Official Bulletin – 2014 North Dakota Long Range State Championship

Sponsored by the Bismarck-Mandan Rifle and Pistol Association.
Fire on June 7 and 8, 2014.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2014 North Dakota Long Range State Championship and Palma matches on June 7 and 8. What a great turnout. We had 25 competitors fire the Registered Palma match and 32 competitors fire the State Championship Match. I believe both of these are record attendance for long range matches in our State. Saturday was one of the exceptional weather days at the range – nice temps and a very light breeze. But, as it always seems at our events in Bismarck, Sunday got even as winds went into that 25 mph stuff on Sunday afternoon. However, we did avoid getting wet – always a big plus.

I would really like to thank Steve Allen – our Line Officer, Bob Cunningham – Pit Officer, and Dave Hintz who did our stats on Saturday. As always, I really appreciate the volunteer effort from these guys. Not only does this give me an opportunity to compete in the match, but by having this many folks volunteering at the match – it helps everything run a lot smoother and helps us all get through the day a bit quicker. Be sure to say thanks to these guys if you see them at the range. I would also like to thank Coby Dalgliesh and Russ Theurer that helped me a few days before the match mowing the range, re-facing targets, and getting things ready. I also had a nice crew with Russ, Coby, Taylor Boeshans, Kohl Klein, and Rand McLeod (and others) helping to get the range ready Saturday morning with targets, benches, pit kits and number boards. There’s always a lot to do before and after these events. Make sure you also thank these guys when you see them at other events this summer.

Congratulations to our 2014 State Champions – Russ Theurer (Conventional) with a score of 779-21x, Brian Suhr (F-Open Class) with a 781–25x. This is a new state record for the 80-shot State Match with the F-Open rifle. The previous record score of 770-18x was fired by Brian on June 12, 2011. This is an excellent score fired in the conditions of Sunday afternoon. Good shooting Brian. A relatively new competitor, Drew Rutherford, won the F-Target Rifle Class with a 748-13x. After the match I was talking with Drew – he first pulled a trigger in August, 2013. Seems he’s come a long way in just 10 months. Great shooting Drew!

Tom Thompson won the Palma match (conventional) on Saturday with a 442-16x. This is a new state record surpassing Tom’s record of 434-15x fired on July 7, 2012. Brain Suhr won the F-Open class firing a 444-21x. This is also a new state record breaking Craig Suhr’s record of 440-13x fired on July 7, 2012. Finally, Ervin Morse took the F-Target Rifle class in the Palma match firing a 429-11x.

I know there are a few folks that haven’t had time to join the State Association – that is the North Dakota Shooting Sports Association. NDSSA is the official NRA affiliated state organization of North Dakota. In addition to sanctioning our State Championship events, NDSSA has also supported and passed some very pro-Gun state legislation over the years including strengthening the right to keep and bear arms (1984), “Shall Issue” or carry conceal (1985), sport shooting range protection (1999), hunting, trapping, and fishing heritage (2000), Firearms Limited Liability (2001), CCW information may not be released to the pubic (2005) and strengthened the “Castle Law”. Kinda makes you wonder why EVERY North Dakotan is not a member of this State Association. Strength is in numbers – PLEASE JOIN NOW. (I ran this paragraph in last year’s match report – seemed like such great information – so I ran it again).

Once again, we are in the heart of the High Plains High Power Summer Shoot’in Season. Summers are slow to come and leave fast up here – so if you’re going to shoot – shoot – don’t wait around to “get ready” – because in a couple months the summer will be over and you will have missed another season. So – as I always suggest – check the calendar and start making plans to shoot some (or all) the matches this summer. Two of our four High Power events are done for the year at our club – so if you have some buddies that are considering shooting this summer – you can tell them that they’ve missed half of the season in Bismarck already!

If you have never fired an over-the-course match – I would suggest firing (as least) the M1 Garand match that will be held during the Regional Championship in Grand Forks on June 29, and then stay around for the Leg Match – give it a try. Also – there are AR-15’s available for lease to High Power competitors that are residents of North Dakota and paid up members of the State Association. Contact someone on the State Association for details (such as me).

The remaining summer schedule follows. Our next event will be the M1 Garand, Palma and 80 shot over-the-course matches on July 5 and 6. This year, our July M1 Garand Match will be the first annual Bismarck/Mandan Rifle and Pistol Association’s M1 Garand Club Championship match. Anyone is welcome to attend and anyone can win our M1 Garand Club Championship. Any vintage military rifle, in accordance with the CMP rules will be eligible to compete in our Club Champ (M1 Garand, Springfields, Enfields, etc.). However, modern military rifles such as the M1A, M14, or AR-15 won’t be eligible to win the match – but you can still shoot for score and the CMP award pins. Get an M1 Garand and try out a match – you’ll have fun.

Finally, mark your calendar for the 1000 yard NRA Regional match that will be held at our range on September 6 and 7. It would be nice to see about 40 (or more) competitors at this event. Pass the word on to your shooting buddies and see if you can get them out to a Long Range High Power event – or an over-the-course match, M1 Garand, etc., etc.

Thanks again and hope to see all of you on the firing line.

(You can also download a PDF of this bulletin which includes dates for upcoming matches)

Tom Thompson