August 1, 2014
Dear LVSA Members Enthusiastic about Match History:
Yes, you read the subject line right: August 1. 2011.
Three years ago today, August 1, 2011, the very first .22LR 50yd Bench Rest Fun Shoot was held. To date, there have been 68 events with 1,565 individual matches recorded. The copy of the report of that first match follows.
Several things to note:
1. With the initial report, I discussed ambient conditions, particularly the wind. I have continued this tradition to this day.
2. With the initial report, I thanked those who helped with the match operation and those who participated. I have continued this tradition to this day as well. Civility has always been important to me., and those who help deserve recognition and credit.
3. In paragraph 3 of the initial report, I commented on the rifles fielded by the participants. There has been a definite upgrade in the equipment between the inaugural season and those following. While these matches were first envisioned to be shot with the old squirrel guns with which we all learned to shoot, they have evolved to include the rifles and scopes we could only dream of back in the day. By design, the rules were never meant to be restrictive, and this, I believe, is one of the reasons for the popularity and success of this program. Participants are shooting what they enjoy shooting.
4. It should be noted, however, that several of the participants have recently elected to return to the squirrel guns of the 2011 season.
5. From the start, the scores have been published after each match. There never have been nor will there ever be prizes. Each shooter is competing only against him/herself and the wind. This too, I believe, is one of the reasons for the popularity and success of this program.
6. It should also be noted that there were no wind flags at this match. Our friend the wind definitely had the upper hand.
7. As promised, I have kept a complete log of all scores recorded in these matches.
These matches have been a great source of satisfaction for me, both as a competitor and as the Match Director. I hope that both the participants and the readers of these reports can say the same.
Be safe, and enjoy the shooting sports.
Charlie Piette
Match Director
August 1, 2011
Dear LVSA Members:
The first .22 Rifle Bench Rest Fun Match was held on Monday Aug 1, 2011, at the Outdoor Pistol Range. Despite the short notice (my email announcing the match was sent on Friday evening, July 29) and threatening weather, 13 shooters attended; two of them were youth and three were female – both very good signs for our sport (and hopefully something that will not even warrant notice in the future).
It was windy. The wind was both strong and unpredictable. From the one-eighth of a second it took the bullet to go from the firing line to the target, the wind could change 20 mph. No kidding. Many of my sighted-in X-rings ended up as 7’s (I know, excuses excuses). But despite this wind, note how consistent many of the shooters were between rounds.
The rifles were a very interesting mix of older and newer guns. Many carried great sentimental value to the participants (e.g. “My first rifle; I haven’t shot this in 20 years.” “This rifle was my uncle’s when he was younger,” etc.). The shooters truly believed in the Spirit of the Game when they chose their firearms.
A word of thanks to the Ranger crew that finished their qualification/training on the pistol range then moved up to the rifle range for shotguns and ARs. This opened the pistol range for our match. Also, thanks to those who helped set targets, score, spot, clean up, etc. Most of all, thank you to all who participated. It was like an old-time shooting match for fun and camaraderie. A good time was had by all.
And now the numbers. I’ll be keeping an official log with complete names and scores:
Charlie Piette
Match Director
The following table lists names, round 1, round 2, and aggregate scores and X counts:
Irons
Dudley Irvine Sr 188 1 184 3 372 4
Terry Steward 179 2 178 3 357 5
Scott Hemingway 159 0 179 0 338 0
Tony Cross 153 0 176 4 329 4
Charlie Piette 135 0 173 0 308 0
Scopes
Bruce Berg 195 6 195 2 390 8
Arne Moilanen 192 3 182 3 374 6
Jerry York 193 2 180 0 373 2
Jane Healy 177 2 182 5 359 7
Callahan Healy 182 2 176 1 358 3
Lindy Hemingway 158 0 174 1 332 1
Byrl Nichols 156 0 174 1 330 1