The 28th Oak Ridge Long Range Muzzle Loading rifle match was concluded this weekend (27-29 March) and the weather cooperated – although a little cool.
Thursday during target setup the temp was 75 degrees. Friday morning it was about 40 and windy. We all met in the club house for opening remarks and registration, etc. We started shooting 10am at 200 yards and two tied with a 99-3x. We moved to 300 yards in the afternoon and 96-2x was the top score posted.
Following the days efforts, we all congregated to the club house for a catered dinner.
Saturday, it was snowing on my way to the range. The temperature was just above freezing when we started at 600 yards, with the wind blowing out of the north. The guys from the Northeast were thrilled to see temperatures above freezing! 600 yard top score was an 84, shot with an original Alex Henry.
In the afternoon, the shooting concluded at 1000 yards. The wind was blowing in all directions at once it seemed at times and the temperature had risen to about 45 with sunny skies. No one was really sure what was going on – but something was as scores were well below our par as a group. But, in the end Bob Wetzler pulled off the top score of 67 to take the overall AGG by one point – over yours truly. Congratulations to new comer Bill Falin who finished 3rd with his 3-band Euroarms Whitworth. Not to forget Kenn Heismann and Art Fleener who finished 4th & 5th respectively with original rifles. I was glad to see 7 originals being shot as well as 3 of the top 5 places were with originals.
Original rifles and their custodians at Oak Ridge, March 2015
I did something this match that I’ve never attempted and that’s try to raise some $ for the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA). I noticed in the NMLRA ‘Muzzle Blasts’ magazine that the 1 of 1000 endowment was approaching number 450. So, I asked if I could raise $1000 in the next month – could the “Long Range Muzzle Loading – Oak Ridge, TN” group have this number = YES. So, we passed the hat around and collected over $500 toward this effort at the match. Previously the weeks prior to the match, I had solicited donations from some longtime LRML shooters toward this effort and the grand total to date is $1235. Thanks to all who have shot LRML at Oak Ridge over the years!
Have a Great Year,
Rick Weber
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