The 2015 Safari Rifle Challenge drew to a close and was
another great success enjoyed by all! This year’s First Place-Overall shooter
was Sam Shaw from Washington. Sam did a great job and shot his way through the
competition using his Winchester Model 70 Safari Express in .416 Remington
Magnum. His rifle was scoped with an older Redfield wide view in 1 ¾ X 5. Sam
fed his rifle with 75 grains of 3031 ignited by Remington Large Magnum Primers
pushing 350 Grain Speer Hot-Cor Mag-Tip bullets at 2400 FPS.
Well the 5th annual Safari Rifle Challenge is in the
record books. We had 73 registered participants from Montana, Idaho, Texas,
Florida, California, Missouri and even a few guys from Canada. All had come to
compete for both fame and glory. Top shooter was Sam Shaw of Brewster
Washington with a score of 181, second place was John Harma of Montana (178)
and 3rd place to NRA Western Region Director Brad Kruger of Sandpoint Idaho
(177).
Shawn Joyce of Diizche Safari Adventures stepped up again
this year and provided us with several boxes of great gear and is also the
title sponsor of our first place trophy. Jeff Sipe of Montana Rifle Company was
letting all of the competitors shoot any of the display rifles including their
monstrous Flat Brake 505 Gibbs model with all ammo provided FREE by Norma USA.
Randy Anderson of Vortex was on hand to discuss their line of optics and
donated some outstanding binoculars and scopes for our lunch time raffle. Andy
Larsson of Skinner Sights donated several custom rifle bags as well as the
winner’s choice of any custom sight in the catalog. Ruger apparel and products
were flying off the table, as were the whole series of Mark Sullivan hunting
videos!
Our local high school clay target team members worked
tirelessly throughout the day moving equipment, patching targets and generally
keeping the match moving smoothly. Our shooters showed their appreciation of
that effort by purchasing $600 in raffle tickets to support them. These kids
recently returned from the state shoot with several 1st and 3rd place trophies
in trap, skeet and sporting clays!
Here are a few photos of the event and I will try to post
some video later. The crowd favorite "charging buffalo" was cable
driven with remote control forward/reverse and variable speed. Set at its
highest speed it was coming at you so fast from 35yds that many folks never got
off their second shot. The 40 yard shot at the small water bottle on the ground
was made more challenging by the 1 gallon jug that was released before the
shoot command and was now sliding towards you at 20mph for your second shot. A
few folks got wet when it was shot point blank! The crossing elephant was quite
challenging and of course the "charging water jug cart" is always
popular. Champion/ATK provided all of our self-sealing targets and those
various circles, diamonds and large hanging balls took an absolute pounding.
They truly can be shot literally hundreds of times and yet remain totally
serviceable.
For those that are curious, this was the 2015 course of
fire:
Stage 1 Checking Zero, Distance is 45 yards. Round count
is 2. Scoring will be the actual number shown on the paper target. Starting
position will be with an empty rifle, safety off, pointed at the target in a
normal shooting stance. On the shoot command you will load and fire one round
then reload and fire the second round. After firing, muzzle will be pointed up
during scoring and during your return to the gun racks.
Stage 2 Sliding Jug and Small Bottle, Distance is 20 and
30 yards. Round count is 2. Scoring will be 10 points per bottle/jug that is
hit and explodes. Starting position will be low ready with 2 rounds in the
rifle, safety on, finger off the trigger. On command, shoot the small water
bottle then the sliding jug. Muzzle up, return to gun rack.
Stage 3 Charging Buffalo, Distance is 35 yards and
closing. Round count is 2. Scoring will be actual points earned on the paper
target. Starting position will be low ready with 2 rounds in the rifle. On
command, fire two rounds at the charging buffalo. Muzzle pointed up during
scoring and return to the gun rack.
Stage 4 DuraSeal Diamonds, Distance is 30, 10 and 20
yards. Round count is 3. Scoring will be 10 points per 5 inch target hit. Start
on the right hand side of the range with one round loaded, safety on, low ready
position. On shoot command, fire at the 30 yard target then with empty rifle,
muzzle up, move quickly to the middle position. Load and fire one round at
target then with muzzle up move to the third position, load one round and fire.
Muzzle up and return to gun rack.
Stage 5 Charging Jug Cart, Distance is 20 yards and
closing. Round count is 2. Scoring will be 10 points per exploding jug. Two
shooters with 2 rounds in gun. Low ready position, safety on. Shoot the jug on
your side of the cart then be the first to shoot the middle jug. Muzzle up and
return to gun rack.
Stage 6 Crossing Elephant and DuraSeal Ball, Distance 20
and 25 yards, round count is 2. Scoring is actual number on paper target, 10
points for 5 inch DuraSeal ball. Starting position is low ready with 2 rounds
in the gun, safety on. On command, you may aim at the crossing elephant but do
not shoot until it is PASSING BETWEEN THE ORANGE CONES. Then fire second round
at the hanging DuraSeal ball. Muzzle up during scoring and return to gun rack.
Stage 7 Fast Blast, Distance is 15, 35 and 45 yards.
Round count is 3. Scoring is 10 points per exploded jug or DuraSeal hit.
Starting position is two shooters with 2 rounds in their guns, safety on, low
ready. On command, shoot the 45 yard jug then 35 yard jug. Reload one round and
shoot the orange 3 inch DuraSeal diamond. Muzzle up and return to gun rack.
Stage 8 Pandemonium, Distance is 25, 30 and 40 yards.
Round count is 3. Scoring is 10 points per target hit and 10 points if a
shooter explodes the 2 liter bottle. Starting position is two shooters with 2
rounds in gun, safety on, low ready. On command, shoot the 25 yard hanging
DuraSeal ball then the 30 yard hanging DuraSeal diamond. If you hit both
DuraSeal targets then speed load one round and be the first to shoot the 40
yard bottle. Muzzle up and return to gun rack.
Stage 9 Long Shot, Distance 80 yards, round count 2.
Scoring is 10 points for hitting the 1 liter bottle with your first shot, 5
points if it is your second try. Starting position is one round in gun, safety
on, low ready. Shot must be taken off hand. Reload and fire again if necessary.
Muzzle up, return to gun rack.
Next year, the 2016 Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships will again be held in Libby, Montana at the Libby Rod and Gun Club. The event is always held on
the second Sunday in July. There is a large community fund raising concert
every year on the second Saturday so they piggy-back with that to give shooters
something else to enjoy while they are visiting Libby, Montana. Jay Sheffield (Match Director) puts on an exciting and enjoyable event.
We hope to see you next year!
