USA Shooting is pleased to announce that 2008 Olympian Jamie Beyerle (Lebanon, Pa.) has qualified for a nomination to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee. Upon approval, Beyerle will be competing in her second consecutive Olympic Games in Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Beyerle finished fourth in Women’s 10m Air Rifle and fifth in Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position. Beyerle is currently the top-ranked Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position shooter in the world. In 2011, Beyerle won gold at ISSF World Cup events in Sydney, Australia and at her home range in Fort Benning, Georgia. In the ISSF video below, you can watch Jaimie’s winning performance in Sydney:
National Rifle Coach Major Dave Johnson said, “Jamie has continued her march to the top of our sport. In the last 12 months, Jamie has earned three gold medals in World Cups and placed in the top five in two more starts. Her performance has earned her a spot on the U.S. Olympic Team as one of the best in the world.” Jaime credits Johnson and the USAMU for much of her success: “It is an honor to be nominated to represent the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games. I would not have that honor without the support of USA Shooting and Coach Dave Johnson as well as the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit and Coach Tom Tamas, who have all helped me to achieve my goals thus far.”
The Creedmoor Cup F-Class events in Ireland have come to a close. The Irish hosts ran a great match and the American shooters proved their prowess — winning both team and individual titles. Here’s how the events were scheduled so you can keep things in order: after several practice days, the two-day NRA-Ireland F-Class Individual Championships was held Wednesday and Thursday last week. Then, on Friday, competitors divided into F-Open and F-T/R squads to shoot the USA vs. Europe matches. On Saturday and Sunday, the main event, the two-day Creedmoor Cup Match was held. All of these matches were conducted on the brand new 1200-yard range in Tullamore. The Irish are to be commended for constructing such a great range in a relatively short time.
American Shooters Dominate Team and Individual Events
We don’t have all the scores yet, but we do have key results. We’re proud to announce that the USA won the main Creedmoor Cup event! Prior to that, on Friday, the Yanks prevailed in the Europe vs. USA Challenge match (sort of like the Ryder Cup). Forum Member Erik Cortina reports: “I’m not 100% on the numbers but I know we beat them by about 110 points shooting in the rain! We have a very strong team and excellent wind coaches!”
In the individual competitions held during the week, American shooters also topped the podium. In F-T/R individual competition, Darrell Buell won the championship with a solid performance. Larry Bartholome shot superbly in windy conditions to win the F-Open match. (Larry was using a Precision Rifle & Tool Low Boy stock, Nightforce scope and a SEB Neo Rest.) Larry’s compatriots also shot well — there were nine Americans among the top 11 F-Open shooters. That is definitely a dominant performance by our talented F-Open squad.
Here are some reports from Ireland that came in from Forum members Erik Cortina and TonyR over the last few days:
Sunday, 6/26: “The second day of the Creedmoor Match was completed today and the USA has won the Gold Medal. I haven’t seen the score but I’m sure it will show up at some point. Shooting conditions were again tough with high speed fishtail tail winds that switched rapidly but our wind coaches, Bob Mead, Nancy Tompkins, Michelle Gallagher, Dale Carpenter, Jim Murphy, and Ricky Hunt were up to the challenge. The Irish Team were great hosts and we all had a wonderful time. They put together a new range with this event in mind in just a few months and it is something to be proud of.” — TonyR
Saturday, 6/25: “Shot the first day of the Creedmoor Cup today. Winds were tough! We had a fishtailing wind from 5-7 o’clock and we were being pushed into the 3 ring with ease, the F-T/R guys were going into the 1’s! We didn’t have a good day, we dropped 434 out of 4,000, but they had a worst day than we did, they dropped 648 points! So to say winds were tough is an understatement! We are having tons of fun regardless.” — Erik
Friday, 6/24: “We just finished shooting the Europe vs. USA Challenge. I’m not 100% on the numbers but I know we beat them by about 110 points shooting in the rain! We have a very strong team and excellent wind coaches!” — Erik
Thursday, 6/23: “Larry shot great today [to win the F-Open Championship]! In F-Open, there were 9 of us in the top 11. This is an awesome range! We have been shooting in 25 +- winds for two days and it’s fun when you can stay ahead of the wind, but if you get behind it, it’s not fun at all…” — Erik
Want to see more photos from Ireland, and read more reports from the competitors? You’ll find more info about the Creedmoor events, match results, plus linked photo galleries on the USA F-T/R Team’s new Facebook Page. Log on to: http://www.facebook.com/us.rifle.team.
‘Tis the season for Air Rifles at Camp Perry. The NRA National Junior Air Gun Championship at Camp Perry just concluded yesterday, June 25th, 2011. Photos from the event are displayed in the slide show below (courtesy the NRA Blog).
National Junior Olympic 3-Position Air Rifle Championships
Today, June 26th, the National Junior Olympic 3-Position Air Rifle (3PAR) Championships commences. The event will run for six days, finishing July 1st. The Junior Olympic Tournament will be held at the CMP Marksmanship Center (North) at Camp Perry. The CMP will provide special LIVE coverage for the 3PAR Junior Olympic event. Live target images and results will be available on the CMP website at http://clubs.odcmp.com/cgi-bin/report_matchResult.cgi?matchID=7132.
CMP Joins Facebook
The Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) now has an official Facebook Page. There you’ll find news, match reports, photos, plus the latest updates in CMP Programs and Sales. You can also link to events if you have your own personal Facebook page. CLICK HERE to visit the CMP’s new Facebook Page.
We know many of our readers run their own businesses. Here’s important news for small business owners, gunsmiths, and independent contractors. Effective July 1, 2011, the IRS has raised the mileage deduction for business-related travel from $0.51 to $0.555. The IRS made this unusual midyear change in response to the sharp rise in gas prices, which now exceed $4.00 per gallon. So, for business trips conducted between 7/1/2011 and 12/31/2011, you should deduct 55.5 cents per mile traveled. To qualify for this deduction, you need to keep detailed records of each trip (date, destination, purpose, mileage) and you must claim the mileage on your Schedule ‘C’ at tax time.
Effect on Employees: Even if you don’t file a Schedule ‘C’ (as a business owner), this change may affect you. USA Today explains that: “The [mileage deduction] rate is also used as a benchmark by the federal government and many businesses to reimburse their employees for mileage. Workers who receive the reimbursement don’t have to report it as income, as long as the payments don’t exceed the IRS benchmark.”
After initially saying it would not change the mileage deduction in mid-year, the IRS relented, announcing new rates on June 23, 2011, which are effective July 1st. The deductible business travel rate will rise to 55.5 cents a mile. That’s an increase of 4.5 cents from the 51 cent rate currently in effect. Also going up by 4.5 cents between July 1 and Dec. 31 of this year will be the mileage deduction for medical or moving expenses which were increased from 19 cents to 23.5 cents per mile.
TAX TIP: If you deduct business-related mileage we suggest you keep a little log-book in your vehicle. Write down the date of your trip and the starting mileage. When you reach your destination, write down the ending mileage. If it is a round-trip journey, you can log the end mileage when you return — but be sure to record your destination and a few notes to explain the purpose of the trip.
There are also expense reporting Apps for smartphones that allow you to record mileage. However, be sure to back up your digital deduction logs so that they don’t get lost if your phone goes haywire or if the battery dies.
On June 20th, SGT Sherri Gallagher of the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit stopped by NRA Headquarters (in Fairfax, Virginia) for a tour of the facilities. A highly accomplished shooter, Sherri is the reigning National High Power Rifle Champion as well as winner of the 2009 Long Range High Power Championship at Camp Perry.
Priceless Wild West Guns in Museum Safes
While in Virginia at NRA Headquarters, Sherri met with members of the Competitive Shooting Division, NRA Publications, and stopped by National Firearms Museum Director Jim Supica’s office for look at his famed collection of Smith & Wesson revolvers as well as his safe filled with pistols bearing “# 1″ serial numbers. After digging through the collection, Sherri asked, “If I get a # 1 tattoo, do you think he’ll let me stay?”
Just how accurate can a modern 6 PPC benchrest rifle be? Would you believe five shots in 0.022″? That’s the size of the group shot by Rich Graham this past weekend in Visalia, CA. Rich was shooting his 6 PPC 10.5-lb LV bag gun in the Unlimited Class. Below is a photo of Rich with his target — yes there are five shots in that one hole (as confirmed by moving backers used in the match). This five-shot group could be a potential new NBRSA 100-yard record, if the 0.022″ measurement is confirmed. The current 5-100 NBRSA Unlimited record is 0.049″ shot by Gary Ocock in 2009. For reference, the 5-100 NBRSA Heavy Varmint Record is 0.027″ by Ralph Landon in 1975.
The Record-Setting Gun
Though Rich shot his small group in the Unlimited Class, his rifle is a typical 10.5-lb, short-range benchrest bag gun. Smithed by Gary Ocock, the rifle features a BAT action (we believe), Bruno Edge stock, Krieger Barrel, and March scope. The load was 27.8 grains of Hodgdon H322 with 65gr Flatbase bullets made on a Nielson die, in Lapua brass. We are told that Rich shot this potential world record with ammo pre-loaded before the match.
We think Rich’s target will definitely come in under the current 0.049″ Unlimited Class record. Using our On-Target plotting software, we measured Rich’s group at 0.029″. However, keep in mind that we were working from a photo, and the camera lens can distort dimensions a bit. Accordingly, the original 0.022″ measurement by the match scorers is probably more reliable, but this helps illustrate how small Rich’s group really is.
Forum member Jim McG (aka “Hostil”) reports that Eric Wilson shot a 600-yard, four-target Score record of 198 points at the Piedmont Gun Club (Rutherfordton, NC) last week.
In sequence, scores for Eric’s four targets were: 50, 50, 50, 48. The first group was ultra-small, 1.080″ as measured with On-Target software. And the average size of all four groups combined is about 1.65″, barely over 1/4 MOA! Jim McG told us: “I don’t think [the record] will last long though, my bet is Eric will break it soon. He shoots a lot of small centered groups.”
Dasher/Tracker Combo Does It Again
Eric was shooting a 6mm Dasher Light Gun (17-lb Class) smithed by Mike Davis. Eric’s rifle featured a dual-port BAT action in a ST1000 Shehane Tracker stock. The barrel was a 1:8″ twist, 28″ Krieger .237″ bore, chambered for a no-turn-neck 6mm Dasher with .104″ freebore. Eric’s load was 32+ grains of H4895 with Danzac-coated Berger 105gr VLDs.
Dimensions of the 600-yard IBS Target are: X-Ring 1.2″; 10 Ring 2.8″; 9 Ring 5.2″; 8 Ring 7.6″.
600-yard Shooter of the Year Sam Hall says Eric is to be congratulated for this Piedmont record: “It is the man behind the rifle that counts! Eric has been doing some fantastic shooting, [as have] some other rookies. At Piedmont, with the talent and number of shooters we have each match, you have done well to place in the top 5. Results that used to win 3-4 years ago, will not even place any more!”
Gunsmith Mike Davis added: “Sam is right, the gun can’t win a match by itself. Eric has been tough since he started & continues to get better. Congratulations again, that’s very strong shooting!” (Editor’s note: Mike has a heavy work load now, but if you want to schedule a build, you can email: daviscustomrifle[at]yahoo.com.)
Cooper’s One-Shot Competition has grown into a nationally-recognized event and this year Cooper Firearms of Montana has added a second shoot to be held at the Capitol City Rifle and Pistol Club in Augusta, Maine. East Coasters can now find out why Cooper owners have returned year after year for the popular One-Shot Event in Montana.
The inaugural Eastern One-Shot Competition will be held August 19-20, 2011 in Augusta, Maine. The Rimfire event will be held on August 19 while the Centerfire competition will be August 20th. Centerfire prizes include money, paintings, and a Cooper rifle awarded to the top shooter. Note: Interested Cooper owners should register early, using the Entry Form. The event is limited to the first forty (40) registered applicants, and entry deadline is July 1, 2011. If you have questions about the event, contact Gary at babydogham[at]gmail.com or 207-629-9163; or, contact Joe at Joe[at]cooperfirearms.com or 406-777-0373.
Cooper One-Shot Competition — How It Works
The Money Shoots
The day begins at 10 am with four and eight person group competitions for cash prizes. A separate, per shot, entry fee of $5 for the eight-shooter groups and $10 for the four-shooter groups is collected with a 100% pay out to each winner. This shoot is designed to allow the competitors to familiarize themselves with the range, zero their weapons and get to know one another before the afternoon’s painting shoot.
The Main Event
Shooters get one shot at a dot the size of a pencil eraser at 150 yards. No sighters. No spotting scopes to dope the wind while other shooters succeed or fail. The closest shooter wins the target to take home to put on his wall and a chance to compete for a new rifle. What makes this competition unique is that the target is on a painting. The names of eight shooters will be assigned to each painting and written around its rim along with a number. That number indicates the order that competitors will shoot. The target will be a ¼ inch dot on a paper paster target that measures about 2 inches in diameter. This target is then taped to the painting. One at a time, competitors will get a shot at their paster. After the shooting flight is finished, the paster’s will be recovered and new ones put in their place. Shooters will be evaluated by the bullet strike relative to this target, not the symbolic target added to the painting as a reference point. The bullet hitting closest to the paster’s center will win the painting. The top two shooters on each painting will be given a chance to compete for the grand prize, a M56 Jackson Game Rifle in .264 Winchester Magnum.
Entry fee is $165.00 for the centerfire One Shot Event. That fee covers lunch at the range and a steak & lobster dinner with an open bar at the after-shoot party. There will also be a Friday 22LR competition using IR 50/50 rules. The entry fee for the rimfire shoot is $50.00 with 100% payout and lunch is on us. CLICK HERE for 2011 Eastern One-Shot Entry Form.
The Varmint Hunters Association has officially cancelled the 2011 VHA Jamboree, originally scheduled for July 25-29, 2011 in Pierre, South Dakota. The 2011 Jamboree was cancelled due to flooding in the Pierre and Fort Pierre areas — a major problem that may not be resolved until August. Unfortunately, previously paid 2011 Jamboree registration fees are non-refundable, but 2011 paid-up registrants will get a credit for the 2012 event. In a statement issued last week, Jeff Rheborg (VHA CEO-Club President) explained why the VHA determined to cancel the Jamboree this year:
To all VHA Members and Supporters:
With a heavy mind and heart we regret to inform you that we will not be hosting the 2011 Annual Jamboree. Some of you may already know and some might not have yet heard; the communities of Pierre and Fort Pierre are currently undergoing a flood. Each city has a levee system running parallel to the Missouri River, with some even running through the middle of town. Water currently being released from Lake Oahe is at 150,000 cubic feet per second. It is projected to stay at that level through mid August. To make it easier to visualize… if you were eating supper at the Pizza Ranch and looking out the window, if the levee was not there, all you would see is water. It is that high.
We did not reach this decision lightly. We took into account information we have received from local, state and national authorities as well as a long list of variables such as: electricity availability, water lines that may be affected, and the hundreds of evacuees that are being housed in area hotels. While we value the opportunity our annual Jamboree has to bring in visitors and thus revenue for area businesses in a time of need, we also cannot guarantee the ability of those businesses, such as downstream campgrounds, (which are all currently under water), restaurants and hotels to be able to accommodate people. We can tell you with great assurance; we will not put the safety of our members and their families at risk on the basis of “the levee should hold.”
As in years past our policy has been Jamboree registrations are non-refundable. Due to the current circumstances, which we have no control over, all participants who have already signed up for Jamboree 2011 will be given credit for Jamboree 2012. Credit is for Jamboree use only and cannot be transferred to another event or applied towards membership dues.
Thanks again for your continued support throughout the years. Plans are already being made for Jamboree 2012.
Jeff Rheborg, CEO, Varmint Hunters Assn.
Story tip by EdLongrange. We welcome submissions from readers.
This Sunday on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk radio show, the discussion is about traveling with firearms when flying, how to protect your property from disappearing while in the care of airlines, and what to do when a gun is stolen in transit.
One of Tom’s friends, a well-known firearms instructor, will tell his story of how one of his pistols was recently stolen while in the custody of Southwest Airlines, after he had declared the firearms with the airline and had them checked by TSA. When his locked case arrived, the padlocks had been cut off the case, and one of the pistols was missing. He filed a police report, contacted the airline, and also talked with the Transportation Security Administration.
Neither the TSA nor Southwest Airlines will take responsibility for the stolen firearm. No one wants to talk about who cut the padlocks off the case. Southwest says it isn’t their responsibility. TSA says it’s the airline’s responsibility. The police don’t appear to be very excited about the fact that a pistol was taken in the airport environment.
“All this leads to the question,” said show host Tom Gresham, “does this happen so often that no one really finds it to be unusual? Both the TSA and Southwest Airlines have been invited to appear on this Sunday’s national broadcast. At this time, it’s uncertain whether either will provide a spokesperson.
In its 16th year of national syndication, Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio airs live on Sundays from 2:00 to 5:00 pm Eastern, and runs on more than 115 stations, plus on XM (Ch. 165) Satellite Radio. All Gun Talk shows can be downloaded as podcasts via the GunTalk Archive site.
USA Shooting is pleased to announce that 2008 Olympian Jamie Beyerle (Lebanon, Pa.) has qualified for a nomination to the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team pending approval by the United States Olympic Committee. Upon approval, Beyerle will be competing in her second consecutive Olympic Games in Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Beyerle finished fourth in Women’s 10m Air Rifle and fifth in Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position. Beyerle is currently the top-ranked Women’s 50m Rifle Three Position shooter in the world. In 2011, Beyerle won gold at ISSF World Cup events in Sydney, Australia and at her home range in Fort Benning, Georgia. In the ISSF video below, you can watch Jaimie’s winning performance in Sydney:
National Junior Olympic 3-Position Air Rifle Championships
We know many of our readers run their own businesses. Here’s important news for small business owners, gunsmiths, and independent contractors. Effective July 1, 2011, the IRS has raised the mileage deduction for business-related travel from $0.51 to $0.555. The IRS made this unusual midyear change in response to the sharp rise in gas prices, which now exceed $4.00 per gallon. So, for business trips conducted between 7/1/2011 and 12/31/2011, you should deduct 55.5 cents per mile traveled. To qualify for this deduction, you need to keep detailed records of each trip (date, destination, purpose, mileage) and you must claim the mileage on your Schedule ‘C’ at tax time.
TAX TIP: If you deduct business-related mileage we suggest you keep a little log-book in your vehicle. Write down the date of your trip and the starting mileage. When you reach your destination, write down the ending mileage. If it is a round-trip journey, you can log the end mileage when you return — but be sure to record your destination and a few notes to explain the purpose of the trip.
On June 20th, 
Forum member Jim McG (aka “Hostil”) reports that Eric Wilson shot a 600-yard, four-target Score record of 198 points at the 
Cooper’s One-Shot Competition has grown into a nationally-recognized event and this year 
This Sunday on Tom Gresham’s 
“All this leads to the question,” said show host Tom Gresham, “does this happen so often that no one really finds it to be unusual? Both the TSA and Southwest Airlines have been invited to appear on this Sunday’s national broadcast. At this time, it’s uncertain whether either will provide a spokesperson.
