by Scott Thome
What a wonderful day in Georgia for our last official match of the 2007 season. Temperatures hovered in the low 40’s and the wind blew from 20mph to gusts of 35. Although the weather was not the best, it wasn’t raining or snowing and we were knocking down targets. Any day that the targets fall is better than not shooting at all.
We had the most of the usual members show up ready to go. It took a little longer than usual to get started. Everyone had to dig out their winter shooting attire and make sure they could still shoulder their air rifle. Some had to adjust their Length of Pull due to the amount of clothing they had on. Low 40’s is cold for us in the Southeast. Listen to me, I lived in Minneapolis for seventeen years until I move to Georgia four years ago. Blood turns thin fast.
Ken Hughes was Match Director and divided us into shooting squads to get things started. After reviewing them, there was a definite theme to two of the teams. There was Team EV2 starting on lane #1 and Team USFT starting on lane #2. The smack talk started up before we even got a hot line! I felt sorry for Greg Garner because he has an EV2, the same as mine, so he ended up shooting with me. I would like to state up front, Greg and I were both shooting 12fpe International Class and Team USFT, Jon Oswald and Kevin Allen, were both shooting full power although Kevin wasn’t wearing straps.
As is the norm when friends get together for some good competition, many “constructive comments” were “shared” throughout the day between all of the competitors. In the beginning the competition was fierce but as time went on it backed off just a little. When you hear from the 20fpe guys that they had to aim off the face plate and it wasn’t far enough, the wind must have been blowing pretty good. Either that, or they were trying to put the fear into the other groups, mainly us EV2 guys. I have a feeling it was the later. Looking at their scores, I’d say the wind didn’t hurt them too much.
We had one brave piston shooter present. Our new GA State Piston Division Champion, David Kirby, had a great day showing us how to shoot low power in the wind. I think he’s been practicing more than he’s let on. He’s tricky like that! Then there was Tim Rorabaugh, he “said” he hadn’t shot over 30 yards in the past couple of years. Yeah, right! The weather did appear to take a victim early on when Doug Vinson checked his velocity during sight-in and found his rifle was shooting 50fps slower than normal. The tools came out and a tweak and a head scratch later and he was ready to go. Looking at his score, I don’t think his rifle was performing the way it usually does. Doug is always scrapping at the top of the pile with the best.
Jon Oswald, with his new USFT, was on the hunt. I know, because he made sure Greg and I knew how “Team USFT” was doing after every lane. Jon probably felt a little pressure. It is really tough when your lane partner only misses two all day long on a windy day. Kevin Allen was giving us all a little lesson dealing with wind while on his way to securing the title of GA State PCP Division Champion. His score card was easy to fill in, xxxxxxxxxxx. I can even handle that.
Then there was “Steady Ken”. He ended up in second and we never heard a peep out of him all day. Actually, it’s difficult to determine how he’s doing because his score is like low drag double-ninja top secret. I think he was paying his squadmate, Tim, not to tell us any details until it was all over.
We all had a great time and ended up at the golf course club house for a casual lunch. If you haven’t shot in Atlanta before, you must stop by. We benefit from the mild Southern winters and shoot all year round. Some of us are really good and enjoy the game and some of us just like being there as my score shows. Oh well, there’s always next time!
Here is a link to the match photos.
Field Target Results PCP Division Kevin Allen
Bag of Pipes Leupold Competition 35x JSBH II 10.2 54/56 Ken Hughes
Air Arms RN10 NightForce FT 36x JSBH II 10.2 50 Doug Vinson
Air Arms ProTarget Leupold Competition 35x Premier 10.5 47 Jon Oswald
USFT Nikko Stirling 10-50x Premier 10.5 46 Greg Garner Air Arms EV2 Mk2 Leupold Competition 35x JSB 7.9 45 Tim Rorabaugh Daystate Mk3 Burris 8-32x Premier 10.5 39 Scott Thome
Air Arms EV2 Mk2 Bushnell 8-32x JSB 8.4 37 Piston Division David Kirby
Air Arms TX-200HC Bushnell 6-24x JSB 8.4 38/56 Internaitonal Class Greg Garner Air Arms EV2 Mk2 Leupold Competition 35x JSB 7.9 45/56 David Kirby
Air Arms TX-200HC Bushnell 6-24x JSB 8.4 38 Scott Thome
Air Arms EV2 Mk2 Bushnell 8-32x JSB 8.4 37