What a fine day we had for a match! I was looking forward to seeing more of the old gang as the weather broke and the Wuhan seemed more under control. We did end up with seven competitors which was two less than last month. The usual bunch of die hards showed up and we did have a great time. Way to go gents! Let’s see if we can build up the shooters this month. To that end, we signed up a mew member, Joe Turner of Arlington, VA. Welcome Joe! Join the crack shots or the crack pots – depending on which side of the aisle you shoot on.
Weather luck was with us as the day started out really fine. It was cool but not un-
comfortable and we again had to shuck off the excess jackets and shirts. By the end of shooting at 1330, the temperature had risen to a balmy 65 degrees.
Schutzenmeister JP Sherkus chose the targets. You all can blame him this month. All of the targets were shot before, perhaps in the far past, but there were none that hadn’t caused consternation before. The pistol match was about the same.
The first target at 25 yards was the old black wedge with a border of zeroes. JP Sherkus started out in usual form and hit a 27 for first place. This was just one point ahead of El Presidente John Marhefka who shot a 26 for second. Rich Stock shot a great 24 for third followed up by Rich Burkhart with a 22. Al Short turned in a 13, Frank Nicoli hit an 8, and Art hit a 5, as the wedge was not invisible…. The next three shot target was the large black crow. Art Twitchell woke up, not became “woke”, but woke up and hit a respectable 28 for first place. John Marhefka was also warming up and shot a 27 1x for second, with JP Sherkus turning in a 25 for third. Fourth place was claimed by Rich Stock with a 23 followed by Al Short with 14. Frank Nicoli hit a 12 and Rich Burkhart hit a 10. The final 25 yard target was old buffalo, which by the way, we still have a crap ton of. John Marhefka took first place with a great score of 47. JP Sherkus was again one point behind with a 46 followed by Al Short with a 44. Frank Nicoli wacked the buff with a 38 followed by Rich Stock at 36 and Rich Burkhart with a 34.
At 50 yards we were shooting a groundhog, anoth er “crap ton” of target, for three shots. John Marhefka came in first with a great score of 22. He was followed for second place by JP Sherkus with a 17. Al Short turned in a 14 followed up by Rich Burkhart with 12, Rich Stock with a 7, ending with Frank Nicoli at 6. Overheard someone whining that the groundhog learned how to dance. The 50 yard target chosen for five shots was the black X with zeroes. Hadn’t seen this one in a while either, but two shooters turned in great scores of 44. John Marhefka came in first by
virtue of being closest to the X and Rich Stock came in second. Third place went to Frank Nicoli with a 40 followed by JP Sherkus hitting a 39 with a sore shoulder. No more yard work for him the day before a match. Al Short came in next with a 33 and Rich Burkhart rounded out for last place with a 25. Overall scores for rifle were John Marhefka who shot very well and scored a 166-1x. JP Sherkus 154, Rich Stock 134, Al
Short had a 118, Frank Nicoli 104, Rich Burkhart 103, Art Twitchell had a 33 as he was busy instructing some youngsters. Good job Art.
We had only two pistol shooters this month. Following the complaints from last month, JP settled for the standard round bullseyes as targets. At 25 yards, JP Sherkus shot a 38 but John Marhefka hit a 41 for first place.
At 50 yards, John Marhefka bettered his score to 44 while JP only bettered his score by one to 39. Overall for pistol, John Marhefka shot an 89 while JP only shot a 77. Better luck next month.
It’s time to renew your BRML Membership for 2021. Dues are only $20. You get the newsletter and the free turkey shoot (guaranteed to win a turkey). During the year we occasionally have a Member’s Only Target with a special prize. Rejoin and support your club! You can send me a check (payable to Bull Run Muzzle Loaders – please, no cash) to the address above and I’ll mail your membership card to you. Or better yet, you can catch me at a shoot.
The IWLA range clubhouse is now open for meetings. Yippee! The next match will be Sunday, June 20 beginning at 9:00 AM and ending at 2:00 PM. It will be an Aggregate Target Score Competition with prizes for individual targets at 25 and 50 yards plus the grab bag on the table based on your scores. Everyone will win something!!! You get 3 of each target. There will be a pistol competition for those who wish to participate. You get two targets with five shots at each. Score your own, hand in your
best. After you shoot your best score of the three and score your own, turn it in so we can keep the score sheet current. You must have one half ball in the scoring ring to count. All shots are from the freestanding, off-hand position. 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. Usual distances are 25 and 50 yards.
Keep yer powder dry,
Rich
