The 27th Oak Ridge Long Range Muzzle Loading Match was a success in many ways. First, I want to thank all the shooters who participated and travelled from all over to attend. Then we have to be very thankful that the weather cooperated and was terrific!
30 shooters gathered at the Oak Ridge Sportsman Association in TN to test their skills at distances of 200, 300, 600 and 1000 yards with relay times of 60, 60, 75 and 90 minutes respectively. Friday 21 March started at the clubhouse with lots of handshakes and greetings as many of us have not been together since last year and a lot of conversations were taking place catching up with one another. Sunny skies all day with temperatures starting in the 30’s only to warm into the 60’s by the end of the day with light winds. There were 7 squads of 4 members each plus 2 squads with one additional member. This 4-man squad format has been in place since our conception in 1998 and as 2 shooters are shooting the other 2 squad members split as 1 will score and the other will work the target pit. At the conclusion of the 200 yards match there were 2 shooters who tied for 1st place with a score of 99-5x (they both shot a 9 on their 10th shot for score – last shot). We also had a tie for 3rd place with 2 shooters shooting 99-3x. Sad to think someone shot a 99-3x and did not medal!
Then we moved to 300 for the afternoon relays with the temperatures warming up as well as the scores continued to be competitive. 1/3 of the field posted a score of 90 or better and another 14 posting 80 or better on the NRA-LR targets. The top score of 95-3x, 2nd with 93-3x and 3rd place with score a 93-1x (this time I lost a medal by an X). This being said by the end of the first day there were 10 shooters (1/3 of the shooters) within 10 points of each other and a lot of ‘talking’ was being said – all in good gesture of course.
Saturday 22 March, I knew scores would start to separate at the greater distances and unfortunately I was one of the victims. The weather continued to be terrific with overcast skies and again cool weather that warmed to the 60’s by day’s end. I was glad the sun was not in our eyes on this day early in the morning and at the end of shooting 600, only 1 person posted a score above 90 to take 1st place honors and again 14 posted a score of 80 or better.
At 1000 yards in the afternoon, things really became serious for the top shooters, with 8 shooters within 10 points and another 4 within 20 points and who knows what would happen. For me and many others we needed a miracle and wanted to shoot just to compete and possibly have some time to experiment with something new. I was having a great time and was looking forward to whom might come out on top. After both relays concluded there was one score of 90+ posted and 4 of 80 or better. As seen before the one who wins the climatic 1000 yard distance won the overall Aggregate. So, congratulations to Brent Danielson with his fine shooting all weekend posting a total match score of 369-8x/400. 2nd place went to Joe Hill with a 359-9x, 3rd to Lee Shaver 356-8x, 4th to Jason Day 352-4x and 5th to Ike Leggett with a 348-4x.
There were 3 new shooters at this match and again everyone seems to go out of their way to make them feel welcome and assist with any need that arose. This match is set up and intended for the beginner as well as the more advanced ML shooter. Thanks to all who attended and made the event a success.
Rick Weber
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