Match Report - 2025 Oregon State Championships & AAFTA Grand Prix July 18, 19 & 20th
We had 26 competitors travel from Nevada, Washington, Northern and Southern California, and here in Oregon. Thanks to all who took the time and spent the money to attend our competition.
Thanks also to my crew, Randy, preparing targets and setting the new 36T course and Darren helping herd the competitors safely around the course and Jerome for filming hours of video, which we’ll be editing and releasing soon on our Facebook & Instagram pages and our YouTube channel. I also want to thank my sister Laurie for taking care of the after-match meals and water on the course.
And a huge thank you to our sponsors: Athlon Optics, JSB pellets, and AEA/Pellet Shop for their donations to the prize table.
We created a new course this year to fit the new scoring rules AAFTA is using for the 2025 Grand Prix scoring. Randy and I set a full 36 Troyer course, accordingly. The course had plenty of 9/16” kill zones from steep downhill 10-15 yards to tree shots at 18-23 yards, and 1” 30-42 yards. And lots of 1-1/2” from 45 to 55 yards.
But over the weekend, the wind gods were generous to the competitors with lighter winds than the 5-12 mph that were predicted. I would estimate we saw mostly 2-5mph, but they were swirling from the left to right with switches from behind to right to left. This confused us all as the 3-day events unfolded.
The temps were slightly milder as well with highs about 90 and less on Sunday. With these conditions, I heard about a lot of splits that did not fall. We had zero target failures, thanks to Randy’s great job preparing the targets and he kept them freshly painted for day two.
Friday afternoon, we gathered on the pistol course in those switching winds to compete on 10 lanes with three targets per lane and two shots per target for a 60-shot match. This was also a 36T course with kill zones not leaving a lot of room for wiggles, or for ranging or wind reading errors. The shooting decks were mostly in the shade and the match went smoothly with no target failures. One lane had three targets set for 6 offhand shots.
11 competitors contested the Hunter Pistol class, and 6 more attacked the course from the Limited Pistol class. Custom-built and/or tuned equipment in the hands of experienced competitors is going to do better on a 36T course in those kinds of tricky wind conditions.
Scott Hull, (55/60) with his custom-built Benjamin Marauder and UTG 3-12x44, bested Cameron (51/60) with his custom Raw TM 1000 Pistol. David D’Agostino took 3rd with a 35/60 with his 1720T and Athlon 4-20x50.
In the Hunter Pistol class, Wayne Burns shot a 57/60 and used his custom LD (Larry Durham) USFT and Athlon Heras 4-20x50 for First, and Sam Russo (53/60) was 2nd with his custom built BSA Scorpion pistol he bought from Scott Schneider, who built it, and who ended up in 4th at 49/60 with another of his custom builds. Randy Ebersole was 3rd, (50/60) with another LD USFT custom build and Athlon Heras 1” tube 4-20x50.
Saturday morning, after the shooter’s safety meeting 26 competitors spread out in two person squads on the 17 lanes, to shoot one shot per target on three targets per lane for a 51-shot Rifle match. Again, the 36T rifle course in the switching winds resulted in many split shots that didn’t cause a target knock down. And with no second shots on target and the need to address 3 targets instead of two per lane, in my opinion, this type of course is much more difficult than a 36T, with 12 or 13 lanes with two targets and two shots on target.
Cameron Kerndt using his AA TX200HC topped with an Athlon Heras 15-60x56 and shooting 8.44 JSBs led the WFTF 12fpe Piston class at the end of Saturday’s competition with a 41/51. Jason Blackburn was second also using a TX200 & Athlon Heras 15-60x56 and Air Arms 8.44s with 33/51 and David D’Aagostino close behind with a 29/51 with his TX200 topped with a Falcon x50 10-50x60.
Mark Weidert powered ahead of the WFTF 12fpe PCP class with a 46/51 using a Steyr Challenge, Sightron S3 10-50x60 slinging JSB 10.34 at 715fps. Jessica Kerndt was second with 35/51 using a Raw TM 1000 pistol/carbine, Athlon Argos Gen-3 10-40x56 also shooting the JSB 10.34 at 720fps. And Pat Callahan was third with 30/51 (He didn’t list his equipment).
Scott Hull led the Open PCP rifle class with a solid 47/51 using a SPA P 15, Athlon Helos 6-24x50, and 10.34s at 935fps. Jim Whittlesey came second after day one with his Thomas carbine topped with a Sightron S3 10-50x60 shooting the JSB 13.4 monsters at 818fps. Chris Merritt was third using his USFT, Nikko 10-50x60 and JSB 10.34 at 890fps.
In Freestyle class, Larry Durham led after day one with 34/51 using his custom LD USFT carbine and Arken 6-24x50 and JSB 10.34 at 848fps. Darren Taylor and Doctor Jim were tied for second with 32/51. Jim was shooting a USFT, Athlon Heras 15-60x56 and JSB 10.34s at 880fps. Darren shot his 12fpe Walther Dominator, Falcon T-50 and JSB 8.44 at 767fps.
The Hunter PCP rifle class was led by Wayne Burns with Saturday’s high score of 48/51. He used a LD customized USFT topped with an Athlon Heras 6-24x56 SFP shooting the JSB 10.34s at 890fps. Bill Galloway was second with 45/51 using his Daystate Redwolf, shooting the AA 10.34s at 861fps. Randy Ebersole used his USFT topped with an Athlon Heras 6-24x56 and JSB 10.34 at 890fps to score a 44/51 after Saturday's day one match.
Sunday morning, we got started earlier so folks could get on the road quicker after the event, so the winds were lighter at match start time. But it didn’t take long for them to pick up and cause some competitors to split some of their shots, releasing groans along the shooting line here and there.
The Freestyle shooters all picked up their game with Doctor Jim shooting a 37/51, LD a 41/51 and Darren T a winning 44/51 to ace out LD by one point for 76/102 to win in Freestyle class.
In Open PCP rifle day two, JW shot one point better than Scott H. with a 45/51, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Scott's 5-point lead from Saturday, so Scott held on to win the Open Class with a 91/102.
Similarly, Jason Blackburn bested Cameron Kerndt by one point on day two, with a 39/51, but Cameron’s 8-point lead was too much, and Cameron won the WFTF 12fpe Piston class with a 79/102 and Jason took second with 72/102.
In WFTF PCP 12fpe, Mark Weidert again dominated day two with a 44/51 to take first place with 90/102. Jessica picked up her game with a 38/51 to take second with a score of 73/102. As Joe Hayward did, with a 34/51-day two score and a total of 59/102 to move into third place.
In Hunter PCP rifle day two, Wayne shot another 48/51 to secure first with a total of 96/102. Bill G. shot a 46/51 to end with 91/102. And Randy E. shot a 45/51 and was third with 89/102. Paul Burdeaux really picked up his game day two (38/51) to move into 4th place with 73/102.
Thanks again to our sponsors, Athlon Optics, JSB pellets and AEA/Pellet Shop. Please support them and use their quality products when you need more equipment or ammo. All of which you can find on our website, https://airgunoregon.shop/
It was great to see all our friends and have a weekend of fun and safe competition. I hope to see you all next year too.
Here is a link to a cool video of the awards ceremony:
Oregon State Field Target Championship Awards 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Wayne Burns,
Match Director,
AirGun Oregon/Ashland Air Rifle Range
We had 26 competitors travel from Nevada, Washington, Northern and Southern California, and here in Oregon. Thanks to all who took the time and spent the money to attend our competition.
Thanks also to my crew, Randy, preparing targets and setting the new 36T course and Darren helping herd the competitors safely around the course and Jerome for filming hours of video, which we’ll be editing and releasing soon on our Facebook & Instagram pages and our YouTube channel. I also want to thank my sister Laurie for taking care of the after-match meals and water on the course.
And a huge thank you to our sponsors: Athlon Optics, JSB pellets, and AEA/Pellet Shop for their donations to the prize table.
We created a new course this year to fit the new scoring rules AAFTA is using for the 2025 Grand Prix scoring. Randy and I set a full 36 Troyer course, accordingly. The course had plenty of 9/16” kill zones from steep downhill 10-15 yards to tree shots at 18-23 yards, and 1” 30-42 yards. And lots of 1-1/2” from 45 to 55 yards.
But over the weekend, the wind gods were generous to the competitors with lighter winds than the 5-12 mph that were predicted. I would estimate we saw mostly 2-5mph, but they were swirling from the left to right with switches from behind to right to left. This confused us all as the 3-day events unfolded.
The temps were slightly milder as well with highs about 90 and less on Sunday. With these conditions, I heard about a lot of splits that did not fall. We had zero target failures, thanks to Randy’s great job preparing the targets and he kept them freshly painted for day two.
Friday afternoon, we gathered on the pistol course in those switching winds to compete on 10 lanes with three targets per lane and two shots per target for a 60-shot match. This was also a 36T course with kill zones not leaving a lot of room for wiggles, or for ranging or wind reading errors. The shooting decks were mostly in the shade and the match went smoothly with no target failures. One lane had three targets set for 6 offhand shots.
11 competitors contested the Hunter Pistol class, and 6 more attacked the course from the Limited Pistol class. Custom-built and/or tuned equipment in the hands of experienced competitors is going to do better on a 36T course in those kinds of tricky wind conditions.
Scott Hull, (55/60) with his custom-built Benjamin Marauder and UTG 3-12x44, bested Cameron (51/60) with his custom Raw TM 1000 Pistol. David D’Agostino took 3rd with a 35/60 with his 1720T and Athlon 4-20x50.
In the Hunter Pistol class, Wayne Burns shot a 57/60 and used his custom LD (Larry Durham) USFT and Athlon Heras 4-20x50 for First, and Sam Russo (53/60) was 2nd with his custom built BSA Scorpion pistol he bought from Scott Schneider, who built it, and who ended up in 4th at 49/60 with another of his custom builds. Randy Ebersole was 3rd, (50/60) with another LD USFT custom build and Athlon Heras 1” tube 4-20x50.
Saturday morning, after the shooter’s safety meeting 26 competitors spread out in two person squads on the 17 lanes, to shoot one shot per target on three targets per lane for a 51-shot Rifle match. Again, the 36T rifle course in the switching winds resulted in many split shots that didn’t cause a target knock down. And with no second shots on target and the need to address 3 targets instead of two per lane, in my opinion, this type of course is much more difficult than a 36T, with 12 or 13 lanes with two targets and two shots on target.
Cameron Kerndt using his AA TX200HC topped with an Athlon Heras 15-60x56 and shooting 8.44 JSBs led the WFTF 12fpe Piston class at the end of Saturday’s competition with a 41/51. Jason Blackburn was second also using a TX200 & Athlon Heras 15-60x56 and Air Arms 8.44s with 33/51 and David D’Aagostino close behind with a 29/51 with his TX200 topped with a Falcon x50 10-50x60.
Mark Weidert powered ahead of the WFTF 12fpe PCP class with a 46/51 using a Steyr Challenge, Sightron S3 10-50x60 slinging JSB 10.34 at 715fps. Jessica Kerndt was second with 35/51 using a Raw TM 1000 pistol/carbine, Athlon Argos Gen-3 10-40x56 also shooting the JSB 10.34 at 720fps. And Pat Callahan was third with 30/51 (He didn’t list his equipment).
Scott Hull led the Open PCP rifle class with a solid 47/51 using a SPA P 15, Athlon Helos 6-24x50, and 10.34s at 935fps. Jim Whittlesey came second after day one with his Thomas carbine topped with a Sightron S3 10-50x60 shooting the JSB 13.4 monsters at 818fps. Chris Merritt was third using his USFT, Nikko 10-50x60 and JSB 10.34 at 890fps.
In Freestyle class, Larry Durham led after day one with 34/51 using his custom LD USFT carbine and Arken 6-24x50 and JSB 10.34 at 848fps. Darren Taylor and Doctor Jim were tied for second with 32/51. Jim was shooting a USFT, Athlon Heras 15-60x56 and JSB 10.34s at 880fps. Darren shot his 12fpe Walther Dominator, Falcon T-50 and JSB 8.44 at 767fps.
The Hunter PCP rifle class was led by Wayne Burns with Saturday’s high score of 48/51. He used a LD customized USFT topped with an Athlon Heras 6-24x56 SFP shooting the JSB 10.34s at 890fps. Bill Galloway was second with 45/51 using his Daystate Redwolf, shooting the AA 10.34s at 861fps. Randy Ebersole used his USFT topped with an Athlon Heras 6-24x56 and JSB 10.34 at 890fps to score a 44/51 after Saturday's day one match.
Sunday morning, we got started earlier so folks could get on the road quicker after the event, so the winds were lighter at match start time. But it didn’t take long for them to pick up and cause some competitors to split some of their shots, releasing groans along the shooting line here and there.
The Freestyle shooters all picked up their game with Doctor Jim shooting a 37/51, LD a 41/51 and Darren T a winning 44/51 to ace out LD by one point for 76/102 to win in Freestyle class.
In Open PCP rifle day two, JW shot one point better than Scott H. with a 45/51, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Scott's 5-point lead from Saturday, so Scott held on to win the Open Class with a 91/102.
Similarly, Jason Blackburn bested Cameron Kerndt by one point on day two, with a 39/51, but Cameron’s 8-point lead was too much, and Cameron won the WFTF 12fpe Piston class with a 79/102 and Jason took second with 72/102.
In WFTF PCP 12fpe, Mark Weidert again dominated day two with a 44/51 to take first place with 90/102. Jessica picked up her game with a 38/51 to take second with a score of 73/102. As Joe Hayward did, with a 34/51-day two score and a total of 59/102 to move into third place.
In Hunter PCP rifle day two, Wayne shot another 48/51 to secure first with a total of 96/102. Bill G. shot a 46/51 to end with 91/102. And Randy E. shot a 45/51 and was third with 89/102. Paul Burdeaux really picked up his game day two (38/51) to move into 4th place with 73/102.
Thanks again to our sponsors, Athlon Optics, JSB pellets and AEA/Pellet Shop. Please support them and use their quality products when you need more equipment or ammo. All of which you can find on our website, https://airgunoregon.shop/
It was great to see all our friends and have a weekend of fun and safe competition. I hope to see you all next year too.
Here is a link to a cool video of the awards ceremony:
Oregon State Field Target Championship Awards 2025
Respectfully submitted,
Wayne Burns,
Match Director,
AirGun Oregon/Ashland Air Rifle Range
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