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July 9th, 2010
Dennis DeMille is a past Camp Perry National Champion, and one of the nation’s top High Power shooters. Since retiring from the U.S. Marine Corps, Dennis has served as the General Manager of Creedmoor Sports in Oceanside, California. With his decades of competitive experience, Dennis has a wealth of knowledge. In this three-minute interview, Dennis shares insights into the High Power shooting game. He discusses the most effective ways to train for competition, the fundamentals of good marksmanship, and how to recognize and perfect your natural point of aim. Dennis also offers solid advice on how to get the best “bang for your buck” when choosing shooting accessories for High Power and Across the Course competition.
Creedmoor Sports Now Carries Phoenix Sights and Accessories
Phoenix Precision builds high-quality, affordable sight systems for iron sights competitors. Phoenix products have become popular as they deliver excellent precision and repeatability, while costing considerably less than some other premium sights.
 The Phoenix Precision rear sight, offered as either top-mount or side mount, costs $379.95. This unit offers three (3) minutes per knob revolution, with quarter-minute clicks, 70 minutes of elevation adjustment and 60 minutes of windage. It features stainless guide pins and lead screws, with a black anodized aircraft aluminum body. The Phoenix rear sight accepts Anschutz and Gehmann accessories.
Phoenix offers a companion front sight system in three different heights: ultra-high for T2K and Eliseo tubeguns, medium-high for AR spaceguns, and low for traditional prone rifles. The $184.95 Phoenix front sight features a fully adjustable 360° leveling bubble which may be positioned either above or below the aperture. The front sight mounts on any barrel with an end diameter of .750″ (call for .812″ or .920″), and accepts all standard 22mm inserts. As shown below, Phoenix also offers extra clamp-mounts for $59.95, and a 2″-long Delrin front shade for $17.50 that easily attaches to any 22mm iris.
May 13th, 2010
 Open Range Day in Phoenix, AZ is a special NRA program providing shooting opportunities for persons with disabilities. Under the direction of Vanessa Ross, NRA Disabled Shooting Services Manager, the 2d Annual Open Range Day was a great success. Art Merrill, a freelance writer for Shooting Illustrated, provides this on-the-spot report from Phoenix’s Ben Avery Shooting Facility.
Open Range Day Report (by Art Merrill)
Vanessa’s safety briefing Saturday morning was the no-nonsense pronouncement we’re used to hearing from rangemasters – except for the “sip & puff” part: “Always always always keep the gun pointed in a safe direction! Keep your finger away from the trigger until you’re ready to shoot. If you’re using the sip & puff trigger mechanism, don’t put it your mouth ’til you’re ready to shoot. If you need help, if you have a question, don’t be stubborn – ask a volunteer.”
Indoor Air Rifle Shooting Popular
The air rifles appealed to a lot of shooters today, and not just because it was indoors, sheltered from the 95-degree desert spring. Every shooter enjoys hitting reactive targets, in this case, air rifle metallic silhouette targets. But there are other reasons, as well: “I don’t like loud bangs,” Ashleigh Justice said. “I liked the .22 pistol, but the .38 was too much.”
Ashleigh had never shot a firearm before today. What motivated her to come out to Open Range Day? “I was afraid of guns. I wanted to get over it,” she said. “My husband shoots and I was tired of the anxiety I felt around guns.” Beyond that, however, was a desire to push the envelope of her disability to achieve something more: “I want to be good at something that takes skill more than physical ability”, she said. Looks like she found it: she, too came away from the firing line talking about the possibility of a regular air rifle competition.
 Shooting Provides Important Challenge
For Mike Tagliapetra, it’s all about challenge. You can feel it in his handshake even before he talks about competing in marathons and even a triathlon – using his wheelchair. Mike’s motivation, a quote from writer Ella Wheeler Wilcox, is boldly emblazoned on his business card: “There is no chance, no destiny, no fate that can hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.”
Open Range Day is winding down now, and the shooters are all going home. They had different motivations for being here and yet, because every participant said they want to return again next year. Something about the shooting sports is satisfying all of their motives. If there’s a common denominator to these motives, it’s the desire for challenge and the satisfaction of success – and empowerment – that comes from it. In the shooting sports, yes, there’s only one match winner; but every time we approach the firing line we are competing, not only against others, but also with ourselves to accomplish our personal best.
Contributions from many businesses made Open Range Day possible. Sponsors included: Birchwood Casey (targets), Colt (firearms), Davidson’s (Weatherby shotguns), Kowa (spotting scopes), Lapua (ammo), Pyramid Air (pellets), Ruger (firearms), Savage Arms (rifles), White Flyer (trap targets), and Winchester (ammo). Symbius Medical catered lunch, and Arizona’s Game & Fish Department made its world-class facility available for the event.
April 29th, 2010
 The Disabled Shooting Services of the National Rifle Association will host the second annual Open Range Day at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona, on May 8, 2010. Open Range Day is an all-inclusive event where certified trainers and instructors introduce a variety of shooting sports to people with physical disabilities. Sponsors provide shotguns, rifles, pistols and air rifles for the participants.
“We had a huge response from first-time shooters last year,” said Disabled Shooting Services Manager Vanessa Ross. “Registration for 2010 is already twice the size of last year’s class, and we can’t wait to get things started.”
Open Range Day begins with a safety clinic led by NRA Certified Instructors. Participants then have the opportunity to learn the proper way to shoot shotguns, rifles, pistols, and air guns. “The important thing is for everyone to explore their personal potential on the range and simply have fun,” explained Ross.
“We wouldn’t be able to hold such an event without our corporate sponsors,” said Ross. “Ruger, Savage, and Davidson’s are donating the use of their firearms, White Flyer Targets and Birchwood Casey are donating targets, while Kowa Optimed, Pyramyd Air, Lapua and Remington are donating spotting scopes and ammunition.” For more on Open Range Day, contact Vanessa Ross at (703) 267-1495 or email disabled_shooting [at] nrahq.org. CLICK HERE to learn more about NRA’s disabled shooting programs. If you’d like to volunteer as an Open Range Day assistant, click the link below.
NRA Open Range Day Volunteer Application Form
October 11th, 2009
 From October 17-25, the Arizona State Rifle & Pistol Association will host the 6th Western CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Western CMP Games events will be held Oct. 17-20, while the Creedmoor Cup Matches take place Oct. 21-25. Registration deadline is October 14, 2009.
| CLICK HERE for Match Program and Schedule |
| CLICK HERE to Register for Match |
The Western CMP Games kick off with a New Shooter Clinic on Saturday, 17 Octobe in the morning. On Sunday, 18 October, there will be an As-Issued M1 Garand EIC Match in the morning where shooters lacking EIC points can earn introductory “4-point legs.” That afternoon, there will be a new event on the schedule, a Rimfire Sporter Match. The Rimfire Sporter Match is a low-key event that caters to all ages and skill levels.
For more information, or if you have questions, vist the Western Games Webpage, or contact Christina Leveck-Roguski, (419) 635-2141 x1114, croguski [at] odcmp.com.
May 11th, 2009
The NRA’s Annual Meeting & Exhibits will be held May 14-17 at the Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Over 200 exhibitor companies, including Berger Bullets, Hornady, Remington, and Savage Arms, will have their wares on display. In addition, the NRA will host many informative seminars, including a Clubs/Associations workshop, and a Firearms Law Seminar. The meeting will also feature a benefit auction and the NRA Foundation Banquet. There will even be an air rifle range inside the Convention Center. General Admission is free for NRA members, but tickets are required for the Banquet and some seminars. NRA Meeting Hours are listed below:
Thursday, May 14 6:00pm (Foundation Banquet)
Friday, May 15 10:00am-6:00pm (Convention)
Saturday, May 16 9:00am-6:00pm (Convention)
Sunday, May 17 10:00am-5:00pm (Convention)
April 7th, 2009
One of our readers recently observed: “You know there’s so much negative news about the economy, gun laws etc., we need to read something positive to keep things in balance. Why don’t you guys do a ‘good news’ story every week in the Daily Bulletin?”
Good suggestion! Here’s an item that we think has a positive slant — a new shooting program for shooters with physical impairments….
 Open Range Day for Disabled Shooters
On April 11, the NRA, lead by Disabled Shooting Services Manager Vanessa Warner, is hosting a first-ever “Open Range Day” at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This event is the latest program offered by the National Rifle Association’s Disabled Shooting Services. The day will focus on introductory shooting for people with physical disabilities. Open Range Day will offer shotgun, rifle, pistol, and air rifle instruction. Warner expects around 80 participants for the inaugural event. “This is a pilot program for what we hope to expand to a national program,” Warner said.
Warner has secured the support of Colt Defense, Ruger Firearms, White Flyer Target, Remington, Kowa Optimed, Birchwood Casey, Davidson’s, Beeman, and Lapua. “We’re still accepting door prize donations,” Warner said.
The event is the first of its kind and will give participants the opportunity to fire a wide variety of firearms. NRAblog.com plans to report live from the event. For more information about Open Range Day or other services for disabled shooters, call Vanessa Warner at NRA Headquarters, (703) 267-1495, or e-mail disabled_shooting@nrahq.org.
 Bob Foth Hired as Paralympic Shooting Coach
In related matters, USA Shooting announced the hiring of Olympic silver medalist Bob Foth as its new Paralympic Shooting Coach and Program Manager. A three-time Olympian in rifle, Foth brings a tremendous amount of experience to his new position. He began shooting competitively in 1972 and won numerous national and international medals during his shooting career. He was part of several world champion teams and set six world records. He joined the USA Shooting staff as Youth Programs and Coach Development Manager in 2006 and assumed his new role as Paralympic Coach/Manager on April 6, 2009. Foth will join Warner and NRAblog at the Ben Avery Shooting Complex in Phoenix on April 11 for Open Range Day.
CLICK HERE for large Ben Avery Map.
March 23rd, 2009
On March 28-29, the Arizona Game and Fish Department hosts its Outdoor Expo 2009 at the largest public shooting complex in the nation — the Ben Avery Shooting Facility, located just west of Interstate 17 on Carefree Highway. At the event, which is FREE, you can try out many different shooting disciplines. Plus there will be archery classes, mounted (horseback) shooting demos, wildlife info sessions, and many other outdoor activities. This is a very popular event — the 2008 Outdoor Expo drew over 26,000 visitors.
Outdoor Expo visitors will be able to test the latest firearms from companies like Glock, Smith & Wesson, and Ruger. Visitors can also try a variety of specialty shooting disciplines, such as cowboy action shooting, black powder, tactical pistol, and silhouette shooting. You’ll receive tips from top shooters, including past cowboy action Champion Evil Roy (Gene Pearcey).
 
 Shotgun fans can shoot skeet, trap or sporting clays at Ben Avery’s enhanced Clay Target Center. Kids can shoot .22s and air guns while learning more about firearm safety. Guests (of all ages) can take an archery class or try out “3D Archery” on a walking course through the desert. There will be many exciting demonstrations at the 2009 Outdoor Expo. Visitors can witness a mini-gun demonstration or even shoot a vintage Gatling Gun.
One of the crowd-pleasing highlights of the event will be live competition by cowboy mounted shooters at the brand new cowboy action riding ring. Skilled riders maneuver speedy quarterhorses while shooting black-powder blanks at balloons. Watch the video below to learn all about this exciting sport:
When you’re not shooting or watching live shooting events, you can visit with more than 100 Outdoor Expo exhibitors, including sportsmen’s organizations, conservation groups, shooting clubs, government agencies, and commercial vendors of outdoor products and services.
For more information, visit the Outdoor Expo website, www.azgfd.gov/expo, or CLICK HERE to view the 2009 Outdoor Expo promo video.
October 25th, 2008
 Results for the 2008 Creedmoor Cup & CMP Games have been posted on the CMP Competition website. The match, hosted at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, AZ, was hugely successfully drawing hundreds of shooters. You can find the winners of all categories on this Results Page. Then click on the “Ranked” link beside the winner’s name to get a list of all finishers in order of score.
Ronald Zerr, shooting a Match Rifle, won the Creedmoor Cup Aggregate overall with a 791-31X score. Forum member Jerry Tierney was runner-up in the Match Rifle Class with a 774-19X. In the Service Rifle Division, Trent Hering shot an impressive 789-25x, toping a field of 138 Service Rifle Shooters. Forum member Shawn McKenna finished second with a 782-23X score.
21 Teams Compete For Service Rifle Team Title
Among the big attractions of the CMP Games and Creedmoor Cup are the tightly-fought team events. In Service Rifle, 21 Teams competed for honors. This year, the USMC Arrieta team took first place, with a 1915-53X Aggregate. Team members are: MSgt Alex Arrieta (Coach), SW02 Peter Burns (Captain), SSgt Daniel Duitsman, CWO4 James Fraley, and SSgt Jason Haislip. The Oregon State Shooting Assn. Team finished second (1902-46X), with the Bushmaster/Remington Team in third (1892-42X).
Vintage Rifle Matches Are Very Popular
In other Western CMP Games events, Wesley Shumaker won the Garand Match, Arland Anderson won the Springfield Rifle Match, CW02 Peter Burns won the Vintage Rifle Match, and Creedmoor Sports Gen. Manager Dennis DeMille won the Garand Re-Entry Match. For the Overall Three-Gun Aggregate (Garand, Springfield, and Vintage Rifle), the top five shooters were: Michael Miller (823-11X), Arland Anderson 821-9X), James Denovchek (814-11X), Wesley Shumaker, and Ronald Foos. These older military-rifle matches were hugely popular, with large numbers of competitors. There were 135 shooters in the Garand Match and 51 in the Springfield Match. These kind of events, using vintage rifles that can be obtained at moderate cost from the CMP itself, reward fundamental marksmanship skills. They are much more a test of shooter abilities than a technology race.
September 25th, 2008
 The 2008 Western CMP Games will take place at the Ben Avery Shooting Center north of Phoenix, Arizona on 11-19 October. The Western CMP Games Matches will take place on 11-14 October. The Creedmoor Cup Matches take place on 15-19 October. Together, these back-to-back competitions comprise one of the major West Coast events of the year for Highpower and position shooters, and there’s still time to REGISTER.
MATCH INFO PAGE | BEN AVERY Facilities MAP
These combined matches offer activities for virtually every highpower rifle shooter–from clinics for beginning shooters to less formal Garand, Springfield and Military Rifle Matches to CMP Excellence-in-Competition Matches to NRA Registered Service and Match Rifle Highpower events. The official program is posted at www.ODCMP.com/Competitions/WesternGames.htm. You can sign-up on-line for any of the Western CMP Games or Creedmoor Cup matches at this REGISTRATION PAGE. Just fill in your contact info and select the matches you want to shoot. All data is sent via the web so you don’t even need a postage stamp.
September 13th, 2008
 The NBRSA 100-yard and 200-yard Nationals will be held Oct. 6-11 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Match organizer Gary Ocock states that there are plenty of entry spots left for the match and registrations are still welcome. Four classes will be contested at the NBRSA Nationals: Light Varmint (LV), Heavy Varmint (HV), Sporter, and Unlimited (Rail guns). 4-Gun Fee is $220, 3-gun Fee is $160. Pre-Registration is required. NBRSA requires a $40 late registration fee after September 6, 2008. Match Directors anticipate three (3) relays. Shooters requesting the same bench rotation, sharing equipment must request this in writing. Camping at the range is $10/day. Click the links below to view/download registration forms in MS Word and Acrobat (.pdf) format.
| NBRSA Nat’ls Registration Form (Word Doc)
| NBRSA Nat’ls Registration Form (.pdf)
Write checks payable to AZ Benchrest. Mail checks and registration forms to Arizona Benchrest Shooters, 15231 West Gelding Drive, Surprise, AZ 85379. If you plan to attend but won’t be able to mail in your registration in time, email Gary Ocock at onehole149 [at] aol.com. For NBRSA membership information and application form, visit NBRSA.org.
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