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January 23rd, 2011
 What do you give the man who has everything? How about his own 1760-square-foot, armor-plated shoot house from MGM Targets? Heck he can even assemble it himself with a couple big wrenches (and a lot of help from friends). Of course you must lay a solid concrete foundation first — MGM’s Shoot House is composed of 40,000 pounds of steel (20 tons). The MGM Shoot House employs a modular design so it can be assembled in a wide variety of layouts to suit the owner. All walls are constructed of 3/8″-thick armored plate. Plywood facings serve as a “containment system” to protect shooters from splash-back and bullet fragments from shots fired. To protect folks on the outside, the 3/8″-thick steel is thick enough to prevent penetration by all pistol cartridges, all shotshells, and rifle rounds up to a 7.62×51 (.308 Win).
$117,000 for the SHOOT HOUSE — But Recoup Costs via Rentals
What does all this cost? The SHOT Show price is just $117,000, not including foundation and assembly labor costs. MGM calls this “affordable”. Well we know some shooters who have over $100K tied up in a motor home. Realistically, this is not something an individual would buy, although it would be within the budget of some larger shooting clubs, considering that some of the cost could be offset by renting out the Shoot House to law enforcement groups.
While the Shoot House was designed primarily for military and law enforcement group training, it can also be used by private shooting clubs for pistol and multi-gun matches. In addition, a private range or club may want to construct a Shoot House, and then earn revenue by leasing it back to the local police or sheriffs’ agencies. For more information, visit MGMTargets.com, or call 1-888-767-7371 toll-free.
January 20th, 2011
SGT Sherri Gallagher of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit had a spectacularly successful 2010. First she won the National High Power Championship convincingly, setting records in the process. Then young Sherri earned the title of “Soldier of the Year”. Sherri is the first women ever to be honored as the U.S. Army’s Soldier of the Year.
When we learned Sherri was staffing the USAMU booth at SHOT Show, we headed straight there with the hopes of chatting with America’s premier lady rifle shooter. Our correspondent Kelly Bachand was eager to talk to Sherri, as they are friends who once shot together on the U.S. National Junior team. You should really take the time to watch this video. Sherri is very open and candid about her shooting accomplishments, and she offers advice that will help any shooter.
January 20th, 2011
While visiting the Forster Products booth at SHOT Show yesterday, we had a chance to chat with three-time National High Power Long Range Champion John Whidden. John was his amiable self as usual, sharing his match-winning experience with Kelly Bachand, a young .308 Palma shooter. John and Kelly are squadded together on the U.S. National Team that will be going to Australia for the World Full-bore Championship later this year.
John shared his thoughts on shooting the .243 Win in competition and he also discussed the advantages of a V-Block system in a prone rifle. With a good V-Block you can use the same stock with different barreled action. You can even change between centerfire and rimfire in the same gun. John uses V-Blocks in his own rifles, and Whidden Gunworks makes V-Blocks for Remington, Rem Clone, and Savage Actions.
January 19th, 2011
It is rare in the shooting sports when a single manufacturer, and single gun type, completely dominate a competitive discipline. But in the world of Field Target shooting, the Air Arms EV2 definitely has proven itself the “best of the best”, winning multiple major events in 2010, among them the European Championship, UK Championship, and World Championship. If you get your hands on an EV2 you’ll notice immediately that the rifle is well-balanced and very comfortable to hold — in any position. All the parts are machined to tight tolerances, and it comes with “all the bells and whistles” right out of the box. Watch the video below to learn more about the EV2 — truly the “choice of champions”.
The Air Arms EV2 is available from PyramidAir.com for $1959.00, your choice of black, sky blue, or Red receiver and barrel-end fixture.
January 18th, 2011
 During Media Day we kept our eyes out for new multi-gun gear, since 3-Gun Competition is becoming so popular. At the Surefire booth we ran into 3-Gun Ace Barry Dueck (pronouned “Duke”). Barry demonstrated the side-mounted iron sights he produces for AR-type carbines (actually these sights can work on any rifle that has suitable rails).
Running a combination of a magnified, 1-5X Leupold on top with iron sight mouted at a 45-degree angle on the sides, Dueck can rapidly transition from optics to irons. The top scope works great for longer shots, but Dueck finds he can engage close targets more quickly (and accurately) with the iron sights. While some other 3-gunners run a magnified optic on top and a red dot sight on the side, the use of two (2) glass optics puts a 3-gun competitor in a different division. Dueck’s Rapid Transition Sight (RTS) System, allows him to compete in the single-optics classes. The side-mounted irons are also more foolproof than any electronic sight, as Dueck explains in the video below.
January 8th, 2011
In October of 2011, the “Young Eagles”, the Under-25 American Rifle Team, heads to Brisbane, Australia for the World Under 21/Under 25 (U21/25) Long-Range Team Championships. To help the Under-25 Team, Berger Bullets generously donated 100,000 30-cal bullets. Sales proceeds from the bullets will help pay the team’s travel costs and other expenses associated. So far, only about 11,000 bullets have been sold, so the team needs more bullet buyers. Bullets offered for sale are all 30-caliber, 155.5 grain Palma bullets. Minimum order is 500 bullets for $195.00, which works out to $39.00 per box of 100.
• Bullet Specs: 30 caliber, 155.5 grain, Berger Fullbore Match
• Price: $195.00 per 500 bullets (minimum order)
• Shipping: 100 bullets per box, free shipping within the 48 states.
All donations are tax deductible through PALMA Promotions, Inc., P.O. Box 441, Mineral, VA 23117. This is a volunteer, non-profit organization (specifically, an IRS certified non-profit, 501(c)(3), Amateur Sports Organization), which was founded to foster and promote National and International Long Range Rifle competition and to create an increased awareness of this world class sport. For more information, or to place an order contact:
— Andy Doney, Team Captain: a_doney [at] hotmail.com
— Vikki Gaddie, Team Vice Captain: deadeyegurl14 [at] aol.com
January 8th, 2011
 Report by Dave Conrath
In the last week of December, 2010, two pending FTR records were set at the annual Snowbird X-Miss Match hosted by Florida’s Port Malabar Rifle and Pistol Club. Competitors traveled from as far North as Michigan (through heavy snow). At the match, conditions varied over the four days of shooting from 25-mph winds, to below freezing temperatures and frost, to burning swamplands including falling ash. In a superb performance given the conditions, Kent Reeve was Palma rifle and overall winner with 1799-99X (dropping only one point over the 3-day event). Keith Perry was overall iron sight winner with 1781-107X.
 New NRA 600-Yard Service Record Set by SSG Emil Kovan
SSG Emil Kovan (USAMU) and SFC James Gaston (BNX Rifle Team) took turns setting and resetting the NRA 600-yard individual NRA Service record. SFC Gaston shot a 198-11X, only to be bettered by SSG Kovan with a 200-11X.
Kovan uses a GA Precision-built, Surgeon-actioned, .308 Win rifle. It has a 26″, 11-twist barrel for tactical competitions, plus a 29″, 10-twist twist tube for F-T/R, both chambered in .308 Win. The 26″ BBL is chambered for 175-190 grain bullets, while the 29″ is throated for 210-grainers. Kovan shots moly-coated Berger 210gr VLDs in the longer barrel. He reveled that he loads “bullets long so they get soft seated .010″ when [closing] the bolt”.
In F-TR class, SSG Kovan won for the second year with a 1772-75X, Nik Taylor took second overall with 1769-69X, SFC Gaston took third place 1739-75X. In an extremely tight race in F-Open Class Michael Dana was first with 1765-36X, Mark Finizio took second with 1764-68X, Tom Goodman finished third with 1763-62X.
BNX Rifle Team Sets Pending F-TR Team Record
During the team matches on the final day, the BNX rifle team from Coastal Carolina Rifle Club at Camp Lejeune shot a new, pending F-TR 4-Man Team National record with a 794-37X. Shown below are BNX Team members (left to right), SFC James Gaston (200-9X), Tony Robertson (199-11X), Dave Conrath (197-7X), Tom Goodman (Asst. Coach/Scorer), Nik Taylor (198-10X) — Team Captain and Wind Coach.
December 28th, 2010
 The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) invites air rifle and air pistol shooters to the 5th Annual Camp Perry Open. This year’s match will include a 3-position air rifle competition, an international air rifle (all standing) event, a pistol course of fire, and junior clinics. The 3-day match will be held January 14-16, 2011 at the CMP Marksmanship Center in Camp Perry, Port Clinton, Ohio. Visit the Camp Perry Open webpage for complete information including rules, fees, event schedule, and match descriptions/courses of fire. You can also download (and print) the Camp Perry Open Match Program (PDF) for future reference. This includes rules, schedules, match descriptions, registration info, gear lists, and even directions to the CMP range.
The U. S. National Team coaches, Maj. David Johnson and Sergey Luzov, plan to bring some National Team members to shoot in the International event. The Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU) is also sending some of their best to shoot in the International standing course of fire event. Members of many top NCAA rifle teams will attend as well. This is a great opportunity to see some of the best shooters in the USA compete.
Special Junior Clinic
On Saturday afternoon, 15 January 2011, there will be a clinic for a maximum of 50 school-aged junior
shooters. The clinic will run from 2:30 – 5:30 PM. On-the-line training will be provided by the members of the U. S. National Development Team, as well as USAMU Team members. The culmination of this event will be a 20-shot standing competition. This was a very popular event in 2010, so register early!
What to Bring
In addition to your air rifle, you’ll need a Clear Barrel Indicator (CBI). You will not need spotting scopes because the match will be fired on MEGAlink Electronic Targets and the exact shot locations are shown on electronic monitors at each firing point. (Isn’t technology great?) Shooting mats are provided at the range, but you may bring your own. Shooters using precision air rifles should bring them along with their shooting jackets and other equipment. Also, bring your own pellets. The CMP will have air tanks and CO2 available at the range. Please bring your own adapters.
HOW TO REGISTER (Registration Closes January 1!)
To register, log on to the CMP’s Camp Perry Open Registration page. Competitors over the age of 18 must complete and sign a CMP Affidavit and Liability Release prior to competing at Camp Perry. Shooters under the age of 18 must have a 2011 Parental Permission Form completed prior to competing at Camp Perry. These Release Forms may be submitted to Katie Harrington at: CMP, P. O. Box 576, Camp Perry OH 43452, or fax it to 419-635-2573. If you have questions call Katie at 419-635-2141 ext. 1131, or email kharrington [at] odcmp.com. NOTE: The last day to register is January 1, 2011. (In hardship situations, a late registrant might be accepted, but this isn’t guaranteed.)
December 25th, 2010
 2010 IBS 600-yard Shooter of the Year honors have just been announced. Sam Hall of Boonville, NC stole the show again this year, securing 100 points to earn another Shooter of the Year (SOY) Title. Congrats Sam! Not far behind was Dasher Ace (and a former Shooter of the Year) Richard Schatz with 86 Points. Brenda Hobbs was the Female Shooter of the Year with 7 Championship points, while Stanley Clarke’s 6 points him earned him “Rookie SOY” honors.
Here are the final standings, courtesy Dick Grosbier of the IBS:
IBS Shooter of the Year Rankings
1. Samuel Hall – 100 points
2..Richard Schatz – 86 points
3. Dan Hobbs – 50 points
4. Glen Sterling – 39 points
5. Rich Griffin – 32 points
Female SOY: Brenda Hobbs (7 points)
Rookie SOY : Stanley Clark (6 points)
Some months ago, Sam Hall revealed many of his shooting secrets and gun-handling tips in a short video. Because of windy conditions, the audio track is pretty poor, but if you pay attention you can learn some very valuable lessons from Sam:
December 18th, 2010
Story by Steve Cooper, CMP Writer
Sergeant First Class Josh Olson lost his right leg during a combat patrol in Iraq, but thanks to a rehabilitation program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and an USAMU initiative to retain wounded warriors, Olson continues to serve his country as a member of the Army Marksmanship Unit (USAMU).
SFC Olson recently spent two days with USAMU teammates and fellow shooters at the CMP’s Dixie Double Precision Air Rifle and Air Pistol Event. There, as an out-of-competition air rifle participant, Olson fired the highest aggregate score in the match. However, as he fired from a seated position, he wasn’t officially competing against the able-bodied shooters. Though he wears a full leg prosthesis at the office and when competing in prone competition, SFC Olson said it gets uncomfortable when traveling or sitting for long periods of time. Hence he removed the artificial limb while shooting from the bench.
 In 2003, while deployed in Iraq, SFC Olson was leading a motorized patrol when his vehicle was ambushed. He left the vehicle to return fire when an RPG rocked his truck and blew his leg out from under him. Severely wounded, Olson was med-evac’d, first to Mosul, then to Germany, and finally to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the USA. For the next 18 months, SFC Olson received inpatient and outpatient care at Walter Reed in Washington, D.C., prior to reactivating with the Army, eventually assigned to the USAMU.
Olson recalled: “During my time at Walter Reed, a lot of the physical therapy and occupational therapy events we did involved shooting. When at Walter Reed, we were actually shooting sporting clays and I shot really well. One of the occupational therapists said the AMU was looking for amputees who wanted to stay on active duty and possibly try out for the Paralympics. I jumped at the opportunity and was able to stay on active duty”.
 After joining the USAMU, SFC Olson began shooting competitively in June 2005 and went through a ‘baptism of fire’ at Camp Perry and in international competition. When he’s not shooting a precision air rifle, SFC Olson competes in .22 caliber international rifle. Following the CMP Dixie Double, he participated in the Championship of the Americas (CAT Games) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in the prone able-body event.
SFC Olson hopes to compete in the Paralympic Games or regular Olympic Games in London in 2012. He will try out for both events, either competing as a disabled shooter in the Paralympics or as an able-bodied competitor on equal terms with other Olympic marksmen. He said if he does not make the Olympic team, he’ll know he’s done his best to get there.
When not competing, SFC Olson helps National Guard and Reserve soldiers prepare for combat prior to deployment. “If I can help one person learn skills that will save their life or that of a buddy, it will be well worth it.”
This story has been edited for length. Read full story in the CMP Online Magazine.
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