What a run of beautiful weather we have been in !! Sunday was to be similar with cool @ 50* morning & by matches end just past noon mid 70's.
Our MD was restless finding himself on site at 6:50 am and started the process of getting appropriate size targets at correct distances by just placing targets on the field with clamps and winders, when our block trailer man will follow up getting them mounted and strings at the shooters boxes. By @ 7:20 we have blocks, more help and we speedily finish up the course set up being finished @ 8 am.
Today the set up was bias to the nearly always present Ione area breezes with only a single 2" out at 55y, one 1 7/8 at @ 49y and the remaining 28 targets all inside 50y. We had two sets of side by side lanes being #7 & #8 where the first target is challenging small and second target a tad larger. The idea is to have the crew if making the first shots see the larger target next, relax a bit and perhaps miss !! Looking at cards post match indeed the 1st target proved the more difficult, tho some got the 1st struggling with the second.
As we started the practice time we were pretty wind calm and chatter on the line was shots were generally going where aimed and correction required minimal.
**The pre match email to members stated a few of the crazies among us ( Scott & Chris ) were going to have a go in shooting there sub 12 fpe PISTOLS on the 55 y rifle course with two of us pre-commited to this lunacy ! Invitation to join went out via email 4 days prior.
During the squad assignments we have no less than 6 crazies willing to make a go at 55 yards, 12 fpe limits and using a pistol !!! Those 6 all shot "Hunter" class set ups.
We also had a couple stinkers with a 1/4" at @ 13y and a 3/8" at @ 18y At matches end I addressed the 3/8" one lane from the end and it was literally so packed with lead at KZ it was absolutely non evident where the hole was as there was zero roundness or obvious profile left, missed my first adding to the lead clutter, 2nd found a way to punch threw the clog ... Damn !!!
The pre-match safety meeting happens and squad assignments handed out and the 21 present shooters gets after it @ 9:40
O'boy the Ione breeze forecast did not disappoint with the start and stop light breeze @ 45 min into the match. The winds came mostly left to right with the occasional straight on. It was this blow then stop then blow that really screwed with ones ability to correct for it.
As with any winds and dealing with it experience reigns supreme as the most successful today were also trending to the more experienced / veteran shooters. Also using telescopic antenna type drop string & shuttle wind flags one can see while seated and sighting.
Laughter abounded all morning as ALL present were having a great time !!! This really warms my heart to witness that these SVFTC monthly events are as much a social gathering as they are a competitive match among like mind friends.
TODAY RESULTS by CLASS, NAME & SCORE. 60 points possable.
OPEN PCP
Tom K 47
HUNTER PISTON
Dane 14
WFTF PCP
Alex J 53 * Tie for High Score
Chang H 44
WFTF Piston
Son L 51
Jim P 35
AJ K 30
HUNTER PCP
Conrad R 53 *Tie for High Score
Erick S 52
Fred B 51
Kevin H 49
Darren T 46
Joe B 40
Grant S 36
Marty G 29
* HUNTER PISTOL ( The Crazies )
Scott S 52
Chris K 46
Mark W 35
Sam R 30
Bill C 23
Tak A 14
We get finished up by @ 12:30 and get the boyz out to clean it up while MD tallies scores, Lunch gets put together etc ... Field is quickly cleaned up and all packed away !! Scores for the day get anounced, some speaking of upcoming state GPs being Nevada State in 2 weeks and the Oregon State GP in July. All said we eat some lunch being Pinwheel sandwiches, chips, drinks and cookies !!
Club also had previously announced we were to have a Swap Meet after the match. Some gear came out and the typical haggling and exchanges of $$ for goods or just observation of the "I don't need more gear" and just walked away ... Lol.
** I do wish to make note and try to say this without being self serving .... PISTOLS on a rifle course can absolutely be done and scores able to be near the top as we just proved it !! Those of Us and others in Clubs may wish to try it some time as it is hard .. VERY HARD to get the stablity required to make precision shots at or beyond 35y ( Typical Pistol match max distance ) yet alone 55y. It can be done and it really adds a dimention to precision Field target most would never think of challenging them self in doing. Try it sometime it is a hoot !!
Thank you ALL for making this May's SVFTC match on what is the MEMORIAL DAY weekend .... God bless our troops past & present !! It's great to be an American in this nuts world of late !!
Stay practiced till me meet again on June 22nd at Range #9 Sacramento Vally Shooting Center. Bring a friend next time or any time to share in this game we love ... Air Gun Field Target !!
Scott Schneider
SVFTC Match Director
Our MD was restless finding himself on site at 6:50 am and started the process of getting appropriate size targets at correct distances by just placing targets on the field with clamps and winders, when our block trailer man will follow up getting them mounted and strings at the shooters boxes. By @ 7:20 we have blocks, more help and we speedily finish up the course set up being finished @ 8 am.
Today the set up was bias to the nearly always present Ione area breezes with only a single 2" out at 55y, one 1 7/8 at @ 49y and the remaining 28 targets all inside 50y. We had two sets of side by side lanes being #7 & #8 where the first target is challenging small and second target a tad larger. The idea is to have the crew if making the first shots see the larger target next, relax a bit and perhaps miss !! Looking at cards post match indeed the 1st target proved the more difficult, tho some got the 1st struggling with the second.
As we started the practice time we were pretty wind calm and chatter on the line was shots were generally going where aimed and correction required minimal.
**The pre match email to members stated a few of the crazies among us ( Scott & Chris ) were going to have a go in shooting there sub 12 fpe PISTOLS on the 55 y rifle course with two of us pre-commited to this lunacy ! Invitation to join went out via email 4 days prior.
During the squad assignments we have no less than 6 crazies willing to make a go at 55 yards, 12 fpe limits and using a pistol !!! Those 6 all shot "Hunter" class set ups.
We also had a couple stinkers with a 1/4" at @ 13y and a 3/8" at @ 18y At matches end I addressed the 3/8" one lane from the end and it was literally so packed with lead at KZ it was absolutely non evident where the hole was as there was zero roundness or obvious profile left, missed my first adding to the lead clutter, 2nd found a way to punch threw the clog ... Damn !!!
The pre-match safety meeting happens and squad assignments handed out and the 21 present shooters gets after it @ 9:40
O'boy the Ione breeze forecast did not disappoint with the start and stop light breeze @ 45 min into the match. The winds came mostly left to right with the occasional straight on. It was this blow then stop then blow that really screwed with ones ability to correct for it.
As with any winds and dealing with it experience reigns supreme as the most successful today were also trending to the more experienced / veteran shooters. Also using telescopic antenna type drop string & shuttle wind flags one can see while seated and sighting.
Laughter abounded all morning as ALL present were having a great time !!! This really warms my heart to witness that these SVFTC monthly events are as much a social gathering as they are a competitive match among like mind friends.
TODAY RESULTS by CLASS, NAME & SCORE. 60 points possable.
OPEN PCP
Tom K 47
HUNTER PISTON
Dane 14
WFTF PCP
Alex J 53 * Tie for High Score
Chang H 44
WFTF Piston
Son L 51
Jim P 35
AJ K 30
HUNTER PCP
Conrad R 53 *Tie for High Score
Erick S 52
Fred B 51
Kevin H 49
Darren T 46
Joe B 40
Grant S 36
Marty G 29
* HUNTER PISTOL ( The Crazies )
Scott S 52
Chris K 46
Mark W 35
Sam R 30
Bill C 23
Tak A 14
We get finished up by @ 12:30 and get the boyz out to clean it up while MD tallies scores, Lunch gets put together etc ... Field is quickly cleaned up and all packed away !! Scores for the day get anounced, some speaking of upcoming state GPs being Nevada State in 2 weeks and the Oregon State GP in July. All said we eat some lunch being Pinwheel sandwiches, chips, drinks and cookies !!
Club also had previously announced we were to have a Swap Meet after the match. Some gear came out and the typical haggling and exchanges of $$ for goods or just observation of the "I don't need more gear" and just walked away ... Lol.
** I do wish to make note and try to say this without being self serving .... PISTOLS on a rifle course can absolutely be done and scores able to be near the top as we just proved it !! Those of Us and others in Clubs may wish to try it some time as it is hard .. VERY HARD to get the stablity required to make precision shots at or beyond 35y ( Typical Pistol match max distance ) yet alone 55y. It can be done and it really adds a dimention to precision Field target most would never think of challenging them self in doing. Try it sometime it is a hoot !!
Thank you ALL for making this May's SVFTC match on what is the MEMORIAL DAY weekend .... God bless our troops past & present !! It's great to be an American in this nuts world of late !!
Stay practiced till me meet again on June 22nd at Range #9 Sacramento Vally Shooting Center. Bring a friend next time or any time to share in this game we love ... Air Gun Field Target !!
Scott Schneider
SVFTC Match Director
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