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July 2nd, 2010

Fierce Competition at Oklahoma Spring Balloon Shoot

Balloon Shoot OKOn June 19, the 4R Rifle Club in Alex, Oklahoma hosted its Spring Balloon Shoot. This challenging “fun shoot” drew nearly 50 competitors from five states. In this multi-yardage event, shooters try to break four balloons, one each at 100, 250, 400, and 500 yards. A total of 18 rounds were allowed. The balloons were worth 10, 20, 30, and 45 points respectively. Shooters attacked the balloons in 12 relays. Even with challenging winds, some impressive scores were fired. When the smoke cleared and all the competitors had tried their luck, only two had perfect scores of 420. Jim Fowler turned in a pair of 410s to win the Two-Gun award, youth winner Dalton Ernst shot a 390, and factory gun champ Don Johnson managed a 365 with his Savage 6BR.

Exciting Shoot-off Decides Match Winner
The top six shooters of the day returned to the bench with clean scorecards for the Shoot-off. They would repeat the same course as earlier in the day — one balloon each at 100, 250, 400, and 500 yards, with 18 rounds. Two competitors, Don Johnson and Rick Jensen, emerged from the Shoot-off tied, having both shot clean scores of 420. The balloons were set up again, only this time, Don and Rick were allowed just 8 rounds. Hard choices had to be made. Both men elected to start at 400 yards, breaking all four balloons before moving to 500, where both Don and Rick broke three. As a final tie-breaker, each man fired a single shot at a distance of 300 yards. When the targets were retrieved, Don Johnson prevailed as the Overall Champion, with Rick Jensen in second. Don was shooting a .243 Win, while Rick had a .284 Win; both guns featured Surgeon actions. Finishing 3rd, 4th, and 5th respectively were: Shane Herman, Jim Fowler (2-Gun Champ), and Arthur McMeans.

Balloon Shoot OK
Top Ten Shooters’ Equipment List (in alphabetical order)
Balloon Shoot OK

Match organizers offer special thanks to the many match sponsors who filled a rich prize table, and thanks to the Reeves family for hosting yet another great match at the 4R Rifle Club.

Permalink Competition, Hunting/Varminting 2 Comments »
July 1st, 2010

New Lapua 22-250 Brass is Ultra-Consistent in Weight

Lapua’s new 22-250 brass has finally started to arrive on dealers’ shelves. Forum member William P. (aka “Heath”) just got two boxes of the new brass. Both boxes have the same lot number. Heath was kind enough to sort the brass and report his findings.

Lapua 22-250 brass

Based on Heath’s 200-count sample, we can say this new brass is very, very consistent in weight. The total weight spread (delta) for 200 cases was just 1.4 grains! And the vast majority, 83%, were within 0.7 grains in weight (160.3 – 161.0). For the varminter, sorting may be superfluous. Once again, Lapua has produced a superb new product, and we love the new, blue plastic boxes.

FYI, you 6mm shooters should know that the Lapua 22-250 brass can be made into quality 6XC brass. And it’s even easier to create a 6-250 wildcat. In May, Robert Whitley explained how he created a tack-driving 6-250 Wildcat from the new Lapua 22-250 brass.

Permalink Bullets, Brass, Ammo, New Product 1 Comment »
July 1st, 2010

Calvin Johnston Replaces Fruechtel as Leupold President/CEO

Leupold & StevensReplacing retiring Leupold executive Tom Fruechtel, Calvin Johnston has been appointed as Leupold & Stevens’ President and CEO effective July 19, 2010. Johnston has very limited, if any, experience in the optics industry or in hunting/shooting-related businesses. Johnston’s primary expertise is in the apparel sector. Since 2007, Johnston has served as President of Aramark’s Galls Division. Galls specializes in direct sales of police and public safety uniforms and gear. Presumably, Leupold’s Board of Directors hopes that if Johnston can sell uniforms and gear to law enforcement buyers, he can expand Leupold’s LEO optics business.

Prior to running Galls, Johnston served from 2005-2007 as group president/CEO of Russell Athletic, which manufacturers sports clothing. Before that, Johnston, who earned a Marketing MBA from Northwestern Univ., held a series of sales and marketing positions, including a two-year stint as Director of International Marketing for Rollerblade.

What Does the Future Hold for Leupold & Stevens?
Johnston succeeds Tom Fruechtel, who will retire from Leupold at the end of 2010. Fruechtel served as CEO of Leupold & Stevens for 12 years. During that period Leupold sales and profits grew considerably. However, Leupold’s reputation in the market for high-end premium optics has suffered in the past decade. Companies such as Nightforce Optics, Schmidt & Bender, and Zeiss are well-established in the top end of the market, while, in the medium-priced scope segment, smaller optics companies such as Sightron and Vortex have taken market share from Leupold by offering more bang for the buck. In the laser-rangefinder market, Leupold needs to make major improvements in order to compete with the latest products from Leica, Swarovski, and Zeiss.

Permalink News No Comments »