The 2015 Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships are
coming soon! The event will be held in Libby, Montana at the Libby Rod and Gun
Club. Jay Sheffield is the Match Director and puts on an exciting and enjoyable
event. It is always held on the second Sunday in July (07-12-2015). 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. This year Three Dog Night will be headlining the concert.
The shooting event fills-up very quickly after they send notices
to the participants on their email group so they don't advertise. If you want
to get on their notification list shoot Jay an email (see below) and he will
get you on the email group.
Here is an update from Jay regarding the soon to be held 2015
event:
It is once again time for the Safari Rifle Challenge. Now
in our 5th year, we continue to grow and I believe we are now one of the
largest events of this kind in the country. I recently sent out the
registration packs and the response has been almost 100 percent return of
previous competitors. I know that the media coverage, particularly on the
Outdoor Channel has helped immensely. Michael Bane filmed us for the
"Shooting Gallery" TV show. Outdoor Life editor John Snow attended as
did author Jon Haviland. There is a high likelihood that the outdoor show "Where
in the World is Colorado Buck" will film this year’s event. And several
outdoor writers are also likely attendees.
Each year we are trying to up our game and this year we
have added a variable speed remotely operated “buffalo” as well as several
cable mounted crossing or charging targets. We also expect to blow up about 350
one gallon water jugs in a variety of scenarios.
We are now at a point where we are having to turn away
late registrants for lack of space. To address that issue, our club has been
working with the U.S. Forest Service and our local County Commissioners to
expand the range facility. We have tentatively reached an agreement for a first
phase expansion of 5 acres which will get us 3 more ranges. If all goes
according to plan, work will start this fall and we will be ready for a major
expansion of our event in the summer of 2016 and the ability to handle up to
200 competitors.
Our list of sponsors continues to grow. Many thanks to
Shawn Joyce of Diizche Safari Adventures and Jeff Sipe of Montana Rifle Company
for their EXTREMELY generous contributions over the last few years. Thanks also
to Champion/ATK for their contributions of DuraSeal self-sealing targets, Norma
USA for their donation of ammunition and gear, Ruger for shooting apparel and
accessories, and Vortex Optics for donating some very nice binos and scope.
Mark Sullivan of Nitro Express Safaris donated some great books and a set of
videos as did Larry Shores. Skinner Sights also has generously provided prizes.
If you have not had the opportunity to attend one of our
shoots in beautiful Libby, Montana, then we hope you will make plans to do so in
2016. If you want to be added to the (confidential) email list, just drop me a
line at safaririflechallenge@yahoo.com
Sincerely, Jay C. Sheffield Match Director
Here are a links to coverage from last year’s event in case
you might like to learn more:
