Interview with Dennis DeMille

Q: How does it feel to win an elite competition at age 46 compared to your other championships earlier in your career?

Dennis: Notwithstanding my freakish friend Carl Bernosky, as you get older, for a variety of reasons, winning becomes a little bit harder — in my case it’s poor vision. So of course each victory tastes a little sweeter and nothing is taken for granted.

Q: What were conditions like at the match this year?

Dennis: We had beautiful conditions that day — just a little warm.

Q. What ammo were you using?

Dennis: Hornady 168 grain .30-06, as issued at the Match.

Q: Was anything special done to accurize your rifle?

Dennis: No. This was the first match for this stock though. I think that might be why I shot two 9s in prone slow fire — it was still settling in. Nothing has been done to any part of the rifle to make it more accurate. The rifle is “as-is” from the CMP … complete with nasty trigger. Before I shoot it again though I am going to swap out the front sight blade for a fatter USMC type blade so I can see it [better].

Q. You nailed the standing, often considered the hardest stage. What advice can you give to shooters who want to improve their standing abilities?

Dennis: No secret there — snap-in, holding exercises, and a good mental program. In particular I recommend 20 one-minute holding exercises, with 30-second breaks in between each hold. That is the quickest and best way to identify a poor position (because it will be painful), and build a well-supported position.

Q: Does Creedmoor Sports have any specialty products for shooters of the 1903 Springfield or other vintage military rifles?

Dennis: We really don’t have many products specific to those rifles. But the beauty of those rifles and that course of fire is that there isn’t much you need to buy.