The Week Ahead for MN area shooters -- Sept 28

The Week Ahead - MN Area Shooters News - Sept 28

Last Weekend pretty much signaled the end of the Rifle Match season here in the Mn area.  However, there is a rumor out that the matches scheduled last weekend at Eau Rifle club were postponed due to range flooding and will now be held this coming weekend.  I can't confirm this is true, but, if this is the case, Saturday will be a Mid Range  prone match to be shot at 600 yds, and then on Sunday an 80 OTC will be held. I got this "word of mouth", so ck with someone in the know before driving over to Eau Claire.  Click Here for the match program and contact information for the Match Director. The forecast is for great weather and this would be your last chance to fire a Highpower rifle match this season.   

Last Weekend

The Golden Nuggets of life may come few and far between but when they do come, they make life really worth living.

  

 Friday,Sept 24 -- GRRC put on a shooting clinic for more than two dozen MN National Guard troops, facing future deployment to Afghanistan or Iraq.  Chief Warrant Officer (CW4) Roger Sorben, and S.Sgt Al Schneider brought their men in to hone their marksman ship skills prior to the upcoming deployment.  I had the pleasure, along with Kurt Borlaug (clinic director), Tom Torberg, Bill Lathi, Don Mastro, Mark Havlik, Erik Rhode, Dave Dexter (10 X Dex), and MSgt Matt Griffin (USAF shooting team), of coaching these young energetic Guards men.  They were all attentive to what was being taught. They seemed eager to learn, and were all very respectful of us older guys who were telling them what to do all day.  We are all lucky to have such fine young men and women serving in our armed forces.  It was a great day and I think a good time was had by all.  They would all come back the next day to compete in the Excellence in Competition match at GRRC - The Leg Match.
     Click Here -- for Slide show of Clinic Pictures.

Kurt Borlaug explains Sight Picture

 

Saturday Sept 25th

GRRC hosted a Excellence in Competition - Leg Match for service rifle shooters and and 42 non-distinguished shooters showed up to contest for Leg Points.  Thanks to the MN Nat Guard contingent, this proved to be the best turnout for a leg match MN has seen since sometime in the early '90s.  This many shooters meant that there would be four "Legs" up for grabs plus the 3 medals for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place overall.  There were also some already "Distinguished" shooters who showed up as they are eligible to win the medals.  I was one of those hoping to win a medal and, of course, I would be trying to best my friend and long time competitor, Larry Weidell whom who has been beating me fairly regularly lately, although I got him by 1 pt for a medal in the Elk River Leg match earlier this summer. I would have to be on my game if I was to have a chance in this match as I had not practiced Offhand or Rapid fire much this whole summer. 

 The day was going to be warm, sunny, with little wind and so there would be no excuses for bad shooting to fall back on.  I was up 1st relay for the standing match and proceeded to fire a couple 9s then a 7 on the third shot-- not going well right off the bat.  More 9s, an 8 and only one 10 followed and I scored only an 87 in that match -- 7 pts below my average. I came back with a 98 in the Sitting Rapid fire match, but was down 15 pts already off the 200 yd line, and I knew it was going to be tough to beat Larry or win a medal today as I headed for my turn in the pits.   Checking with the other guys on my relay, it sounded like Phil Klanderud was having a good day and might be among the leaders at the end.  Chief Sorben was also on my target and fired fairly good scores at the 200, and 300 , so he also was still in the running as we headed back to the 300yd line for our turn at that rapid fire match.   On the way back I passed Larry who said he had shot a 98 standing, then 95 sitting and so he was up 8 on me already.  My 300 rapid group went out at 5:00 and 9 more pts went down the drain.  The Varget powder I was using today was definitely shooting lower by about a min of angle than the RL-15 I had been using earlier in the year.  I had to go back to the pits at each yd line as there were only 2 on our target so again I passed Larry W.  on the road after he had shot his 600 slow fire.  He said he had left the door wide open for me as he had had a very bad 600 dropping 20 some pts there.  Like the old saying---- he had won it at the 200 yd line but then lost it at the 600yd line  -- maybe, I still had to shoot back there myself and 5pm shadows were now obscuring the #4 and #5 targets where I was shooting.  I really could not see the targets well and hardly could see the bullseye at all.  Day over? Well I would try a few shots but I had little confidence at that point.  I put 2 extra clicks of elevation on the gun for the Varget and tried to get a sight picture. The bullseye looked oblong from 8 to 2 o'clock so I waited till a big shadow to move a little and realized it wasn't going to get any better and fired for record.  To my amazement it came up an X -- I don't know how that happened, as those folks that were on the little end of the line will attest to: the bullseyes were barely visible against the dark background. I came off with a 187 - only a few pts below average and was very happy to have scored that well considering the really poor visibility. Over all I was down about 10 pts for the day from my usual average, but I had had a fun day, and that is what really counts.  Did I beat Larry Weidel and win a Medal  --  Nope.  That one seven I shot at the 600 put me 3 down from Larry and he won the bronze medal (Dang, beat me again!).  Some consolation-- I had beat 3 of the leg winners and most of the younger guys, coming in 5th over all of the 40 some shooters.  See -- 67 yrs old isn't too old to shoot service rifle and have fun at a leg match. 

   Phil Klanderud was the big winner.  He won the Gold Medal and the 10 Leg points he needed to finally earn his Distinguished Rifleman's Badge.  I was very happy for Phil as he shot well and deserved to finally win that Badge.  He had just missed, scoring 1st loser, in 5 other Leg matches.  He had hung in there, with a great attitude, and finally this was his day.  

Congratulations to Phil Klanderud -- Distinguished Rifleman

I don't have complete results as a score board was not kept and results were not forwarded to me yet.

(L to R)   Larry Widel (Bronze Medal), Phil Klanderud (Gold Medal + Gold Leg), SSgt Al Schneider (First Leather),Tim Boyle (Bronze Leg), CWO4 Roger Sorbin (Silver Medal), Dean Gillette (Silver Leg), Tim Thole (Bronze Leg) 

Other winners-- all the other shooters that took part in this match. 

Upcoming matches
300 meter matches continue at the Mpls Rifle Club once a month -- the next being Oct 10 th.
Olymbic small Bore continue at the Mpls Rifle Club once a month -- the next being Oct 16 -  Program click here

Slide shows of last weekends matches are posted on the Blog below

That's All folks 

Hawkeye 

Sept 25 Leg Match -- GRRC

Phil Klanderud earns Distinguished Riflemans Badge !!

L to R, Larry Widel (Bronze Medal), Phil Klanderud (Gold Medal + Gold Leg), Al Schneider (First Leather),  Tim Boyle (Silver Leg), Roger Sorbin (Silver Medal), Dean Gillette (Bronze Leg), Tim Thole (Bronze Leg)

Minn National Guard at GRRC Sept 2010

This Friday I had the pleasure of working with Members of the Minn National Guard as they attended a shooting clinc at GRRC.  These Guard members are deploying "Down Range" some time in the near future and they were honing their marksmanship skills today prior to participating in a EIC (Excellence in Compeititon) rifle match on Sat. Sept 25th.  We are all lucky to have such fine young men and women serving in our armed forces.  All were eager to learn everything we could pass on to them.  They listened to their coaches and then put that new knowledge to work while firing at 200 and 300yds.  The results showed up on the targets as plenty of 10s and Xs were shot. I know that they were appreciative of our efforts and of GRRC for hosting this event. 

Club vs Club Team championship -- Sept 18 at NorthStar rifle club

Elk River Sportmans Club - Sm Bore 1600 prone -- Sept 19

Steve Knutson takes the win. 

Rpt on this match  --  See Below

Shooters News -- The week Ahead Sept 21

The Week Ahead - Shooters news Sept. 22

This coming weekend pretty much signals the end of the Rifle Match season for the MN area.  There are Two local Service Rifle matches at GRRC to participate in, and a weekend of shooting in Eau Claire to pacify Mid Range Prone shooters and Match rifle shooters.

Friday, Sept 24, GRRC is hosting a marksmanship clinic for a couple few doz National Guard shooters, who are probably being deployed to Afghanistan in the near future.  As Sgt. Al Schneider says - "to help them reach out and touch some one" when they get down range. These shooters will then come back the next day for----

Sat. (Sept 25) for a warm-up practice in the morning and the "Big" Leg Match also being held at GRRC.  It's looking like there might be 4 to 5 "Legs" up for grabs at that match, the thought of which should draw Service Rifle shooters out of the woodwork from states around who are trying to pick up those easy leg points.  I'll sure be there on Sat., as it should be a great match to shoot before I put the AR15 away for a while.  Click Here  for Leg match program.  

Note from Match Director Kurt Boulaug:

  "Boys, I35E will be closed Friday night to Monday am this weekend for bridge repair in Hugo (exit #123). Please let people know this on your distribution/blog lists. I'm not sure if the northbound ramp in Hugo will be open to divert traffic to #61 or not. FOLLOW DETOURS!!!!

  The Hearst warm-up will be changed to the following;
1) Not a team match anymore. Individual practice. No charge for this.
2) 3 minute prep and 7 minutes offhand, followed by prep and sitting rapid-fire. No alibis or refires.

3) 3 minute prep and 7 minutes 600 slow-fire

4) 3 relays will be squadded at this practice and to the greatest extent possible will remain the same for the Leg Match.

 These changes are due to the large turnout expected and to avoid re-squadding after what would have been a two-man match. Also will save on 30 yard faces and the match director's nerves.

 Please send this out to lists, blogs,MRRA site and anyone else who may need to know."
Respectfully, Kurt Borlaug 

 Sunday, Sept 25 --GRRC  will host a follow up match for service rifle shooters.   The CMP Games match #1 is for M-1 garand shooters, and obsolete bolt gunners can enter in Match #2.  These matches are to be fired consecutively and shooters can enter both. Each match is 30 shots-- 10 standing, 10 sitting, and 10 prone.   CMP games program -- Click Here  Rifles and ammo are available to advanced entries -- see program.

Eau Claire Rifle Club is also having season ending matches this weekend.  Saturday will be a MR prone match to be shot at 600 yds and Sunday's match will be an 80 OTC.  See match program  -  Click Here   
 

300 meter matches continue their regular schedule at Mpls. Rifle Club-- The next to be held Oct 10  -- See schedule - Click Here

Results from The Sept 12th 300 meter match were sent in --tks to Brian Shiffman

  From Brian:

"Sunday the 12^th dawned bright but chilly with nary a breeze.  By the time the match began there was a hint of a breeze from the west but the sky remained bright as the temperature began a steady rise.  It was quite comfortable in the shooting house without the need for "artificial" climate control.   

We had a couple of new shooters that shot in F-Class with short barrel AR-15's.  One was only a 16 inch barrel.  

A few shooters were competing in classes that they normally do not.  Lance Peters and Erhard Bruderer chose to shoot offhand for the match.  Unfortunately for Lance, his electronic trigger decided to quit functioning soon after his sighting shots (which were x's).  I had a battery that might have worked but it was with my free pistol at home so I was of no help at all.  So Lance did not have a score for the match but Erhard continued to shoot offhand with a total of 510.

Ed Facundo usually shoots 3-P but shot prone for this match.  I was also shooting prone having played with my load the previous weekend and declaring it OK for match work.  I did score my highest prone score by a few points, a 527.  Ed cleaned the clocks of prone shooters with a 572.   Mike Marzitelli shot prone ,also, with a Schmidt Rubin of ancient heritage; well, maybe not quite that old.  

Robert Smith, with his stone stock Savage Benchrest in 6BR came oh so close with a 598.

The full score results is at http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=9 

The next match will be on October 10^th.  More about that as we get closer to the date. 

See you at the range." 

BrianBrian D. Shiffman shiff004@umn.edu     

Last Weekend's matches:

Highpower

The Mid Range Club vs Club team championship was held at NorthStar Rifle Club Sat. Sept 18.

 

The Winners:  NorthStar Rifle Club--Omer Hamer, Bob Peasley, George Pfoser, and Steve Erickson (Not pictured)

F-class winners: NorthStar Rifle Club: Ben Winget, Pat Scully, Ken Erickson, and Bruce cotton.  (Too shy for a team picture)

Four F-class teams and 4 Sling teams vied for honors in the Club vs Club Championship this past Saturday at NorthStar Rifle Club.  NorthStar rifle club came out on top in both classes when the shooting was done.  Participation in this event was a little lighter this year.  For some reason,  3 of the Power house clubs could not get their act together and field a team. Shooters from GRRC, Northwestern Gun club, and Elk River Sportsmans club did not show up with enough folks to field even one 4 man team to defend their clubs honor.  Last year GRRC alone fielded enough shooters for 3 complete teams.  The few shooters from those clubs the did show up were able to make up a couple pick-up teams, but were not elegible to win. 

Firing the top Team score  of 2357- 95x out of a possible 2400, NorthStar (Peasley) nipped the Mpls. Rifle Club team of Mark Rohrman, Steve Knutson, Stacey Tamulinas, and Erhhard Bruderer by just 3 pts. and gets the bragging rights for the next year.  The top individual shooter of the Day was Stacey T. who fired a 599-37x -- dropping only 1 pt all day in the 60 shots for record.  Next best was Steve Erickson with a 596-28x. 

F-class honors go to Ben Wenget's NorthStar team, whose shooters held hard on those tiny F-class targets and was able to outscore

the FTR team of J. Rykhus., K. Ulrich, J. Lanto, and Adam Shidla,  The Johnson family NorthStar team consisting of Johnson, Johnson, Johnson, and Hanson also put a good score on the board.  

For event pictures-- Click Here 

Small Bore 

 Sunday, Sept 19th, I had the pleasure of attending my first Sm Bore match at Elk River Sportsman's Club.  Even though this club has a great SB range, not many matches have been held there in recent years.  Chris Hazelton has now tapped the increasing interest in Sm bore shooting in this area and this was the 2nd match he held there this year.  A mix of 10 adults, Juniors, and Sub-juniors took advantage of a very nice fall day and the promise of light winds to put 160 total shots down range at 50 yds, 50m, and 100 yds.  The first match was the 50 yd match using Iron sights and Chad Danielson fired a 399-21x winning that match.  Chad is my chief rival in the Expert Class.  The Dewar match (50 and 100yds with Irons) saw Steve Knutson (master class) take the lead by dropping only one pt

on the 100yd target and leaving us "experts" behind 5 pts in the agg.  Junior 'Marksman', Roy Cochran, led that class - down 15 for the day.  The 100 yd match was contested with "Any' sights, and Steve, Chad and I opted for scopes (my old eyes need the help), while most of the rest of the shooters relied on their skills with Iron sights. Steve Knutson extended his lead over the pack by shooting a 398-30x, putting myself down another 5 pts while I gained a small lead over Chad.  The last Match of the day was the always tough 50m Match, and by now the the wind flags were all pointing in different directions at any one time and my wind mill was going around in circles as fast as the propeller. Steve sealed the deal by dropping only 1 pt (399-27x) while I held off a run for the Expert class by Chad by one pt with a 397-22.  Chad getting more Xs, but .......

Steve Knutson is the Match Winner with a well shot 1592-107x.  I go away happy with a higher than average 1584-82x, after having spent the day pulling triggers with a great group of folks on a beautiful fall day.  What more could a person ask for?

Roy Cochran (soon to be a "sharpshooter") led the "marksman" class with a 1563-49x with the other Juniors right behind in the 1540s.  Julie Huseby gets "High Woman" honors with a great 1554-56x.

We all thank Chris Hazelton for putting on a great match for the Last SB match of the season, and to Mr. Huseby, and Bruce Blahut for giving up their time to be Scorers at the match.

Slide show of event pictures---- Click Here 

This Coming Weekend

Dont forget --

Saturday- Sept 25 is a big Leg Match at GRRC      See program- click here

Sunday  -- Sept 26   CMP Games at GRRC

Sat. and Sunday  --  matches at Eau Claire

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 --- The week ahead - Sept 14

The Week Ahead for MN Area Shooters 

This coming weekend has two offerings for prone shooters. 

For the Highpower guys and Gals,

 Saturday Sept 18, NorthStar Rifle Club is holding a Club vs Club Team match to be shot at 300yds, 500 yds, and 600yds with 20 shots for record to be fired at each distance - by each shooter on the 4 man teams (60 shots total plus sighters).  Contact your Club Highpower chairman to find a spot on one of your club teams.  This is open to F-class teams and Sling shooter teams.  The more teams the better.

  GRRC shooters -- I'm not sure who is coordinating the make up of teams as Kurt Borlaug will not be able to attend.  If you are not yet on a team, and can't find one to shoot on, you can contact me at ARman772@aol.com  to get on a GRRC team -- I am trying to put one together so I can shoot.  If you just want to shoot on a pick-up team contact Capt. Bob at dilligas@means.net.  Capt Bob is helping coordinating stray shooters for pickup teams.  No matter what--- if you want to shoot (Service Rifle or Match rifle)  -- show up and you will get on a team.  This was a great match last year and I expect it will be again this year.  Team Match Program click here

 Sunday --Sept 19 -- Possible  (?) OTC match at NorthStar as per MRRA calender 

Small Bore

 Saturday,Sept 18 -- Olympic style SB Offhand Match at Mpls. Rifle Club

"Minneapolis Rifle Club will be hosting two offhand smallbore rifle matches ...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."

Match Program Click here

Sunday Sept 19th Small Bore shooters make your way to Elk River Sportsman's Club for a Conventional Outdoor Prone 1600.  I am definitely going to make this match as I have never shot SB at Elk River before and I'll be all practiced up from the Saturday's MR Team match at Red Wing.  I hear that they have a nice SB range at Elk River and I know that Chris Hazleton will put on a good match.  Match program click here  This is the last SB 1600 of the year, so don't miss it !   

Note from George Minerich  MRRA Pres.

"Minnesota Outdoor Smallbore season is coming to an end!

 Your last chance to breakout your smallbore rifle and shoot an outdoor match is rapidly approaching.  The final 2010 season Outdoor Smallbore Prone Conventional match is scheduled for Sunday, September 19 at the Elk River Sportsman's Club.  The Elk River Sportsman's Club has a great outdoor NRA smallbore range.  Chris Hazelton will be match Director.  Registration ends at 8:45AM and shooting starts promptly at 9:00AM.  The program is posted at http://www.mrra.org/ under the "Smallbore" radio button. 

 All shooters must stop at the ERSC clubhouse and sign in before heading to the smallbore range.

 This year we had a very successful Outdoor Smallbore Rifle season.   The season offered five Conventional Prone matches on the third Sunday of May through September, four NRA Regional two day matches; Conventional Prone   Metric Conventional Prone, 3 - Position and 4-Position and two State two-day Championships; Conventional prone and a 3-Position/4-Position match.  The matches were well attended.  It should be noted that Juniors attended the matches in good numbers and in several cases, the Junior shooters outnumbered the adult shooters!  Good job Junior shooters!

 I am working on the 2011 Outdoor Smallbore schedule.  It looks like we should have as many matches as this season.  Smallbore is on the upswing and the shooters are really having a great time!  In closing, I would like to thank Bob Belluzzo, Bruce Blahut and Chris Hazelton for all their time and effort running the matches!  Let's make the 2011 Outdoor Smallbore even more successful!

Good shooting,

George Minerich  -- MN Rifle and Revolver Assoc. Pres. 

Thanks George.  This successful SB Season was in in large due to your efforts and hard work. I know we all appreciate it. 

Last Weekend

 Northwestern Gun Club hosted the Mid Range Regional --aka the Hunter Lake 9/11 match this past weekend.  Over the two days, Matches were shot form the prone position at both 300yds and 500 yds. Each shooter fired two 20 shot matches at each distance each day using Iron sights on Saturday, and Any sights on Sunday.  The Weather was sunny and cool with a strong wind blowing down range from the shooters backs both days.  While the wind rose to 20mph each day after noon, It caused little effect on the targets for those paying attention, as it was generally from dead astern.

 In Saturdays first Iron sight match at 300yds, Steve Knutson, served notice of his intent to win this championship, by shooting a 200-11x, and going a pt up on the field.  The 2nd match saw 5 shooters post 200s (Matt G., Steve K., Larry M., Jim S., and Stacey T.)  with Stacey Tamulinas scoring 17x and letting Steve know that winning this competition would not be a cake walk for anyone.  Moving back to the 500 yd line for the 3rd match, the gusty wind caused everyone to drop a pt or two, but Stacey held hard, posting a 199-15x, and going up 1pt for the day over Jim Soderstrom (198-11x), while Steve dropped 4 pts in his worst match of the weekend, and went down a couple pts to the leaders.  In the last match of the day at 500yds match Stacey and Jim S. shot head to head--X for X and 10 for 10, tying with 199s , but Stacey took the win on on X count with his 14 Xs to Jim's 10Xs.  The days Winner is Stacey Tamulinas with a 797 and a phenomenal 61 Xs and Jim Soderstorm just one pt back with a 796-47x.  I should mention that up and coming Junior shooter, Eric Hazelton (about 12 years old) shot scores in the 190s all day posting a very reputable 764.  We're all expecting good competition from Eric next season when he gets a faster twist barrel on his .223 and can use the heavier bullets needed for longer range.

Sunday's weather looked to be a repeat of Saturday, only a little warmer with temps in the 70s and a little more sunshine. Matches today could be shot with any sights - most shooters opting for scopes, and Terry McDonnel shooting his scope for the first time. The first match at 300 yds saw 5 shooters post 200s with Steve K. shooting 17 Xs and leading the pack for the 2nd day in a row.  Match 2 was no easier to win with 5 High Masters and Master Craig Bennis taking all pts available, posting 200s with high X counts. Stacey's 17 X count wins the match, but Steve K. with 33 Xs on the board for the day ( 40 shots fired) still leads by one X going back to the 500 yd line.  No shooters shot a 200 in this first 500yd match, but 3 did post 199s (including yours truly with Ironsights - happy, happy). Winning his 6th match of the weekend, and extending his lead in the weekend aggregate, was Stacey T.(199-13x). The last 500 yd match saw Larry Miller taking the win with one of only two 200 scores, the other being fired by Matt Griffin.  Dropping only one pt in this match, and 2 pts all day, Steve Knutson's 199 score earned him a 798-53x for the day and the Any Sight win.

Mid Range Champs

The weekend aggregate and the Regional Mid Range Championship was won by Stacey Tamulinas with a 1594-113x--losing only 6 pts over the weekend for the 160 shots fired. Stacey gets the Gold Medal, and the trophy,  Steve Knutson takes the Silver Medal, only 3 pts back, and Matt Griffin, dropping only 10 pts all weekend, gets a well earned Bronze Medal.

As you all can see -- There are no easy wins at a Minn prone match. If you come up and think you can beat these local boys, you better bring your best ammo and Rifle. 

NWGC put on a great championship.  The match was well run by Jim Biles, and I'm sure a good time was had by all.

To view a short video of this Mid Range Champ match Click here  or go to the Blog.

To view  a slide show of match  Click Here  

Note: Sorry to say I did not get a pict of the score board for the F-class part of this match.  I thought I did, but it must have been on the other side of the score board.  I believe that Gary LaValley and Ben Winget got the wins and the F-Class medals.  I was impressed with the small groups that these F-class guys and gals can shoot.

Service Rifle Match held at Bald Eagle Sportsman's Club on Saturday was attended by 8 shooters- most firing M-1 Garands.  No results available.

MRC 300 meter match -- No results available 

Misc. Notes:

On the National Guard rifle clinic at GRRC that precedes the Big Leg Match on Sat. Sept 25

From: Kurt Borlaug

Gents, As you know, ... Friday the 24th will be our smash and grab clinic for the MN Guard shooters and a few jrs. ducking the oppresive liberal elements of school. Between now and then we have some work planned;
Bill Lahti is trimming willows between the 200 and 300 lines. I got the cattails down last week on Labor day. Tom Torborg and I will sort buckets on Tuesday before the club mtg. I will order more pasters after I make a recon on supplies tomorrow afternoon. Target faces will be needed and a crew would be great to have after the Hearst is over as we'll need fresh 200s to start the Leg.
  As there will be some people posibly looking for shooting gear, this may be a good time to have it available for perusal by the assembled mob. Jackets, stools, rifles etc. may be in the sights of newbies after the hook gets set. So if you have any items, be ready to display them.
 We will begin the speaking part of clinic at 8 am and the loud part after 9 am. We will get the shooters on the line with their guns and ammo and get zeroes at 200 and then go back to 300 yards. This won't be like our usual clinic where they have to fire a specific # of rounds. They will get a chance at 600 yard zeroes at the Hearst match in the am Saturday. Tom and I have been loading ammo for the service members and we are absorbing the cost into the entry fees. There will be a "First Leather" prize of a John Weller sling. Remember that the oddest piece of equipment to get used to is the sling. Aside from obvious safety and basics this is the usual time consumer.
 Later, Kurt 

Two Weeks out

Friday -- Sept. 24 -- National Guard service Rifle clinic -- at GRRC -- See note on MRRA page 

Saturday  -- Sept 25 -- Two man Team and Service Rifle Leg Match  -- click here for Match program 

         See Note on this "Monster Leg Match coming to GRRC"    Click Here

Sunday    -- Sept 26 -- CMP games at GRRC  --  Match Program  --   Click here 

Well, That's all I can think of for this week -- See you all at the Range.

Hawkeye

NWGC Mid Range Regional 9/11

Short Video from the Mid Range Regional  (500 yds) at Northwestern Gun Club - Duluth, MN. 
Watch carefully at 1:10 and you can actually see the bullet go down range (tgt 5). 
It was a great match !

Shooters News --The Week Ahead for MN area Shooters - Sept 7

The Week Ahead  --  Shooters News

Highpower-

Traveling Highpower shooters, who enjoy the gentlemanly sport of prone shooting, will be heading up I-35 this coming weekend for the Hunter's Lake Mid Range Regional championship matches at Northwestern Gun Club.  Nice easy prone matches for Sling shooters and F-class, to be shot at 300 and 500 yds, are on tap for both Saturday and Sunday. Did I say "Easy" prone matches?  Well, while they are easy to participate in (no Standing, Sitting or Kneeling matches), they are not so easy to win.  There are always lots of top competitors up a NWGC for the hunter Lake 9/11 matches who will give you a run for the money and test your skills. Saturday is Iron sight day with 2 x 20 shots at 300yds and then 2 x 20 at 500 yds. Sunday you can switch over to Any Sights (scopes) if you want and the schedule of the 4 matches will be the same as on Saturday. 

      Regional Mid Range Champ match program --  Click Here   

      Pictures from last year's 9/11 matches  --  Click Here

Service Rifle

Closer to Home for many of us, there is a Service Rifle CMP 50 shot match Saturday 9/11 at Bald Eagle Sportsmans Club just a few miles north of White Bear Lake and East of Hwy 61 on 125th St.  This is a 100 yd match and will be very low key. (Bring some patience)

 Bald Eagle Match program --  click here

 Long Range

Shooters heading South can participate in the Wisconsin Long Range Team Champ matches at Lodi Sat and Sunday.  Match Program 

300 Meter

Minneapolis Rifle Club is having their monthly 300 m International match on Sunday, Sept 12.  

Last Weekend

Highpower

I didn't make it to the matches at Eau Claire last weekend (couldn't find someone to rideshare), but thanks to Kevin Bangen we do have complete results. Saturdays Mid Range match saw 49 shooters on the firing line, including 17 F-class. 

  Saturday Mid Range Results -- click here  Looks like MN shooters Stacey Tamulinas, and Kevin Bangen  took 1st and 2nd in that match-- congratulations!    Sunday OTC Results -- Click Here       

Small Bore 

From: Chad Danielson---2010 Minnesota State Prone Championship August 28^th and 29^th , Hibbing MN

                "Day one Iron Sights saw 16 shooters take the line, with nice conditions weather wise but with some gusty breezes coming and going , that could also be described as very "switchy" and sometimes hard to get a good wind read on .  The day started with the DeWar match in which Lance Peters posted a 396-20X, followed by Richard Reiten with a 396-13X, and then Jim Biles posting a 393-13X.   The 100 yard match saw Lance Peters post a 394-14X, and would be the only shooter to make the 390 mark.  The 50 Yard and 50 Meter matches saw Richard Reiten post the best scores in both matches with a 399-23X, and 395-18X respectively, with Peters just points behind with 397-20X , and 393-26X matches.  The day ended with Lance Peters holding 1^st with a 1580-80X, followed by Richard Reiten by only a point and 2 X's with 1579-78X, and in third Jim Biles posting a 1563-62X for the day.  For the juniors Eric Hazelton put him self in the lead and a good position after day one by posting a 1540-41X, followed by junior shooter Lori Huseby with a 1525-42X.

                Day two Any Sights day was almost an exact replay of day one weather wise, with again the gusty , switchy winds although there were still some impressive scores posted through the different matches during the day.  DeWar match again saw Lance Peters post the best score with 399-27X.  The following 100 yard match saw Peters, Richard Reiten, and Jim Biles all post 399's with Richard Reiten posting the best X count with 22, followed by Peters with 21, and Biles with 18.  Peters went on to take the 50 Yard match with another 399, and Reiten would take the 50 Meter match with 398.  Junior Eric Hazelton again won the Junior Category for the day with a 1550, followed by Nick Learn with 1532, and Lori Huseby again shooting consistently and posting 1525 again. 

              In the end it was Lance Peters winning the overall State Championship title for a third year in a row with 3174-180X , followed by Richard Reiten with 3169-175X, and Jim Biles with 3145-145X.

              Eric Hazelton wrapped up the Junior State Championship with 3092-91X, followed by Lori H. finishing with 3050-87X.

              Congratulations to Lance Peters and Eric Hazelton on their fine shooting over the two days, and winning the State titles."

 Thanks Chad for that Rpt.           

Richard Reiten,  Lance Peters, and Eric Hazelton

Pictures by Chris Hazelton                     
Complete Results: Click Here

Last weekends Small Bore 3P Championships at MRC--- No news     

 Notes:

 We learn from our mistakes.

It was nice that Jack Kolmer was able to correct my errors about the MN Nat Guard marksmanship program back when I first started shooting competitions.  That correction from Jack brought in a couple more notes (see below) about the way it was back then. Thanks Guys, we all can use a little more perspective about our sport and the folks that made it what it is today.

From Bob Peasley

Jim &  Jack:

 You may/may not be aware that there was a Buck Johnson trophy plaque awarded to the high shooter at some match at Camp Ripley back in the 60's as I understand it.  It was before my time so perhaps Jack can fill in the details.  What Jack is probably not aware of is that John Andres was the last (and maybe only winner) of the Buck Johnson trophy.  Two years ago John donated that trophy to MRRA for use as the high Grand Senior trophy at the NRA championship.  It has been awarded to Omer the last 3 years.

 And that's all I have to say about that,

 Bob" 

  From Gordy Kordowki: 

 "Yes, Jack has the facts right.  Through the years I was the Base Marksmanship Coordinator for the Minnesota Air National Guard at Mpls-St Paul IAP, but also succeeded Jack Kollmer as the Team Captain for the Minnesota National Guard Composite Rifle Team.  Fortunately, Jack continued to bolster the team with his talents as Team Coach and Armorer until his retirement.

Gordy"

 Now you know the rest of the story   

Two weeks out--
Saturday -- Sept 18 -  Mid Range Prone Team Champ -- NorthStar   Program Click here

Saturday -- Sept 18 - Olympic Small Bore at MRC   Program Click here

Sunday -- Sept 19  - Small Bore Prone 1600 at Elk River Sportsmans Club   Program click here 

That's all folks

Hawkeye

The Challenge is made -- The Gauntlet is down !

Club vs Club Team match --  Sept 18 at NorthStar Rifle Club

 

"The Northstar Rifle Club wishes to challenge club teams to a mid range shootin' contest

to determine the "best" overall prone rifle club team in Minnesota or any other states.

State association and pick up teams are welcome; but our goal is to have club vs. club to

the extent possible. Shooters wishing to participate who are not in a club or who don't

have a spot on a club team may shoot a State Association or other pick up team.

Clubs will be encouraged to assemble as many teams as possible. All star teams will be

welcomed but we wish to encourage club vs. club competition. The goal is to determine

the best MRP club and create club esprit rather than the best all star team with 1 shooter

each from 4 different clubs."  (from match program)

 

Last Years Club vs Club team match pictures:  Slide show here
Match program -- Click Here

 

Keep in mind that this Club vs Club team match was the best match of 2009 -- Don't miss it this year!
Read about this  "Big Match" of 2009 --  Click Here