AZ. is starting a new Blog for the purpose promoting and aiding shooting sports in the SW of the US.  Rick is a former USMC shooting team member, holder of National Records, and these days competing in top level Long Range high power, and Small Bore competition.
  Rick's new Blog is named "Southwest Rifle shooting" and is under construction now.   Click Here to see Ricks emerging Blog
  Southwest Rifle Shooting will feature after match reports, picures, video, match schedules, etc, plus Rick is planing to add video interviews with Top shooters --- maybe I can learn something.
  My hat is off to Rick for taking on this task of promoting shooting sports.  Good Luck.  I'll be tuning in.
Hawkeye

Diamond Back 3200 --Day Two

Virginia Mclemore  continued drilling the 10 and x ring Sunday to take home the championship from this weekends Diamond Back 3200 in Phoenix.  Day two of this meet, saw 4 shooters take advantage of the great March weather in Phoenix, and hold for 1599 scores.  That's right, 4 shooters dropped only 1pt in 160 shots for record.  That's tough competition! Virginia, Nancy Tompkins, Pete Church, and Rick Curtis all shot 1599s. This humble blogger had a good day rounding out the top five with a 1597-124x.
   Virginia started out Day two with only one pt to give, from Saturdays single point win over Nancy Tompkins and Barry Smith. The conditions were great, and she knew her  competition would go for perfect scores today in the light airs.  All four on the leader board cleaned the Dewar match with 34-36Xs. Then the 100 yd match saw a few wind shifts, but all four again scored 400s along with Frank fisher and yours truly.  During the always tough 50m match, only Rick Curtis could post a clean score and the others each lost a point, with Virginia staying one up in the Two day aggregate.  The 50yd match was almost a gimme as 10 folks cleaned with 400s and Virginia showing just how much she wanted to notch this win, and shooting 37-Xs to show just who was the boss of the range today.
  It was a good comeback for Virginia, after a disappointing performance in last weeks metric champs due to a worn out barrel.  This weekend, Virginia was shooting a barrel acquired from German Salazar, and reported to have been tested and indexed by Mike Ross. I think she got her moneys worth!
  Nancy Tompkins gets the Silver Medal only one pt behind for the weekend with a 3196 and Rick Curtis, Liege Harris, Peter Church only a couple pts behind.

Aggregate Results:   
Next Weekend----------On to the Western Wild Cat Matches -- four more days of  top shooting competition, as shooters from around the U.S, and Canada arrive to participate in these historic matches. 
  

Diamong Back 3200 -- Day One - Saturday

Day One is in the Books of the Diamond 3200.  Just Uploaded pictures below.  Great Day even though I didn't make my goal of 1582.  Well any sight day is tomorrow and ...
Day one results:
Virginia Mclemore takes Day One with a almost perfect day, shooting a convincing 1598 with Iron sights.  Hard holders, Nancy Tompkins, and Barry Smith were just behind with 1597s.  Jim Cobb-EX class, shot competitively with the Masters, finishing with a solid Master score if 1594 and of course winning the Ex class for the day.  Mick Walker was returning to earth after his brilliant shooting in the Javelina 6400 metric champ last weekend, and held on to win his SS class, with a 1576.

Virginia Mclemore Iron sight winner - 1598

Another weekend -- another Big Match

I"m ready-- ammo packed, car gassed up. rifle clean, ready for the Diamond Back 3200 prone champ matches at Ben Avery in Phoenix starting tomorrow. Yes! two more days of prone Sm bore outdoor competition.  160 prone shots for record each day. I've got to ave. 197/200 on all 8 targets to hold that 98.5% possible, and shoot in my EX class. I think 1582-108x is going to be my goal. Hard but do-able.  My kind of a weekend !

2nd Weekend -- Small Bore March madness in Phoenix

Coming up is Weekend 2 of the Small Bore Phoenix marathon 4 weeks of matches. This 2nd weekend features  the Diamond Back 3200 -  Conv. outdoor prone for two days.  I think that I am all tuned up after last weekends 4 days of concentrated shooting in The Javelina matches.  This will be the perfect match to make sure that I am as ready to contest the EX class in the Western Wildcats 6400 on Weekend 3.  The NRA targets are a little easier this weekend and I am hoping for 1580s in both matches.  Anything less has no chance to win a sweatshirt in the EX class at the Wildcats.
  Hope to see you all at the Wildcat matches -- week and a half
WildCat match program and entry:   Click Here

Mpls. Rifle Club -- 300 Meter Match This Sunday the 13th

Mpls Rifle Club

Subject: 300 Meter Match This Sunday the 13th
February is a slightly shorter month so the March 300 meter match comes up a little more quickly; 4 weeks to be exact!

     IMPORTANT:  WE ENTER DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME AT 2AM ON SUNDAY MORNING.  IF YOU DO NOT SET YOUR CLOCK AHEAD BEFORE RETIRING FOR THE NIGHT, YOU WILL BE ONE HOUR LATE!!

 The match begins at 10am but be there early.  The weather is expected to be decent; certainly above freezing, and at this point, no snow.

 Match fee is $15.

 I will not be able to be at the match but George Minerich has agreed to run the match.  You all know George.

Brian D. Shiffman                    shiff004@umn.edu 

Out of Town Match-- Javelina 6400 Sm Bore, Phoenix

Just in-- Nancy Tompkins wins Javelina Metric 6400
Peter Church 2nd place in a tight race for the Championship.    

From Mick Walker:

  "There Were 12 National Records Broken, If you haven't heard Nancy Tompkins and Peter Church re-wrote the NRA record books over the last four days

in the truest test of a rifleman’s skills, in Outdoor Metric Prone. { Quote from a National Champion Himself.}"

 

Complete Results:   Click Here 

From Rick Curtis: 

       "The Javelina Metric 6400 is now in the books and Nancy Tompkins score of 6285-333C beats the old National Record by almost 200 points Pete Church finished in second with a score of 6257-321C and I brought up the rear for the bronze with a 6250-319C."

From Hawkeye:

   It appears that a number of National Records were set by Nancy Tompkins and Peter Church (any others?). The prospect of good weather made this Javelina 6400 the match "to go to", with 4 days of great shooting to practice your skills, match after match.  The shooters shot 160 shots a day, prone, for record, four days running, shooting on tough UIT targets--- four 40 shot matches a day for 4 days. Wind conditions varied from great on Thursday, changed to gusty fishtailing winds Saturday, but then moderated to just "difficult" for Sundays Any sight match. You can see groups shot on target pictures  below.  

  This was an exciting match as we found on my end of the firing line, where everyone was trying to shoot a 190 just to get a Ex score.  I think that Jack Arnold and yours truly may find a an Ex card in the mail by just squeaking in with a 95.1% and now have to live up to that expectation. I was happy to just average 190 on these targets -- now, where am I going to improve my technique 2% better so I could shoot a master score--Hmmm. 

   The chance to shoot 32 record targets helped improve my position, and by the last day, I was making more positive trigger breaks. I even learned how to score with overlays, and got a few tips on sighters from Virgina Mclemore. 

This was a great match, well run, at a high class facility. Thanks to Mick Walker, and others.

 Now, next weekend, on to the Diamond Back 3200 at Ben Avery,  then the Wildcat 6400, the week after, and the month of March capped off with the Regional 3200 means the opportunity to shoot Twelve 1600's here in Phoenix in only one Month! 

It's March Madness ---It's Small Bore heaven!!!

Just In--- Day one and Two pictures from the Javelina 6400 metric championship at  Phoenix Rod and Gun Club, Phoenix, AZ.  Picts to be labeled asap. At this time the 3 top shooters fighting for the lead are Nancy Tompkins, Rick Curtis, and as always, Peter Church.  Wow, these metric targets are tough.  Glad to see that the conditions are just great for shooting the match.  A lot of wind would drive my score even lower. Mick walker is putting on a great match. Sat and Sunday there is supposed to be a full line.

Out of Town Match --AZ Senior Olympics - 500 yd match

From Rick Curtis

Yesterdays Senior Olympics 500 yard match at PRGC was a record for attendance and fun! It didn't look very nice weather wise when I left the house but it turned into a beautiful day. We had a little wind but it was virtually the same all day long. A couple events occurred yesterday that are very well worth mentioning, Dave Fry shot his very first 200, a 200-12X to be exact. Congratulations Dave, that first one is a milestone in any rifleman's career and I'm sure there are many more to come for you!! Frank Fishers 596 included a stellar 200-13X during the second stage, not sure if this was a personal best but a fine score none the less. Jim Evenson continues to shine at 500 with new personal record of 598-27x just getting X'ed out by Pete Church (598-32x) to finish 3rd overall. Highpower prone newcomer Mick Walker finshed the day with a good solid score of 582-17X and it included a personal best of 198-9X also during the second stage, good shooting Mick! Mr Walker is soon to take possession of his new Palma rifle and will be joining us on the long lines soon!!!

 Hope to see everybody out at PRGC this coming Thursday for the first ever Javelina 6400 Metric Championship. This is the first of four straight smallbore matches in the month of March and probably the best shot at some new National Records allong the way.

Rick Curtis                Complete Results:  Click Here
Note: Rick shot an astounding clean score of 600-47x to win this match.  This included a 200-18x on his 2nd string !!