Mpls. Rifle Club's Sm Bore prone 1600

It was a Full House at Mpls Rifle Club Sunday as 20 Sm bore shooters filled out the whole line for the first prone 1600 match of the season.

  

The prone season for the Sm Bore folks got started at Mpls. Rifle Club, this past Sunday with the first "outdoor conventional prone" 1600 match of their summer season.
  The heightened interest in Sb Prone shooting has been evident now for some time as turnouts to these matches have been growing in numbers for the past couple of years. I expect this trend to continue as more and more Highpower shooters see the need to improve their prone shooting and will also see that Sm Bore competition is the best way to do that.
  The Match
After days (substitute: weeks or months) of dreary gray skys, the sun was out and the temps were going to be in the 60's. It looked good for the match.  I got over to MRC about 0800 and first off I saw that the worker folks had been busy upgrading the Sm Bore shooting house.  A lot of work had been done, including finish work on the walls, Heating and duck work, and temporary weather doors for winter shooting had been made.  Shooting tables to get the winter shooter off the cold floor, and make it easier to see over a couple ft of snow had also been constructed and were available for use.
  Yes, it was a nice sunny day for a match, but the wind was coming up and it was going to be strong and gusty. The forecast was for 18 to 20 mph wind from the NW.  The forecast proved correct.
  The shooters put lots of clips on their targets and backers and settled in for the first match -- 50yds match.  I thought I fired a reasonable score on the first target with a 194 in those unpredictable winds, but others did better and after two targets Jr. Scott Chester, and Moran Dietrich had both fired 396s for the match, only to get beat by Intermediate Jr. Patrick Sunderman with his 397-17x score.
   The next match was the Dewar match, with one 50 yd target, followed by a 100 yd target. By the time we got to the 100 yd line, the wind was a definate factor and the one who figured it out the best was Junior Erick Hazelton coming off the line losing only 6 pts for a 394 and 16 Xs.  I had my best match of the day taking a 2nd with at 393-15x squeaking past Jim Biles of Duluth, and again junior Scott Chester by only a couple Xs.
  The 100 yd match featured excellent wind conditions for someone that liked strong gusty winds. By the end of the 2nd  100 yd target, there were more than a couple targets flapping or torn. One target frame broken in the worst gust. There were a few surprise shots as the wind worked it magic, and I proved that I could still shoot 8s when inattentive. Jim Biles, High master High Power shooter had the best read on the wind shifts, and the best hold, posting an excellent 393-16x in those tough conditions. Jim's score topped the field by 7 points, as the next best shooters in that match were Sub Junior Marksman Lori H., and Master - Steve Knutson, and Morgan Dietrich, - all with 386 scores.  On the last 20 shot target of that windy 100yd match, Lori H. fired a 195 to Steve and Morgan's 193, 194.  A great performance for a great young shooter. She didn't win the match, but she fought it out to the last shot.
 The  50m match brought little respite in the wind, but the competition was still fierce. Jim Biles knew he was 2 points up on Morgan going into that last match, but two points in tough conditions is little comfort.  3 people tied for 2nd place in that match with well earned 392 scores and they were Morgan Dietrich, Jr. Alex Giesar, and once again Jr. Erick Hazelton.  Jim Biles fired a 393-16x to win his 2nd match of the day and take title of overall Match Winner for the Day. 

Click to expand

Complete results:  Click Here 

Congratulations to Jim Biles - Match winner, 1569-62x
1st -- Morgan Dietrich 1566-68
2nd -- Chad Danielson 1543-43x
3rd --  Julie Huseby  1540-45x  

Junior Match winner -- Erick Hazelton --  1562-57x   (3rd high overall)
1st Junior -- Patrick Sunderman 1556-50x
2nd Junior -- Alex Giesar 1548-62x
3rd  Junior -  Scott Chester 1546-51    

   

Tuesday's storm in Hugo, MN

Lee S. shooting Sitting Rapid fire at GRRC's Bob Hall match May 7

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Shooters News for the MN area - 5/11/11

Shooters News for the MN area - May 11, 2011

The Week Ahead  
   For this coming weekend, prone shooters will have choices.  Traveling shooters that want to shoot a Long Range Highpower event will head on down to Lodi, Wisc. for the Wisconsin Long Range Regional.
    Prone shooters that want to stick closer to home will be heading on over to Mpls. Rifle Club on Sunday, May 15, for a Conventional Outdoor Prone 1600 Sm. Bore match.  Shooters will fire 4 ea 40 shot matches--- the DeWar match: -one targ

et each at 50yds and 100yds,  the 100 yd match: -2 targets at 100 yds,  the 50 m match:- 2 targets at 50 m , and the 50yd match: - with 2 targets at 50 yds. I like these Sm. Bore matches as there is no target pulling, and I don't have to load the ammo. This match includes F-class for the first time, and will also feature a "Senior Scope" class for those seniors who don't shoot Iron sights any more. 
   If you have a sm bore rifle and can shoot from the prone position, (sling or F-class) this is the match for you.  Rem ember--- the absolute best way to hone your prone shooting skills is by shooting sm bore.  All most all top long range shooters are small bore shooters as well. Click Here for Sm bore match bulletin

Last Weekend
The Bob Hall Match at GRRC
Traditionally, my first OTC match of the MN shooting season is the Bob Hall match at GRRC.  I planned this year to shoot my AR space gun, but that was not to be.  For the first time, I had left an important piece of equipment in AZ. I had left the sight base on my other upper receiver and now I could not attach the rear sight to the rifle.  Oh, well, I'd just have to shoot the Service Rifle and do my best with the battle sights.  I have found that I an shoot Standing and Sitting just as well with the service rifle as with the match rifle. Fact is, I can usually always get a higher score in Sitting rapid with the Service rifle.
  The day had been forecast for some rain showers, but turned out to be a glorious day -- 70 deg and sunshine.  It was the perfect day for a shooting match.  Fifteen shooters came out the enjoy a day at the range -- mostly service rifle shooters.
  Not having practiced Standing for a few months, my score suffered as I shot mostly in the nine ring with a few tens and got a low 180's score.  Next up was Sitting Rapid, and that started out great with a small group in the middle and a 99-7x . Another tight group on the 2nd string but high in the 10 ring made for a 195 -8x total.  Prone 300 yd rapid went well, but Prone slow fire at 600 yds  did not as I could not see the side edges of the front sight blade and kept shooting left and right for a low 183 score.
Click Here to see short Video of Erick Rhode shooting Sitting Rapid fire
Click Here to see short Video of Lee Sorenson shooting Sitting Rapid fire

Kevin Bangen - Winner of Bob Hall match

The long winter off didn't affect Kevin Bangen's skills in Over The Course shooting. Kevin fired an awesome 790 score at the GRRC's season opening Bob Hall match.  After dropping only 7 pts. standing, Kevin fired a 199 Sitting Rapid, and then a clean 200 score in the 300yd prone rapid fire matches. Even though Kevin had lock on the match winner by this time, he went into the prone 600 yd slow fire match looking to post what might be a range record, 792 score.  A couple of 2 min wind reversals cost Kevin 2pts in that match, but he came off the line with the highest score of 790-36x. 
  Kevin won all 4 of the matches on his way to the highest aggregate, but Mark Havlik came close in the sitting Rapid match with a 196-4x,  and in the 300yd prone Rapid match, Tim Boyle came close to taking that match away from Kevin with a 198-9x.  Dale Wickstrom posted a late comeback after some lower than average scores at the short line matches, and started nailing the 10 and Xring at 600 yds to finish 2nd with a great 195-6x in that match.
    Kurt Borlaug ran a great match as usual, and also as usual, the GRRC range was in perfect condition for this long running spring match --  even with a few extra puddles to contend with in the pits.  
  Click Here for slide show of pictures from Bob Hall Match.
  Click Here for match results  

300 Meter International  

 From Brian Shiffman:
It was a great day for shooting (may 8th); the right temperature and very slight and variable breeze.  For the most part the wind was near calm but there were occasional gusts that were enough to blow bullet about one ring over.  A few of us got caught asleep at the trigger because these were so few and far apart.  We finished shooting before it began to drizzle in the afternoon.  There was not a big turnout but it was still a good match.
The consistency award goes to Ed Facundo for 190’s across the board, in Prone.  Russ gets the award for most improved in a single match; every series was better than the previous one.  The first two series in F-Class had all three of us very close.  Aeren Nauman was shooting a very nice custom Surgeon in 6.5x47 while Chuck Bever was shooting a 6.5x284.  A little more noise than the 6BR’s.

 After working on iron sight alignment for months I decided to see if there was something in my ammo or barrel that had deteriorated over time and needed tweaking, so I shot F-Class with a scope.  Well, I think there is nothing inherent in the rifle or ammo that would justify my poor iron sight scores…even when using irons sights from a rest.  So there I am, left with other problems related to position and alignment, trigger handling, phase of the moon, tide clock or whatever.

Here is the link to the match scores for May:  http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=5

The June match is scheduled for Sunday the 12^th.
Brian D. Shiffman   shiff004@umn.edu

Highpower Notes:
From Capt. Bob

HP SHOOTERS:

Attached find 2 programs for May 28-29 at North Star. Note especially the MRP SERVICE RIFLE ONLY (Click Here) program. North Star is planning on a BBQ after with Brats & Burgers. You supply your soft drink & or adult beverage.

It's important that you contact me by noon Wed. May 25 with your intention to be there for the BBQ so we can order enough chow.

I do not need your entry fee, just email me that you are going to shoot & stay for the food.  If we don't get at least a dozen for BBQ it will be canceled.

Sunday 29th is an NRA approved OTC match.  HOLDHARD,  Click Here for match bulletin

Bob      

Two weeks out
May 21st --  MRC -- Small Bore Off-Hand league - match bulletin click here

May 21-22  --  GRRC - Wadekamper Palma matches - match bulletin click here

That's all Folks!
Hawkeye

Tuesday Morn. Sm Bore at GRRC

 If you wish to work on your Prone Shooting skills, and have Tues. morning free time, the GRRC Sm Bore league will be shooting thisTuesday 9:00am.  Each week we will shoot at least one 40 shot match as part of a regular 1600 prone outdoor competition.  4 weeks will make up each 1600. 

  Any one that has a SB rifle should come.  You can shoot F-class style, and senior scope if you want.  

Note: This weekend is the first Sm Bore prone 1600 of the summer at MRC -- Sunday, May 15th. This match is also open to F-class and senior scope.   Click here for match bulletin

The Week Ahead -- Shooter's News for the MN area -- May 4, 2011

The Week Ahead

 For me, the MN shooting season starts this weekend (Sat) at GRRC with the Bob Hall OTC match.  We shifted from AZ to MN early this week and had an opportunity to travel though some of the most beautiful country there is.  Just north of Flagstaff AZ, you drive through John Wayne country (Monument Valley) on your way to Moab, UT, and the Colorado River highway leading up through the Rockies and out to Denver.  I'll post some pictures and a video or two on the Blog - Magnificent and we the people of the great USA own it! 

       

HighPower

  This Saturday, May 7th,  Over the Course shooters can shoot at GRRC, at the long running Bob Hall Memorial 80 shot OTC match. This will be a good warm up for all the Service Rifle shooters looking to make the MN service rifle team.  I'll be there with a match rifle, as I like shooting the rapid fire matches in the OTC course of fire.  I'm always looking for that elusive 200 score in Sitting and Prone rapid fire, and the chance to shoot a 20 shot match at 600 yds.is always a good challenge.

  Click Here for Bob Hall match program

from Kurt BorlaugBorlaug:

GRRR  wants to advise all competitors attending the Bob Hall Match this Saturday to wear appropriate footwear. Our pits are a bit soggy and I want no whining about wet feet if you show up in running shoes or the like.
  Also, is it just me, or does anybody else think it's odd that just a week or so after MSGT Matt Griffin gets deployed. OBL is room temp???  Say a prayer for all our armed forces all over making our lives what they are.
Later, Kurt

This Sunday, May 7-8,  there are Mid Range Prone matches at Lacrosse Rifle Club.  --  600 Yds.

   The match program web site is down at this time but Click Here to try it.

High Power Notes:

1.   Post 435 VFW will be hosting a Service Rifle Clinic on June 4th - Click Here for Match bulletin.

2.   NorthStar Rifle club is considering scheduling an OTC match July 3

    From Capt Bob:

"Would you shoot a 1 day OTC at North Star July 3 if I can get the range?

 I think it would be a $15.00 fee with minimum awards and no scores to NRA.

 If I can get at least 20 shooters I would probably set it up." --  Bob  dilligas@means.net 

 John Graves has donated a $50 prize for this match as way to celebrate his B-day and:

 Capt. Bob proposes to:

"pending approval from John.  His cash prize would awarded by drawing vs. high score.  I believe this method should attract more shooters than the match winner getting it. We will put all the names in a hat and draw.  

 The usual award schedule will apply from your entry fee. Now do you feel better about shooting on July 3? let me know by May 10 because I'm away for a week starting the 11th."

3.  Elk River Sportsman's Club is adding a Mid Range Prone match to the schedule on June 25 &26. Each day contestants will shoot 4 prone 20 shot matches with Any Rifle and Any sights -- both sling and F-class.  Click Here for Match program and entry 

 300 Meter International

Minneapolis Rifle Club hosts a 300 meter Prone International match this Sunday, May 8th on their sophisticated Electronic target system.  There will be classes for 3 position, prone and F-class shooters.  These international targets are vary demanding, but shooting with this kind of technology and a shot plotting monitor next to every firing position really fun.

 From George Minerich:  

Sunday brought the 3 Position to Mpls. Rifle Club for the 300 meter Championship Match.

Eight shooters fought it out in great match shooting conditions. This match is shot with unlimited sighters before each position. Shooters shot 20 rounds Prone, 20 rounds Standing and 20 shots Kneeling for record (all slow fire). Shooters competed on the 300 M International Electronic C 1 Target in all positions.    Sm Bore

Erhardt Bruderer won the 2011 300 m State Championship, shooting a 3P score of 554

Eric Hazleton won the 2011 Jr 300m St. Championship, shooting a 3P score of 502.

Complete Results;  Click Here

This smmer there will be a special prize for the most dedicated small bore prone shooter. 

Small bore

From Chad Danielson:

Sunday May 15^th  MRC Conventional 1600 Prone tournament is the first Smallbore prone match that goes towards the newly developed Minnesota Aggregate  Prone Title.  Any shooters that show and shoot the tournament will have their score recorded for points towards the cumulative title at the end of the summer season.  Actual tournament score will be used to accumulate points towards the title. For example a shooter who shoots a 1586 will have 1586 points towards the championship.  Whatever smallbore prone tournament that shooter was to shoot next will then be added to his or her total. At the end of the season the shooter who has accumulated the most tournament points will be declared the 2011 Minnesota Smallbore Prone Aggregate Champion.   This was set up with the idea of promoting continued growth of our local Smallbore Shooting matches throughout the summer. Also this system doesn't't necessarily mean the best shooter will end up, as end of the season champion, the shooter most dedicated to attending matches possibly will have the highest accumulated points total at the end, as the more of the 9 scheduled Smallbore prone matches you attend the more points you will accumulate. There will be an overall end of the season plaque, and a junior category plaque to be awarded at the end of the summer. 

Click Here for summer aggregate Program

Next Sm Bore matches are Sunday, May 15, at MRC .  This is a Conventional prone outdoor 1600. 

  ** Remember -  this match is open to Seniors using Scopes and to F- Class shooters, so if you have a small Bore rifle, there is no excuse for not coming to this match. See program below.

 Two Weeks Out:

May 14-15 -- Long Range Regional at Lodi

May 15     --  Sm Bore prone 1600 at MRC - Program Click Here 

May 21-22 -- Wadekamper Palma matches at GRRC -- Click Here

 Thats all Folks

Hawkeye

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!