Mother nature finally allowed us some really beautiful weather for the Prairie Dog Match for May this year.
We reversed the order of fire to give the unlimited guns a chance to set a new match record. Alas, was not to be. Still some small wind gremlins out there.
Bragging rights for today’s match belong to:
Unlimited:
| 1st: | Si Fentress, Shilen/Shilen/Weaver/ 6mm PPC | 143 points |
| 2nd: | Mike Smith, Panda/Hart/Weaver/ 6mm PPC | 135 points |
| 3rd: | Jim Bishop, Nesika/Hart/B&L/ 6mm PPC | 128 points |
| 4th: | Larry Bishop, Remington/Hart/Weaver/ 6mm PPC | 116 points |
Varmint:
| 1st: | Si Fentress, Cooper/.203 Rem/Sightron | 136 points |
| 2nd: | Jim Bishop, DGA/ .22PPC/B&L | 130 points |
| 3rd: | Mike Smith, Cooper/.222 Rem Mag/Leupold | 129 points |
| 4th: | Jack Dever, Remington 40X/6mm PPC/Lyman | 122 points |
Hunter Scope:
| 1st: | Si Fentress, Cooper/6mmPPC/Sightron | 82 points |
| 2nd: | Whitie Blanshan, Savage/.243 Rem/Weaver | 74 points |
| 3rd: | Jim Bishop, Ruger/.223 Rem/ Redfield | 72 points |
| 4th: | Larry Bishop, Winchester/.222 Rem/Weaver | 66 points |
| 4th: | Mike Smith, Cooper/.17 Mach IV/Nikon | 66 points |
And although there were only two shooters, a new class:
Hunter Iron Sight:
| 1st: | Whitie Blanshan, Springfield 03A3/30-06 | 78 points |
| 2nd: | Don Faulkenberry, Winchester 1885/.22 Hornet | 77 points |
Hope to have more iron guns at the next match, targets are very seeable at 50, 100, and 200 yards.
And last but not least, Jim Bishop was the only shooter successful in hitting the “Egg” at 300 with one and only one shot. Got some nice ice cream money for the effort.
Last but not least, I was reminded that we can all get into a rut and assume things that aren’t as they really are.
A young shooter came at the end of the match to work on a new rifle/load.
I gave him some small help with his scope and encouraged him to come to the match next month. His reply was: “I didn’t think I was qualified to shoot in the match.”
God forbid if I or any of the regular shooters have given that impression to anyone with questions about the match.
There is no qualification process necessary to participate in the Prairie Dog Match. It is a non-sanctioned, informal match.
This match was born of a simple desire to learn and get better with our varmint guns and grew a bit from that point to include hunter classes and unlimited classes.
All matches at the Oklahoma City Gun Club are open not only to club members but to the general shooting public. The shooting sports that we have chosen to participate in are extremely small in the grand scheme of things and all responsible shooters are welcomed and encouraged to participate.
For match info: Don Faulkenberry, 405-255-0184, ANSCHUTZSHOOTER@COX.NET