RIGHT ON TARGET

The hi power match in Roswell on the 19^th was much better attended than the March match. We had 14 shooters come shoot in excellent conditions and a beautiful day. With no wind for the first 75% of the match and light winds at 600 yds everyone in attendance had a great time and enjoyed themselves very much.

Steve Jones has a new barrel on his M1A, so you experts had better watch out. Steve won the match with a 740-6. Winner of the expert class was David Crider with a 735-12 and Bill Dilley won the sharpshooter class with a 678-6. Way to go winners, good shooting! I would like to take this opportunity to welcome new shooter Don Field to our ranks. Don hails from Dora and I hope he enjoys his time spent with us. Scores as follows:


1. Steve Jones 740-6		8. Danny White 676-8
2. Dave Crider 735-12		9. Rod Phillippi 670-4
3. Steve Wright 730-12		10. Phil Overly 668-6
4. Tom Higdon 728-11		11. Russ Dobbs 660-0
5. Mike Irish 722-12		12. Don Field 595-2
6. Ben Foster 708-7		13. Ray Pawley 381-1
7. Bill Dilley 678-6		14. Walt Garfield DNF

We finally had a decent day for our clinic. Saturday the 26^th started off cool, but warmed quickly. Light winds for the first couple of hours than picking up and gusting then lying down again. Still, all in all, it was warm and much nicer than the last few years. We had a great turn out. Thirty people showed up to attend and participate in the clinic. I was certainly surprised with gas prices being what they are. Most everybody let me know they were coming and I managed to have enough food for all. We were able to get the entire individual instruction done in one day. I was under the impression that everyone had a great time and learned a lot. Thanks so much for all those who drove long distances to attend; it makes it worth while for us to put on events when they are well attended and enjoyed. Thanks again!

The weather forecast for Sunday was really pretty poor. 15 to 20 mph winds and temps in the 30’s. At the cook out, we talked about just meeting at the store and talking about reloading, mental aspects, etc. But Sunday morning we met at the range and guess what, the forecasters weren’t exactly right! So we shot two relays at 600 yds. The first relay had pretty nice conditions, but the wind was starting to gust in the 10 to 15 mph range when relay two was on the line. That was my relay. I want to toot my own horn a second; I haven’t shot since the state match last July. I just wanted to shoot! So I laid down at 600 yds and shot a 198-9 with no zeros. I had taken the barrel off and set it back on Thursday. Ok, enough about me. I hope people were able to leave with a little more knowledge than when they came. I know I enjoy doing it and I always come away with something I haven’t thought of. Thanks again to all those in attendance!

On a sadder note, club member Bob Hellman passed away two weekends ago. Most of you didn’t know Bob, he wasn’t a hi power shooter, but a very avid gun nut and shooter anyway. Bob played with a lot of black powder toys. Bob had quite a few nice "toys", like I said, a lot of black powder guns. John Van Marter will be helping his widow dispose of his collection and is working on a detailed list of items and prices. When he gets it ready I will put it out to the club.

Shooting season is fixing to get kicked off in a big way. Long range starts on May the 10^th and our first league match at Capitan is May 24^th. You can shoot just about every weekend this summer somewhere. If you need info, contact me. Don’t forget that the Shooting Sports USA magazine put out by the NRA has a complete listing of matches in it.

We had a work day on April 20^th and as usual, turnout was light. Mike Irish helped Sha and I fix number boards, cans and carriers. JD Roehrig and Mike LaChance came out and mowed and weed eated. Thanks so much to them for their help.

I sure hope to see everyone at matches this year. I will try and shoot a couple. Tammy Myers has been very good to me, helping me in the store on Saturdays when I need to be at the range. Remember, I will need help running the matches this year. Please let me know if you can help out.