Shooter's News for the Minn Area - Feb 22, 2012

The month ahead for Mn area shooters
Now that Winter is waning, and will be officially over in a few weeks, it's time to get ready for the spring competitions that include both Sm Bore and 300 meter championships. 
But first a report on the State  Junior Olympic Rifle Championships

Small Bore news  
From Chad Danielson:

                 "2012 State Junior Olympic Rifle Championships were held in Mendota Heights MN January 21st, and 22nd saw 46 competitors shoot the Air Rifle Championship, and 26 competitors shoot the Smallbore Rifle Championship.

                In the Air Rifle Competition Men shoot 6 targets in the standing position and the women shoot 4 targets. Giving men a possible 600, and women a possible 400, although the overall standings are tabulated using a percentage value.  The Air Rifle Championship saw Allie Taschuk place 1st overall with 388 / 400 with 97.00% also giving her the Women’s Gold.  The Women’s Silver was taken by Samantha Peterson with 367 points for 91.75%, placing her 4th overall.  Women’s Bronze went to Carmen Fry also with 367 points and 91.75%, but had one less center shot than Peterson which separated the two.   The Men’s Gold went to Patrick Sunderman shooting a 576 / 600 for 96.00% and placing him 2nd overall. Men’s Silver was won by Scott Chester with 569 points for 94.83%. Men’s Bronze went to Curtis Haglin shooting 547 points for 91.17%.

                The 3 Position Smallbore Competition all competitors shoot 20 record shots in Prone , Standing , and Kneeling.  The day of smallbore shooting saw Patrick Sunderman post a score of 563 out of 600 for the top spot, and Men’s Gold.  Men’s Silver went to Scott Chester posting a 536 for a 5th overall, with Bronze going to Sam Ewert who put up a 529 and a 6th overall finish.  Allie Taschuk was the top women’s shooter in smallbore putting up a 550 for second overall, followed by Carmen Fry with a 539 for the Women’s Silver and 4th overall.  Taking the Women’s Bronze saw Samantha Peterson with a 513 finishing her 9th overall.

                Congratulations need to go out to Minnesota Junior Shooters Allie Taschuk, Patrick Sunderman, Scott Chester, Samantha Peterson, and Elizabeth Ewert who all received 1st round invites in Air Rifle to the 2012 Nationals Junior Olympic Rifle Championships held in April at the United States       Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs , CO.  Invites are determined by shooting at or above a certain cutoff score determined by USA Shooting. 

                 Additional congratulations to Allie Taschuk and Patrick Sunderman who also received 1st round invites to the Nationals in the Smallbore discipline. 

                 A second round of invites are usually released after a certain cutoff date for 1st round shooters to accept or turn down their 1st round invite. After 1st round invites it appears Minnesota could be well represented in April at this years 2012 National Junior Olympic Rifle Championships."

Small Bore Winter League 

The Small Bore Winter league held at Mpls. Rifle Club is on-going with the next match to be held on March 4th at MRC's  Sm Bore range. No results from past matches are available.  

Match program -- click here  

Sm bore March Madness in Phoenix -- for traveling shooters.

Yes, it's almost time for the Western WildCat matches again. This match is a big draw for Small bore shooters from all over, that want to get in some top notch competition and get a jump on the summer season in Minn. With 5 days of sm bore prone shooting, this is the biggest Sm bore match west of the Mississippi, and usually draws a great number of shooters. Come on out, and be part of this historic match.  March Madness in Phoenix also includes 4 other weekends of Sb championship matches:

   February 24-27th  --  Tarantula 4800 metric prone -- Program: click here
   March  3-4th         --  Road Runner 3200 prone   --    Program: click here
   March  10-11th     --  Diamond Back 3200 Prone  --  Program: click here
   March  14-18th     -- Western Wildcat Matches  6400 Prone -- Program  Click Here
   March  24-25th     --  AZ Sb State Prone Champ  3200 Prone -- Program: Click Here

300 meter news 

The next 300 meter match will be held on Mar 11th at MRC.   E-mail Brian Shifftman at: Shiff004@umn.edu for entry and squading info.    
Feb 12th 300 m report from Brian:  
   "What a gorgeous day for a mid winter shoot.  Not a cloud in the sky, light and variable winds (variable is the operative word) and a chill in the air.  Yes it was a little crispy but very nice nonetheless.  We had nearly a full house for two relays: 14 (which is the limit) in the first relay and 11 in the second.  When the last shot had been fired, the top 5 shooters were separated by only 6 points; however, there were 3 points between the top and second place shooters.         There were a number of first time competitors for our monthly matches; and, a couple of husband, wife competitors.  All in all, a very interesting and competitive match.  
    First place in F-Class went to Jessica Hendrickson with a 594.  A few notable comments about her shooting:  She was using a custom tube gun in 6BR built by her husband, John, who has shot with us in the past; this was only the second time she had shot the rifle (the previous day they were at the range to sight it in); it was only the third time she had shot a rifle!!  And, she was 3 points ahead of the field.    
   Also in F-Class, Robert Smith and Gary LaValley tied for second at 591 with Johann Boden and Brenda LaValley tied for 4^th at 590.

    In 3-Position, Erhard Bruderer was ahead of the pack, followed by Garold Jones and Tom O’Donnell.

    Our MRC President’s two children, Kamilla and Konrad, shot bolt action .223’s for the first time with us.  For some reason, Kamilla’s target only provided a final score and not scores for the individual shot series.  That target did not have that problem when we went to the second relay.  However, because of that, and the way our scoring program works, I had to feed it scores by 20 shot series, so I divided here total by 3 to arrive at the correct result but not necessarily the way it actually achieved.

    The next 300 Meter club match will be on March 11, 2012.  Sometime in early March I will send out email for pre-registration for that match so stay tuned.

    The full results of the February match can be seen by following this link: http://www.edfpages.com/mgfc/results.php?match=2

 See you at the range".----Brian  

George Minerich has announced the dates for the 300m St. Championships

From George Minerich

"Hi All: Please find attached the match bulletins for the 300M State Championship 3-Position and Prone matches at the Minneapolis Rifle Club. These matches are run under the International Rules which does not allow F-Class -- Sorry. By popular request the Prone Match is Saturday March 31, 2012 and the 3-Position Match is Sunday April 1, 2012. Both matches start promptly at 10:00AM so arrive by 9:30AM. Thanks!" -- George Minerich

    Match Program - 300 m Prone champ (3/31) - Click Here 

    Match Program - 300 m 3 Pos. champ (4/1) - Click Here  

Service Rifle Team 

No news to report

Notes: 

Team Coach, Larry Sawyer has written 3 really good articles for the MRRA on Offhand, and Prone shooting.  Well worth reading, these articles, "Successful Standing, Successful Standing Pt 2, and Top 3 Prone Mistakes":  are only available at the MRRA web site:  Click Here 

The Berger Bullets Long Range SW Nationals in Phoenix were a great success this year with over 200 shooters participating - including 10 of our own local shooters that made the trip to enjoy some trigger pulling in 70 deg weather, sunshine, and just enough wind to help separate the top shooters from the rest of the pack. 

  Video from the Berger Matches:

       Matt Griffin --  Click Here 

       Phil Klanderude -- Click Here

       "A View from the Pits" --  Click Here   

       Awards given out by Mid Thompkins -- Click Here

 Report:  "A view from the Line" By Capt. Bob Peasley

                    Click Here 

That's all folks !
Hawkeye

Berger Bullet Matches -- a View from the Line

From: Capt Bob Peasley 

Feb. 14, 2012 VD

Hi Jim:

  It was great to see you and the other local shooters at the Berger Bullets SW Nationals last week. I had a great time & really enjoyed the match.  It was an excellent break from winter in Minnesota despite not really having much winter this year.

  With all the equipment needed I decided to shoot just Palma rifle all the way even though any rifle was allowed on Saturday & Sunday. I had made a few minor changes in my Palma rifle & load since last summer but the only testing I could do was at 100 yards on my range on the farm.  And believe it or not we had 4 or 5 days in December and January when one could actually be outside and do some shooting.

  Upon advice from Bob Jones last summer I purchased a .37 power front to replace the .50 I have used for several years. I had also shot the last of my Lapua Palma bullets last fall and switched to the “green box” brand. After moly coating bullets since “time zero” I decided to shoot plain bullets in the Palma rifle.  And finally I have switched to N140 vs. Varget for my powder. We all know one has to be nuts to make this many changes in ammo and equipment and go to a big match without some serious testing. But I was able to shoot a few groups and chronograph a few loads from bench rest at 100 yards. The .37 lens seemed to give a very slightly better sight picture than the .50. The load shot 10 shots into about 9/16” so I sent in my entry, made reservations at the Miller Motel and got on the Delta web site.          

Phil, Matt, Brian, Jay, ... at the Berger Matches

  The load shot as well or better than any other I have tried in a Palma rifle.  I’m not sure if it was the clear desert SW air or the .37 lens or a little of each but I could clearly see the target more clearly than in the last few years shooting in the Midwest summer humidity. I even got bold enough to try shooting favors on a few shots and it worked!  My X count with the Palma rifle has never been good but it was improved by something and I think it’s mostly being able to see and call shots.  DUH!!

  The range was in great shape after the upgrades although the trailers used for transportation to the pits could have used bigger tires for more rock clearance.  A couple times I thought I would need a chiropractor when I got to the pits! OK………it wasn’t that bad and it did beat walking.

Berger ran a fine match and a good course of fire with variety.  Mid and all the club guys also did a great job with targets and range duties. I could and will recommend this match to those interested in long range competition.  I wish I could come back for the Berger OTC match but duty calls in Minnesota.

  A couple of the Minnesota guys expressed an interest in seeing the Pima aviation museum in Tucson on the Tuesday prior to the match. For whatever reason it didn’t work out this year but I’m going to make it work out next year.  I have been there twice and always see something new.  They now have the last B36 bomber built totally restored and on display and I need to see it!

I'm looking forward to seeing you on the line in Minnesota again this spring.

Bob

Video -- Berger matches-    "A View from the Pits"   Click Here

  
   Thanks, Bob for the report. I think that this "Winter Nationals" match is going to become a bigger and bigger match  as time goes on, and more shooters want to get in 5 days of  prone long range shooting during the winter months. 

  And let's not forget that the Berger Long Range Nationals in February is just the beginning of the prone shooting opportunities during the Phoenix spring shooting season.  In just about a week from now starts "March Madness"  -- 5 weekends of Outdoor Prone Small Bore matches, that include 3 two day championships (3200s), and 2 four day Championships (6400s).  Yes! That's about 14 prone outdoor 1600 matches to shoot starting Feb 24 with the Tarantula 4800 Metric matches, and includes the huge Western WildCat matches starting Mar 18 with a team match.  I can't wait.  That's about 2000 rds, for record in a month!  

   February 24-27th  --  Tarantula 4800 metric prone -- Program: click here
   March  3-4th         --  Road Runner 3200 prone   --    Program: click here
   March  10-11th     --  Diamond Back 3200 Prone  --
   March  14-18th     -- Western Wildcat Matches  6400 Prone -- Program  Click Here
   March  24-25th     --  AZ Sb State Prone Champ  3200 Prone -- Program: Click Here

2012 Berger Bullets Long Range Nationals

Just In !
Mid Tompkins awards Berger winners! -- Video


Video:  "A view from the pits"   Click Here

Phil Klanderud -- video

Berger Bullets Long Range Nationals -- Friday

Friday at the Berger Long Range matches was the competition for Individual Palma honors.  Shooters fired at 800yds, 900 yds, and 1000 yds.
  Phil Hayes was the Match Winner with a score of 448-29x

Interim Results -- Friday Palma


Junior shooters pulling Targets (Palma Match)  and earning money for the AZ Junior team.


I spent the whole day in the pits, not pulling Targets like I signed up for, but on a radio as a Pit block officer.  If you are working a big match like this, you just do what you are told.  Running 70 targets today, it was necessary to have 4 block officers to keep things going smoothly. It was important for all to run well today because the NRA was out "observing" the match as Ben Avery range is in consideration to hold the World Championships in 2013.  Other than a few Radio problems, we did have a smoothly run match.

Berger Bullets Long Range Champs --Just in!

   Wednesday morning dawned slightly overcast and 57 deg for the opening match of the Berger Bullets Long Range Championships  in Phoenix, AZ.  Almost 200 shooters would be on the line today, firing 3 strings of 15 shots and unlimited sighters, at 600yds in this warmup Mid-Range match.  Thursday they would move back to 800 yds for the Palma matches, and then Saturday, back to 1000 yds for the last two days of shooting both individual and Team matches.
  Mid Tompkins welcomed every one, by saying that this was the biggest participation for Ben Avery match in recent memory.  Indeed, more and more shooters are discovering  that 5 days of Top Notch shooting competition in the warm southwest is a great way to spend the 2nd week in February.

Capt. Bob Peasley at Berger Bullets

  This year many top prone shooters from the Mid West are attending this match-- Bob Peasley, Jay Johnson, Brian Myrnak, Phil Klanderud, SSgt Matt Griffin, Frank Fisher, John Andres, Jim Evenson,   Larry Miller, Bob Mead. and Bill Lair were all enjoying a chance to pull some triggers in the warm sunshine, and shoot some Long Range at one of America's premier Rifle Ranges -- Ben Avery, Phoenix, AZ.
  Bill Luth and I arrived at 0745 and saw that the Squading line was already stretching across the parking lot.  This was going to be a fun match.  Both of us had brought "Space Guns"--.223 AR match rifles, even though we would be competing aginst national class prone specialists firing everyting from 6BRXs to 6.5x.284s.  We both felt that the .223 loaded with good bunch of Varget behind an 80 gn match bullet, could hold its own against those wildcats at 600 yds. 
  Michelle Galegher, and Mid got this record number of shooters squaded in pretty good order, and after some additional targets were made up, first shots were going down range by 0930.  I was up first and saw that the prevailing condition was a 3 o'clock wind blowing a good ten mph with the flag sticking straight out more often than not.  I quessed 3 moa Right windage would do it, and fired a first sighter into the 8 ring down wind.  Going for Record at 4 moa right, I got the first shot into the Xring, and then broke one left that held for a 9. By working the windage Knob for every shot, I got off the line with a 148, down 2 pts  after losing one more pt to a gust.  In this crowd, my 148/150 was good for 20th place.  Maybe a 6 BR would have held that one  9 in the 10 ring, so my choice of calibers, might have cost me one pt already.   I spent the next 3 strings of fire in the pits, pulling targets, and listening to Sea Stories from Mike Sinclair, fellow Marine, who served a couple tours in Viet Nam as a Recon team leader.
 Match Two went good for me, as I was seeing the mirage well and had the confidence to make large changes as the wind varied from 1- 1/2 moa right  to 3.5 moa right, shot to shot.  I was able to take all 150 pts on my score card -- my first Clean in a good while, and good for 2nd over all behind Brian Lizt.  The mighty mouse gun was definatly holding it's own against all comers. 

Results  for 600 yd Berger match

   Going into Match Three, I knew I had a good chance for a high finish if I didn't blow it by doing something stupid.  By this time, the wind had veered to the SSE and was fishtailing to SSW catching people on  the wrong side for 7's and 8's if they were not constantly on the scope watching the mirage.  I saw a shooting window with the wind from the left now  - about 1 moa, and by paitently waiting each time the wind was from the right, I was able do score a 149, losing only one pt to my own bad shot low in the 9 ring. 
  It certainly was my best day on the range in a while. Having a good day once in a while is what keeps us coming back week after week.  We endure losing often, knowing that sooner or later we will have a good day and that makes ait all worthwhile.
  My 447-17x  for the day was good for 4th over all (3rd Palma rifle), behind Leo Ahern  448-25x,  Emil Kovan -447, Doug Frerichs 447-24.   Better than I expected, and it just shows that the mighty .223 can compete with the big boys and show off a little.
 It was a great day!

SSgt Matt Griffin at the Berger Bullets Long Range matches.

Washington's B-Day Match

What a fantastic day it was for the 120th consecutive Washington's Birthday Rifle match.  It was cool and crisp in the Phoenix desert for the opening of this longest running rifle match in America, but by late morning it was  sunny 75 deg with just a nice SE breeze to keep it interesting.

  50 Rifle Teams competed for honors, and that means 200 shooters were enjoying the day trying to shoot 10s and Xs on tough targets.  Each shooter fired the standard 50 shot National Match Course for Service Rifles, all at 200 yds, and using those challenging reduced targets to simulate longer ranges.  There were teams of Springfield '03s, Teams of M-1s, and of course lots of AR-15s, even a few M-4s with optics were on the line to try and shoot them in the 10 ring.  
  This was my 13th year at the B-day match, but I was watching from the center of the line and not shooting on the Accuracy Speaks team this year.  The Accuracy Speaks team is now history, but the 14 winning team and individual plaques residing on my walls represent a lot of great memories,-- memories of great team matches shooting with top service rifle shooters-- Derrick Martin, Phil Hayes, and Tom Albinito.  Some one else would win today, but who knows, maybe next year we could get the old team together for one more try.

Washington's Birthday Match -- 2012

Prone Rapid Fire -- 10 shots in 70 sec with a magazine change
Video

300 m Match at Mpls. Rifle Club -- Feb 12th

From Brian Shiffman:

Hi all,

Pre-Registration for the Feb 12 MRC 300 meter match is now open.  We plan on two relays; the first one starts firing at 10am and the second starts at noon.  Email me with your preference and I will put you on the list in the order received and confirm with you next week.  I will also look for a confirmation from you a day or two prior to the match.

 Contact me if you have any questions.

 Brian D. Shiffman     shiff004@umn.edu

Hey Brian-- how bout some pictures ?