Excellence in Competition --- Leg Match---- 6/28/09 Click for full size

Minnesota National Guard shooting team--Attack Co., 2nd Bn, 135 infantry, Sgt. Al Schneider, coach and team Captain

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Back row: from L to R: SGT Joshua Moe, SPC Taylor Gile, SGT Al Schneider, 1LT Eric Swenson---Front Row from L to R: SPC Michael Windsperger, SPC Jake Mccann, SSG Grant Peters

GRRC Leg Match -- June 28, 2009 "Excellence in competition"

Minneapolis Rifle Club -- Sm Bore 6/27/09

Conventional Outdoor prone 1600

The Week Ahead -- June 24, 2009

Shooters
The week ahead holds the promise of 3 good matches. GRRC is hosting the Bob Hall 80 OTC match and a Leg match. Prone shooters can shoot the 1600 Small Bore match at Minnesota Rifle Club on Saturday.
But First.
The place to be this past Weekend was definitely the Elk River Sportsman's Club. Saturday dawned bright and clear as Service Rifle shooters gathered to compete in the State Service Rifle Championship. The weather stayed perfect all day as the competitors shot four 20 shot matches at 3 different distances and from 3 different positions. The crew (Tim Thole and others) at ERSC really did a fine job preparing the range for the match and getting things organized. The whole place was in tip top shape and it is a pleasure to participate in matches there. Mark Rohrman the match Director held the safety briefing about 0845 and first relay was on the line ready for the 0915 start of the first match -- 20 shots standing at 200 yds. Phil Carlson bested everyone by shooting 13 of 20 in the ten ring for a 193, and Jesse Bragg was close behind with a 190. In the 2nd match, a rapid fire match, shot from the sitting position, Don Mastro was near perfect, dropping only one pt, and posting a 199--- and with 9 Xs ! That's some fine shooting! After the pit change and moving back to the 300 yd line, Jeremy Harrison squeaked a win over Mark Havilk by one x in the prone rapid fire stage --both firing 199s, but Jeremy having 7 Xs to Mark's 6 X score. The last match of the day was 20 shots prone at 600yds. That match went to Al Schneider, whose score of 195-5x topped Larry Weidel by 2 points. Each of the 4 match winners received very nice plaques provided by Elk River Sportsman's club.

The overall Winner and 2009 State Service Rifle Champion was Jeremy Harrison with a score of 773-18x and Phil Carlson was just back a few and 2nd place with 768-18x. Jeremy is an Expert class shooter who beat out a good field of Masters for this win. Yours truly got the Senior award. I believe that all rifles on the line were AR-15s, I did not see a single M-1 or m-14 this year.

Elk River has two new traveling (I believe) trophys displayed. They are two large crockery jugs with military art work, and will have individual winners name plaques applied around the outside. These are awarded to the State Champ and Senior Champ. They are a nice addition to traveling trophys awarded in other State Matches. The Elk river Guys and Gals did a great job of putting on this championship match. Thanks Cathy Hagen for helping out and providing some nice pictures.
Pictures of this match (and results) are posted Below :

Sunday was the Leg Match and Jeremy Harrison showed he was just practicing on Saturday by winning the Leg match and taking home an 8 point leg. There were 28 shooters (non-Distinguished) entered and that ment 3 legs were up for grabs. Jim Penning shot a 471 to Jeremy's 473 -- good enough for the 2nd leg and 6 points. Erick Rohde, who legged last year (8pt), took the 3rd leg and 6 pts. I believe that both Erick and Jeremy now have 14 pts and will be heading to the Camp Perry Nationals in Aug, to add to that total. Next week's Leg match at GRRC is the last Leg Match of the year in MN, so let's see as many service rifle shooters as possible show up to support this CMP sanctioned program. 50 rds -- come on out !

The Week Ahead
This weekend there are 3 good matches to choose from in two days.
1. The GRRC 80 OTC offers a match on Gopher's very nice 600 yd line, and rapid fire matches.
2. The Small bore prone match offers great prone shooting and lots of it at the high quality Mpls Rifle Club range---
Both are on Saturday.
3. Leg Match (Sun)
I'm heading for the SB 1600 Saturday as I know I can go to GRRC on Sunday and shoot the Service Rifle in the Leg match there. So I do get to shoot at GRRC's 600 yd line once this weekend, and It would be nice if I could better last weeks miserable 300 rapid score. Since I'm not competing for those pesky leg points any more, the Leg Matches are an enjoyable 50 shot chance to blaze away and maybe win a medal on a good day.
See you there? Its a good chance to get that old M-1 or M-1A out for a test run and ck your zeros.

Thursday - June 25 -- GRRC HP practice
Saturday - June 27 -- Small Bore 1600 prone at Mpls. Rifle club
Saturday - June 27 -- GRRC Bob Hall 80 OTC
Sunday - June 28 -- GRRC Leg Match -- CMP Service Rifle 50 shot
Monday - June 29 -- GRRC Sm Bore League. &
Elk River F-class league 600yds
Tuesday -- June 30 -- High power leagues at NorthStar and Elk River

Looking Ahead two weeks
Long Range shooting is the option for the weekend of July 4th. What's a better way to celebrate America's heritage than to be out pulling triggers and hitting targets at 1000 yds. Saturday is a 3 gun 1000 yd State Championship, and Sunday is the Minn state Palma Championships. This Palma match consists of a 15 shot match shot at each distance of 800 yds, 900yds, an 1000yds -- for 45 shots total.
match program -- http://mrra.org/downloads/grrc/long_range_champ_09.pdf

Note: From Scott Olson
I was just reading the NRA Club magazine online when I noticed a familiar name, our very own Sue Bierly. Sue was one of four women in the U.S. this year who were awarded the "Marion P. Hammer Woman of Distinction Award" for 2009. Please take the time to read this magazine I've attatched. There are some ads (it is the NRA after all), but there is much information relevant to MRRA issues included. Sue's article is on page #8. Sue is too modest to promote herself, but this is a huge award. Sue, your tireless efforts for the NRA and the MRRA are appreciated very much. You have set a high standard for the rest of us to attempt to attain. Thanks for all your hard work.
Regards, Scott Olson

Service Rifle State Champions -- 6/20/09

Left to right

600 yd Prone Champ --Al Schneider
200 yd Sitting Rapid Champ -- Don Mastro
200 yd Standing Champ -- Phill Carlson
300 yd Rapid, and Overall St Service Rifle Champion -- Jeremy Harrison

Service Rifle State Champ Match

Photos by Cathy Hagen and Hawkeye.
Best ones by Cathy

Results - Mn State Service Rifle Championship

Click here to enlarge

Mid Range Champs -- 6/14/09

Ben Winget --F-Class Champ


Stacey Tamulinas -- State Mid Range Prone Champion







Pictures passed on by Capt. Bob

Ther Week Ahead -- June 17, 2009

The Week Ahead for Shooters
The coming weekend is Service Rifle weekend. Elk River Sportsman's Club will be hosting the Service Rifle State Champ. individual Match on Saturday, and then Leg match #2 on Sunday.
But First --- This past weekend, North Star Rifle Club hosted the Prone Mid Range championships. Saturday was the best weather for rifle match shooting yet this season ----sunshine, low humidity, light wind and low 70s made for a perfect day to be contesting the Mid Range title. Saturday was Iron sights and in the first 300 yd match two shooters set the stage with clean 200 scores--Bill Lair, and Stacey Tamulinas. In the 2nd 300 yd match, Stacey, Capt. Bob, and yours truly cleaned the target, but moving back to the 600 yd line, Stacey led Morgan Dietrich, and the group by 2 pts. No 200s were shot in the two 600 yd matches, but Stacey lost only 3 pts to finish the day with a great 797-46x and 4pts ahead of Morgan, Capt. Bob, and Bill Lair, all tied for 2nd at 793s.
On Sunday, another fine weather day at the range, the shooters traded Iron sights for Any sights (scopes) and started again by shooting two 20 shot matches at 300 yds. Again, 2 shooters, Elliot Zunich, and Stacey T., cleaned that first match. Morgan dropped only one pt back with a 199 and then shot a clean 200 in the 2nd 300 yd match, along with Omer Hamer and Stacey to stay within 5 pts going back to the 600 yd line. All 3 had just shot 200s with the same amount of Xs--15Xs. Omer Hamer was the only one to shoot a clean at the 600 and beat all the High Masters in that Match. With solid holding and a pair of 199s, in the two 600 yds matches, Stacey edged away to a 10 pt lead and the Championship for the weekend over 2nd place, Morgan Dietrich, and 3rd place Bill Lair.
F-Class shooter Ben Winget, shot amazingly tight on that very hard F-Class target to post a 1588-85x, including shooting 200s on both 300 yd targets and one 600 yd target Sunday.
Congratulations F-Class Champion Ben Winget, and Prone Mid Range Champ Stacey Tamulinas
Pictures from this match are posted Below

There was a 50yd Small Bore match at Elk River -- No News
300 meter prone Match at MRC -- No News

The week ahead
If you own a Service Rifle, this is your weekend for match shooting. Elk River Sportsman's Club will be hosting the Service Rifle State Champ. individual Match on Saturday, and then Leg match #2 on Sunday. Saturday is the 80 shot OTC individual Champ match, followed by the 600 yd part of the Service Rifle Team match, then Sunday starts with the short range part of the team match -- and about 11:00 am, every service rifle shooters favorite match --the Leg Match-- will start. The qty of Leg points up for grabs is based on how many shooters are entered, so grab that service rifle, 50 rds ammo and come out to enjoy this match.
Service Rifle St Champ Program: http://mrra.org/downloads/elk_river/09SR_Champ.pdf

Thursday June 18 -- GRRC High Power practice
Saturday June 20 -- Elk River Sportsman's Club -- Service Rifle St Champ Individual and LR team.
Sunday June 21-- Elk River sportsman's Club -- Short range Team, and Leg match #2
Monday June 22 -- GRRC Prone Small Bore league and Elk River F-class (check)
Tuesday June 23-- North Star HP league, and Elk River HP league (Check)

Looking ahead Two weekends from now
Saturday June 27, --GRRC will be hosting the Bob Hall 80 OTC
Saturday June 27 -- Small Bore -- Mpls Rifle club -- 1600 prone conventional outdoor
Sunday June 28 -- Leg Match #3 for the last-chance service rifle shooters. GRRC is getting spruced up for these matches, hope we'll see you there.


Notes:
1. -- 300 meter 3P matches at MRC have been rescheduled from July 12 to Oct 11
2. -- Mid Range Prone Team Champ has been rescheduled from Saturday Sept 19th to Sunday Sept 20th at NorthStar
3. -- NRA Regional OTC maybe rescheduled to Sept 19 at North Star
4. -- As many of you know, iconic service rifle shooter and gun smith, Derrick Martin's Accuracy Speaks Gun Smithing shop was burglarized a couple of months ago and the thieves made off with all of his rifles and work in progress. This was a devastating blow to Derek's business and he has been a strong supporter of all of our programs and shooters over the years. This Saturday, both the Rio Salado Sportsman's Club and the Phoenix Rod & Gun Club are hosting benefit matches to give back to Derek in a small way, to show our appreciation for all of his efforts. All proceeds from both matches will go directly to Derek. So......if you happen to be in Phoenix this weekend ....or want to help...... I think I'll send in an entry, but with a note that I probably wont make it out there.
Accuracy Speaks-- http://accuracyspeaks.com/public_html/index.html

Mid Range Champ -- North Star Rifle Club

Pictures from this weekends Mid Range Championship matches

The Week Ahead -- June 10, 2009

Shooters
The Weedend ahead features prone matches. Something for all prone shooters to participate in -- Small Bore, NRA Mid Range, and International 300 meter matches. Take your pick.
But First -- Rain, Rain--That's what we got on Saturday after a trip to Red Wing's Northstar Range for the Regional OTC matches. At least the shooters got in some socializing before the Match was called by Capt. Bob after waiting out a steady drizzle for a while. I believe that this match will be rescheduled for the Middle of Aug.
The weather improved considerably for Sunday's Leg Match, but a light turnout meant that only one leg would be awarded, and the competition was fierce to be top service rifle shooter. Mark Havlik won the 6 point Leg and the Silver medal with a 472. These were Mark's first earned leg points, and now I'm sure that he will be working hard for the next few years to get that Distinguished Badge. Don Mastro was 2nd non-distinguished shooter and got the Bronze but, unfortunately, no pts.. Kurt Borlaug, (previously distinguished so no pts) shot the high over all score of 479 and took home the gold medal.
Remember---the next leg match is coming up soon --June 21st. If you are a service rifle shooter and don't get out too much, the next leg match is the one you should plan on attending. Supporting the CMP program is important and the Qty of shooters in each leg match determines the total points awarded. These matches are inexpensive, short - only 50 rds (10 standing, 10 sitting rapid, 10 prone rapid, 20 prone slow fire), and a good chance to learn from the best service rifle shooters. So Plan on attending the next Leg match --June 21st.

Small Bore -- No news from the 4P matches at Hibbing. I would like to find out more about each of the Jr. Small bore teams.

Palma -- Looks like Stacey Tamulinas may have won a place on the US National Palma team, during this past weeks Palma Team tryouts at Lodi Wisc. Approximately 35 top long range shooters from around the US shot matches Thursday, Friday, and Saturday under the watchful eye of the Palma committee and Captain. Each shooter was evaluated on how well they could hold elevation on the 1000 yd target. After each 40 shot match, the shooters targets were removed to plotting where every shot was measured up or down from the water line. Besides getting statistical info such as "std deviation" of shots, each shot that was higher or lower than the X-ring were scored points off. So shooting a 10 at 12 o'clock is a point off, and a nine high would be 2 pts off, etc. Shooters were not penalized for wide shots due to wind, as wind coaches were calling all wind changes for all shooters. The prospective Wind Coaches were also trying out for their positions on the Team. Preliminary results-- based on vertical pts lost, may have Stacey in 3rd place and probably membership on the national Palma team. Team members chosen are required to compete with the team in selected international matches during the next two summers before the next International Palma matches. Stacey has competed internationaly as a member of a Bronze and Silver medal winning team in the Swiss National matches.

Note: Elk River KD range closed until further notice --- reason unknown -- What's with this ???? Latest news (Fri) on closing: See above

The Week Ahead
This coming Sat. I'll be heading down to Northstar again for the Prone Mid-Range St Champ. Matches. Prone shooting at 300 and 600 yds makes for a great day at the range. Saturday will be Iron sights, as usual, and Sunday will be Any sights. Each day starts with 2 matches of 20 shots at 300yds and then 2 matches at 600yds--all prone slowfire. There will be awards for F-class shooters. I'll be working up a newly re-barreled 6BR that sighting in yesterday showed that it needed a much higher front sight base---Hope it comes in the mail by Sat.
If you like shooting on Electronic targets or just want to try it --- Try the high Tech 300 m matches at the MPLS Rifle Club. It's usually 60 shots prone on the 300m international target with computer monitor at each firing pos.

Monday June 9 -- GRRC Sm bore prone league & Elk river league ( maybe postponed )-- ck
Tuesday June 10 -- Northstar HP league
Thursday June 12 -- GRRC HP practice
Saturday June 13 -- Mid Range Prone St. Championships at Northstar -- Program: http://mrra.org/downloads/northstar/mrp_champ.pdf
Saturday June 13 -- Pistol 50m Free pistol at MRC
Saturday June 13 -- 50 yd small bore at Elk River
Sunday June 14 -- Mid Range Prone St. Championships at Northstar
Sunday June 14 -- 300 m prone at Mpls Rifle Club.
Monday June 15 -- GRRC Small bore league

Two Weeks out --June 20 and 21st the Service Rifle State championship at Elk River--- Including a Leg Match (2nd Chance!)

Hawkeye

Leg Match -- Yesterday

The silver Medal and 6 point Distinguished Rifleman's Leg was awarded to Mark Havlik at Red Wing Leg Match yesterday. Mark shot 472 towin his first pts.. Don Mastro took the Bronze but no points @466. Kurt Boulaug, previously Distinguished, won the gold with 479. Congratulations to Mark Havlik now on his way to a Distinguished badge.
The next Leg match is coming up soon. We need to see more participation from service rifle shooters in these matches as the # of points awarded is dependent on the # of participants.

The week Ahead -- June 3rd 2009

Shooters
This coming weekend's High Power matches rotate to NorthStar Rifle club near Red Wing for the OTC Regional.
But First -- last weekends Livingston OTC matches at Northwestern Gun Club were as advertized -- Great! I knew it would be a good day when I hit the freeway for the 2 hr Drive from Hugo to NWGC. Bright Sun, puffy clouds, even with a promise of high gusty winds -- it would be a good day to shoot a match. I started the match with pit duty, while Kevin Bangen started by posting a 191-4x that held on to win the Standing Match. This was a very good score Standing on a gusty day. Larry Miller took both the Rapid fire Matches with a 200-10x sitting, and 199-11x prone at 300yds. And that folks, is 21 Xs out of 40 shots--rapid fire. In the final match -- the 500yd prone slow fire -- Larry Miller was the steadiest shooter, besting Kevin Bangen by 1pt with a 198-12x., but it wasn't good enough. Kevins lead from the standing match, was enough to top Saturdays scores with a 782-26X.
The whole day was great weather and a good excuse to sit around the 200 yd shack after the match for some refreshments and "I shot a" stories before the drive home.
Sundays match was held in ify weather including a few delays for rain. Kevin Bangen repeated yesterdays mastery of 200 yd offhand shooting by winning that match -- 192-4x, and continuing on to drop only one pt in Sitting Rapid to win that match as well. Loren Smith also shot a 199-9X but lost to Kevin on a tie-breaker. Bob Peasley used his new Red, White, and Blue tube gun to win the 300yd Rapid match --198-10x. A few shooters got to shoot 500yds but the 2nd and 3rd relay got rained out, and the match was called. Kevin Bangen wins the 2 day aggregate by winning both days matches --- I'm sure that Kevin is tuned up for next weeks OTC Regional. 2nd and 3rd places go to Larry Miller, and Jim Biles a few points behind. The rest of us---well, more than a few pts behind.
See Below for complete Results and Pictures of Match



The Week Ahead
Highpower --
This coming weekends Big Match is the NRA Regional being held at NorthStar Rifle Club -- Just off #61 a few miles north of Redwing. Saturday is the 80 shot OTC Individual Championship match followed by the 20 shot 600 yd portion of the Team Match. On Sunday, the team Match continues first thing and when that is concluded, the Leg Match for Service Rifle shooters will start (around 10:30--11:00) Shooting in these Leg matches is how Service Rifle shooters earn "Leg Points" toward award of "Distinguished Rifleman's" badge --a life time award. All Service Rifle shooters should head for this Leg Match and the best practice is to shoot the Individual match on Saturday. See you there.

This coming Thursday will see 4 of Minnesota's better long range shooters head for the Palma Team Try-outs being held at Lodi Wisc. starting Thursday. This is the 2nd in a series of 3 Palma team tryouts and will see top long range shooters from all over the US attempting to gain a spot on the this prestigious team. The Palma team represents America in international Long Range shooting, and competes by rules with .308 rifles against other world teams at 800yds thru 1000 yds. The tryouts will be for both shooters and wind coaches. Shooters will be evaluated on well they can hold elevation, while wind coaches will be evaluated on how their shooters do in wind changes. One new segment of the tryouts is a 20 shot match in only 8 min where targets are not pulled until the last shot. No chasing the spotter here. Those shooters trying out are Stacey Tamulinas, Morgan Deitrich, Steve Knutson, Bill lair ------------- Good luck and good shooting.

Small Bore --
1. 4P Championships in Hibbing--Saturday. I hope we get some results back.
2. The first 1600 is complete in the GRRC prone Sm bore league and next week will start the "Any" sight 1600. Twenty four shooters participated in the first 1600 at GRRC, and I believe that Larry Sawyer leads with a 1594 ---That's hard holding.


Thursday -- June 4th - GRRC high power practice
Saturday -- June 6th - Minnesota Small Bore 4P State Championships at Hibbing.
Saturday -- June 6th - NRA OTC Regional at North Star Rifle Club. Program-- http://mrra.org/downloads/northstar/regional09.pdf
Sunday -- June 7th - Regional Team and Leg Match at North Star Rifle Club. Program -Leg Match -- http://mrra.org/downloads/northstar/eic_nsrc.pdf
Saturday & Sunday - Pistol Regional and leg match at Oakdale
Monday -- June 8th - Small Bore Prone League at GRRC -- Start of Any Sight 1600, 50 yd match
Tuesday -- June 9th - Highpower league matches at Elk River and Northstar.

Looking Ahead Two Weeks
High power
Thursday league matches start on June 11th at Northwestern Gun Club, while leagues continue at North star and Elk River.
Mid Range Prone State Championship will be Sat and Sunday----again at NorthStar Rifle Club.

Saturday -- June 13th - 50 yd small bore at Elk River
Saturday -- June 13th - Mid Range Prone St. Championship at NorthStar
Sunday -- June 14th - Mid Range Prone St. Championship at NorthStar
Sunday -- June 14th - 300 m prone at Mpls Rifle Club
Hawkeye