Shooters News for the Minn Area - July 28, 2015

* CMP games scheduled for GRRC in Aug have been cancelled due to lack of entrys

Next weekend  
Highpower  
Take a break next weekend.  There are no local matches on the schedule

Last weekend 
Poor mans Camp Perry matches at Northstar   
  From Capt Bob: 
 Jim: 
Attached is a spread sheet from Poor Man's Perry at North Star.  We had 13 shooters for the 2 day OTC match.  Very warm & high humidity both days but never more than 2 clicks of wind either day. Omer Hamer started off with a commanding lead off hand on Saturday leading me by 9 points.  I then shot my first 200 sitting in about 15 years followed by 195 at 300 yd. This brought me within 1 of Omer. My 195 at 600 was good enough to give me the win Sat.  But just 1 point and 5X ahead of Omer who continues to shoot his Floyd R. Turbo wildcat very well. We tied at 181X1 on day 2 off hand. I thought it would be close.....NOPE! I then choked and let him get ahead by 4-5 points each of the next 3 matches.  Omer takes the 2 day agg with 1538X35 to my 1525X35. Also note worthy is that we had 2 or 3 shooters from each of the 5 classes and 2 first time shooters new to North Star. Two weeks out North Star is hosting the Minn. F class championship.  As of July 28 we have about 25 entries from as far away as Rapid City and Cedar Rapids.

CAP-N-BOB      

Good shooting Bob. Good shooting Omer!  It looks like you had a pretty good turnout despite so many shooters being at the Nationals.  

Mid West F-class Championship last weekend
   No news

From Two weeks ago 
Mid range and OTC at Eau Claire
From: James Melville
Hello everyone,

Here is the results from our July match. I hope everyone had a good time. I hope next year I can join you all. (see attachments)  Click here for Mid range match results     Click Here for OTC match results 
See you at our next match September 5th, 6th, and 7th. It will be a great weekend with Mid-Range, Over the course, and Vintage M1 and M1A. Hope you can all join us.
James  --    ECNRC Match Director 

Notes:
 Lets all take a minute to say a prayer for a complete and swift recovery for Stacey Tamulinas's wife Charmille, who was severely injured in a fall at their home last week.  Charmille is currently in intensive care and progressing slowly. Both Stacey and Charmille need our good thoughts and prayers during these difficult times. This reminds us that we all should go home and hug our loved ones today. 

Notes: 
From Scott Olson, ERSC 
"Hi Jim, 
    Here is a short video (see below) of Minnesota's only National Champion High Power rifle shooter. Sorry about the quality, but I was trying to be discrete. Dr. Ken Erickson, a WWII veteran, won the national high power match at Camp Perry in 1960, shooting a 30-06. Ken still shoots F-Class at the Elk River Sportsman's Club nearly every Monday night. Ken is still a phenomenal shooter and posts some excellent scores. Ken states he is nearly 91 years young! Ken is a gracious gentleman, always courteous and polite. He always has a joke or story to share with others on the line. 

    I asked Ken about his 6mmBR rifle and his eyes lit up. It is a Panda action with a Bartlein barrel, Jewell trigger, and a Alex Stitman stock smithed by Ken himself. Ken stated the rifle is his pride and joy, so much so that the rifles sleeps between Ken and his wife! 

     On this 55th anniversary of Ken's victory at Camp Perry, I think it would be great if members dropped Ken a note congratulating him not only on his victory but also on the fact that he is still shooting!  ..................."          Scott 

  

From: George Minerich 
Hi Jim:
Another MN junior shooter with a shot at the Olympics (see attachments).  Maybe you can do something in your blog. (see Below)
 Thanks!     George 
Maybe some of us could help Patrick reach the goal of Olympic competition. 

Patrick Sunderman: ”Road to the Olympics”

Patrick Sunderman’s goal since high school has been to “be an Olympian for the USA shooting team in hopes of bringing home the Gold.” To him it would be an honor to serve his country and also be able to represent the United States on an international level, and bring home a gold medal. Patrick Sunderman needs your financial support for him to achieve his Olympic shooting goals.
   While currently serving in the West Virginia National Guard as an artillery crewmember on a M109 A6 Paladin, Patrick is also attending West Virginia University where he is majoring in Sport and Exercise Psychology, and minoring in business management.  
   Patrick has accomplished a great deal during his tenure at WVU.  His accomplishments include being named a NRA, CRCA, and GARC All American, an Academic All-Big 12 At-Large Team member, as well as a CRCA All- Academic Team member.  Most recently, Patrick achieved the distinction of being named to the Big 12 Conference Commissioners honor roll and the WVU Dean’s list.  Currently, Patrick is a fourth year member of the WVU Rifle Team, and one of the top shooters in the country in 3 Position Small bore and 10M Air gun. 

Recently, Patrick had the privilege to compete at the USA Shooting National Championships. Not only did Patrick’s participation in this event serve as his trial for the USA National Team for the ISSF World Cup of 2015 in Azerbaijan, but it also began his journey on his road to the Olympics.

Based on Patrick’s performance at the Championship, he was extended an offer to compete for an MQS (Minimum Qualifying Score) at the 2015 ISSF World Cup in Gabala, Azerbaijan. Patrick’s successful participation in the 2015 ISSF World Cup is necessary in order for Patrick to be eligible for the 2016 USA Olympic Team Trials. If Patrick does not attend the 2015 ISSF World Cup, he will not be eligible for the final USA Team Olympic Trials beginning later this year, making him unable to compete in the 2016 Olympic Games.

While WVU generously supports Patrick’s participation in all WVU rifle matches, WVU does not

have the budget for the World Cup and Olympic Trial matches.  Patrick’s 2015 - 2016 Competition expenses will exceed $10,000 (travel, room/board, match fees/shooting supplies).  Patrick is scheduled to compete at the following matches:

    (Completed) June 2015 – USA Shooting National Championships, and trials for World Cup, Azerbaijan, (Cost of $2700 to participate).......................

  *Read the rest of the Story -- click here 

Two Weeks Out 
Aug 8,9 -  MN F-class championship at North Star - Click Here for match bulletin 
Aug 8  - Small bore 3P and Prone at MRC - Click Here for matcjh program
Aug 9 - Small Bore Prone1600 at MRC -  Click here for match bulletin 

That's all Folks!
Hawkeye 

Shooters News for the Minn Area - July 20, 2015

*F-class Midwest Mid range Championship weekend!
    Next weekend  
 Highpower 
F-class shooters from all over the upper midwest will be heading to Elk River Sportsmen's Club this Sat and Sunday for the Midwest Midrange F-class Championship. While this is not yet an NRA sanctioned match there will be Big prizes for match winners and class winners in this 2 day shooting contest.  That's right--big prizes.  Over a $1000 in prize money is up for grabs for those shooters who can put the most shots in the middle of the target. Each day, competitors will fire four matches of 20 shots ea from the 600 yd line at Elk Rivers highpower range. 

ERSC photo

  Two sighters are allowed for each match. Those with the highest aggregate scores over the weekend will get the Gold!  So, if you are an F-class shooter head over to ERSC and "Go for the Gold".
 Click here for Match bulletin and entry info

Highpower 
For those of you highpower shooters that are not making the trip to the National Matches at Camp Perry this year (too far, takes up too much time, too costly, etc), you will still have a great match to shoot this Sat And Sun at Red Wing's NorthStar Rifle Club.  Capt. Bob is also not going to Perry this year and is putting on a "Poor man's Camp Perry" weekend competition for who would still like to fire a couple of Over the Course matches. That's right, there will be two days of trigger pulling in NRA approved matches just a few miles from the twin cities.  NorthStar is south of Hastings, just north of Red Wing along Hwy 61. 
            Click here for Match bulletin and entry info 

Last Weekend  
Eau Claire's Mid Range match drew a couple doz prone shooters last Saturday even though many folks were off at the Nationals. Four 20 shot prone matches from 600 yds were on the card as the days competition. It started out warm for the first match and would only get hotter as the day went on. High temp and humidity would be the order of the day.  The wind was only kicking around about a moa from the south and the first match went good.  I missed the 10 ring on the first shot by a hair, but then the rest of them went in for a 199-15x and the last string was 100-10x (first cleaned string in a while). Sounds good but it was not good enough to win in this crowd. 

Capt. Bob Peasley fired a 200-11x and won the match.  US Palma team shooter Randy Gregory stayed in the game with his 199-11 score.   In the 2nd match, Randy showed us all why he was chosen as Palma Team shooter when he drilled a 200-11x followed closely by Capt. Bob again and that straight shooting Elliot Zunich, whose scores seem to keep improving every year. In the third match the wind started getting a little tricky for most of us, but Randy cleaned the target again.  Palma Team shooter, Steve Knutson dropped just one pt, and is now still just 5 down for the day. In the last match of the day everybody was fried from the heat, the wind was gusty, but Elliot Zunich would not be denied. Shot for shot he and Randy Gregory fought it out, tying with 197 scores, but it was Elliot who got the most in the X-ring and Elliot wins the match.  
  At the end of the day it was Randy Gregory the overall match winner with Steve Knutson 2nd, and Elliot Zunich a well earned 3rd.  In the Expert Class, Steve Billmeier got a couple first in class awards as did Claton Reindl (sp?)
  

On the F-class side of the firing line it was Drew Rutherferd winning the first match with a 199-5x, but then Mike Lehmeier took over and won the last three matches and the F-class effort for the day. 
  I'm looking forward to the next match at Eau Claire, just hoping the weather is a little cooler.

Over the course match at Eau Claire Sunday, July 19
       No news 

Two Weeks Out 
Aug 8 - Sm Bore 3P and Prone at MRC - Click here for match bulletin 
Aug 9 - Sm Bore Prone outdoor 1600 - Click here for match bulletin
Aug 8,9 - Minn F-class Mid Range prone Championship at NorthStar Rifle Club -  click here for match bulletin
Aug 15,16 - OTC Regional  at MRC - Click here for match bulletin 

That's All Folks !
Hawkeye

Shooters News for the Minn Area - July 14, 2015

*It's off to Eau Claire this Saturday for Mid Range and more
    Next weekend  
 Highpower

 I'll be heading east to the Eau Claire Rifle Club this weekend with all the other local shooters who are not heading off to, or already at  Camp Perry, Ohio for the National Matches.

Eau Claire National Rifle Club

After a short drive over on Saturday, July 18 (on the road at 0600hrs), I'll be enjoying a nice 80 shot mid-range match all shot at the 600 yd line. This is always a nice range to shoot at, so unlimber your prone gun, come on over and join us.  For Sling shooters, the first two 20 shot matches are Any sight matches and for the last two matches we get to use Iron sights.   Those competitors heading for ECNRC for the Sunday (July19) matches will be firing an 80 shot National Match Course OTC competition. Three firing positions will be used. Shooters will shoot a Standing match, a sitting rapid fire match and both a rapid fire and a slow fire match from the  prone position.        Click here for Match bulletin

Last Weekend  
 Full Bore St. Championship
Well, that was fun!   I hadn't shot a 'long range' match in (many) years, but since my prone shooting was better these days, I thought I'd give it one more try, and the "Full Bore" format of the match is more fun way to shoot a match (I think). In a Full bore match, you "pair fire", alternating shots with another shooter on your firing point.

This makes you pay more attention to the wind, and It's a more 'social' way to shoot - more camaraderie among the shooters, as it were.  I don't shoot 1000yd matches anymore as I can't see the target very well. I did well at the 600 yd line (197) but dropped a few too many at the 900.  I was a little apprehensive when we got back to the 1000 yd line but I put my zeros on and got in position.  Through the sights I could hardly see the target let alone see the bullseye.  Well ok,  line up what you can see and fire the shot--- 1st sighter X (amazing!). 2nd sighter ---X, ( really amazing!).  I then almost forgot to 'convert' those sighters as I was having a hard time believing that I was actually hitting the middle of the target from 1000yds. away.  The rest went well and even after flinching an 8 out the left and then correcting windage off that 'bad' shot for another 8 out the right, I posted a 193 when a 197 won the yd line. It was a fun match.  I got through the 1000 yd line ok, so I think I might go back to some long range matches in the future.
   While I was lerking a few pts back in every match, the top shooters of this area were battling it out, shot for shot, at each yd line.  Both Stacey Tamulinas and Brian Mrnak cleaned the 600 yd line in the Sling division, while Mike Lehmeier, and E.  Johnson did the same in the FTR and FO Divisions.  At the 900yd line it was only Stacy that managed to keep it together and fire a clean 200 score. He was three pts ahead of the pack now.  On the F side, Adam Shidla and Andrew Jewison won their Classes, going into the lead at this point.  At the 1000 yd line it was Jay Johnson that shot the highest 'sling' and Iron sight score with his rock solid 197-6x.

Sacey T, didn't win the 1k line but he did shoot good enough to hang on and to post the match winning score for the day with his 594-24x. The High Minn resident, and therefore the Minn Full Bore Champion was Erik Rhode whose consistently good shooting and wind reading all day won the aggregate.  
 In the FTR class Mike Lehmeier won the 1000yd line and is the FTR State champion, while in the F-open class Adam Shidla padded his score with a win on the 1000 yd line and cemented a State Championship in that Class.  

Minn 1000 yd State Championship
Saturday dawned a bright, clear day with a little SW wind to test the competitors ability in the 3 scheduled 1000 yd matches that would determine who, of all the gathered long shooters, would be the Minn Long Range State Champion.
No one cleaned the first match of the day, but Dan Marquart came close with a 199-7x, leading Stacey T. into the 2nd match by only one point.  Jay Johnson was right behind and Jim Fernandez, out of the Expert class, showed he was here to compete with the top dogs by laying down a awesome 195-6x in the match.  
  In the 2nd match, Steve Clark from Wisconson, started putting on his move and posted a 200-7x to win the match over Jay Johnson, and Bill Lair who dropped 3 and 4 pts respectively.  In the final 20 shot match, the two leaders shot it out one shot at a time and both posted the same 197 score, as did Erik Rhode. Steve Clark had gone into this final match leading by one point, so the tie in the final match did not help Jay, and the Match win goes to Steve Clark of Wisconsin.  Jay Johnson wins the High resident 1000 yd state Championship. 
The F-class Open battle was mostly between 4 hot shooters. Adam Shidla took the first match with a solid 199 score on those really tough F-class targets.  Ben Winget posted his own 199 score on the 2nd match to claim his spot among the leaders and win that match.  M. Jones placed in both of these matches and is still in contention for a days win. Never say die, Pat Scully beat all comers in the 3rd match by enough pts to secure the top spot on the scoreboard In the day's aggregate.  The MN 1000 yd F-open Champ is Pat Scully.  Mike Lehmeier won a narrow victory over A. Jewison and claim the FTR State Championship.  Great shooting guys!!!

Click to enlarge

 Minn State Palma Championship

Again, beautiful weather was the order of the day for the State Palma Championship on Sunday.  All shooters would fire three 15 shot matches this days competition starting at the 800 yd line and the last match would be shot from the 1000 yd line.  While a number of good shooters fired a clean 200 score at the 800 yd line on those relatively easy targets (Brian Mrnak, Jay Johnson, Stacey Tamulinas, and Erik Rhode all shot clean),  only Steve Clark could manage to clean the target at the 900 yd line, and so Steve goes into a 3-way tie for the lead with Erik Rhode and Jay Johnson at this point with one 15 shot match left to decide the day.  Both Erik, and Jay hold on to fire a great 147 score in this last match, but it's not good enough!. Steve Clark only drops two pts at this 1K distance and tops the leader board at the end of the Plama match.  Congratulations to the Palma Match and Long Range match winner, Steve Clark who found time to come over here to Minn and show us how to put them into the middle at long range.  

  The Top Resident shooter in this championship weekend was a well deserved Jay Johnson, who represented our state very well and was only 2 pts down to Steve Clark. after 2 full days of tough competition.  Congratulations to Jay Johnson, Minn Long Range and Palma champion.  
  In the F-open Class it was Rick Sievers who shined the most in the Palma match.  Rick cleaned the 800yd line and the proceeded to drop only one pt each at the 900 and 1000 yd line for a 448-28x. Rick can add the Palma Match Championship to his list of credits.  Scott Brabec shot the same great score for the day, but lost only on tie breaking X shots.  Good shooting Scott!     

  The FTR Palma champ is A. Jewison who nipped a win over the always competitive Mike Lehmeier for the day, and gets the win for the whole weekend. 
While not getting the win in the Plama Match, Pat Scully had enough of lead from Saturdays 1000yd match to hold on and out point the other F-open shooters in the weekends two match aggregate.  M. Jones and Rick Sievers ended up just a  couple points off Pats awesome weekend scores.  Congratulations to Pat Scully -- Minn F-open Long Range Champion.  

 Service rifle match at Oak Dale Gun Club
  No results received from last Saturdays match 

Notes: 
I looks like we will have a few new Juniors shooting Service Rifle at Camp Perry this year 
From: Mark Schoess 

Guys,

Great news! We have three junior shooters accompanying us to Camp Perry.  Sam and Jack are returning this year.  In addition, Jack's twin brother Nick (like Sam, a highly accomplished shooter on the St Thomas Academy rifle team) is also coming along. We are looking for some loaner equipment. We are leaving as early as Wednesday evening so time is short! ........... Mark  markschoess@yahoo.com

Here is an update: 

•  Kurt has a spare scope, stand and mat and will bring them to Perry.
• Tom has a stand and a mat and a possible (straight) scope but no compatible stand
• I picked up the two carts that Tom owns and that Kurt was holding and will give them to the juniors tomorrow (on Tuesday). 
• Larry offered his stool w/strap but they can use my stool/strap if a third cart doesn't surface.

So, where are we at?

• Sam needed a scope stand. [If Sam uses Tom's stand, he's covered since Sam has his own scope.]
• Jack and Nick needed a scope and a stand.  [One of them can use Kurt's set up, we are still short one scope/stand short]
• Nick needed a pad.  Sam has one and Jack can use my old one. [Nick can use Kurt's, Tom, no need to bring your spare]
• We have two loaner carts  [We still need one cart.]

Thanks to all who responded.  I forgot to include Steve N. on my first message so he's been included here.  All three juniors will be at practice tomorrow to get used to their rifles and get some good 600yd zeros. If you have equipment for them to borrow, they could get it there.

Thanks again,  Mark

Good Luck, Mark.  I'm sure it will be fun having some Juniors along this year. 

Two Weeks Out  

July 25,26 - MidWest Mid range F-Class Championship - Click here for Match Bulletin  

July 25,26 - "Poor Man's" Camp Perry at NorthStar, RedWing - Click Here for Match Bulletin  

That's All Folks

 Hawkeye