Next Up -- The Palma Matches at Phoenix AZ.

Well, Next week is the big winter Palma matches at Ben Avery Range in Phoenix.
    Click Here for Palma Matches weather report.
   Those are always good matches, as there are huge amounts of competitors, and (normally) great weather. Now that the Firing lines at BA have been regraded and 1000yd line rebuilt to A+ standards, it's the place to shoot long range during the winter.  We have had great weather the past 5 years or so, but I do remember shooting in the cold rain about 2005.  This year I might work in the pits again.  Since I'm not really good at 1000 yd shooting, I think I'll pull targets for $$$.  It's a long day to pull for both the individual, and the Team match, but fun to watch the battle of the Top shooters from the Pits when the word is passed up and down about who has a good X count and is shooting clean.

Oliver Milanovic firing from 500 yds at Rio

 

  I usually get hired by the F-class shooters because they want 4 to 5 second pit service, and I can give them that service because they are shooting very small groups -- even from 1000 yds. There's no reaching all over the target when pulling for the top  F-ers like John Chilton or Steve Lockwood, and now German Salazar who is storming the FTR class this year.    
   I can pull targets next weekend and not feel guilty about not shooting as I had good shooting this weekend at the Rio Salado 500 yd match, coming in 2nd to Allen Elliot who only dropped 2 pts in the 3 twenty shot matches. I dropped 2pts. in the first match, cleaned the 2nd one for my first 200 score in a long while, and thought I could challenge Allen for the win in the last match but lost 6 pts in that match (4 to a mental error about which way to turn the elevation knob while shooting lower and lower for 3 shots and 4 lost points).  Well, 592 wasn't a great score compared to Allen's 598, but I was competitive and that makes for a good day at the match.
  I shot the space gun because its become obvious to me that I shoot the "space gun" better than the other 3 match rifles that I trade off on.  I can adjust my Anchutz rifle stock in every direction for good fit, but the space gun always feels more comfortable to shoot.  The space gun also shoots the .223 cartridge very well, out to 600 yds so recoil is low and good ammo is easy to make.  I like that -- easy ammo to make. .223 and 6BR cartridges are easy to make and the "standard"  match loads work in pretty much everyone's gun.  Keep it simple. The AR-15 platform must have been designed for someone just my size.  Even the A2 service rifle is the perfect configuration.

Well, this was a good weekend for shooting and I'm looking forward to the Palma Matches next weekend.
Hawkeye

Now This is a Bargain

From Ron Berg             
                               SHOOTERS             CHRISTMAS SALE

"Due to health and age I’ve decided to give up the shooting sports that I’ve enjoyed for many years and offering for sale my competition rifle and related reloading equipment,

Winchester Model (post)70 long action in 308 cal with a 1 in 11 Rock competition barrel (at the Sept match on the F Class target my avg was 96-97 per 10 shot string)

Included with the rifle are;  set of RCBS 308 dies also

10X40 Tasco Target Scope with sun shades

Front Rest and Rear Rests

The rifle also can be setup for OTC Iron Sight Competition it has an adj butt stock and forend stop (included are bases for front and rear sights and clip slot attachment) 

Included also are 34 loaded rds 168 hornady A-Max and

About 100 win cases

All this for $800.00

Contact me at my E-Mail address or by phone Home           1-715-845-7843 or cell 1-715-829-5160

1 spotting scope (champions choice) with stand   $100.00

2 RCBS Rock chucker loading presses                  $30.00 ea

1 RCBS Jr loading press w/lee priming attachment $30.00

1 REDDING Powder scale                                       $20.00

1 powder measure w/stand                                        $10.00

 Thanks

 Ron"

I first met Ron pulling targets on on the low end of Viale range at Camp Perry in about 1990. Since then I have shot a lot of matches with Ron at ranges such as Eau Claire, Northwestern Gun Club, Red Wing, and Harris MN, and enjoyed his company always.  Hawkeye

Out of town match -- AZ long Range Champs

 This in from Rick Curtis: 
Southwesternrifleshooting

"The Az Long Range Championship is now in the books, with both days being nearly identical in the conditions that challenged the shooters this year. Each day started with near zero wind and cloudy light conditions that quickly progressed to a fishtailing 6 oclock wind that at times exceeded 18 mph. 
   In the F Class divisions, David Gosnell absolutely whipped his fellow F-Open competitors like rented mules all weekend. Day 1 saw him finish with an
outstanding 589, a full 23 points ahead of second place Eric Cortina. Sunday saw Dave pour it on by agging a 591 to finish head and shoulders above the rest with a brilliant 1180. Congratulations David on securing a well earned place in Arizona F Class history! 
   Over in F-TR the bipod boys witnessed no less than an epic performance by first time Long Range F-er German Salazar. The G-man absolutely destroyed the competition, winning every single match but one, including an F overall win in match two. His day one 579 agg outdistanced second place winner Steve Lockwood by a considerable margin.
    Lockwood put in a valiant performance on day two to finish just behind Salazar in that agg but the damage was done and German emerged as the 2011
Az F-TR Champion.

    Finally over on the sling side of the line, which by the way was pretty evenly split between F and sling shooters this year, Arizona's own Phil Hayes put in a masterful performance all weekend. Hayes was running the Berger 115's in a new chamber configuration of his own design known as the 6X51 Hayes.
    Based on the 243 case Phil guesstimates he can effectively triple the barrel life over the parent case with his design. They say the proof is in the pudding, well Phil and his little cartridge crushed the competition, posting a 593 on Saturday and a nearly perfect 599 on Sunday to earn a decisive victory over the rest of the bondage boys and girls, laying claim to the title of State Champion! Congratulations to Phil, David and German on your respective division victories.

In closing I would like to give a big tip of the hat to Joe, Jack and Richard who setup and ran the pits each day, Fred Filkins on another great call of the line
and to Mid and Nancy Tompkins for all there hard work in the stat trailer. Next up is the Az State Highpower Championship this coming weekend that starts
off with a 3X600 on Friday. Great way to work off all those Thanksgiving calories. Then we hope to see many of you for the Az State Palma Championships Dec 2nd,3rd and 4th."

Thanks Rick. We'll see you this weekend at one of the prone matches. I got back in the sling again Sunday with an 80 OTC at Rio Salado.  Had a 197 at the 500, with the space gun, so I'm going to try it again Friday at the AZ 600 champ, or on Sat at Rio in the 500 yd match.  Darn, that .223 match rifle shoots good at Mid range!  Hawkeye

2011 Sm Bore outdoor Prone Final aggregate.

  From Chad Danielson:
   Jim,   Below are the final standings for the 2011 Season Smallbore Prone Aggregate Championship. Congratulations to Elk River Junior Shooter Eric Hazelton who won both the Junior Category Aggregate Championship, and the Overall Aggregate Championship with a total of 15,202 .  Behind Hazelton for 2^nd was Duluth Shooter Jim Biles who accumulated 12,663 points throughout the summer.  Brooklyn Park Junior Shooter Emily Quinner finished 3^rd for the season with 11,073 points.  Seven of the top ten finishers posted over 10,000 points for the season, but Hazelton set what will more likely be the mark to beat come next season with his 15,202 as he competed in all 8 of the tournaments making up the season, as the last scheduled tournament date of September 18^th, in Elk River was rained out.  

                         

1. Eric Hazelton (Jr.)   15,202 - 660
2. Jim Biles                   12,663 - 696
3. Emily Quiner (Jr.)    11,073 - 700
4. Steve Knutson           10,944 - 564
5. Chad Danielson         10,882 - 479
6. Nick Learn (Jr.)        10,789 - 413
7. Jim Evenson              10,669 - 501
8. Stacey Tamulinas        9,449 - 571
9. Lori Huseby (Jr.)        9,360 – 368
10. Julie Huseby              9,316 - 354

Mpls. Rifle Club Nov. 300 meter Match -- Results

From Brian Shiffman:   

"We had a wonderful day to have a match with indoor heat and electronic targets.  While it was not really cold the heat did take the chill out and made for comfortable shooting.  Very little wind to contend with.  We had a full house of 14 shooters; well, actually, we had more but the few additional people did not want to wait until the first relay was complete before shooting.  So, we did not have to have a second relay.  I would have been the only one shooting it!!  I made the executive decision that it was better to return back to the house for leaf clearing.

Among the group we had a couple of new shooters to our matches, and, a few interesting story lines:

Erhardt Bruderer took top honors in the 3-position class.

Kathy Nickell had never shot our matches and was using a borrowed AR 15.  I enquired about the specs and she knew them all.  Although the Nightforce scope went up to 22 power, she had it on 7 power and then proceeded to come in third place, behind Bob Eckstein and Johan Boden.  She was consistent throughout the match with two 195’s and a 194.

Bob and Johan tied with 590 for top spot but Bob bested Johan by one point on the third string to take first place.  Bob was shooting a Savage model 12 F/TR in 308 with a Nightforce scope and a front bipod that looks like a brace from a bridge.

Tom Loberg did not shoot his usual 308 but and a “new” one.  He and Johan had been battling month by month for top honors, both shooting factory Federal match 308; Tom using 168 grain bullets.  Well, his new rifle did not like that factory ammo.  Although he was also consistent from series to series, he finished in 6^th place.  After the match he shot a few Federal 175 grain match loads which seemed to group quite well.  I expect he’ll be using that load at the next match.  For those who would think the poor performance of the 168 grain ammo was due to a different barrel twist it turns out that both the old and new rifles were 1 in 12.  We have to look elsewhere.

A new shooter for us was Matt Hankes who won the prone position match with a score of 303.  How?  He was the only prone competitor.

We had 4 shooters shooting 3 positions.  Unfortunately, I failed to record the score of Ed Facundo so as soon as I get his score from the scoreboard at the range (or someone gets it to me) I’ll post it on the match results web page.  We also had two shooters shooting offhand.  Mike Marzitelli was shooting 222 Magnum while Robert Smith was using his AR 15.

I had loaded the 108 grain Berger BT for 6mm BR to try in a match for the first time.  I have been working up a load for this new to me bullet.  Since I did not shoot this match I’ll have to wait until the next match.  I had been shooting the 105 Berger VLD bullets with the length set into the lands by about .015”.  The 108 is not a VLD so it should not be loaded as far forward, usually these bullets are at their best with about .001 to .015 of jump before contacting the lands.  I have not played with seating depth, yet, choosing a “little” jump as a starting point and just playing with powder charge.

All in all it was a good shoot

 The results for the match (minus Ed Facundo’s score) can be found at:

 http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=11

 Brian D. Shiffman  shiff004@umn.edu

 Click Here for complete Results

Shooting Tutorial

From: Kurt Borlaug - MN State Service rifle team coach and Capt.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0H08JTs1Lg

  "Gents, The USAR team has posted a bunch of videos filmed last summer at Perry. This one is of extreme value to us all. Pass it on to your buddies not listed here and talk it up. Follow links to more. There are some other good ones of 600 yard team shooting w/ Anderson coaching.
 Also, Tom heard today that the Nosler order is on the way and we should be expecting the drop at my place early next week. Maybe we can do some testing on those pills before the snow flies.
Later, Kurt"

Some thoughts on this:  

Gents
This is a good tutorial.  
The most important words in it are "shooting window".    No matter what the wind is doing over a long period of time, there will be a "average condition" where the wind goes back to after rising or falling.  This "average condition" should usually be your shooting window.  Wait for it!
   As we all know, there are two ways to play the wind.  David Tubbs is very successful at "chasing the spotter"-- He continues to shoot as fast as he can through small wind changes in order to minimize the number of changes that he faces. Other shooters wait out the changes and shoot only in their "window".  
  The two best shooters that I watch all the time use the window method.   Rick Curtis, and Nancy Tompkins are Window shooters.  I watch them weekly in Sm Bore matches, and they are the last ones done in each 20 shot match, and usually have the top scores.
Other shooters, like me, use a combination of both methods, because I have a hard time staying in position for the 22 min it might take to get all 22 shots off using the window method---and it takes better wind reading skills to use the window method. 
   Other things come into play---  
The wind does not rise and fall evenly.   It rises more quickly than it falls. The wind also changes direction as it rises and falls, and usually with a predictable pattern.  Wind gusts (big or small) are sinking cells of air.  These cells of air have rotation.  In the Northern hemisphere gusts of wind usually have a somewhat clockwise rotation.  That means that "usually"  a gust of wind will "veer" in the clockwise direction, (Click Here) and when the wind is dropping, the direction will change (backing) in the counter clockwise direction. So--if the wind is from 7:00 and it rises, you can usually notice that it is changing towards 9:00 and therefore may have even more effect on the bullet flight.  Think about this in a 6:00 fish-tailing condition.   When the winds goes to 7:00 (left wind), it will be at a higher velocity than a change to 5:00 where the wind is dropping. So the 7:00 wind will blow you twice as far out, as you would be by misreading a change to 5:00.  The corollary to this, is that a veering wind from 10:00 to 12:00 might be rising in velocity, it will also have less value as a head wind.  
   If you want to learn about the wind, study a book on sailboat racing. Sailors get "all" their power from the wind. The angles they sail relative to the wind and the course they want to follow are what makes the difference between the winners and losers.  Sailors are the masters of the wind.  They go to great lengths to understand the changes in the wind and write a lot about it in books on sailboat racing. 
    Yes, the wind is complicated, hard to understand and apply correctly.  This is the real reason to shoot only in your "shooting window:"
   As for the coach telling the shooter to "favor"  in prone slow fire with iron sights---  Come on!   What is the point of that?  Does the coach not know the value of the wind?  Are they in such a hurry that the shooter can't click?  I believe that shooters who are not Highmasters, should never be told to favor in prone slow fire. Generally, they don't have the skill to do that properly and it just shows that the coach is not sure about his wind call and wants to put the onus of that shot result on the back of the shooter.  Master and below shooters should always shoot every shot straight away, while using Iron sights.  The shooter worries only about elevation, while the coach handles the wind call. Can you imagine a Palma coach telling his shooter to "favor".  
   Once again it's good to point out that the best prone slowfire shooters are also Sm Bore shooters, or have a Sm bore shooting background.  If you want to learn to read the wind-- shoot Sm Bore.
Jim E

Shooters News for the MN area - Oct 25, 2011

Shooters News for the Minn Area  -  Oct 25, 2011

The Week Ahead.  

Believe it or not, there is a rifle match this week.  The Air Rifle league has started its season with matches on Wednesday evenings at Bills Gun Shop in Robinsdale.    

  From Mike Marzitelli:

"We will be beginning the air rifle season at Bill's in Robbinsdale on Wednesday evenings beginning October 5th. We will be shooting every Wednesday from then to the end of March. The Olympic course will be fired at 10 meters on regulation targets. 60 shots for record per match. First relay will begin shooting at 4:00 and Second relay at 5:30. Range fees are $6. A contribution once during the

season is requested as well. Contact me for further information.

Mike Marzitelli at mmarzitelli@hotmail.com or call 651-489-9164."

    Click Here for Match program

300 meter

The only other match coming up for centerfire rifles will be Sunday, Nov, 13th at the Mpls. Rifle Club.  This will be a 300 m International style match using those nifty electronic targets. 

   Results - Oct 9th 300m match

from Brian Shiffman:

"For the third month in a row we were blessed with excellent conditions for a match.  Light breezes and very comfortable temperatures made for a good opportunity for scoring well. 

There were two new match shooters for F-Class who both did quite well.  Deb Hughes is an IPSC shooter competing in rifle for the first time (if I recall correctly) and came in one point behind Johan Boden for 4^th place.  She did was using a rifle from Garold Jones (who also spotted for Deb).

All in all it was a very good shoot with all targets working properly. 

The full results can be seen at http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=10

 

  MRC 300 m match -- The early years

Here is something interesting for you to do: while viewing results of a particular match if you click on a name the year average for that shooter in the particular class of that match will be shown.  For example, while viewing the October results if you click on my name the software will show that I have shot 8 matches in F-Class (since that is the class I shot in October) and show the average for each of the three series and the average of all series.  The averages will include all matches shot for the year in that class.

 Click on tom Loberg and the system will show that he has shot 8 matches in F-Class with an average total score of 589.9; Johan Boden has shot 6 matches in F-Class for an average of 590.0.  That just about sums it up for the way the competition has gone between these two.

The next match is Sunday, November 13.  I cannot guarantee that the weather will be a cooperative as we have had for the past 3 months but it will be comfortable inside the shoot house.

 See you at the range.

Brian     shiff004@umn.edu

Winter Highpower league

George Minerich (MRRA Pres) will once again be running a Winter Highpower League starting on Dec 3rd and continuing approximately every other Saturday through March 2012.

 From George Minerich:  --  Minneapolis Rifle Club Winter High Power League

The Minneapolis Rifle Club (MRC) will be hosting a winter High Power club league starting in December. Shooting will take place in the MRC heated facility on electronic targets. You must shoot match bullets or full metal jacket bullets (no A-Max or expanding bullets).The league will shoot every other Saturday December 2011 thru March 2012. Shooting will start at promptly 11:00 AM. We will shoot 50 shots for record with sighters between strings. The National Match Course will be shot. Prone and F-Class shooters are welcome and will shoot 50 shots for record slow fire. Time will be accommodated forprone & F-Class shooters. The Season fee (9 Saturdays) $75.00. The daily fee is $10.00.To get the discount you must pay the first Saturday.For more information contact George Minerich: (320) 968-6898 or george.minerich@q.com 

   Click Here  for match program

Report on the GRRC Full bore match.
 From Kurt Borlaug: 
   " October 9th saw the area's first ever Fullbore Prone rifle match. The weather was spectacular for the 14 sling, and 4 F-Class competitors. Firing started at a rather leisurely time of 10am and the match ran well under the able management of Mark Rohmann. Mark is a new GRRC member and has stepped up to help when asked. Mark studied the Fullbore rulebook thoroughly and all questions were anticipated and answered confidently.

  The format was pair-firing, with 15 record shots per competitor at 300, 600, 800 and 1,000 yards, for a possible score of 600 points. Adding to the pair-firing, shooters are required to break their shots within 45 seconds of the target coming out of the pit. This means you cannot wait out wind conditions. This forces shooters to quickly judge wind conditions and make BOLD corrections at times.

  Brian Mrnak from Ashland Wi. started off only dropping one point at 300 yards.  Klanderud, Peasley, Borlaug and Junior Eric Hazelton hung tight all at 148 points.

  Mrnak had the only clean of the day at any yardline with a 150-7x. Peasley was close behind with a 148-6x. After 600, Mrnak had the lead at 299-16x, with Peasley close behind at 296-12x. Hazelton and Klanderud tied for third at 295-12. Did I mention Hazelton is a junior.....?

  At 800 yards, the GRRC famous fishtailing conditions began to frustrate the competitors. Mrnak, unfazed, again was on top with a spectacular 149-12 x. Klanderud and Borlaug tied at 147-5x, with Phil's higher value on the last shot putting him in second for the stage. The format at the long-range portion was evidently challenging all comers, as a lot of shooters fair pretty well at the 800 line when they can wait out conditions.

  The 1,000 yardline was the biggest points dropper for all shooters. As the day wore on and the conditions continued to challenge, Mrnak finished again on top at 142-3x. Peasley and Borlaug tied at 139-3x, with Peasley Creedmoring Borlaug on the last shot.

 At the end of the day Brian Mrnak walked away the winner with 590-31x.

Three shooters had scores of 578 with close x-counts. Borlaug and Klanderud tied at 18-x, Peasley at 17-x. Borlaug's higher score at 1k put him in second place overall and first in the master class. Eric Hazelton came away first in Expert class and fifth overall with 575-20x.

  The positive response of this match has spurred the club to add this format again in 2012. There has been calls to revive the National Long-Range Course also. Thanks to all competitors for trying something new, and a BIG THANKS to Mark Rohmann for giving up a day of shooting to run the line."

Thanks Kurt for that match report.  I'm sure that this "Two to a mound shooting" might become a very popular match format.

Junior Shooters  
Would someone please keep us informed on Junior shooting activities over this winter season?

Note:
 Long time competitor Gordy Kordowsky has some once fired LC Match .308 brass for sale.
  Contact Gordy at gskordosky@aol.com

That's all folks

Hawkeye

Shooters News for the Minn Area - Oct 5, 2011

The Week Ahead

Highpower                 

This weekend it is Full Speed ahead to Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club  (map) for the last Highpower match of the season in this area.  This will be a "Full Bore" type match to be shot at 300 , 600, 800, and 1000 yds.  Shooters will be firing 15 record shots with 2 sighters at each distance for a total of 60 shots for record.  So, get out that "NRA Match Rifle, Palma Rifle or Service Rifle, or International Standard or Free Rifle. .223 Rem/5.56 Nato or .308 Win/7.62 Nato cartridges ...  Metallic sights only...." for one more match this season. The weather is going to be great, so come out and launch a few down range. Click Here for "Full Bore" match bulletin.
    I just talked to Match Director, Kurt Borlaug. He has received a large amt. of interest in this match.
    From Kurt: "The GRRC Fullbore match  schedule is as follows; 8:30 regs open, 9:30 close, pits seal at 9:45 and firing will begin at 10am."
    I think the chance to shoot "two to a mound" Full Bore style, will make this match a popular choice for the weekend. 

300-Meter Match

The monthly 300 meter match series will continue Sunday, Oct 9th at Mpls Rifle Club. Shooters will fire on 300 meter electronic target, and may shoot either 60 or 120 shots or record.  They may fire 3 position or all prone and may also choose to shoot F-class (scopes and rests) or even scope all day as in the Senior Scope class. With so many ways to participate, there is no good reason to stay home.  Think about it! -- you can stay home all winter. 


Notes:

Young shooters

Do you have a youngster that you are looking for a Junior shooting program that will get them started off on the right track.  There are many opportunities locally for that young person to be a part of excellent junior programs. Juniors are shooting and competiting, in Air Rifle, Small Bore, and Highpower shooting, and many local junior shooters are making a name for themselves at the collegiate and National level.  You just have to get them going.  Click Here for info  

Cheap Brass?
From Jim Soderstrom:

"Cabelas has all Lapua brass on sale at a good discount.  The .308 brass(non-Palma) is $55.99/100.  Best I've seen in a long while.  Brunos is $65.00 - $68.00/100 depending on quantity.

Jim S."
      Tks, Jim for the heads up!

Sad Day
After many, many years of operation, the 3M rifle and pistol club is shutting down.  Many thanks to Sharon and John Ruffing for (probably) 20 years of running that club.  We are diminished.

Two Weeks Out
Nov 13 - 300 meter match at MRC
Dec 11 - 300 meter match at MRC
 
That's all Folks
Hawkeye

Shooter's News for the Mn Area - Sept 28, 2011

The Week ahead
Traditionalists will be heading south to Bucksnort, Mo.this coming weekend for the last Mid Range match on the calendar.  Too far to travel for a match? Then a weekend of reloading will be in order for the "really" last match of the year to be held on Oct 9th at GRRC. I'm sure that there is one more beautiful fall day on the schedule,  so plan on this match as the season's last chance to pull some triggers.   Click Here for ''Full Bore" match program.

Last Weekend  

 It was the last Service Rifle Leg match of the year, and the weather was perfect -- light wind, sunshine and comfortable temperatures.

The GRRC range was in great shape and the match was well run. 

From: Mark Havilk
 There were 29 shooters, 26 non-distinguished. Bob Harper won with a 472-?x followed by Kurt Borlaug with a ?.    Matt Cwach took the second leg and bronze medal with a 469-?x. Al Schneider, Dean Gillette and myself all shot a 464. Dean beat me by 2 x's and I think Al beat dean by 3 x's.
 

Mark's excellent slide show of this Leg Match -- Click Here  
 
    click "full screen" and turn up the volume!

Notes: 
MRRA Board Meeting rescheduled to October 9 - Gopher Rifle & Revolver Club, Harris MN. (after the match)
Agenda

Two weeks out
Oct 9th  Full Bore match at GRRC -  Click here for Program

That's all Folks
Hawkeye

"If you are unwilling to defend your right to your own lives, then you are merely like mice trying to argue with owls. You think their ways are wrong. They think you are dinner." -- Terry Goodkind

Shooters News for the Minn area - Sept. 21, 2011

First---
from Capt Bob: 
Hello Minn. HP shooters:

Today, Sept. 20 is Dr. Ken Erickson's 87th birthday.  Ken was NRA national champion in about 1962 and a serious Minn  HP shooter until his late 70's.  He then became one of the first F class shooters in Minn. and in fact the F class trophy is named for Ken. He is also one of the founders of the North Star club in Red Wing.  Please join me in sending Ken a HAPPY BIRTHDAY greeting. Let's load up his in box for all day reading!

Ken Erickson  --     topgun53@yahoo.com

HOLDHARD"  Bob

The Week Ahead
The days are getting shorter and it sure feels like fall has arrived.  Unfortunately, that means the rifle match season is drawing to a close in the upper mid west. This coming weekend there are still two good choices for the discriminating shooter looking for just one more match before putting the equipment away for the season. 
  Service Rifle shooters will be heading up to GRRC on Sunday, Sept, 25th (map)  for the last local Leg Match of the year.  This "Excellence in Competition" match will award some "all important" Leg points to the top scorers and is the only path toward the life time achievement award of a Distinguished Rifleman's badge.  Other than winning the National Championship, earning a Distinguished Rifleman's Badge is usually the crowning achievement for most competitive shooters.  Service rifle shooters motto:  "If it isn't a Leg Match, its just practice"
     Click Here for program and Schedule for this leg match.  Leg Match weather report.--  Click Here   Note: This weather rpt. seems to update every 5 sec. 

If you are not "gunning" for Leg Points" (why wouldn't you be?), this will be a good fun 50 shot match to close out the season with.  So, dig out the service rifle and head up to GRRC and watch the big dogs sweat it out, while you just shoot for fun.
     
Traveling shooters, might head over to Eau Claire for the last weekend of  shooting at the Eau Claire Rifle Club

  The standard format will be in order.  Saturday is a Mid Range prone 80 shot match to be shot at 600 yds, and on Sunday the shooters will be contesting for the win in an 80 shot Over the Course match.    Click Here for match program and Schedule.  

Last Weekend

Phill Klanderud ignored the cold rain at NorthStar Rifle Club in Red Wing, MN and won the Mn State Service Rile Championship. Phill has been a long time member of the  MN St. Service Rifle team and a top competitor for many years.
  Complete Results of Sat's Service Rifle championship -- Click Here
     The Service Rifle Team Championship was won by the team of Larry Weidell and James Pennington.

                                                                                                Pictures by Mark Havlik 

Sunday's Leg match at NorthStar Rifle Club in Red Wing, Mn might have been wet and chilly, but the action was hot for Scott Brabec who won his Bronze Leg  on the way to his Distinguished Rifleman's badge.  Congratulations to Scott.

Larry Weidell wins the Gold medal, Scott Brabec wins the Silver, and Sgt. Al Shneider wins the Bronze. 
    Complete Leg Match results:   Click here
    Don't miss Mark Havlik's Slide show (with music) of this Leg Match -- Click Here  

300 Meter International     
 From: Brian Shiffman:   

 "This past Sunday, the 11^th turned out to be an ideal day for a match.  There was very little wind, except for a puff now and then, bright and sunny with a mirage to contend with.  I could see two targets nearly superimposed as they drifted in and out of focus while shifting a bit.  Since the wind was so low, the mirage was basically a vertical change of point of impact.  Some just waited a while until the mirage passed (and read the wind which caused it to pass) or did as I did and just pick one target and shoot.  It served me pretty well.

We had four shooters new to our matches who did pretty well, indeed.  Clearly these folks had handled rifles before.  One, unfortunately, was not able to complete the match due to technical issues but I hope he returns to shoot with us.  Ed Toensing came out to the match.  It has been about 18 (or was it 30?)  months or so since he shot with us.  Too many honey do’s and a broken bone kept him away.  For not having shot in so long he did pretty well.

The battle between Johan Boden and Tom Loberg that has been going on for the past few months saw Tom come out on top by 2 points over Johan. 

Robert Smith came with his A game and took top honors with a 596, 3 points better than the two who tied for second followed by two who tied for 4^th.  Complete results can be found at http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=9.

The next match is scheduled for October 9^th."

 Brian D. Shiffman  shiff004@umn.edu 

Small Bore
from Chad Danielson:
   Hey Jim,    The below is the current top ten standings of the Smallbore Prone Aggregate Season points as it stands after the August 27^th and 28^th State Prone 3200 Championship that was shot in Hibbing. The final prone match of the season is a one day 1600 coming up this Sunday September 18^th in Elk River

1         1.  Eric Hazelton (Jr.)        15,202 – 660
2. Jim Biles                       12,663 - 696
3. Emily Quiner (Jr.)          11,073 - 700
4. Steve Knutson               10,944 - 564
5. Chad Danielson             10,882 - 479
6. Nick Learn (Jr.)              10,789 - 413
7. Jim Evenson                  10,669 - 501
8. Stacey Tamulinas           9,449 - 571
9. Lori Huseby (Jr.)             9,360 - 368
10. Julie Huseby                   9,316 – 354

Notes:
From Capt. Bob: 

"I thought you guys might find this interesting --- Click Here  for Accurate Shooter article on "X-Ray Spectrometry of Cartridge BrassX-Ray -- Spectrometers Reveal Metal Content of Major Cartridge Brass Brands"

I've recently had a batch of S&B in 45 ACP that between 15 to 20% of the cases SPLIT on the bullet seating area (lip or front end).  S&B gave me one box of 50 for my inconvenience." 

Bob    
 
Two Weeks out (or longer)
Oct. 9th  -  Full Bore match at GRRC -- Click Here for Program
Oct  9th -   300m match at MRC   (map)
Nov 13th - 300m match at MRC
Dec 11th - 300m match at MRC  

That's all Folks

Hawkeye

Scott Brabec wins Bronze leg !

Phill Klanderud ignored the cold rain at NorthStar Rifle Club in Red Wing, MN and won the Mn State Service Rile Championship. Phill has been a long time member of the  MN St. Service Rifle team and a top competitor for many years.                             Pictures by Mark Havlik
    Complete Results:  Click here 

Sunday's Leg match at NorthStar Rifle Club in Red Wing, Mn might have been wet and chilly, but the action was hot for Scott Brabec who won his Bronze Leg  on the way to his Distinguished Rifleman's badge.  Congratulations to Scott.

Larry Weidell wins the Gold medal, Scott Brabec wins the Silver, and Sgt. Al Shneider wins the Bronze.      Complete Leg Match results:   Click here

This slide show of the match is brought to us by Mark Havlik

Shooters News for the MN area - Sept 14th

The Week Ahead for MN area Shooters -  Sept 14. 2011 

Distinguished Rifleman's Badge

 Highpower
Service Rifle shooters, this is your big weekend coming up!  The MN State Service Rifle championship will be held Sept 17th, and 18 at NorthStar Rifle Club near Red Wing, MN  (Map).  The individual match starts Sat. morning with first shots down range at 0900Hrs.  Shooters will fire from the Offhand position, and the prone position in slow fire matches, and will fire from the sitting position, and the prone position in Rapid fire matches.  Following the 600 yd prone match, the mid-range part of the the Team match will be fired,with the short course part of the Team match being fired on Sunday morning.  The big match of the weekend, of course is the EIC Leg match which will start somewhere around 1100 hrs Sunday morning after the team match is completed.  This 50 shot OTC match will award much coveted "Leg" points as the big prize.  I wonder who is close to earning their last points toward the Distinguished Rifleman's Badge?
                      Click Here for Service Rifle Championship match Program

  From: Capt. Bob
"Attached is your program for the 2011 Minn. service rifle championship & EIC match at North Star.  NOTE that we are shooting 2 person teams this year. We want to promote club vs. club competition but if you can't find a team mate from your club let me know & I'll try to pair up some pick up teams under MRRA or some other state Ass'n. If you wish to camp on Fri. let me know and I'll get the top secret gate code to you. Advance entries are preferred and keep in mind the entry orifice closes at 0830 SHARP so if you are just showing up be there before 0830!

HOLDHARD,   Bob  dilligas@means.net

Larry Sawyer is hosting a Rifle Coaching Training Session -- Postponed till Jan 2012
    Click Here for program

Small Bore shooters have one more chance to practice and show off their skills in prone competition this weekend at Elk River Sportsmen's club on sunday Sept. 18.  Chris Hazelton will be match director at this once a year oppertunity to shoot at the Elk River small  Bore range.  This facility is really under used and I enjoy the chance to shoot there.  Click Here for a match program and a map to the range.
                       Click Here for a few pictures of this excellent range and a slide show of last years match.
 Highpower shooters should note that these prone SB matches are the absolute best way to practice for Mid and Long Range prone matches.  Two of the top 3 shooters at this past weekend's Mid Range State Championships regularly participate in Small Bore prone matches.  That should tell you something.  These matches are shot 20 shots per target, and because you can see the hole in the target through your spotting scope, you get instant feed back on position, trigger control, and wind reading.  The targets are shot at 50 yds, 50 m and 100 yds, with both Iron sights and Any sights being used during the day.  Seniors can shoot scope all day and Fclass is welcome.

Last Weekend
The 9/11 memorial Mid Range State Championship matches were held this past weekend at Northwestern Gun Club. The weather held to forecast and was arguably  the best conditions these matches have seen in many years.  With pleasant temperatures and little wind to confound the shooters, plenty of great scores were shot. 

Stacey, Eric, Steve, and Rick

  From Stacey Tamulinas:
"Hi Jim: 

I knew the 911 Match was going to have a good turn-out when I arrived and there wasn't any room to park at the 200 yd line. This is the first time I've ever seen 4 relays at a MN match. There were 6 or 7 firing points for sling shooters and the rest were F-Class. Saturday had perfect wind conditions but as usual the targets were very dark and did not get sun on the faces until about 12:30. Wind was about 0 - 5 mph and mostly 0. 

Shot my Palma rifles all weekend but should have left the scope off for the Sunday Match.  The MR-63 target at 300 yds has muted rings and X that made finding a point to aim at (at least for me) difficult.  Things went extremely well on Saturday (800-57x).  Steve Knutson was in 2nd place with 791-42x.  He was using Hornady V-Max in a 240 I think.  At least 4 of his points were lost when one of his bullets took a detour to the 6 ring, going through sideways!  Personally, I never trusted those funny plastic tips.

Steve Knutson - Champ

Scope day, the wind picked up to 5-15 mph but seemed to have a very limited effect (maybe 1/2 min) for most people.  Bryan Murnak continued to shoot his 6.5x284 with irons to good effect  Steve K. was shooting very well.  My three 9s were off call but probably due to operator error.   Bryan ended the second day only dropping 1 point and Steve K. dropped 2 points.
  There was very close battle between Phil Klanderude and Mark Rhomann with Mark taking 1st Master by 1 pt.
  Rick Sievers won the F-Class State Championship with a 1594 - 93x. That is hard holding on that little target.
  Eric Hazelton was 1st SS/Expert with a High Master score and a possible National Junior Record score for 500 yd any sight.  Fair warning to the upper classes, his Master Card will be arriving soon.
   I checked the NRA National Records and Eric Hazelton missed the Junior 20 shot 500 yds, Any Sight record by 2x's.  Still very impressive for a SS Junior and he's not even close to exiting the junior class. 

   However, there were two National Geezer Records Set.  Omer Hamer set a new 500 yd any sight,

grand senior record with a 200 - 14x and I set a new 500 yd metallic sight senior record with a 200 - 15x.

Rick Sievers - F class  Champ

   Thanks to Elliot Zunich.  He ran a great match although his Serbian good nature was tested. If you weren't there you missed a good one.   Attached are the photos.  I can barely make out the Sunday scores.  If there is a way to increase the contrast, it might help.

Best regards,  Stacey

   slide show - click here                  Results ---click here

Stacey Tamulinas

 





GRRC Palma Match Sept 3rd
 From Kurt Borlaug:
Last Saturday, Sept. 3rd, GRRC hosted a Palma match and the turnout was less than stellar, but we had a ball anyway. Brett Kratt and Bob Woods came down from Duluth and with myself we made a party of it. The wind was dead calm for 800 and 900, picking up a bit at 1k just to tickle the bullets a bit.  Brett Kratt ,shooting an M1-A fired a 410-4x.  Bob Woods' first ever Palma match fired a 421-9
Kurt Borlaug, Palma rifle fired a 435-14x
Thanks, Kurt

Notes:
Full Bore Match coming up!  (Oct. 9th)
From Capt Bob:  
Greetings prone shooters:    Attached is a program for a first ever full bore match to be held at the Gopher Club on Oct 9thnear Harris, MN. I believe full bore rules require a 308 Winchester; however there may be some latitude in this since this is a first time event for Gopher.  Contact Kurt for specifics.  Watch the weather closely.  It can be dandy or nasty this time of the year in Minn. 
Capt. Bob                   Click Here for "Full Bore" match program.  

     From me--- This should be a fun match.  Full Bore matches are usually shot "Two to a Mound".  This means that the two shooters on the line alternate firing.  Both are in firing position,.  One shooter fires and the other records the shot on the shooters score card. As soon as the the score is announced, the scorer then has only 45 sec to fire his shot while the first shooter becomes the scorer.  They alternate shooting then scoring after every shot.  The "game" here is that you can't wait for the wind to be in your "shooting window".  You must fire your shot within the 45 sec allowed.   You must correct for the wind that is present and cannot wait out a bad condition.  Go over the 45sec time limit twice and you can lose the value of that shot.  This makes for a good learning situation.  "Two to a mound" is a fun way to shoot a match.  See Full Bore Match Rules -- pg 11-12

GRRC's Service Rifle clinic scheduled for Oct  is for Nat Guard troops only.

Two Weeks Out

Sept 25         EIC Leg Match (Service Rifle) at GRRC -  Click Here for Program
Sept 24-25    Mid Range and OTC at Eau Claire -  Click Here for program

That's All Folks !
Hawkeye