Shooters News -- The Week Ahead for MN area shooters - Aug 31

The Week Ahead

 There are 5 good choices for Rifle matches this coming Weekend. So there is a little something for everyone.  There are 3 days of Highpower shooting at the Eau Claire Rifle Club,  and 2 days of Small Bore shooting at Mpls Rifle Club.   
 

Highpower

 The traditional Labor Day Weekend weekend of Highpower matches at Eau Claire starts off on Saturday morning 0900hrs with a Mid Range Prone match to be shot at 600 yds.  This is an 4x20, Any Rifle (NRA)  80 shot match starting with 2 any sight matches, then 2 Iron sight matches. F Class shooters invited, of course.    Sat & Sunday program Click Here

 Sunday's match is an 80 shot OTC, and this will be followed on Monday Sept 6th with a M-1 Garand match. 1903 Springfields and 1917 30.06 Enfields also allowed.         Garand match Program -- Click here   

Small Bore

 From George Minerich:

"Hi All: 

On September 4 & 5 the Minneapolis Rifle Club is hosting a Regional 3-Position Smallbore match.

It would be a good weekend to get your smallbore match rifle out and have some fun!

The match program can be found at mrra.org under the "Smallbore" radio button.

Thanks!"

George Minerich MRRA Pres.                  Click Here for Program     

Small Bore Wind Mill  -- Make your own!   

A couple years ago when I started shooting more Small Bore Prone matches out west, (where the wind blows most of the time), my shooting friend, Bill Luth and I looked into buying the little wind mills used by most of the shooters.  After finding out that they cost upwards of $140, we decided make our own, and save $100---(yes, we are cheap skates, and proud of it! ). 

If you want to make your own Sm Bore wind mill,- it's easy enough and saves money for more ammo.   These work as good as the commercial ones, can be adapted to your needs, and are a good craft project for Junior shooters.   Click here for parts list and Pictures

Notes:  From Larry Sawyer

"Friends-I know this is late notice, but... we just put this together. 

 I am running a NRA/USAS Level 1 Rifle Coach Certification Course the weekend of September 25th, in Richfield, MN. (Just south of Mpls.) We will start Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.- 9:00p.m. The class will continue Saturday morning at 09:00 running until 5:00, and then Sunday from 09:00 to about 4:00. 

American Legion Post 435 in Richfield is the sponsoring organization. Cost will be about $125-$140; we'll have a final number in about two weeks as we nail down specifics.

 Registration is being handled by Mr. Linn Laage. Linn's email address is:  l.laage@comcast.net

 This course is ideal for anyone who:

- has expired NRA Rifle Coach credentials, or

- is a Rifle Instructor and wishes to go the next level, or

- wants to run an American Legion based junior shooting program, or

- has no formal credentials but is already coaching rifle shooters in a club, or

- works in a JRTOC environment and needs the credentials, etc., etc.

 In other words, anyone coaching other shooters, especially juniors, or even rifle shooters themselves who want a better understanding of the sport of competitive rifle shooting, will find this class very useful and informative.  It is not required that you have Rifle Instructor credentials first. There are no formal pre-requisites for the course. The NRA, USA Shooting, and the Civilian Marksmanship Program all recognize completion (and passing) of this course as having fulfilled the requirements to become a Certified Rifle Coach.

 Please contact me if you have questions about the course. If you are ready to register, please contact Mr. Linn Laage at the email address above. Please forward this email to anyone whom you think may be interested. I hope to see you at the class!

 Best Regards,--Larry Sawyer 

  NRA/ USAS National Coach Development Staff, Andover, MN  -    763-757-2452   

Corrections:    From Jack Kollmer

Hawkeye

Yes it is good to see Gordy shooting again.  But you have your facts wrong as far as the Marksmanship Coordinator for MNARNG, that position was always held at the Adjutant Generals office by an Officer who worked full time for MNARNG.  Our strongest supporter was Col. Clinton G. (Buck) Johnson back in the 60's, and 70's who lived in the Stillwater, Minnesota area and on the private side made a Buck scent that was very popular with deer hunters. Don't take my word for it contact G. W. Johnson from Faribault!!  Remember me I built you an x-ring shooting M-14 Rifle.

Regards,

Jack R. Kollmer, MNARG retired   

Jack, I remember learning a lot about Service Rifle shooting from you, and that rifle you built me was indeed an X-Ring gun.  I also seem to remember that just a couple years ago, you came out of retirement for the Duluth Championship match and won the 300 yd Rapid trophy with an M1A.  It would be nice if you would grace us with your presence again sometime.
 
Two Weeks out--

Sept 11-12  --  Hunter Lake 9/11 Mid Range championship -- NWGC Duluth   Program Click Here 

Sept 11 --  Service Rifle 50 shot OTC --  Bald Eagle Sportsman's club -- White Bear Lake     Program click Here

Sept 11-12  --  Wisconsin Long Range 4man Team Champ --  Lodi    Program Click here 

Sept 12  --  300 meter match at MRC  -- no program available     

Don't Forget:

Highpower matches at Eau Clair Sat--Mon, and Small Bore 3P at MRC Sat and Sunday. I might see you all at Eau Claire Sat if I find a ride. 

That's all folks
Hawkeye

Prone Rapid Fire - M14 - GRRC -Tues. 8/24

Tues. Morning guys  shooting Service Rifle at Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club.

The Week Ahead for Shooters -- Mn Area Aug. 25

This Weekend

This next weekend may be a welcomed time off for many rifle shooters in the Twin City's area as there are no local matches. However, that does not mean that there are no matches to shoot if you are willing to drive a few hrs. North or South. 

Small bore shooters will be heading up to Hibbing, MN to participate in the "Conventional Prone MN State Championship"  Aug 28-29. See Program -- Click Here  (page 5)

Highpower shooters can make their way to Lacrosse , Wisc. for Mid Range Prone matches both Sat and Sunday. Sorry, no program avalilable, but here is a map to the Lacrosse Rifle Club range.  Click Here 

Highpower

Last Week's Service Rifle Leg Match at NorthStar

From: Mark Havlik

Mark Havlik

Here's a report from today's Leg match at Northstar.
I wasn't at the fun match Saturday but the couple folks I talked to said it was the most fun they'd had shooting a match in a long while.  Sunday morning, the fog was so thick  when I arrived at the range I  couldn't see that Jerry had left the number-boards up from

Saturday's  fun match until I was past the 200 yard firing line.  Our scheduled squadded practice was canceled due to the fog and

lack  of interest. The fog burned off long before our first shot of the match with steamy conditions and just enough of a breeze to keep things interesting at 600 yards. Everything ran smoothly with the exception of a pit alibi on first relay. 

    Attendance was somewhat disappointing with only 8 non-distinguished and 1 distinguished shooters. Steve Saturn decided, despite my coxing and reassurance, that he'd help in the pits as we had 3 even lines. Scores were a bit low with the heat, humidity and North Star's notoriously shifty winds taking their toll The results:
Mark Havlik - Gold Metal and Bronze Leg.
Shawn Breuklander (Dis) - Silver Medal.
Tom Torborg - Bronze Medal and First Leather.
Results Buletin -   Click Here           Pictures -  Click here   Mark Havlik   Match Director (Pro Tem)  North Star Rifle Club
Congratulations Mark on winning that Bronze Leg! 

 The MN Mid Range Prone Regional Championship is almost upon us. It's time to start planing your trip to NWGC  (Duluth) for these "9/11" matches (Sept 11 &12th) which have been very popular in past years.  Why so popular---Well, it's usually great weather, the range is one of the best in the state, and the guys always put on a great event.  These matches are for both Sling shooters and F-class and there are medals up for grabs for both classes. 

From: Capt. Bob

    F class shooters note:

 Last year I convinced the NRA HP committee that they should provide medals for F class shooters at these prone regional's. As is reasonable they told me they would if there were at least 10 F class entries.  There will not be for both F class divisions, just "F class".  So, make sure you drag your buds up to Duluth.

 And you sling guys, come on up also!

 HOLDHARD,---Bob"    Match Program : Click here

Shooters--Don't forget that the Mid Range Team Championship follows the Regional at Duluth by only one week (Sept 18)--So start working on getting your team together.  This Match (MR Team champ) was, without a doubt, the past year's best match.  This is a true "Club Team" match.  All star teams are discouraged as we want to promote  "Club vs Club"  competition and the comradery that goes with it.  We are hoping that NWGC, and Eau Claire can get a team together to compete for regional bragging rights this year.  We missed their participation last year and they can't win if they arn't there.

Team Match Program  Click Here

From Capt Bob

"MRP shooters:-----I may have sent this already but a follow up never hurts!  Attached is your program for the 2010 Minn. MRP & F class team championship.  Be aware that any place you see the term "iron sights" it applies to ONLY sling shooters.  The F class guys will shoot the same course but of course with scopes all the way. If you have a team planned PUH-leese let me know ( fclass or sling) so we can have proper targets ready. We had 8 teams and outstanding weather last year.  I'm hoping for 10 teams & outstanding weather this year. I don't necessarily need all the names, just the number of teams.  Also, if you would like to try this game but don't have a team let me know & I'll start a list of names for pick up teams both F class & sling.  You can always shoot under the State Association banner or just call your team the PICK UP POND SLIME or something.

 Note that the course has been reduced to a 60 shot aggregate all with iron sights (except for F class shooters).  I think we all agree that a full 80 shot was way to long of a day.

 HOLDHARD - Bob" 

Back in Harness

Our old friend, Gordy Kordoski, Highpower shooter and past Marksmanship coordinator for the MN Nat Guard, has been coming out to shoot Sm Bore on Tues. mornings with the retired guys at GRRC after a 12 year absence from the shooting game.

 This Tues morn. Gordy showed us that he hasn't lost a bit of skill during that layoff.  Shooting his M14, Gordy pounded the 10 ring in Prone Rapid just like he had never left the sport.  See Gordy in action:   Click here 

Gordy--It's good to have you back! 

International Offhand 

From Mike Marzitelli

 Gentlemen.  Here are results from the 8/21/2010 International Rifle Offhand matches held at MRC. 
There were two matches. 
 The first is the Schuetzen match which consists of 50 shots smallbore offhand at 100 yards at a Wyoming Schuetzen Union 25 ring German Target.  The 25 ring is 1.5 inches in diameter.  All competitors were in the open class which has no restrictions as to equipment save the rifles be smallbore.  In this class, all the competitors used jackets.  The range of equipment was Anschutz, Schultz & Larsen and a smallbore converted AR 15.    One used a 16x scope as well, and two used full Olympic grade iron sights.  The match is shot under the any sight provision.  All of the contenders are regular 300 meter competitors.  There were unlimited sighters on a sighting target and two 25 shot targets for record.  If we have competitors who choose to shoot traditional equipment, we will have a separate class if so desired.   

 Shooter                                    Series                                    Sum 

Erhard Bruderer             573                  562                            1134  Anschutz 

Robert Y. Young             527                  528              1055  Schultz & Larsen Model 88 

Robert W. Smith            482                  486                              968  AR 15  smallbore
 The second match shot was 60 shots offhand with unlimited sighters at the ISSF 50 yard target, the A 51 which is the 50 meter target reduced for 50 yards.  15 shots were fired per record bull.  Equipment used were an Anschutz 1810 by one and a Suhl 150 Standard by the other.  

 Shooter                    Series                                          Sum 

Ali Reda                 102     92     79     76                      349

Mike Marzitelli          57     44     46     42                      189
 Ali established a good starting point for his season in shooting.  Mike's efforts were marked by a certain insanity as he evidently expected different outcomes following the same repeated behavior, he evidently not knowing that the knobs on the rear sight are there for adjusting groups to the scoring rings.  Instead he used magical thinking wishing the group would gravitate to the center of the bull as long as his sight picture was good during a smooth release.  It didn't happen that way.   

Run and Gun

This past weekend GRRC  hosted what is becoming a very popular rifle sport -- 3 Gun matches. These matches consist of a number of stages where the shooters engage multiple targets at varying distances and are scored on the basis of elapsed Time and number of hits. 

Steve Shimek (match director) sent us this Rpt:

"This years match had 14 shooters. 5 COF's, 3 MOR precision rifle stages, and 2 carbine courses. The first precision rifle stage consisted of a long range (800 yd) 3 silhouettes, cold bore engagement. 1st shot per target was given a 100% value, second shot 50%, 3rd shot zero. Scoring was based on the 10 thru 6 scoring rings. In addition to emphasis on 1st shot hits the COF (Course of Fire) was timed. To give feed back to the shooter the target was dropped when hit by the pit crew. As much as I strongly encouraged bolt guns I did allow gas guns and a JP LRP rifle shot by a Gopher member, Tim Ploog, took second place with a time of 25.73 seconds. The winner, Gopher Member, Kurt Nelson, won using a 40X Remington action in a JP bolt gun chassis with a time of 24.82 seconds.

       The second precision rifle COF was a "Command Engagement" stage where at 300 yds shooters were engaging one of six numbered circles in a fixed "par time" of 4 seconds. At the ready, the shooters were given the "Standby Command and a number 1-6". They than indexed on that circle and made the shot within the 4 second fixed time. Late shots were given a "miss".

        The final precision rifle stage was a moving target COF with three sequentially appearing IPSC targets at 200 yds. The targets were presented at the #8 target board location and disappeared at the #15 target board. One at a time. Again the COF was timed and scored with two A hits adding zero to the time, B hits 1 sec, C hits 2 sec,  D hits 3 seconds, two Mikes, 10 seconds. Eric Rhode, non member, took first place with a time of 55.01 seconds and all "A" hits. Tim Ploog with his gas JP LRP, not surprisingly, took second on that stage with a time of 60.73 seconds and three "C" hits.

          As for the two carbine, "run & gun" courses. The first COF consisted of six flash targets at ranges out to 200m engaged from three different positions: two simulated window frames and one inclined bench. This stage was won by member, John Gangl, from JP Enterprises with a time of 66.08 seconds.

           The second carbine stage was a "Field Course" consisting of three 8" plates fired off hand at a little over 100yds followed by a number of mini IPSC and full size IPSC targets totalling 25 rounds. This stage was won again by John Gangl with a time of 55.78 seconds. "

Thanks Steve, I'll have to come up the watch next time you do this. Sounds like fun.     

  Air Rifle  -- By PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune

"She's almost always right on target"   

Kyndell Harkness, Star Tribune photo

"Jonell Sawyer, 52, is a national rifle champion, and until June she held the national record for senior women for air rifle marksmanship.

(she) .. manages the folks who do tax calculation for Anoka County. She's also the county's top gun when it comes to marksmanship.

Jonell... no longer holds the national record. She's not even the top gun in her own home. But the 5-foot-tall Sawyer is, indeed, very much a big shot.

Sawyer, 52, Anoka County's director of property assessment and taxation, is also the county's Annie Oakley."

 Read the rest of the article:    http://www.startribune.com/local/north/101208189.html?page=1&c=y     

 Next matches:

Sat and Sunday - Aug 28-29 --  Mn Outdoor conventional Prone State Champ -- Hibbing,  Program click here

Sat and Sunday - Aug 28-29     MR prone at Lacrosse  --     program    Click Here

Sat and Sunday -  Sept 4-5 --  OTC and MR prone at Eau Claire    Program Click hereSat and Sunday -  Sept 4-5 --  3 pos Sm Bore at MRC  Program Click here 

 That's all Folks 

Hawkeye

The Week Ahead for Shooters -- Aug 17

The Week Ahead for Minn shooters -- Aug 17

The Nationals at Camp Perry are over for the year. The Poor Man's Camp Perry matches at Northwestern Gun Club Duluth are over and things will be settling back down to normal.  So, What is normal?  Lots of rifle matches to choose from--that's the normalcy that I like.  This coming weekend we again have choices-- lots of them : 

Highpower -- The weekend starts off with a "fun"  80 OTC match at NorthStar Rifle Club (Redwing) on Saturday 8/21.  Remember-- "Fun" means cheap entry fee ($5), and low Key. This will be a good practice for the Service Rifle Leg match NorthStar is having on Sunday 8/22.  I'm sure all those service rifle shooters just back from Perry and all practiced, up will be there.  Leg points are on the line!  Who is going to earn that "Distinguished Rifleman" badge this weekend?  Leg Match Program    CMP Affidavit form

  Traveling shooters can make their way to Lodi for a 4-gun 600yd Mid Range Prone match.   Match Program 

Small Bore -- Have you ever heard of long range Small Bore?  Well, you can give it a try if you go to Elk River Sportsman's Club on Sat 8/21.  That club is hosting a Sm Bore Mini Palma match to sharpen your wind reading skills.  After warming up at 100yds with a 20 shot prone match, you will then fire a another, only this time at  200yds. There are classes for Juniors, Adults, Iron sights, Scopes, and F Class.  Match Program   

Olympic Small Bore Offhand --  From Mike Marzitille

  "In an effort to expand International Shooting Activity, and to bring the use of the smallbore range more into line as a complementary program to that which occurs on the 300 meter range.  Minneapolis Rifle Club will be hosting two offhand smallbore rifle matches on the third Saturday of each month starting at 1PM. One match will be shot at 50 meters at the A-50 target. The other will be shot at 100 yards using the offhand Schuetzen target. Participants will have to select one match or the other to shoot. Each match will be 60 shots for record with sighters allowed over a two hour period."   Match Program

This 2nd match in the series of one per month is also (unfortunately) to be shot on Saturday aug 21 at MRC so choose wisely  

Last Weekend 

Highpower

 A full weekend of Highpower shooting took place at Northwestern Gun Club this past weekend.  Unfortunately, I didn't make it. After allowing myself to become dehydrated, and suffering from heat exhaustion at last weekends Sm Bore Meter matches, I was quite sick all week and was not up to making the drive. Lesson--don't be stupid, drink water!    No results have been sent in to me for posting.   

300 meter match Aug 8 rpt.

From Brian Shiffman:

Sunday, August 8 was a good day to be shooting from inside an air conditioned location.  In case you forgot, this past weekend and the first few days of the week have been typical Dog Days of Summer.  Hot and humid with scarcely a breeze.  It was too hot to fish; that's bad.  But from our climate controlled facility there were six of us that managed to survive...................."

     Read the rest of Brians Report--Click here

 Small Bore

 A smaller contingent of shooters made it back to MRC for the Prone 1600 on Sunday.  I think that most people were still fryed after last weeks ordeal, but those that did make it fought a hard battle in the gusting winds that topped 18mph more often than not.  Lance Peters got the tempo of the wind shifts in the first match (50 yds) firing an amazing 399-27 and went 10 points up on everyone but Junior Alex Giesar who would not let the wind defeat him and posted a 395. Lance also won the Dewar with a 396 and posted the last 200 of the day as the wind started blowing bullets into the 8 ring on shifts that were quicker that you could move from the spotting scope to the sights and get the shot off.  More than a few sounds of aggravation were heard up and down the line.  In the 100 yd match, Alex, showed his potential as a future top rank small bore shooter, by patiently waiting out the shifts on every shot (taking the full 20 min allowed), and won that match-- beating the rest of us whose best efforts could only post scores of no higher than a 384.  Lance came back (you knew he would) in the 50 meter match, nailing the lid shut on this competition with a 397-22x.  Alex tied Lance on the 2nd target with a 199 but having dropped 9pts on the first card would have no chance to go ahead in the aggregate score. 

  So Lance Peters wins the day with a 1576-87x, but the real story of the day was the performance of Junior Alex Giesar showing us all that he  will be a force to be reckoned with in days to come.  Congrats to Lance, he is still the best. Jim Biles came down from Duluth to take 3rd place.  It was nice to see George and Matt Minerich out to compete, and  I saw that Sub junior, Zack Lawson, fired a few pretty good groups and didn't let the conditions phase him one bit.  Complete Results       Pictures here  

This in from Larry Sawyer coach of the Center Shots Jr. Rifle Team 

"Hawkeye, I read your blog emails religiously as you know. Love it, as we all do!  (Aw, Gee) Saw the comment about not hearing much about my Minnesota Centershots juniors; there is an explanation for that. Very few shoot smallbore! (at this time).

    This is a good opportunity for me to offer a detailed profile of my club and where we are with our curriculum. 

    In the winter, as we compete in Air rifle and some junior SB events (all of which are indoor) events, we have routine news of our wins, including junior SB championships. We also have shot very well in the spring matches like junior Sectionals. But you are still in AZ, or just returning from AZ, while all that is happening, so no blog reporting option for us at that time. 

    Because the Centershots is a small, Jr.-only club based mostly on air rifle, we have no .22 range of our own. We are forging an agreement with MRC/MGFC and we do have use of their .22 range in summer. But, in winter we have had no way of training .22, and we are young enough to not own much of any .22 gear, so the only kids who shoot SB matches come summer are the few who have bought their own SB rifles. That number is growing...but still only stands at two kids right now, who own a .22 of their own. (Three graduated out.)   (I wonder how many good sm Bore rifles sit in poeple's closets never being used? - Hawkeye)

    I have one club gun as well which is shared. Sorry, make that three kids who have their own .22. Allie Taschuk, a young lady who shoots for us, just took possession of an Anschutz 1813 barrelled action in a 10.9 brand prototype aluminum stock. She will be testing it this fall as my company, 10.9 LLC, ramps up production of our American-made aluminum smallbore free rifle stocks. (That last note was courtesy of the shameless commerce division of 10.9, my new smallbore and air rifle equipment supply company. On the web at http://www.10pt9.com/. There-- plug complete. Back to the kids...)

    Emily Quiner shot .22 for years and is closing out a fantastic junior career. Alex Giesar, who is closing out his junior career, has competed in SB as well and shot some very nice matches. Keely Stankey and Evan Fenner are now in college out of state. Scott Chester, who transferred to our club from Gopher, and Patrick Sunderman, who came from Post 435, both just attended the Advanced Smallbore Jr. Camp in Vermont. With the addition of Allie and Luke Taschuk, and two other juniors who plan to add smallbore to their repertoire, I see good things ahead for the Centershots. 

    As far as reporting goes, I could have reported my 10th place finish in Men's Prone at the U.S. World Championship Team selection match (595-593-592); or the International Dewar Team event at Perry this year on which I was part of the 20-man team, and shot the 2nd-highest score (394-22x metric with irons at Perry!, evidence attached.) but who wants to hear about the old coach guy. ;-) This match is shot amongst the Commonwealth countries of Great Britain, USA, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. Our team score was the best in years and we will know in a few weeks, when the other countries turn in their scores, if we were able to take the trophy back from Great Britain. 

    So, while Coach Larry is out there competing with the big dogs and trying to maintain some semblance of street cred, we (the Centershots) have been meeting a few times this summer and keeping the kids' feet wet with some .22 shooting as well. You have not seen them competing in SB matches this season because the vast majority are brand new to .22 shooting, having had nothing more than an introduction, but I am confident that we can get them up to speed quickly with the right training starting this fall and ready for the match season. We are building a new team with new kids but don't be surprised if you see us on the podium. 

   See you at the range, and keep up the blog,"

Larry Sawyer

Thank you Larry. We are always glad to hear about the Juniors -- Congraulations on your Team's successes. I hope to see those young juniors out next summer.  You are doing a great job.   

More on Junior Small Bore from Ross Ewert

"Post 435 Junior Rifle Team wins 3rd Place at National 3P Air Rifle Junior Olympics.
By winning the sporter class at the State 3P Junior Olympic Competition in  March, the American Legion Post 435 Junior Rifle Team of Richfield qualified to represented the state of MN in the National 3P Air Rifle Junior Olympics held in Anniston, AL in mid July. Teams qualifying to compete in this match must either win their state level competition or qualify with a minimum qualifying score. The team consisting of Connor Dupey, Elizabeth Ewert, Sam Ewert and Nick Skrogstad and coached by Tim Cagney trained hard leading into the competition. It paid off as all team members shot near or above their personal bests. After two days of competition against other state qualifiers, the team finished 3rd place sporter club team and each team member and the coach received a national championship bronze medal. In addition to a fine team effort, Elizabeth Ewert (age 11) finished in 2nd place sub-junior (age 14 and under) to win an individual national championship silver medal. Congratulations to Coach Tim Cagney and his team!"

Extra treat for you all-----Fastest gun in the World  

 

Next Matches

Saturday -- Aug 21 - Fun shoot 80 OTC -- NorthStar Rifle club Redwing      Program

Saturday -- Aug 21 - Sm Bore Mini Palma -  Elk River Sportsman's Club     Program

Saturday -- Aug 21 -  Olympic Sm Bore  -  MRC   Program

Sunday   -- Aug 22  -  Service Rifle Leg Match --  NorthStar rifle Club - Redwing  Program

Sunday   -- Aug 22  - 4 gun 600yd prone -  Lodi    Program 

If you can't find a rifle match to shoot this weekend--- you are just not looking

See you all out there -- I hope

Hawkeye

Mpls Rifle Club Aug Sm bore prone match -- Aug 15th

What a relief to shoot in the nice cool tempertures of this past Sunday at MRC.  The 18 mph gusty winds were much easier to deal with

than last weekend's sweltering heat.

Lance Peters's mastery of the wind earned him the winning score 1576-87x. That was followed by Jr. shooter Alex Giesar, whose patience on waiting out wind gusts, allowed him to put up a 1562-59x on the board for 2nd--- some 25 pts up on 3rd place.

Match Rpt. in Tues. News letter

Slide show of Match Pictures

Click Here

August 300 Meter Club Match

From: Brian Shiffman

Sunday, August 8 was a good day to be shooting from inside an air conditioned location.  In case you forgot, this past weekend and the first few days of the week have been typical Dog Days of Summer.  Hot and humid with scarcely a breeze.  It was too hot to fish; that's bad.  But from our climate controlled facility there were six of us that managed to survive.

 

As part of the weather report, I cannot forget the mirage.  For the two of us shooting F-class, it was a challenge.  Neither of us are experienced in reading mirage and so for too many shots we were chasing the target center.  Erhard provided some guidance which turned out to be quite helpful but the final analysis and aiming for the shot was up to the shooters.  The mirage was not consistent in either duration or intensity.  I did not know most of the time if the mirage was in play or not and if it was, how much in play it was.  This lead to some adult language.  In the end, Robert and I were only 1 point apart, but, nothing to write home about.  The interesting thing was that we pretty consistent throughout the match from series to series.

 

I shot F-Class because my back was still not ready to take the stress and strain of Prone shooting.  It was only after the fact that I realized that what I really should have done was shoot F-Class but with iron sights since I need so much practice with alignment and picture.

 

But, for consistency, it was hard to beat Mike Marzitelli who shot with us for score.  He had one of 3 nice, old, rifles and was shooting it for the first time.  He felt more comfortable (that needs explanation, later) shooting in that position rather than get situated with a rifle rest a la F-Class.  He just was not comfortable using the front rest.  So, with coat and sling, Mike was comfortable with position but not so with the environmental conditions created by his shooting coat.

 

Erhard was grousing about his 3-P score of 590.  He thinks he left some on the table.  I guess it is all relative.  Irv Lerner shot a 442 while Tom O'Donnell shot a 451 in 3-P.  Both Irv and Tom had some interesting rifles.

 

One thing we scope shooters came to appreciate was a good zero to start the match.  When the match started there was little mirage and both Robert and I dialed in to good zeros without wind.  When the mirage was taking effect, and recognized (big deal) it became a matter of holding off.  Mirage was boiling (I was told; I can't recognize anything but a target in the shimmering haze) and that made the target look higher than it really was.  Aim at the center and get a shot at 7 o'clock.  Aim at 1 at the right amount of distance and get an x.  Take it from us, if that works, don't move your sights.  Bad things happen.

 You can find the full results on the MRC 300 meter results web page by clicking this link:

  http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=8

 

The next MRC 300 meter match will be on Sunday, September 12.

 Stay cool.  Brian     shiff004@umn.edu

 

 

The Week Ahead for Shooters - MN Area - Aug 10

We Have a winner!    
  Ross Ewert, MN Sm Bore shooter, fired an almost perfect 400-34x in the Any Sight Dewar match, at The Camp Perry Nationals and won the Match.  This was not just a class win for Ross, an Expert Class competitor, but an overall win in that Match.  Congratulations to Ross Ewert!   

The Week Ahead

Isn't it Great?  This weekend, once again we have choices to make about which rifle matches to attend. Life is good.

The Highpower only shooters will be heading up to Northwestern Gun Club for the weekend  (Aug 14-15)of "Poor Man's Camp Perry".  There will be an 80 shot OTC match on Saturday, then on Sunday there will be a gentlemanly, and relaxed 500 yd prone Mid Range match.        Match program click here
Note: Going to Duluth Sat for the NWGC OTC Match?  Call me if you want to ride share, 651-653-2206

Multi-faceted shooters may choose only the Sat OTC match at NWGC and then make their way, on Sunday, to the Mpls. Rifle Club for a hotly contested prone 1600 Sm Bore match.  So, as you can see there is a little something for everybody -- I hope to see you all at one match or the other.    Click for SB match program

300m Highpower

 I am awaiting a Rpt on this past Sunday's 300 meter match at MRC. I will post this on the blog when it comes in.

Highpower and Service Rifle

Mn Service Rifle team 2010

Top row L-R,  MarkSchoess, Kurt Borlaug, Phil Klanderud,Terry McDonnel, Bob Pesley, Tim Boyle.   Bottom Row:  L-R  Larry Weidell, Erick Rhode, Jeremy Harrison, Turk Torberg, Kurt Moline  

Team Capt. Kurt Borlaug's MN Service Rifle team acquitted itself well at the Camp Perry Nationals last week, shooting to a 20 place finish among the Civilian teams in the National Team Trophy match, and a respectful 16th place Civ. team in the Infantry Trophy Match (Rattle Battle).  They had one of the Best 500 yd scores in the ITT, but something must have happened at the 600 yd line as that score was way below their average.   All in all--  Good shooting Guys!  You all represented us well. 

Small Bore

From:  Renae Fry

"The Gopher Rifle and Revolver club sent a team to the Junior Olympics in Anniston Alabama in early July and two of its team members went to Camp Perry later that month and participated in the national junior matches.  Carmen Fry took 1st place overall for marksman sub-junior 3P match metallic sites.  She took 1st in standing, 3rd in prone and 4th in kneeling for the individual events (marksman sub junior metallic sites).  Her team mate Curtis Haglin came in 17th overall for the 3P match in the marksman intermediate junior class."   --Renae Fry

Thanks to Renae for sending us that news.  I would like to get more reports in from folks attending matches that I don't. I think that we all like to hear news about the Juniors. I seldom get much news about Larry Sawyer's Center Shots junior team (?) Oh Well.-   

Prone Metric Championship - MRC Aug 8-9

I was totally unprepared ( in mind, body, and equipment)  for the sweltering heat at last weekend's SB Metric prone Championships at MRC. I knew I was in trouble when my glasses were fogged over at the first shot of the Match. It didn't get better.  I had to wipe off the lens in my specs before every shot--this is not conducive to good shooting.  And then there was that drop of sweat that was constantly dripping off my nose and making a puddle on the shooting mat---arrrg!  The 3 towels I brought were quickly damp and just smeared things around.  I dropped 21 pts on the first card (50m UIT target) and knew I was toast for the day. Ross Ewert, just back from his win at Perry, and Steve Knutson, did not let the conditions bother them a bit and went up 10 pts on the field in that first match.   In the next match, the Metric Dewar (50 &100m), Steve fired a 395 going 5 more up on Ross, and putting the rest of us far behind with Alex Geisar and myself fighting if out for a distant 3rd place. The last 40 shots were on the insanely hard 50m UIT target  (10 ring = 5/16 in), and Steve continued to cool the frazzled competition, ending up the day 30 pts ahead of Ross with Alex and I committed to the archives some 50 pts back in the 1490s.  That inch wide 10 ring at 100 yds is a Hard Target!

 Steve Knutson wins the Iron Sight SB metric Champ. with a 1542-45x  ( !) 

Sunday's matches offered a little easier shooting as it was Any Sight (scope) Matches all the way.  All you have to do is read the wind and hold hard -- right?  Ok, Its not quite that easy, but if you shoot a scope, you do eliminate having sight alignment problems and that reduces stress of holding quite a bit.  Chad Danielson, a dedicated Iron sight shooter, would be shooting a scope for the first time in today's match to try it out. Scope or no scope, the weather was just as hot and humid Sunday-- too hot for me (age?) I came to the match at 172 lbs and was 164 when I got home.  That's 8 lbs of sweat not including the sandwich, and two bottles of water I had at the match!

Ross Ewert started the day with a win in the 1st 50m match and the Dewar match.  After those tiny UIT targets, the first card of the Dewar was a snap as we were using reg. 50 yd NRA target---easy in comparison,.  I shot a 200 with 12 Xs but that was hardly high score,  Ross shot an incredible 200-17x only to be spanked by Steve Knutson who fired a perfect card --  200-20x.  That's some shooting!

Steve followed that up by winning the 100 yd match (300m Targets reduced to 100 yds) But Ross took his 3rd match of the day with a win in the 2nd 50m match and so it was Ross Ewert winning the days aggregate with a fine 1558 score for the Any Sight portion of this Metric Champ weekend. 

Steve Knutson topped the two day aggregate, got the Gold Medal, and is the MN Sm Bore Metric Prone Champion.

   Congratulations to Steve. It was a great performance under very trying conditions. Next was Ross Ewert in 2nd place and Alex Giesar shot some great cards for a well deserved 4th over all. Chad Danielson said he would try a scope again some time.  The Juniors all shot pretty good. Bruce Blahut ran a very good match, Chris Hazelton, and Mr. Huseby did the yeoman duty of taking care of all scoring--thanks guys!

 Complete Results: Click here     Slide Show of Match pictures:   Click here 

New Developments:  There has been discussion about opening up the prone SB matches to F-Class shooters, as is done in many other parts of the US.  F-class is a integral part of NRA shooting now, and Many older SB shooters, not wanting to Sling up and wear a hot shooting jacket, are returning to prone SB matches and having fun shooting scope with a rest at the regular targets. I think it would be great if an F-class (.22) shooter would show up at this next Sunday's Prone 1600 at MRC, and we can all see how it that works.  Seeing a few more shooters and some old friends, at these matches, would be great!  Give it a try.

  "Senior" class is another attempt to bring retired shooters back the firing line.  If you are a retired shooter, that just can't see Iron Sights well anymore, this class allows Seniors to use Any sights (scope)  all the time in a separate class. These new ideas are in the spirit of being "inclusive" as opposed to "Exclusive".  Adding in these shooters is in no-way disruptive to the reg flow of the match.   With low match turnouts, these days,  I can not imaging that shooters that want to participate and have some fun should be turned away.  With this in mind, maybe we'll see someone at the MRC match on Sunday that we haven't seen lately.

Note: Cathy Hagen of the Elk River Sportsman's Club visited the match with her husband and passed along news that Elk River HP range has completed realigning their backstops to the firing lines and is now up to NRA safety guidelines Down range. Good Work guys and gals.  

F-class Small Bore rig at Western Wild Cat Matches.

Next Matches

Sat -- Aug 14 -- 80 OTC at NWGC  Program click here

Sun -- Aug 15 - 500 yd prone MR at NWGC 

Sun -- Aug 15 - Sm Bore Prone 1600 - MRC  Program click here

Two weeks out

Sat - Aug 21 - 80 OTC "fun" match - NorthStar  Program click here 

Sub -  Aug 22 - Service Rifle Leg Match -- NorthStar   Program 

 That's All Folks!

Hawkeye

Small Bore Metric Championship Mpls Rifle Club Aug 7-8

Steve Knutson cools the competition on a sweltering day,
 and wins the Small Bore Metric Championship !

Complete Results Click Pict above 
Click Here For Pictures of Match

Complete Report in this weeks news letter

The Week Ahead for Shooters -- MN Area - Aug 3

The Week Ahead for Mn Area Shooters 

This coming weekend is another great chance for Prone shooters to try their skills. Small Bore shooters have matches at MRC both Saturday,and Sunday (Aug 7 & 8) as the Small Bore range there will the site of the Metric Prone Regional. Saturdays match is an Iron Sight 1600, and Sunday is the Any sight 1600.   Match program Click Here 

Note:  Map to MRC is linked on the Blog.  

 Prone Highpower shooters will head to Mpls. Rifle Club This Sunday, May 8th, for a 300 meter match. Shooters can participate in the 3 position 60 shot match or the 60 shot prone match (or Both).  Remember this is nice prone shooting on electronic 300m targets. If you haven't tried one of these matches, now is the time.  The instant feed back you get from these Computer operated targets makes these matches the best practice you can get at 300 meters.   
 

Camp Perry -- latest news I have

 MSgt Matt Griffin of Mn Air Guard shot a 288-6x to make the President's 100 list.  Phill Klanderud came close in the Leg match with a 467, but I think the cut will be about 470-4x.  Kurt Borlaug, and Jeremy Harrison both shot above the cut but are already Distinguished shooters.    You can track the CMP match results  click Here

  

Long Range
MN Long Range St. Championship -- last weekend at GRRC's Long Range Shooting Facility
I understand that there were 28 shooters at the 1000 yd match --making this the best attended LR match of any recent years. I was not there but this rpt in from:

From: Stacey Tamulinas
"Attendance was way up for this MN State Long Range Championship. Twelve F-Class and sixteen sling shooters. Several WI shooters found their way to the range after a long absence. Saturday's winds were very mild but it would give you a 9 or worse if you were not paying attention. Sunday was over cast with scattered showers with mild winds from the south. A few of the relays got a little wet but not enough to stop the match. I got the 1000 yd match win and Bryan M. from WI won the Long Range 2 day Agg. Morgen Dietrich. is the MN State Palma and Long Range Champ.
Hope the attached pictures are clear enough." -- Stacey  

And in From Cliff Secord:
"....In the F-class competition: Saturday's Agg. was won by Bob Sebold with a score of 577-18x out of a possible 600 points. Sunday's competition was won by Earl Liebetran with a score of 440-18x out of a possible 450 points. The total Aggregate was won by Earl Liebetran with a score of 1017-29x out of a possible 1050 points."
Submitted by match director Cliff Secord.
 
I believe that Stacey Tamulinas will be leaving next week for Toronto, and Canada's Full Bore Championship Matches. It will be more International competition experience for some of the Palma team who are attending.  I hope that someone brings us back a report and a couple pictures.  Good Shooting!  

Small Bore

GRRC's  Tuesday Small Bore League has really benefited this year from the hard work of the Black Powder group, who I think is responsible for the construction of new firing line and new Overhead shelter on the Black Powder and SB range.  See Slide show of this new facility:  Click Here 

There are presently 9 useable Sm bore firing positions, and certainly room for more if the need arises. The new firing line is flat and level with room for 1 or 2 shooters in each bay depending on the final realignment of the Sm bore target lay out. The Monday night and the Tuesday morning shooters are just about finishing up their three 1600 matches for the season.  I know that Tuesday morning shooters will continue to meet and shoot either Sm Bore or Hp for a few more weeks.  Continued up grading of the GRRC facilities is making this range a very high class place to shoot.  We are all lucky to have members who are willing to put in the work to see this happen.   

Next Matches

Saturday  Aug 7th -- Small Bore Metric Prone Retional (Iron Sights)  at MRC    Program click here

Sunday    Aug 8th -- Small Bore Metric Prone Retional (Any Sights)  at MRC 

Sunday    Aug 8th  -  300 Meter Prone and 3P at MRC  1000hrs  

Two Weeks Out

Sat  -  Aug 14th  Poor Man's Perry at NWGC  80 OTC

Sunday -- Aug 15  Poor Man's Perry at NWGC  Mid Range Prone  Program (both)  Click Here 

Sunday -- Aug 15  Smallbore  prone 1600 at MRC   Program click here   

I''ll See you prone shooters, that are not at Perry, this weekend at MRC for the meter matches.  See you there

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