2023 Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships-Coming Soon!

 

The 2023 Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships are coming soon. After months of chaos and closures we are going to hold the Safari Shoot on June 10, 2023. This year represents our 10th annual shooting event! The event will be held in Libby, Montana at the Libby Shooting Sports Complex. Jay Sheffield is the Match Director and puts on an exciting and enjoyable event. This year the event will fall on Saturday June 10, 2023 from 8am - 4pm. 

Since the last event (June 2019) we have GREATLY expanded the range facility by adding four new shooting bays surrounded by 14’ berms and a huge vendor display/public parking area. The cement baselines are poured, and permanent steel shooting benches have been installed. The overhead shelters are also completed. 

In the past (pre-COVID) this shooting event typically fills-up very quickly after sending notices to the past participants on their email group. If you want to sign up, request more information, or get on their notification list send Jay an email (see below) and he will get you squared away. The registration fee will cover your participation, a commemorative match T-shirt AND lunch!  

The Event: This is a family-oriented shoot featuring both life size and moving targets. It is designed to simulate events encountered on an African Safari. Targets will be scored, and times will be announced, but since prizes are awarded by random drawing, you will be competing purely for the glory of sport! There is however a beautiful First Place-Overall trophy that will be awarded. Participants will be expected to cheerfully help with reset of targets, powering the moving targets and any other menial labor that may be necessary for the greater good. ALL shooters must be at least 18 years old and pre-registered. There is a $30 participation fee which will also entitle you to lunch and a commemorative match shirt.

The Guns: This is a big bore, dangerous game rifle shoot. Essentially .375/9.3 caliber or larger cartridges in single shot, bolt action or double rifles with minimum muzzle energy of approximately 4000 ft/lb. If you have an antique double rifle in a smaller caliber that is capable of taking big game, then bring it!  Paradox guns firing single lead balls will also be allowed. Sorry, but no handguns, pump, or semi-automatic firearms. You will need about 30 rounds of ammunition.

ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT LOADS!

The Rules: All guns will be placed in the racks with actions open. When it is your turn to shoot, you will be directed to get your rifle by the range master. SAFETY AND MUZZLE CONTROL ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE!   The start position will generally be low ready with a round in the chamber, finger off the trigger and the safety on, unless otherwise directed by range staff. A range master “PH” will always stay beside you while on the course. On most stages, there will be a limited amount of ammunition allowed in your gun when starting the stage, extra rounds will have to be loaded from the belt, pocket, butt stock etc. We reserve the right to change the course of fire based on our disposition, your disposition, the untimely demise of the targets, comments from the peanut gallery, weather or whatever other factors may be present. All distances are approximate and subject to change.

The Course of fire: Shooting positions will vary from standing on your hind legs and shooting offhand, to kneeling or seated. Frequently it will be a combination of positions. Some stages may require the use of shooting sticks which will be provided. Many stages will require you to fire at a target, move to another spot, reload, and then fire at a second target.  All movement will be done with an empty gun and all reloading will be done once you are safely at the next shooting position. If you have any physical issues that preclude a certain activity, we will cheerfully accommodate you.  

The 10-stage course is specifically designed to NOT favor any particular style of rifle or sight system.  Distances will vary between 5 and 75+ yards. Targets will vary from life-size broadside buffalo and elephant heads to clay birds, water jugs and steel gongs.

Location: Libby Shooting Sports Complex on Farm to Market Road across from the Libby Airport.

Shooting starts at 8 am SHARP!   Please arrive plenty early to check in and get setup. Remember to bring lawn chairs, hat and sunscreen, snack food and drinks (NO ALCOHOL ON RANGE PROPERTY).  Lunch and a T-shirt are included with the $30 registration fee. Additional lunches for guests are available at $10 each and MUST be prepaid with registration.

Please email  safaririflechallenge@yahoo.com to sign up or request more information.

Directions from Libby: Take Hwy 2 east about 3 miles from town. As the highway starts up a steep hill in front of you, watch for Bowker Road at the bottom of the hill on your LEFT side. Take Bowker about 100 yards to the intersection with State Rd 482 (Farm to Market Road). Turn RIGHT on 482 and go 3.5 miles to the range which will be on your left. If you get to the airport you have just passed the range.

Directions from Kalispell: HWY 2: as you come down the steep hill entering Libby, turn RIGHT on Bowker. Take Bowker about 100 yards to the intersection with State Road 482 (Farm to Market Road). Turn RIGHT on 482 and go 3.5 miles to the range which will be on your left. If you get to the airport you have just passed the range.

Airports: For those who are flying from out of state, the nearest airport is in Kalispell, MT about 100 miles away. The cheapest airport to fly into will probably be Spokane, WA about 180 miles away. 

Amtrak: Serves Libby MT.

Car rentals: Available through Libby Auto Sales at 406-293-7717  http://www.libbyautosales.com/ or Timberline Ford/Dodge at 406-293-4128 https://www.timberlineauto.com/salesservice.html 

Local motels:

www.ventureinnlibby.com  406-293-7711

www.sandmanmotel.us      406-293-8831

www.thehuckleberryhouse.com  406-293-9720

www.dumontscreeksidebnb.com  406-293-0660

www.montanacountryinn.com    406-293-2092

www.thecaboosemotel.com 406-293-6201

Evergreen Motel     406-293-4178

Please email safaririflechallenge@yahoo.com  to sign up or request more information. FYI, during the past events space has been very limited! 

Cancellation of the 2021 Safari Rifle Challenge

 

I am sad to announce that the 2021 Safari Rifle Challenge in Libby, Montana is being cancelled. Email notifications have long been sent but we wanted to also post this information on our social media feeds. The cancellation is of course due to the COVID-19 virus still being with us and causing travel/health issues for many of our international participants. I hope you all understand that we did not make this decision lightly, but the health and safety of event participants is our foremost concern.

On the positive side, our range facility has undergone a significant positive transformation and expansion. The addition of new shooting bays and many other completed changes will allow us to run multiple stages simultaneously. The new range expansion will create a smoother flow of participants and enable us to increase the number of competitors in 2022.

Hopefully we will all weather the current situation without issue, and we look forward to seeing you all in 2022! 

Cancellation of the 2020 Safari Rifle Challenge

I am sad to announce that the 2020 Safari Rifle Challenge in Libby, Montana is being cancelled.

With the shoot now less than 90 days away, and so much national uncertainty about how the COVID-19 virus may affect us in the coming months, the organizers felt that it was prudent to cancel this year’s event. The match director, Jay Sheffield, has personally spoken with several participants that expressed concern about travel at this time. We felt it was important to cancel the event early enough that there would be no issues for participants who would soon be scheduling vacation days, travel and lodging.

I hope you all understand that we did not make this decision lightly, but obviously the health and safety of event participants is our foremost concern.

On the positive side, we are making some huge improvements to our range facility. All work will be completed before June 12, 2021 which is the date of our next scheduled competition. The addition of four new shooting bays will allow us to run six different stages simultaneously. The planned format is for competitors to move from one bay to the next at their own pace. Shooters will simply need to have completed all six stages before noon. Then, while we have lunch and a prize raffle, organizers will be setting up six new scenarios to be shot during the afternoon. We believe that this format will not only allow for a smoother flow but will also allow us to increase the number of competitors.  With that in mind, please be thinking of someone that YOU could invite to the next event. As a little motivation to get the event back on track and celebrate our new facilities, we have decided to offer returning competitors $20 in raffle tickets for each new paid shooter that they bring to the event (details will be in next year’s registration packet).

Hopefully we will all weather the current situation without issue, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2021.  

All-inclusive 2019 Safari Hunting in Southern Tanzania

DIIZCHE SAFARI ADVENTURES and BEST LUXURY SAFARIS Present:

All-inclusive 2019 Safari Hunting in Southern Tanzania

Cape Buffalo in Mbarang'andu

Best Luxury Safaris is offering all-inclusive 2019 hunting safari packages conducted in Nalika and Mbarang'andu hunting blocks. These blocks are located south of the Selous Game Reserve. Mbarang'andu was the favorite hunting block of one of Africa’s most famous and most successful ivory hunters, James Sutherland. While hunting in these blocks you will be staying in beautiful luxury tented camps. You will pay one flat fee so that you can leave your wallet at home!

Hunts booked through Best Luxury Safaris are all inclusive. This means they include:

• Business-class flights from your home to the airport that is near our hunting block and back
• Meet-and-greet at the airport, escort you through customs, take you to a 5-star hotel, and do the same on the return
• Ground transportation in a safari vehicle
• Hunting license
• Wildlife Concession Fee
• Firearms Import Permit
• All trophy fees
• The skinning, salting, drying, tagging, crating, disinfection, and paperwork related to your trophies
• Professional hunter, tracker, skinner, and driver
• Luxury tented camps
• Exquisite all-you-can-eat food
• All-you-can-drink beverages (including alcohol after the hunt after the firearms are put away)
• Daily laundry service
• Concierge, cook, and staff at your service
• First-aid kit
• Trophy storage in a climate-controlled room in Dar es Salaam while your trophies await shipment

Hunting packages vary from 10-day buffalo & common plains game, to 16-day and 21-day packages. To learn about the various hunting package options, review detailed all-inclusive hunt costs, hunting block locations, maps, camp pictures, and more…simply follow this link 
https://bestluxurysafaris.com/safaris/hunt or scan the QR code below with your mobile device.

After reviewing hunt options and costs, please give us a call or send us an email. We will be glad to answer any additional questions you might have and help to book your hunt! PH information also available.

Email: Concierge@BestLuxurySafaris.com 

USA HQ                                                                           

Best Luxury Safaris                                                         
315 Pepper Avenue                                                         
Burlingame, CA 94010-6433                                           
USA Phone +1 775.273.8744                                           

Africa HQ

Best Luxury Safaris

28 Edward Sokoine Drive

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Phone +255 684.919.161

The hunt cost does not include the following:

• Shipping of the trophies back to the United States
• Ammunition and its associated tax
• An optional $5,000 (one-way) charter flight that lands in the camp if you want to avoid the six-hour drive from Songea's commercial airport
• Gratuities/tips, which are optional

Below are a few pictures of camp and hunting images from Nalika and Mbarang'andu hunting blocks:

Our Camp at Mbarang'andu

Male Leopard in Mbarang'andu

Mbarang'andu Sable

85-Pound Elephant

Massive 45.5" Wide Trophy Buffalo Roam in Mbarang'andu and Nalika

After long and exciting days filled with hunting you can always look forward to comfort and a relaxing evening in your luxury camp!

Mbarang'andu Sunset

                                     Come Join Us!

YETI Brand 18 oz. Rambler Bottle with Slayer of Monsters Logo!

Our YETI brand 18 oz. Rambler bottle is a great addition to your hydration lifestyle. Our Rambler stands out from the herd with a laser engraved Slayer of Monsters logo done by YETI at the factory. 

We recognize the YETI is pricey but for those that have asked…it has returned! Alternatively, we also offer a heavy duty 20 oz. plastic drinking cup for those that want one of our logo cups but at a lower price point. 

Both work great however the Rambler is more versatile since it can serve as both a cup and thermos. Visit the Lifestyle section of our website to learn more or to purchase our customized YETI Rambler. See you in the field!

2019 Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships: Final Report

The 9th annual Safari Rifle Challenge is in the books. Here is a recap of this year’s event made by Jay Sheffield. Jay is the Match Director of the Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships:

Well, the 2019 Safari Rifle Challenge is in the books and Lance Brewer of Snohomish, Washington is the reigning champ. He used a Colt Sauer in .375 H&H to finish 26 points ahead of second place finisher Tor Carter. Gene Gordner and Dennis Wehling tied for third place. Great shooting and congratulations to all who participated and to our top shooters!

A HUGE THANKS to all of our sponsors, particularly Shawn Joyce of DIIZCHE SAFARI ADVENTURES, Dan and Andy from Skinner Sights, Wayne at American Hunting Rifles, Champion Targets and our new supporter Bradley Cheek Rest!

Below, Jay Sheffield (Match Director) with Lance and his first place trophy provided by Shawn Joyce, owner of DIIZCHE SAFARI ADVENTURES.

We had a full house with shooters from 11 states and 3 Canadian provinces.

The weather was threatening but happily we (and our guns) stayed dry for the entire day. Below are a few pictures and our course of fire. I took a lot more video than photos and will try to get them down loaded.

Wayne Jacobson (below) of American Hunting Rifles putting the smackdown on some wild warthogs with one of his custom .600 OK rifles firing a 900 gr bullet!

Mike Dettorre lining up on a motor driven charging hippo.

Taking a shot at the crossing 7' Crocodile........

A safe event and fun time was had by all!

A few items after the event that are ready for shipment back to Santa's Island for broken toys.

2019 Safari Rifle Challenge Course of Fire

Main Range Events

1. Checking Zero---Four shooters on the line. Starting position will be two rounds in rifle, safety on. On the signal you will fire two rounds at the 45 yard paper target then load and fire one round at the 100 yard steel plate. Open action, show clear, muzzle up during scoring and return to the gun rack.

2. Shoot and Move---Load 1 round, safety on, low ready position. On the signal, shoot the 60 yard steel plate, move to next spot, load 1 round and shoot 80 yard steel plate. Move to next spot, load 1 round and shoot the 70 yard plate. Open action, show clear, muzzle up, return to gun rack when done.

3. Charging Hippo---Rifle loaded with two rounds, safety on. On the signal, shoot the 60 yard steel plate kill zone. Reload and take one shot at the charging Hippo. (Kill zones will be faintly marked for scoring purposes; you must evaluate the angle then shoot at the heart/lung area). Open action, show clear, muzzle up, return to gun rack when done.

4. Long Range Shot---Load 1 round, safety on, low ready position. On the signal, shoot the 110 yard steel plate for 10 points. If you hit it then you have the option to shoot one round at the 130 yard plate. If you try the far plate, score will be “DOUBLE OR NOTHING”! Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.

5. Charging Water Jugs---Two shooters, two rounds in rifle, safety on. The cart will start towards you on “standby” and you will then be given the shoot command. You must shoot the jug on your side then race to shoot the middle jug. Open action, show clear, muzzle up, return to gun rack when done.

Shooting Bay Events

1. Crocodile Hunting---Two rounds in rifle, safety on, low ready. On the signal fire one round at the hanging 2’’ orange DuraSeal “croc brain” target. A hit equals 20 points and you are done. If you miss, the crocodile will immediately charge forward, and you must shoot him on the point of the near shoulder (10 points) before he escapes to the water. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.

2. Warthog Rodeo---Starting position will be low ready with 2 rounds in the rifle, safety on. On the signal, shoot one round at either of the two rapidly crossing warthogs. On your shot a third warthog will rise up facing you for approx. 3 seconds. Shoot him before he disappears. Only hits that break the clay target vital zone will receive a 10-point score. Open action, show clear, muzzle up, return to gun rack.

3. Zip Line---Two rounds in the rifle, safety on, low ready. On the signal the sliding gallon water jug will start towards you. You must shoot at the small water bottle on the stump in the corner of range BEFORE you shoot at the sliding jug. Go fast or get wet! Open action, show clear, muzzle up, return to gun rack.

4. Charging Rhino---Two rounds in rifle, safety on, low ready. On the signal, shoot at the 4” black hanging DuraSeal diamond target. On your shot, the rhino will charge forward. (Kill zones will be faintly marked for scoring purposes; you must evaluate the angle then shoot one round at the heart/lung area). Open action, show clear, muzzle up, return to gun rack.

As I told the participants, we have recently acquired an additional 5 acres for our range and construction of an additional 3 dirt berm enclosed shooting bays (one 100 yards and two 50 yards) is due to start this summer. If they are ready by next June we will be able to expand our number of shooters and switch to a format of five stages running at the same time. You would just need to stroll around and shoot them all before the lunch/raffle break and then five new stages would be ready for the afternoon.

Looking forward to seeing you all next year, our 10th annual event, for an even bigger and better Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships! JCS (Jay Sheffield).

Below, Shawn Joyce of DIIZCHE SAFARI ADVENTURES, on a recent wild boar hunt in Northern California. An Elite Series cheek rest (in MultiCam Black), which Shawn personally uses can be seen in the image. The cheek rest is made by our new supporter Bradley Cheek Rest. 

It was great to see and share a few pictures and hear about everyone having a great time at the annual Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships. I hope to see you all next year! 

Next year, the 2020 Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships will again be held in Libby, Montana at the Libby Rod and Gun Club. The event is always held in June to assure cooler weather.

If you have not had the opportunity to attend one of the shoots, then we hope you will make plans to do so in 2020. The shooting event fills-up very quickly after Jay sends notices to the participants through their participant notification email group.

If you want to sign up, request more information, or get on their notification email group send Jay an email and he will get you squared away. To be added to the (confidential) email group, just contact Jay at safaririflechallenge@yahoo.com .

We hope to see you next year! I will add any additional event day videos or images to this article as they become available. Please check back for more!

Wild Boar Fun with Shawn Joyce (June 2019)-DIIZCHE SAFARI ADVENTURES Clip

Join Shawn Joyce and his friend as they enjoy a couple days of hunting together in Northern California. These cell phone photo and video excerpts by Shawn’s hunting partner expose the viewer to the essence of fun spot and stalk hunting for California’s wild boar.

Wild Boar Fun with Shawn Joyce (June 2019)-DIIZCHE SAFARI ADVENTURES Clip          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLirqzLj5XY