Three Gun Urban Rifle Match

December 05, 2009

As usual I got to the club early to set up for the Service Rifle match.  I actually arrived extra early because the three gun match has so much extra “stuff” to get ready.  I had to assemble and set up the three barriers, set up a table for the shotgun and pistol stage, and, of course, the target frames plus all the registration paraphernalia. Lucky for me some of the guys also showed up early to help out with the set-up.  Thanks guys; you know who you are. Well, just as I pulled up to the gate I looked at the thermometer on my truck console and it read 26 degrees.  Yes, 26 degrees of cold wind that pushed the wind chill somewhere in the teens.  I thought the cold might keep the number of shooters down, but did I underestimate the PCSC Riflemen! We had a total of 21 entries (some of the guys shot more than one gun).  Did I mention it was cold and windy?

We got started on time, and everything was going well until the temperature started to climb. When I set up the range the ground was frozen, and I paid no attention to that ground when I located the shotgun and pistol stage.  My only concern at that point was safety, right?  I’m sure you guessed it by now, that frozen ground turned to very cold mud as the temp climbed!  We went home more than a little dirty!

Did I mention it was cold?  This is one of the most difficult matches we shoot, but trying to toss a grenade (yep we started off by throwing a dummy grenade and scoring the result), load and fire a rifle several times, draw load and fire a pistol, reload that pistol, fire again with the other hand (oops, best pistol score 96x100 Joel Powell, just had to brag), pick up a shotgun, load and fire it, all with gloved or freezing hands made the match that much more difficult.  We did experience a couple of rifle breakdowns and dropped magazines, but we persevered.  The weather, gun troubles, and a tough scenario did not stop these riflemen from shooting good scores.  AR-15’s ruled the day in this match. Did I mention it was COLD?

Shotgun Committee Notes:

Several notes regarding the Shotgun Committee are appropriate, I believe, as we approach the end of the year.

First, the use of the shotgun ranges is up considerably from last year judging by rounds purchased, so the members are using the range more and that is the whole object of the Shotgun Committee formation.  The Saturday morning shooting is really busy and seems to be enjoyed by all.  The 4-H Club shooters are buying a lot of rounds and that is encouraging for the future of the sport and the ownership of firearms in general.

Second, please exercise caution and proper procedures when opening and closing of the trap and skeet houses.  These machines can break a hand, arm or leg in a heartbeat if one is not careful.  Too many times the skeet machines are left in the cocked position because the person closing the houses fails to release the arm by pushing down on the spring loaded switch prior to unplugging the power cord.

  Then that person and the next person to open the house ends up standing in front of a cocked arm in order to replace/remove the steel closure to the window.  This is a dangerous practice.  Please release the arm with the switch, unplug the power cord and then replace the steel closure.  Also when releasing the arm, make sure no other member is in the flight path of the bird picking up hulls, etc.  In general be cautious around these machines and do not walk in front of the skeet house window or the trap house when they are in operation.

Next item is an obvious failure in the part of those who give the orientations.  It must not be emphasized enough during the Orientation that when the member is through shooting and had shut down the machine, IT MUST BE REFILLED with clay targets.  If you are in a time bind and don’t have time to refill the machine, then you don’t have time to shoot in the first place.  Please be courteous to the member that is following you and refill the machines when you have completed your rounds.  Gentlemen are conscious of the burdens they may impose on others.

Happy Holidays and we’ll see y’all at the range

Saturday, October 24, 

Service Rifle Match

October 24, 2009

“The Rattle Battle”

Great weather, light wind (unusual for PCSC), great rifles, great friends and new friends what more could a rifleman want?

This was our famous “Rattle Battle” a rapid fire, shoot and move forward match.  We started at 200 yards in the prone position, shooting 10 shots in 90 seconds.  We then have 2 minutes to pick up and move forward 50 yards and shoot 10 more shots kneeling or sitting position and again pick up and move forward 50 more yards to shoot offhand.  It sounds easy but the old ( in my case old means old) heart is beating and the breathing is faster plus the shooting position is more difficult than the last, it’s a tough match!

We had mostly M1 Garands and AR-15 rifles this match but there was a scattering of ’03 Springfields, Mausers and M1A’s as well.  We did have some “first timer’s” at the match, they were; Thomas Wadsworth, Mark Rose, William Hall and David Hill.  Welcome to the Service Rifle matches guys! Winners are listed below.

We also had a side match called the Deer Hunter.  This match was 5 shots in 2 minutes from a makeshift deer stand at 200 yards.  We used a near life size deer target with a very small scoring target added.  The match was any gun, any rest (from the deer stand) and any sight.  Would you believe an AR-15 with open sights won?  That’s just what happened; John Kampo shot a 25 x 50 score in this very difficult match to win.  Well done John!

The 2009 Championship is still ongoing with one more match left in the season, but there were some changes in the standings, see below.

The Winners

Division I

1st – Andy Mans with a score of 253 x 300, 1X shooting his M1 Garand

2nd – Thomas Wadsworth with a score of 224 x 300, 2X shooting his M1 Garand

3^rd – Robert Laramee with a score of 219 x 300, 0X shooting his M1Garand

Division II

1^st – Thomas Wadsworth with a score of 245 x 300, 3X shooting his .308 cal. M1 Garand

2^nd – David Hill with a score of 240 x 300, 0X shooting his AR-15

3^rd – Frank Bliss with a score of 228 x 300, 7X shooting his M1A

The Deer Hunter

Best Hunter – John Kampo scoring 25 x 50, 0X shooting his AR-15 open sight rifle

2009 Championship Standings

Overall Champion – Frank Bliss

Division I Vintage Rifle – Ron Woods

Division II Modern Rifle – Stewart Alexander