Some clubs are successful in high schools because of JROTC.  And 4H has successful programs for shooting.  The foundation for success there is having some underlying institution or program that attracts young people.

On the other hand, the Joplin club is successful without any underlying institutional foundation other than the club.  And a number of the juniors who now shoot at Joplin are not the offspring of club members–they really don’t have a background in competition.  I’d call that a situation where the excellence of the club is attracting young people on its own merits.  It was not always that way, but now the program seems to attract young people based on its success and reputation.   How do they do that?

I think what Joplin has, that we would have to emulate is this:

1. An indoor range under the control of the club.  It’s not necessary to itemize all the problems this one item eliminates.

2. Frequent opportunities to shoot–once a week (at least) is best.

3.  A clear set of goals and objectives.  Joplin uses the Junior Distinguished program as its goal.

4. Intermediate objectives (similar to the NRA classification system) allow for medals and awards for achieving certain thresholds in score.  It is important to see rewards for the work and time invested.

5. A competitive program both within the club and against other juniors.

6. Kind, gentle, leadership.  And an infinite amount of patience.

7. Resources.

Most of these are fairly easily accomplished, the indoor range  and the leadership being the two sticking points, in my estimation.  I would certainly be willing to take care of the planning, paperwork and logistics, and the club could most likely afford to find a room someplace for an air rifle range.

At least 3 adults in our club would have to commit to holding the range open one night a week–all 3 wouldn’t have to be there each time, because, especially for the first few years, there is likely to be relatively low turnout.

It seems to be the case that one or two people with junior relatives interested in shooting usually get the ball rolling as leaders.  It’s good to have an investment.  After a while, the rewards of coaching a functioning junior team are self-evident…it just feels good, and the shooters don’t have to be relatives.  They become friends.

So, who wants to volunteer to get the ball rolling?

williamcorcoran@missouristate.edu

John C. Garand Match Saturday October 10, 2009

Andy Dalton Range, Bois D’Arc MO.

1. Conditions Governing Match

A. Sponsor Certification and Rules: CMP certified J.C. Garand Match using

CMP rules.

B.  Open to: Club members and guests. CMP affidavits required for all shooters.

C. Course of fire: John C. Garand, ‘B’ course, 100 yards, Target SR-1.

D. Rifles: JCG-legal rifles (M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, M1903 (Springfield), M1917)

E. Ammunition: CMP .30 M2 Ball or .30 Carbine issued to all shooters

F. Cost: $30

2. Awards: CMP achievement medals for Garand match (50 rds).

3. Match results

Place   Name                          Score.X           Rifle             Medal   Competitor Number

1. Michael Hawkins                469.13             Garand                        Gold    40485

2. Jerry Patten                         464.11             Garand                        Gold    8654

3. Bob Weiss                           456.5               Garand                        Silver   53551

4. Edward Bowles                  454.3               Garand                        Silver   41445

5. Jim Laatsch                         451.5               Garand                        Bronze 53553

6. Les Welch                           445.6               Garand                        Bronze 5114

7. Chris Parrott                        445.2               Garand                        Bronze   90404

8. Ted Weiss                           441.4               Garand                        Brozne 76836

9. Michael Thorn                     436.4               Garand                        Bronze 11256

10. Joseph Huftless                 431.3               Garand                                      58090

11. Steve Kemm                     428.3               Garand                                    73066

12. Robert Head                     419.7               1903                            52519

13. Russell Brown                   416.3               1903                              53554

14. Louie Bailey                      416.3               Garand                                    69313

15. Jerry Ball                           415.6               Garand                                    New

16. William Baldwin               411.2               Garand                                      18132

17. David Schodlatz               409.3               Garand                                      73064

18. John Mead                                    406.5               Garand                                      53559

19. Mark Mead                       406.3               Garand                                      53556

20. David Howard                  394.5               Garand                                    New?

21. Perry Hawkins                  394.4               Garand                                    91989

22. Stephen Hoy                     390.3               Garand                                    109300

23. Jacob Nakano                    372.3               Garand

24. Jim Quade                         366.0               Garand                                      91988

25. Christopher Trumbull        348.0               Garand                                     95608

26. Terry Nakano                    299.2               Garand                                      111838

27. Paul Kemm                       294.0               Garand                                      73057

Submitted by

William T. Corcoran, President, Osage Orange Sharpshooters

804 S. Pickwick Springfield, MO 65804

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
By Scott Fletcher

Just trying to help some of you who have questions about how to advance in this. I hope this helps someone shoot better, advance or understand a little better. Good luck.
My background:
USMC Distinguished Marksman 4 matches
22 points with the pistol working on it.
Winning ITT team at the Marine Corps Champions 1993
Winning ITT team at the National Championships 1993
Head Coach of the 29 Palms Post & Station team, early to mid ’90’s

Aiming is the act of positioning the sights of the rifle at the proper area of the target. Proper aiming is the ultimate goal of every shot. All fundamentals of marksmanship must be used to fire a proper shot. Any deviation from even one, will result in a poor shot. The most important aspect of aiming is to have complete focus on the front sight. A “perfect shot” happens when you least expect it. “Making” it happen will, more often than not, result in bad things.

Sight alignment is the relationship between the front and rear sight. While “placing the tip of the front sight centered vertically and horizontally in the rear aperture” is the accepted norm, and perhaps the easiest way to accomplish alignment, it can be argued that as long as you place the front sight at the same place within the rear sight for every shot, sight alignment is what you see as an individual.

Sight picture is the placement of sight alignment on the aiming area of the target. The term “aiming area” is used as opposed to “aiming point”. The rifle will always have some degree of movement. Accepting an area instead of a point will allow you to shoot within an acceptable “wobble”. The aiming area is a choice of the individual. Weather can affect which sight picture is used on any given day. Center mass, six o’clock, line of white, flat tire, reverse flat tire, frame hold all describe sight pictures used with various degrees of success. Notes should be taken for any different sight picture used.

Stock weld is the repeatable placement of the face on the stock of the rifle. It includes the distance of the eye to the rear sight. Keeping the head as straight as possible, the neck as relaxed as possible and being able to look straight out of the aiming eye will result in a more relaxed and repeatable position. Any differences in the placement of the face, cheek, eye or head pressure on the stock will result in zero changes and differing shot placements.

Grip is the placement of trigger hand on the stock/pistol grip of the rifle. It also refers to the amount of control used by that hand. At most, it can be referred to as a firm handshake. Too light of a grip will result in not enough control and too firm will result in muscular tremors. Differences in grip pressure will affect shot placement and zero changes.

Trigger control is the pressure used to allow the hammer to fall without disturbing sight alignment. The term “pressure” is used because “squeeze” or “pull” for most involves using more than just one finger of the firing hand. The trigger finger must move independent of the hand. It must move straight to the rear. Any sideway, downward or upward movement will result in improper control. Imagine the trigger being attached to the front sight and moving the tip of the front sight into your eye until the shot is fired.

Bone support is the use of the skeleton to support the rifle. The use of the skeleton instead of muscles will result in less movement while aiming. It also results in less fatigue. Holding drills during dry-firing will let you know if you are using bones or muscles to support the rifle.

Muscular relaxation is ability to allow the bones and the sling to support the rifle. During standing, finding the center of gravity and placing it over the center of the pelvis will allow the bones and not the muscles to support the rifle. During sitting and prone, the use of the sling and elbow placement will allow the muscles to relax, resulting in less movement and repeatable positions.

Body alignment is the use of the position to aim the rifle. When relaxed, during the natural respiratory pause, the rifle will “naturally rest” within the proper aiming area. There should be no need to move the rifle to attain proper sight picture. During breathing, the front sight will move straight up and down. Any angled movement will indicate improper alignment.

Breathing is the act of inhaling and exhaling. Long, deep, slow, exaggerated breaths before aiming will aid in relaxation and clearing vision. Attempt to hold your breath only as long as it takes to shoot a properly aimed shot. If it doesn’t happen. Start over.

Natural respiratory pause is the time between exhaling and inhaling. While aiming, this pause will allow for the most consistent breathing cycle and ease of relaxation.

Follow through is the act of allowing the weapon to complete the cycle of fire with a minimum of disturbance. It is also important to keep the aiming eye open during firing and follow through. This allows for “calling” the shot and seeing the recoil of the rifle. Inconsistent recoil can be a sign of problems with the fundamentals.

——————–
Scott Fletcher

Newsletters have been few and far between because of the rise of oostalk.ning.com.  It is now so much easier to post news there rather than here.  If you haven’t, go there, sign up, chat.  I know, it’s graphics-intensive and some folks don’t have high-speed internet.  Well, I’ll try to keep you up to date on some of the important happenings.

More regular newletters will appear once again when we have next year’s shooting schedule.  But right now–there is plenty of news about raffles and Camp Perry.

Raffles

We have decided that the next raffle, tickets available from Steve Kemm RIGHT NOW, will be for a Creedmoor shooting coat.

The basic coat is $294.  A US Flag on the coat is $5, embroidered text $20, the All Position Upgrade is $25 as is the additional Ventilation…making the total cost $369.   Then there’s shipping.  Of course,  if you win, you may choose a less-expensive coat if you wish.

The club has adequate funds to defray a significant portion of this, and I’d like to git ‘er done quickly, so I think we’ll keep the number of tickets sold down to minimum.  But, of course, various members who would like to participate probably can’t make our one, last shooting match, the John C. Garand Match.  So I have, by dictatorial and executive consent, created some rules and plans.  Here they are:

Rules for this (and only this) raffle (To be drawn October 10 at the JCG Match)

Creedmoor Hardback Heavy Shooting Coat Raffle

1.  30 tickets available; $5 per ticket

2. Tickets may be purchased in advance by sending funds and photocopy of your membership card to

Steve Kemm

1718 N. Yulan

Springfield MO 65803

3. Maximum 2 tickets per person until the day of the drawing (October 10), at which point remaining tickets will be sold giving all equal opportunity to purchase.  On October 10, if there is demand for more than the allotted 30 tickets, additional tickets will be sold to satisfy demand.  Be sure to have proof of club membership with you to purchase tickets

4. Drawing will be held on October 10, rain or shine, as long as at least 20 tickets have been sold to at least 10 people.

5. Membership will be checked.   Tickets will be sold only to members holding a  club membership card valid at the time of purchase.

OK, for those of you who can’t make this event.  It is my plan to run exactly the same event in the Spring, with some minor modifications; we’ll sell more tickets in the Spring, we’ll run the event longer, and it will be for 2010 members.   I hope to start it at the January meeting and complete it at the Fun Shoot in February.  We’ll plan on 50 tickets then.

Furthermore, there will be more than one high-dollar door prize at the January meeting.

As you all know, raffles are activities restricted to club members.  You must be a club member to purchase a raffle ticket.  Some issues have surfaced during the most recent raffle, and so we have delayed the drawing until the completion of the John C. Garand Match on October 10.  We will draw the winning ticket during the awards ceremony.

We had some irregularities in memberships:  nothing real huge, but we are in the process of checking the status of club membership for all persons who have bought raffle tickets for the M1 Garand.  And some tickets along with the purchase price have been returned to the purchaser.  It’s kind of a crummy deal, but there’s not much else I feel confident in doing.  We are a small club with absolutely not administrative overhead.  The burden is totally on the members to maintain membership.

Camp Perry

See the other newsletter right before this one.  It is important that if you think you might want to go to Camp Perry in 2010, you let us know.   You don’t have to commit, just let us know you’re seriously considering the idea.

John C. Garand/Any Rifle  Match Saturday Sepmber 12, 2009

Andy Dalton Range, Bois D’Arc MO.

1. Conditions Governing Match

A. Sponsor Certification and Rules:  OOS Club Match, non-santioned, J.C. Garand Match

using CMP rules.  Any rifle club match using NRA Highpower rules.

B.  Open to: Club members and guests. CMP affidavits required for all shooters.

C. Course of fire: John C. Garand, ‘B’ course, 100 yards, Target SR-1.

Non-JCG-legal rifles fire the National Match Course on reduced targets.

D. Rifles: JCG-legal rifles, compete in JCG class. Any rifles compete in the National Match Course.

E. Ammunition: Shooters supply their own ammunition. CMP ammo for sale.

2. Awards: CMP achievement medals for Garand match; bragging rights for Any Rifle match

3. Match results

Place   Name                          Score.X           Rifle     Medal           CMP Number

JCG Class

1.  Steve Milholland                479.15             M1       Gold               102498

2.  Jerry Patten                                    447.7               M1       Bronze             8654

3. Gerry Averrett                    441.5               M1       Bronze             22078

4. Theodore Weiss                  441.5               M1       Bronze             76836

5. John Mead                          441.2               M1       Bronze             53559

6. Michael Thorn                     440.0               M1       Bronze             11256

7. Robert Weiss                       439.3               M1       Bronze             53551

8. Robert Head                       438.8               03A3   Bronze             52519

9. Russell Brown                     438.7               03        Bronze             53554

10. Joe Huftless                      427.2               M1                               76838

11. Jim Laatsch                       423.1               M1                               53553

12. William Baldwin               410.4               M1                               18132

13. Brian Ogan                        407.6               03A3                           69318

14. George Mires                    397.2               M1                               53557

15. Mark Mead                       393.2               M1                               53556 (good order!)

16. Jacob Nakano                    365.1               M1                               111837

17. Jerry A. Ball                      356.2               M1                               New Shooter

18. Terry Nakano                    350.2               M1                               111838

19. Stephen Hoy                     307.1               1917                            109300

Any Rifle Class—NRA Reduced Targets SR-1, SR-21, MR-31 –Not submitted to CMP

1. Bill Corcoran                       479.13             AR-15

2. Alex Belt                             477.6               AR-15

3. Les Welch                           468.8               AR-15

4. Mike Hawkins                     465.4               M1A

5. Ed Bowles                          460.7               AR-15

6. Bear Bailey                         459.11             AR-15

7. Steve Kemm                       447.4               AR-15

8. Chris Parrott                        435.7               AR-15

9. Brad Wynes                                    435.3               AR-15

10. Paul Kemm                       379.4               AR-15

11. Steve Hoy                         370.1               AR-15

12. Ben Collins (Junior)          352.1               M48A Yugo Mauser

13. London Schuldies             308.4               AR-15

14. David Howard                  214.0               LR 308 .308

Submitted by

William T. Corcoran, President, Osage Orange Sharpshooters

804 S. Pickwick Springfield, MO 65804                      WilliamCorcoran@MissouriState.edu

It’s time to start thinking about Camp Perry 2010. Sure it is. No really, I mean it. The reason I say this is that getting housing reservations together can be problematical and expensive, and we like to get it tied up early. Well, I know it’s real early, but I would like to get our reservations in BEFORE CHRISTMAS. And I’d really like to know from you NOW if you are seriously contemplating going next year.

Below is the CMP schedule for 2010. If you’ve never been to the National Matches, it is a good idea to go to Small Arms Firing School (SAFS) and shoot in the M16 Match. Of course, being an Osage Orange Sharpshooter, you will want to shoot in the Springfield and Garand matches, and who knows what in between.

Les Welch will start a discussion on one of the matches we shoot at the end of the week (the National Trophy Infantry Team Match or NTIT or ITT, also known as the Rattle Battle). This is a 6 man, rapid-fire event…we intend to shoot it in 2010 with M1 Garands. It will require commitment and practice. Interested?

Last year our lodging cost $139 per person–total for 8 nights, and you can’t beat that. And we won’t. Arriving last, at 10pm Saturday night, I got the last bed, a rollaway, and it was a substitute for a bed of nails. We won’t do that again. What we will do is reserve another unit sleeping 4 guys, and you can expect to pay $200-$220 to cover the 8 nights. Just so you know, you’re paying more so I can have a decent bed. Seems fair to me. We stay at Beach Cliff Lodge, and I think all of us agree, it’s a great place:

Beach Cliff Lodge’s Web Page

So, let me know if you are thinking about it so we can get ahead of the game on reservations. I’ll put this in as an ‘Event’ on the oostalk.ning.com web page, and you can put your comments there. Or, email me at williamcorcoran@missouristate.edu

National Trophy Highpower Rifle Matches, 2010, Camp Perry Ohio

31 July
CMP-USAMU SAFS Rifle Class/Firing
CMP-USMC Jr Highpower Rifle Clinic

1 August
CMP-USAMU Rifle SAFS/M16 EIC Match
CMP-USMC Jr Highpower Rifle Clinic
Squadded Practice

2 August
CMP President’s Rifle Match

3 August
CMP National Trophy Individual Rifle Match

4 August
CMP National Trophy Junior Team Match
CMP Hearst Doubles Team Match
CMP-USMC NTIT Clinic

5 August
CMP National Trophy Team Rifle Match
CMP M1 Carbine Match

6 August
CMP National Trophy Infantry Team Match
CMP Springfield/Vintage Military Bolt Rifle Match
CMP Shooters Reception
CMP Rifle Awards Ceremony

7 August
CMP John C. Garand Match
CMP Springfield/Vintage Military Bolt Rifle Match
CMP National Games Matches Closing & Awards

O-Class (Open Sights)
1.    Warren Newton        546.14        58090        Silver
2.    Stephen Hoy            542.0        109300(?)    Silver
3.    Robert Head            514.8        52519
4.    Louie Bailey            496.6        69313
5.    Kris Barth            490.0
6.    Jim Quade            474.3        91988

William T. Corcoran, President, Osage Orange Sharpshooters
804 S. Pickwick Springfield, MO 65804                      WilliamCorcoran@MissouriState.edu

Carbine Match July 18, 2009

Andy Dalton Range, Bois D’Arc MO.

1. Conditions Governing Match

A. Sponsor Certification and Rules: CMP certified M1 Carbine Match using CMP rules.

B. Open to: Club members and guests. CMP affidavits required for all shooters.

C. Course of fire: Carbine course, 100 yards, Target SR-1.

D. Rifles: M1 Carbine only

E. Ammunition: CMP GI or Aguila carbine ammunition supplied to all shooters.

F. Cost: $15

2. Awards: CMP achievement medals for Carbine Match

3. Match results

Springfield Match

Place Name                      Score.X  Medal   Competitor Number

1.    Michael Hawkins    353.3    Bronze    40485

2.    Gerry Averett            349.2     Silver

3.     Michael Thorn         337.1    Bronze    11256

4.    Jerry Patten              334.2    Bronze     8654

5.     Bradley Wynes       331.2    Bronze     73069

6.     Robert Weiss         325.1    Bronze      53551

7.     William Baldwin     323.2    Bronze     18132

8.     Edward Bowles      318.2                      41445

9.     Robert Ketel            318.0                      90403

10.     Chris Parrott            314.1                      90404

11.     Steve Kemm            303.1                     73066

12.     George Mires          302.2

13.     Nicholas Henry       297.0           (New Shooter)

14.     Stanley Dulin           266.1

15.     Jacob Nakano         235.0

16.     John Gresham        223.0

17.     Terry Nakano           205.1

Submitted by

William T. Corcoran, President, Osage Orange Sharpshooters

804 S. Pickwick Springfield, MO 65804 WilliamCorcoran@MissouriState.edu

Springfield Match

Place Name Score.X Rifle Medal Competitor Number
1. Alexander Belt 281.1 1903 Gold 33657
2. Ted Weiss 267.2 Bronze 76836
3. Mike Thorn 265.2 Bronze 11256
4. Chris Parrott 259.1 Bronze 90404
5. Jerry Patten 255.4 8654
6. Ben Collins 255.1 79519
7. Steve Kemm 252.2 73066
8. Bob Weiss 245.3 53551
9. Jim Quade 234.3 91988
10. Bill Baldwin 231.3 18132
11. Bob Ketel 208.1 90403
12. Jacob Nakano 196.0
13. Terry Nakano 190.0

Vintage Military Match
1. Brooks McNeill 272.1 1917 Silver 69326
2. Mike Hawkins 269.6 Swede Silver 40485
3. Ed Bowles 263.0 SMLE #4 Bronze 41445
4. Mike Thorn 261.2 Mauser Bronze 11256
5. Brad Wynes 248.1 Swede
6. Steve Kemm 244.4 Swede 73066
7. Mark Mead 231.1 Mauser 53556
8. Mike Weiss 221.1 M1917 79521
9. Jim Laatsch 212.0 Mauser 53553
10. George Mires 207.0 Moisin
11. Steve Hoy 204.0 M1917 109300

Submitted by
William T. Corcoran, President, Osage Orange Sharpshooters
804 S. Pickwick Springfield, MO 65804 WilliamCorcoran@MissouriState.edu