Author Archive
GEORGE TUBB MONUMENT RELOCATION
Posted by: | CommentsMost of us who have been in the shooting game since the 30/06 was king knew and shot with George Tubb, his wife Polly and sons Gary and David, from Canadian, Texas. George was a World War II veteran and a very active NRA Director. He was instrumental in getting the high-power range designed and built correctly at the NRA Whittington Center. He also got the range at Fort Wolters near Mineral Wells, Texas extended to 1000 yards. Both ranges are named for him, and there is a monument at the 1000 yard line at Fort Wolters recognizing George and his accomplishments.
Unfortunately the Ft. Wolters range is no longer available to civilians beyond 500 yards, and the Army National Guard wants the monument moved. The Bald Eagles Rifle Club wants to relocate it to the high-power range at the Whittington Center. We have people to load it, transport it, and install it at the range in Raton. Now all we need is some money to make it happen.
If you would like to donate (any amount) to this effort please make your check out to the NRA Whittington Center (they are a charitable organization and your gift is tax deductible). Contact us via our webform for the address to mail your check. I am secretary of the Bald Eagles Rifle Club. I’ll forward your check to the club treasurer. Be sure to note your check “for the high-power range” that way excess funds can be applied to the maintenance of the range. Thank you for your help in this effort to recognize a real champion for the shooting sports.
HIGHPOWER RIFLE January 2010
Posted by: | CommentsThe Pearl Harbor Remembrance Match held on December 6, was an opportunity for shooters to remember and honor the “greatest generation” who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today! Thirteen shooters participated on a cool and breezy morning for the J.C. Garand Match using a variety of U.S. Service rifles, mostly Garands, a few 1903s, and an M-1 carbine. Winner was Dan Harper with a 271-1X, second was Leonard Trevino with a 258-3X, and third was John Kelly with a 256-0X. High junior was Jason Laa with a 117-0X, shooing that M-1 carbine.
The annual “M-1 Carbine Rattle-Battle” had 8 shooters for a single relay so it went really fast. Everyone kept those barrels smoking as they fired 50 rounds in the allotted 50 seconds at each distance. Winning score with 21 hits out of 50 shots was Eric Johnson, shooting a STMTC loaner carbine, Leonard Trevino was second, and Ed Beezer came in third. Eric Johnson boasted he was placing the fabulous Ken Slade M-1 Carbine Rattle-Battle trophy on his fireplace mantle to be enjoyed by his wife and family for the entire next year. Leonard Trevino received the ever-desirable shooters votive candle made from an empty Greek ammo can for a second time and was planning on using them for a romantic, Hoppe’s scented evening with his wife. In third place Ed Beezer, received the exotic bag of Circus Brand salted peanuts.
Finally, we shot our annual Bayonet Challenge Match, consisting of 5 rounds in 5 minutes, standing slow fire at 200 yards, using a service rifle with a bayonet mounted. Six shooters tested their skills and contrary to what you might believe, you can actually hit in the scoring black with a bayonet on the rifle. Jon Ussery, shooting an M1 Garand, won the free frozen turkey with a score of 32-0X. It might be interesting to do some off-the-bench testing to see how much the bayonet affects accuracy of a Garand…any excuse to go the range a shoot the old war horse.
The first High Power match for 2010 is a “Fun Match” at CTSA on Sunday, January 17. It’ll be a standard 50 round NM course of fire. Match fee is $20 for adults and $10 for juniors. Fun begins at 0800 for set up and first rounds down-range at 0900.
SMALLBORE January 2010
Posted by: | CommentsOur December match was again lightly attended with only three prone shooters and three 3P folks. The high score amongst those on their bellies was Leonard Trevino with 598-33X. Of the young folks who fired pone, standing and kneeling positions, Katie Bridges posted the high score of 937-32X.
Our next matches could be scrubbed as this is the cold time of year. Wayne will email the usual shooters with an up-date well before the match. Be sure to check with him before you drive out there. Dates are February 13 for a 600 point prone, and March 13 for a 1600 prone and 1000 point 3P.
VINTAGE MILITARY RIFLE MATCH December 2009
Posted by: | CommentsDo you have an old Mauser, Arisaka, ‘03 Springfield, or M1 Garand gathering dust in the closet? Well, dig it out and load up some ammunition! The South Texas Marksmanship Training Center will host a Vintage Rifle Match on Sunday, December 20th (the normal monthly High Power match date), at the CTSA Range on the Dietz complex in New Braunfels, Texas.
Any original military rifle designed before 1945 is eligible. For instance the M1 Garand was designed before 1945; it would be eligible even if built in 1953. However, newer rifles like an SKS or M16/AR15 are not eligible. All rifles must be in original military configuration…no “sporterized” or heavy barreled target rifles.
Participants cannot use ‘modern,’ competition shooting equipment like heavy jackets and shooting mitts, but WWII-style US Army field jackets or USMC shooting coats of the same era are certainly welcomed.
Spotting scopes are allowed, to help adjust rifle sights to the distance of 200 yards before starting to score shots. Also allowed are shooting mats (or carpet pieces, blankets, etc.) to use when shooting prone on the concrete slab. Eye and hearing protection are both required for safety.
Although the standard course of fire includes three positions: standing, sitting, and prone, a shooter may opt to fire from one of the available benches, or even all prone if that is most comfortable. Participants provide their own ammunition. Sixty rounds should be enough (forty rounds for record and some extra for sighting in).
Match fees are $20 for adults and $10 for juniors (under 18). Junior shooters must be accompanied by an adult. Plan to arrive around 8AM for sign-in and target setup. For more information on this match contact Philip Beekley at 210-364-6561, or send email to philip(a)philipbeekley.com.
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS ITEMS December 2009
Posted by: | Comments• Our range will be used by Bill Coleman to conduct some law enforcement training on December 11, 12, and 13. The STMTC will receive some rental income from this session.
• Bill Huddleston reports that there won’t be a December match. Jim Ford reports that there will not be a pistol match in December either.
• The end of the calendar year is fast approaching. If you are looking for tax-free donations why not make one to the South Texas Marksmanship Training Center SCHOLARSHIP FUND. We are at approximately $900 right now and when we get it up to $1000 we can begin the process of accepting applications from worth students. We are currently working on the requirements for the recipient and the application procedures.
• Dan Harper is one of our faithful high-power competitors and a dedicated STMTC member. He has been appointed Vice President to serve out the term of Shawn Taylor, our new president.
• Our raffle committee reports that we made several thousand dollars on the rifle Jack Leather built. Next raffle will be for three guns. Stay tuned for details.
• Rene Gonzalez reports that he visited I.S.S. in Fort Worth. This is a retail outlet for all kinds of shooting equipment and ammunition with emphasis on smallbore and air rifle. It is run by a former Olympic shooting champion, Neal Stepp. His phone number is 817-595-2090 and he has an email address i_s_s(at)sbcglobal.net. (There are “underscores between the S’s.) The store is a gem to visit, but call before you go and set up an appointment.
• George Becquet has two new barrels for AR15 type rifles. One is 24” long, stainless steel and heavy contour. The other is an M4 type carbine barrel. Call George at 661-8862 for prices. (They are very reasonable.)