January 2018 News and Shoot Results

2017 Year in Review

Interesting things from 2017. Of our 54 members only 24 actually shot in a competition. Art Twichell and Frank Niccoli were the only competitors to shoot in all 11 matches (There was no April match due to Easter). Tony Sucher was there for every match but only shoots the aggregate matches due to time constraints. JP Sherkus only missed October. We picked up 6 new members for 2018 and 4 other people are interested. Hopefully they will be interested in joining AF-IWLA also. The TOP SHOT for 2017 was JP Sherkus but Art Twichell, Max Kingsley and Mike Rodzianko were dogging his heels.

Important news for 2018

First, the Father’s Day Shoot on June 17th will be a FREE shoot. That’s right, there will be NO competition fee for members OR non-members.

Second, the budget for prizes has been increased by $50.

Third, Jay Forman has donated a beautiful powder horn which will be awarded to the 2018 TOP SHOT. Your 6 highest match aggregate scores will determine your rank.

January 2018 Shoot Results

It was a balmy 32°F to start the match. There was bright sun and not a breeze was stirring. No breeze means the smoke just hung there for a long time. Al Short brought a beautiful side-slapper that he’d built as a light bench rifle, and it served him well as you’ll see.

The first target at 25 yards was the 3 Critters. JP Sherkus scored a 30X for First while Al Short scored 24 for second. After that came Art Twichell at 22 for Third, Dwight Hlustick at 19 for Fourth.

Next was Odds & Ends, another three shot target. Al Short “smoked” the competition with a 45 for First. Second was a 32 by Frank Niccoli. Third belonged to JP Sherkus with 26 and Fourth was Rob Capp with 26.

Last was the Standing Groundhog for 5 shots. Max Kingsley got a beautiful group and scored a 45 for First. Second went to Art Twichell right behind with 44. A 43XX earned Third for Kevin Collins and Fourth was won by Pete Hansen with 43X.

At 50 yards we started with the 25 yard Standing Buffalo. For First Place Mike Rodzianko scored a 23 with a hit that just missed the X in the head. That put Al Short with his 23 into Second Place. Pete Hansen scored a 20 with a close to the X for Third leaving Art Twichell in Fourth with his 20.

The last target was the NMLRA 50 Pin Standing Bear. No one scored a 50 but Dwight Hlustick took First with a 44X. Mike Rodzianko was close behind with 41X for Second. Then Pete Hansen with 41 for Third. Then we drop to 34X by Max Kingsley for Fourth.

The Pistol Competition was hot and heavy with 5 shooters. At 25 yards it looked like Max Kingsley was going to take the day starting with 46 over Mike Rybak and Kevin Collins at 44. But JP Sherkus was close with 43. At 50 yards Max could only manage a 36 while Mike Rybak scored another 44. JP proved to be consistent with a 40 but Kevin was more consistent with a 45. Final tally was Kevin Collins in First Place with 89. Mike Rybak in Second with 88. JP Sherkus in Third with 83. Max Kingsley in Fourth with 82 and Mike Rodzianko in Fifth with 72.

TOP SHOT honors went to Al Short and his side-slapper with 147. Second was Pete Hansen with 142X. Then came Dwight Hlustick 135XXX, JP Sherkus 132X, Art Twichell 129, Max Kingsley 127XX, Mike Rodzianko 127X, Kevin Collins 126XXXX, Frank Niccoli 121, Rob Capp 110, Casey Rybak and Mike Rybak.

Which means that Al Short is the early leader in the race for the Jay Forman Powder Horn. GO AL !!!!

The next match will be February 18 2018. It will be an AGGREGATE Target Competition. The match fee will be $20. You get 3 of each rifle target and, if competing, three pistol targets. Score your own, hand in your best. Please, do not stock pile or delay handing in your targets. You have 3 of each. After you shoot your best score of the three and score your own, turn it in so we can keep the score sheet current. All shots are from the free-standing, off-hand position.

Shooting begins at 8 AM and ends at 12 PM. Relays are approximately 20 minutes each. Any safe muzzle loader (flint, cap, firelock, side slapper, under hammer, inline) may be used. Iron sights (open, peep, aperture) only, no scopes or optics permitted. Spotting scopes may be used.

Subject to change without notice—generally there are 5 targets, some requiring 5 shots, some only 3. Expect the unexpected and have a bundle of fun. Usually distances are 25 and 50 yards.

Usually does not mean always. :o) and our Schutzenmeister promises something “interesting”. Cue the evil laughter

Keep yer powder dry.

Tony

REMINDER – In the event of bad weather, cold don’t count, I will email everyone in my records. IN ADDITION a notice will be posted on our web site, bullrunmuzzleloaders.com