This will be a loose confederation of words.
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Seems it only gets bad on Bullseye Wednesday...the weather that is . Hopefully the 19th of February will be good. See you there.
2020 is a great year to take up Bullseye. Come on out!
We dodged a huge weather system yesterday, Nov. 6th. Rain fell on most of the city but the range missed most of it. We had a windy but good shoot. Seven shooters showed up in uncertain conditions. Life is good.
John Kahler writes: It gives me great pleasure to pass on some information regarding William Thompson’s performance at a number of NRA and CMP national championship matches this summer at Camp Perry Ohio. William did very well and finished the CMP series of matches as the overall best marksman. As a result of being the overall best marksman he was awarded a new build of one of his 1911 45 ACP semi-auto guns from the slide on up by a company called Accuracy X. This company arguably makes the most accurate 1911 available. To see more about Accuracy X, go to Youtube.com and do a search on “AccuracyX” where you will find a tremendous number of videos. Anyway. the new build included the slide, the barrel, and a component called “multi-sight”. Accuracy X’s multi-sight allows the shooter to switch back and forth between a rail-mounted red dot and iron sights without having to re-zero the gun after each change. The new slide was custom fitted to Williams existing gun by Accuracy X. I might add that this package is worth more than $1000. William had his AccuracyX modified gun at today’s match where many of us got to see it. I’m sure everyone will join me in a hearty congratulations to William for his outstanding performance. And William, if I got any of this wrong let me know and I’ll correct it next week. Congratulations to William from all he shooters in elpasobullseye.com.
Middle July and the weather has been better and hotter too. Good attendance until today with vacation and other things in the way so the match was cancelled. A few weeks ago we had 13 hooters and today just two. Hopefully next eek will be better. Come shoot!
The winds calmed down the past two Wednesdays and the attendance has been good, and even before the last wind-canceled match we had 11 shooters, then nine then seven. A new shooter "joined" and an experienced shooter has started coming back. Even a Las Cruces shooter is driving down (that makes two!) Come on out and join us. Also, check out the "Other Matches" heading and see what has been added.
Eight shooters today before Valentine's Day. Good weather and good to see everyone.
Cold Too Much! First match of January 2019 canceled with a high of 30 degrees expected for the day!
Start off 2019 right by shooting Bullseye! Every Wednesday at El Paso Gun Club: set-up at 0830, practice at 0900, match at 0930.
Picked up a Remington 1911 R1 Enhanced 45 acp. With a change it the RSA and mainspring to 13 pounds, it shoots handloads (185 Berrys rn and Titewad) very well with the open sights. Front is red fiber. Added a Pachmayer grip. Can almost keep them all in the black.
Shootemtite! When my girl saw this she pronounced it as if it were a German word. Sounds so good that it is now a German word. Try it:
shoe-te-mi-te.
Good weather in El Paso has kept the 9 am practice time and 930 am match time pretty warm for December weather.
The Las Cruces Tuesday Bullseye match is on hiatus until the first Tuesday of January 2019.
It's December and we are still shooting-- had eight shooters last week. We will continue to enjoy good weather so come on out and enjoy the sport of Bullseye.
It's cold but the bullseye matches continue. Come out and shoot at small circles. What fun!
New winter hours for elpasobullseye.com starting Wednesday, November 7th at 0930. Set up at 0900.
Las Cruces match now starts at 1000 for winter hours on Tuesdays.. Get there at 0900 for set up.
Dern if it wern't too windy he past Wednesday and we cancelled due to possible breakage of target frames. Hopefully Wednesday October 3rd will be better.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 was a fairly warm day with light winds early on. Five shooters participated in the Bullseye shoot, two had canes due to over activity, but not to be set aside by minor injuries. Here's hope everyone heals up, that means you too, Earl.
A new face or two and the loss of a few shooters due to personal and business concerns have kept the attendance even. Although still hot this September, the winds seem milder and the targets closer. Not really. Plan to come and observe or shoot. It's worth it and your skills will improve.
Summer heat and winds, and school's out so some Ratcheteers travel. Even so, eight shot a good match in Las Cruces and six in El Paso.
New Summer Hours: Setup/Practice 0830 with Match at 0900. Beginning June 6, 2018.
Two new shooters joined the Ratcheteers today, David and Mike. Glad to have more participants. This May 23rd was perfect for weather and shooting. The Las Cruces match was cancelled this week and we look forward to next Tuesday at the LC range, located just past the Corrolitos exit on I-10.
Having trouble one-handed with the wrist jitters? Try this: turn your gun-holding had slightly right (or left as the case may be). This may tighten the wrist and provide the strength you need to keep from having that jitter just as you pull the trigger. Also, if you feel the jitter, stop! Regroup and aim and fire.
Both matches this week had good weather. It is getting hotter, so guns and ammo are affected. El Paso's match had six shooters, and Las Cruces had eight if memory serves.d
High winds with higher gusts shut down both the Las Cruces match and the El Paso match this week. Damn wind. Some went home and shot pellets for practice.
Good weather and good shooting go hand-in-hand. The only defect was one shooter went home ill, but probably because he wasn't shooting well, so he complained of an open wound infection. What will he come up with next! Come shoot with us!
Las Cruces bullseye match back to summer hours. Be there by 8 am to help set up. Match begins at 8:30 am with practice. Also Senior Olympics Air Rifle is last weekend of April, shooting off hand and bench pistol and offhand and bench rifle. See Dona Ana Senior Olympics web site for more details.
If you are looking for s good 45 ACP powder, try WST (Winchester Super Target). Getting good results with 230 grain lead SWC with 4 grains in both 45 ACP and 45 GAP. Of course the recoil springs have been lowered to about 11 pounds. Be safe!
Good turnout in Las Cruces for Picacho Gun Club Bullseye Match. Overall scores are climbing. Practice, practice, practice (perfect practice of course!).
A Loose Confederation of Ratcheteers Bullseye match canceled due to low turnout and high winds on April 4th. With sickness, travel, work, and wind it was a tough decision to cancel. Look for the next match on April 11th.
Match in Las Cruces today saw some squirrely winds. Especially shooting one-handed. Smaller than average group but everyone broke 800. And everyone was moved by the wind. Tough day for working on basics such as trigger pull and timing. Terry always runs a good match and today was no exception. Serious shooting and many laughs and smiles. His son joined us which was a treat. Sometimes it's the camaraderie that matters more than anything. Almost, since shooting well is a high goal to reach. But to have laughs with that makes a fine day.
Check out this Bullseye forum http://www.bullseyeforum.net/.
Las Cruces shoot cancelled due to weather and the EPGC match was low attendance and a beautiful day. Right now it's rainy, windy and cool (the regular across the course match was rained out as were most Sunday matches throughout the area). We are counting on good weather in Las Cruces this Tuesday and the same for Wednesday in El Paso. Come join us.
Bill showed us a target stand he purchased through Midway USA, the Birchwood Casey Adjustable Target Stand Steel Black. It is of solid construction and good weight. The adjustment device seemed to be heavy duty so we might get some down the road. We thank Bill for his good eye and for lugging it to the range for us to see. Midway has it for sale as of today for $24.99 plus shipping, etc.
Usually it is so many issues! Start with follow through.
Practice cannot be emphasized enough. Not just shooting or even dry firing which are essential, but practice that focuses on faults and how to correct them. Such as, "Why did that shot go into the seven ring?" Is it a trigger issue, a yip issue, a jerk issue, an arm extension issue? Practice focusing on that until you know why it is happening and figure how to move that 7 to a 9 or 10X. Everyday. Everyday. Read the experts, film yourself, etc. Get to the point that you can call your shots and know before looking that the shot is a 7, or 6, etc. Then you know.
Windy season for outside shooting. Wednesday by 11 am the winds were blowing the targets over even with heavy buckets of rocks. And when they weren't falling they were moving side-to-side and skiding backwards. But shooting beats not shooting. Six of us braved the winds and got some decent practice on the books. More practice inside with the air pistol.
The Dona Ana County Las Cruces Senior Olympics is approaching. Rifle standing, rifle supported, pistol standing, pistol supported. Tine to practice and get your kit together.
The Las Cruces match today (2-20-18) had a low attendance but the six shooters had a great time of it. Jon was high with an 864 score and he published the scores on email almost before we got home. Thanks John. Also thanks to Terry for all you do setting up and taking down the targets and stands. Much appreciated.
See photo page for a look at the heavy weight target stands used by the Picacho Gun Club.
Applications are now available for the Senior Olympics in Las Cruces for Airgun pistol and rifle to be help in late April 2018. Go to donaanaseniors.com for more info.
Good weather for a friendly bullseye match. Six shooters today for two 900 point matches. Almost no wind. Early February is not supposed to be so nice. Remember, it's only $2 for all this fun. Bring plenty of ammo -- if shooting 22 caliber that would be four boxes for two matches (100 rounds per match -- 10 sighters and 90 for the match).
Well, at Wednesday's match yours truly shot a 755 one-handed open sights and a 847 two-handed with a red dot. Stuck in a rut. Come out and see how you do.
Shooting a pistol with one hand and iron open sights is one of the most challenging pursuits known to the world. The addition of one more hand raises scores at least 50 points and then add a red dot and scores go up another 50 points. At least this is true in yours truly's case. As old age weakens the eyes and carpal tunnel has its own carpal tunnel, and the years of abuse of the shoulder from throwing objects at high speed and what you have is a shaky, wobbly mess. So why go on? Why not just shoot two-handed with a red dot and post higher scores? Because that is not the game. Of course yours truly does shoot two-handed occasionally, but that is not the bullseye shooting game in this mind's eye. Now wearing corrective lenses to see the front sight, the target is blurred, not that it makes much difference. There will come a day when the iron sights will go away and two-hands will be the measure, but as long as this is so challenging, then one-handed, iron sight it is. No offense to those who shoot two-handed. Everyone make their own decisions. And shooting at the gun range beats not shooting any day of the week.
Las Cruces is back to a 10 am winter start. Be there at 9 am until further notice.
The match in Las Cruses has been changed to a start time of 1 pm until it warms up some more. Be there at noon to help set up. Yesterday was a great day although the sun was much brighter. But who makes excuses?
Cold and breezy but the shooting was good today, January 24th. Come on out and join us.
We built new targets this Wednesday, January 17th, hoping the work would keep us warm as we waited for the temps to rise. By the time William and yours truly built six new target frames it was time to shoot. Somehow the temps warmed up enough so we could shoot two 900 matches. Also there is something special about new target frames with new cardboard backers. See you net Wednesday the 24th of January at 9 am, match begins at 9:30 am.
Weather turned cold this week but not too cold to have two great shoots. Some 12 shooters showed for Tuesday's match in Las Cruces with 50 degree temps and five shooters shot at the El Paso Gun Club Wednesday in 47 degree temps. Winds were mold to non-existent. Both matches are very welcoming to new shooters and are relaxed enough for anyone to feel comfortable while safety is always paramount.
Shooting goes on with great results. Even the wind won the match yesterday. Targets were blown over and snapped in half BEFORE they were set out on the range! Naturally we cancelled the match. Also next week's match before Thanksgiving has been cancelled due to everyone being out of town or otherwise engaged. At the Shrine Match end-of-the-year extravaganza shoot, James Thompson won the Juniors, Sue Critz won the Women's, Mac won the Senior's with yours truly coming in second. A very good showing.
In spite of the below 50 degree cold 12 shooters took part in the weekly Las Cruces bullseye match. The next day at the El Paso Gun Club match 6 shooters shot in what seemed like windy conditions until the "fire" command was given and the winds stopped for the next few hours, Go figure. Dale didn't make either match and Earl made it to Las Cruces, while William and yours truly made it to both.
The Las Cruces match now starts at 10 am. Show up at 9 am to help set up. Exit Corrallitos exit past the Running Indian and turn right.
Tuesday and Wednesday at the beginning of October were great shooting days. Thirteen shooters at Butterfield range and 7 at the El Paso Gun Club match. Score are on the rise but that is due to practice and perseverance. That's what makes these matches so enjoyable -- practice time under match conditions. When a clock is ticking you really have to focus on your fundamentals. Come shoot bullseye and have a lot of fun.
If you can find a copy cheap, read, "The Pistol Shooter's Treasury," edited by Gil Hebard. I found a second edition copy in excellent condition for, $45 signed by Mr. Hebard, on the web. This is THE book for a shooter to read. This tome is packed full of useful info that will help all shooters who are willing to practice.
A good place for practice is the shooting range at the corner of Osbourne and Doniphan on the west side, Sportsman's Elite at 4520 Doniphan. The 25-yard range is decent although the lighting at the 25 yard mark is poor. This is just suggestion and not an endorsement. www.sportsmanseliteep.com
Rain cancelled the match today Wednesday the 27th. Many missed yesterday's match in Las Cruces and then to be rained out today is a double whammy. Three showed up and some maintenance work was taken care of while we chatted and waited for the rain to abate. It did not. Leave it to El Paso to have rain on a match day. Rain is always needed but it is unusual for it to rain slowly for hours. Usually it dumps for 30 minutes and then stops. Oh well...
What a gorgeous day at the Texas Shrine Provost Guard Bullseye shoot at the Ft. Bliss Rod and Gun Club, today, September 24, 2017. Moderate winds and temps with high scores and bales of fun. Instead of shooting a 50 round match it was increased to a 90 round match. James T. won the Junior match while his dad William was first in the one-handed open. Mac was first in the senior while 52ratcheteer was second in one-handed open. There were about 11 shooters overall. This is a great shoot that starts at 10 am the fourth Sunday of the month.
Wednesday, September 20 was a fairly windy day for the six shooters at the El Paso Gun Club Bullseye Match. The sun
was strong and one target blew down, but the match proceeded. Lot's of fun for Bill, William, Earl, Thomas, Jim and 52Ratcheteer. Bumper stickers were awarded for participation (ha!) and one was already afixed to a F-22 sport before the end of the match. Come join us next Wednesday.
Bumper stickers came in today. To get yours come to a match and shoot. Only 50 left. Terry Collins and his band of Picacho Pistol shooters put on a good match today and scores reflected the hard work. Mac still wins and William is top one handed shooter. 52Ratcheteer came in third. There were about 11 shooters, with Harry L. shooting bench and almost getting that perfect score, an 898/900!. Today is the 20th of September.
This weekend there will be a 3-position X-the-course regional match at Capitan, NM. This is mentioned because our very own 5-0, Dale B., is part of that group and President for Life of the Franklin Mountain Gun Club and a long-time bullseye shooter. 52Ratcheteer will be there Saturday to balance out all the top shot shooters with his low scores but bright attitude. 88 rounds at 200, 300 and 600 yards mostly with 223 caliber.
Today is Wednesday, 9-13-17. Six shooters beat the sun for two 900 point matches. Photos will be posted later. Some shooters do not come to this range because the early morning sun hits you right in the eyes. Umbrellas are used as are metal and plywood sheets hung from the rafters (see photos). None-the-less it was a great two matches with friendly talk and good shooting.
Tuesday, Sept. 12th was a good day almost cool in the morning. The Butterfield pistol range faces north so no morning sun to heat things up. Later we will miss that sun. Some 10 shooters came and shot a 900 point bullseye match followed by a 30 round big bore shoot. As always lots of fun. Terry deserves all the credit for running a great match.
Wednesday, September 6th saw calm winds for three shooters and one observer who hopes to shoot next week. Yesterday's match in Las Cruces was canceled due to illness and then today many had other priorities, such as errands and stuff. The four of us had a good shoot.
What a great shoot for Wednesday, August 30, 2017.
EIGHT SHOOTERS! Wow! The sounds from the artillery range 40 miles north echoed down the canyon.
The weather behaved until the end when a breeze kicked in, but we finished just after noon, shooting two 900 matches. Come on out and join us!
Today (8-27-17) a few of us went to the Ft. Bliss bullseye match. About 12 competitors and we took home match winner (William), 1,2,3 in Senior (Jeff, Mac, and Dale) and a first in junior (James, William's son). Lot's of fun. This match differs from the Ratcheteer's match in that it is 50 shots (10 slow fire, 20 timed fire and 20 rapid fire). Come out the fourth Sunday at Ft. Bliss and try it out. $10. Be there at 8:30 am, starts at 9 am.
The 8-23-17 match was windy. Five shooters shot the first 900 point match and four shot the second 900 point match.. The first was a 22 lr match. For the second two shooters shot 45 caliber and three shot 22 lr. One target blew over and was re-secured with more sandbags. Between matches we sat and talked and rehydrated for about 15 minuets. Some shot one-handed and others two-handed with all targets at 25 yards. It was a good match and everyone had a good time. Some shooters could not make it due to work and other commitments. We hope to see them next time.
One question asked is what is the best 22 lr pistol to shoot this match. There is no real answer because it depends on how serious you want to be. It should be a 22 long rifle and you need at least 100 rounds. If it uses magazines you should have two but one can suffice. Revolvers are good, too. Sights can be the standard style that the pistol has or you can add a red dot or a pistol scope. It depends on how good your eyes are. There are pistols made for competition with longer barrels and lighter triggers but they can be expensive. Bring what you have and see how it works. If you have never shot 25 yard bullseye before the first match might be difficult as you acclimate yourself to the distance and the commands. Come watch and see what it is like. Outdoor light and wind and being in close proximity to other shooters takes some getting used to. This is different than shooting at an indoor range.
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Seems it only gets bad on Bullseye Wednesday...the weather that is . Hopefully the 19th of February will be good. See you there.
2020 is a great year to take up Bullseye. Come on out!
We dodged a huge weather system yesterday, Nov. 6th. Rain fell on most of the city but the range missed most of it. We had a windy but good shoot. Seven shooters showed up in uncertain conditions. Life is good.
John Kahler writes: It gives me great pleasure to pass on some information regarding William Thompson’s performance at a number of NRA and CMP national championship matches this summer at Camp Perry Ohio. William did very well and finished the CMP series of matches as the overall best marksman. As a result of being the overall best marksman he was awarded a new build of one of his 1911 45 ACP semi-auto guns from the slide on up by a company called Accuracy X. This company arguably makes the most accurate 1911 available. To see more about Accuracy X, go to Youtube.com and do a search on “AccuracyX” where you will find a tremendous number of videos. Anyway. the new build included the slide, the barrel, and a component called “multi-sight”. Accuracy X’s multi-sight allows the shooter to switch back and forth between a rail-mounted red dot and iron sights without having to re-zero the gun after each change. The new slide was custom fitted to Williams existing gun by Accuracy X. I might add that this package is worth more than $1000. William had his AccuracyX modified gun at today’s match where many of us got to see it. I’m sure everyone will join me in a hearty congratulations to William for his outstanding performance. And William, if I got any of this wrong let me know and I’ll correct it next week. Congratulations to William from all he shooters in elpasobullseye.com.
Middle July and the weather has been better and hotter too. Good attendance until today with vacation and other things in the way so the match was cancelled. A few weeks ago we had 13 hooters and today just two. Hopefully next eek will be better. Come shoot!
The winds calmed down the past two Wednesdays and the attendance has been good, and even before the last wind-canceled match we had 11 shooters, then nine then seven. A new shooter "joined" and an experienced shooter has started coming back. Even a Las Cruces shooter is driving down (that makes two!) Come on out and join us. Also, check out the "Other Matches" heading and see what has been added.
Eight shooters today before Valentine's Day. Good weather and good to see everyone.
Cold Too Much! First match of January 2019 canceled with a high of 30 degrees expected for the day!
Start off 2019 right by shooting Bullseye! Every Wednesday at El Paso Gun Club: set-up at 0830, practice at 0900, match at 0930.
Picked up a Remington 1911 R1 Enhanced 45 acp. With a change it the RSA and mainspring to 13 pounds, it shoots handloads (185 Berrys rn and Titewad) very well with the open sights. Front is red fiber. Added a Pachmayer grip. Can almost keep them all in the black.
Shootemtite! When my girl saw this she pronounced it as if it were a German word. Sounds so good that it is now a German word. Try it:
shoe-te-mi-te.
Good weather in El Paso has kept the 9 am practice time and 930 am match time pretty warm for December weather.
The Las Cruces Tuesday Bullseye match is on hiatus until the first Tuesday of January 2019.
It's December and we are still shooting-- had eight shooters last week. We will continue to enjoy good weather so come on out and enjoy the sport of Bullseye.
It's cold but the bullseye matches continue. Come out and shoot at small circles. What fun!
New winter hours for elpasobullseye.com starting Wednesday, November 7th at 0930. Set up at 0900.
Las Cruces match now starts at 1000 for winter hours on Tuesdays.. Get there at 0900 for set up.
Dern if it wern't too windy he past Wednesday and we cancelled due to possible breakage of target frames. Hopefully Wednesday October 3rd will be better.
Wednesday, September 5, 2018 was a fairly warm day with light winds early on. Five shooters participated in the Bullseye shoot, two had canes due to over activity, but not to be set aside by minor injuries. Here's hope everyone heals up, that means you too, Earl.
A new face or two and the loss of a few shooters due to personal and business concerns have kept the attendance even. Although still hot this September, the winds seem milder and the targets closer. Not really. Plan to come and observe or shoot. It's worth it and your skills will improve.
Summer heat and winds, and school's out so some Ratcheteers travel. Even so, eight shot a good match in Las Cruces and six in El Paso.
New Summer Hours: Setup/Practice 0830 with Match at 0900. Beginning June 6, 2018.
Two new shooters joined the Ratcheteers today, David and Mike. Glad to have more participants. This May 23rd was perfect for weather and shooting. The Las Cruces match was cancelled this week and we look forward to next Tuesday at the LC range, located just past the Corrolitos exit on I-10.
Having trouble one-handed with the wrist jitters? Try this: turn your gun-holding had slightly right (or left as the case may be). This may tighten the wrist and provide the strength you need to keep from having that jitter just as you pull the trigger. Also, if you feel the jitter, stop! Regroup and aim and fire.
Both matches this week had good weather. It is getting hotter, so guns and ammo are affected. El Paso's match had six shooters, and Las Cruces had eight if memory serves.d
High winds with higher gusts shut down both the Las Cruces match and the El Paso match this week. Damn wind. Some went home and shot pellets for practice.
Good weather and good shooting go hand-in-hand. The only defect was one shooter went home ill, but probably because he wasn't shooting well, so he complained of an open wound infection. What will he come up with next! Come shoot with us!
Las Cruces bullseye match back to summer hours. Be there by 8 am to help set up. Match begins at 8:30 am with practice. Also Senior Olympics Air Rifle is last weekend of April, shooting off hand and bench pistol and offhand and bench rifle. See Dona Ana Senior Olympics web site for more details.
If you are looking for s good 45 ACP powder, try WST (Winchester Super Target). Getting good results with 230 grain lead SWC with 4 grains in both 45 ACP and 45 GAP. Of course the recoil springs have been lowered to about 11 pounds. Be safe!
Good turnout in Las Cruces for Picacho Gun Club Bullseye Match. Overall scores are climbing. Practice, practice, practice (perfect practice of course!).
A Loose Confederation of Ratcheteers Bullseye match canceled due to low turnout and high winds on April 4th. With sickness, travel, work, and wind it was a tough decision to cancel. Look for the next match on April 11th.
Match in Las Cruces today saw some squirrely winds. Especially shooting one-handed. Smaller than average group but everyone broke 800. And everyone was moved by the wind. Tough day for working on basics such as trigger pull and timing. Terry always runs a good match and today was no exception. Serious shooting and many laughs and smiles. His son joined us which was a treat. Sometimes it's the camaraderie that matters more than anything. Almost, since shooting well is a high goal to reach. But to have laughs with that makes a fine day.
Check out this Bullseye forum http://www.bullseyeforum.net/.
Las Cruces shoot cancelled due to weather and the EPGC match was low attendance and a beautiful day. Right now it's rainy, windy and cool (the regular across the course match was rained out as were most Sunday matches throughout the area). We are counting on good weather in Las Cruces this Tuesday and the same for Wednesday in El Paso. Come join us.
Bill showed us a target stand he purchased through Midway USA, the Birchwood Casey Adjustable Target Stand Steel Black. It is of solid construction and good weight. The adjustment device seemed to be heavy duty so we might get some down the road. We thank Bill for his good eye and for lugging it to the range for us to see. Midway has it for sale as of today for $24.99 plus shipping, etc.
Usually it is so many issues! Start with follow through.
Practice cannot be emphasized enough. Not just shooting or even dry firing which are essential, but practice that focuses on faults and how to correct them. Such as, "Why did that shot go into the seven ring?" Is it a trigger issue, a yip issue, a jerk issue, an arm extension issue? Practice focusing on that until you know why it is happening and figure how to move that 7 to a 9 or 10X. Everyday. Everyday. Read the experts, film yourself, etc. Get to the point that you can call your shots and know before looking that the shot is a 7, or 6, etc. Then you know.
Windy season for outside shooting. Wednesday by 11 am the winds were blowing the targets over even with heavy buckets of rocks. And when they weren't falling they were moving side-to-side and skiding backwards. But shooting beats not shooting. Six of us braved the winds and got some decent practice on the books. More practice inside with the air pistol.
The Dona Ana County Las Cruces Senior Olympics is approaching. Rifle standing, rifle supported, pistol standing, pistol supported. Tine to practice and get your kit together.
The Las Cruces match today (2-20-18) had a low attendance but the six shooters had a great time of it. Jon was high with an 864 score and he published the scores on email almost before we got home. Thanks John. Also thanks to Terry for all you do setting up and taking down the targets and stands. Much appreciated.
See photo page for a look at the heavy weight target stands used by the Picacho Gun Club.
Applications are now available for the Senior Olympics in Las Cruces for Airgun pistol and rifle to be help in late April 2018. Go to donaanaseniors.com for more info.
Good weather for a friendly bullseye match. Six shooters today for two 900 point matches. Almost no wind. Early February is not supposed to be so nice. Remember, it's only $2 for all this fun. Bring plenty of ammo -- if shooting 22 caliber that would be four boxes for two matches (100 rounds per match -- 10 sighters and 90 for the match).
Well, at Wednesday's match yours truly shot a 755 one-handed open sights and a 847 two-handed with a red dot. Stuck in a rut. Come out and see how you do.
Shooting a pistol with one hand and iron open sights is one of the most challenging pursuits known to the world. The addition of one more hand raises scores at least 50 points and then add a red dot and scores go up another 50 points. At least this is true in yours truly's case. As old age weakens the eyes and carpal tunnel has its own carpal tunnel, and the years of abuse of the shoulder from throwing objects at high speed and what you have is a shaky, wobbly mess. So why go on? Why not just shoot two-handed with a red dot and post higher scores? Because that is not the game. Of course yours truly does shoot two-handed occasionally, but that is not the bullseye shooting game in this mind's eye. Now wearing corrective lenses to see the front sight, the target is blurred, not that it makes much difference. There will come a day when the iron sights will go away and two-hands will be the measure, but as long as this is so challenging, then one-handed, iron sight it is. No offense to those who shoot two-handed. Everyone make their own decisions. And shooting at the gun range beats not shooting any day of the week.
Las Cruces is back to a 10 am winter start. Be there at 9 am until further notice.
The match in Las Cruses has been changed to a start time of 1 pm until it warms up some more. Be there at noon to help set up. Yesterday was a great day although the sun was much brighter. But who makes excuses?
Cold and breezy but the shooting was good today, January 24th. Come on out and join us.
We built new targets this Wednesday, January 17th, hoping the work would keep us warm as we waited for the temps to rise. By the time William and yours truly built six new target frames it was time to shoot. Somehow the temps warmed up enough so we could shoot two 900 matches. Also there is something special about new target frames with new cardboard backers. See you net Wednesday the 24th of January at 9 am, match begins at 9:30 am.
Weather turned cold this week but not too cold to have two great shoots. Some 12 shooters showed for Tuesday's match in Las Cruces with 50 degree temps and five shooters shot at the El Paso Gun Club Wednesday in 47 degree temps. Winds were mold to non-existent. Both matches are very welcoming to new shooters and are relaxed enough for anyone to feel comfortable while safety is always paramount.
Shooting goes on with great results. Even the wind won the match yesterday. Targets were blown over and snapped in half BEFORE they were set out on the range! Naturally we cancelled the match. Also next week's match before Thanksgiving has been cancelled due to everyone being out of town or otherwise engaged. At the Shrine Match end-of-the-year extravaganza shoot, James Thompson won the Juniors, Sue Critz won the Women's, Mac won the Senior's with yours truly coming in second. A very good showing.
In spite of the below 50 degree cold 12 shooters took part in the weekly Las Cruces bullseye match. The next day at the El Paso Gun Club match 6 shooters shot in what seemed like windy conditions until the "fire" command was given and the winds stopped for the next few hours, Go figure. Dale didn't make either match and Earl made it to Las Cruces, while William and yours truly made it to both.
The Las Cruces match now starts at 10 am. Show up at 9 am to help set up. Exit Corrallitos exit past the Running Indian and turn right.
Tuesday and Wednesday at the beginning of October were great shooting days. Thirteen shooters at Butterfield range and 7 at the El Paso Gun Club match. Score are on the rise but that is due to practice and perseverance. That's what makes these matches so enjoyable -- practice time under match conditions. When a clock is ticking you really have to focus on your fundamentals. Come shoot bullseye and have a lot of fun.
If you can find a copy cheap, read, "The Pistol Shooter's Treasury," edited by Gil Hebard. I found a second edition copy in excellent condition for, $45 signed by Mr. Hebard, on the web. This is THE book for a shooter to read. This tome is packed full of useful info that will help all shooters who are willing to practice.
A good place for practice is the shooting range at the corner of Osbourne and Doniphan on the west side, Sportsman's Elite at 4520 Doniphan. The 25-yard range is decent although the lighting at the 25 yard mark is poor. This is just suggestion and not an endorsement. www.sportsmanseliteep.com
Rain cancelled the match today Wednesday the 27th. Many missed yesterday's match in Las Cruces and then to be rained out today is a double whammy. Three showed up and some maintenance work was taken care of while we chatted and waited for the rain to abate. It did not. Leave it to El Paso to have rain on a match day. Rain is always needed but it is unusual for it to rain slowly for hours. Usually it dumps for 30 minutes and then stops. Oh well...
What a gorgeous day at the Texas Shrine Provost Guard Bullseye shoot at the Ft. Bliss Rod and Gun Club, today, September 24, 2017. Moderate winds and temps with high scores and bales of fun. Instead of shooting a 50 round match it was increased to a 90 round match. James T. won the Junior match while his dad William was first in the one-handed open. Mac was first in the senior while 52ratcheteer was second in one-handed open. There were about 11 shooters overall. This is a great shoot that starts at 10 am the fourth Sunday of the month.
Wednesday, September 20 was a fairly windy day for the six shooters at the El Paso Gun Club Bullseye Match. The sun
was strong and one target blew down, but the match proceeded. Lot's of fun for Bill, William, Earl, Thomas, Jim and 52Ratcheteer. Bumper stickers were awarded for participation (ha!) and one was already afixed to a F-22 sport before the end of the match. Come join us next Wednesday.
Bumper stickers came in today. To get yours come to a match and shoot. Only 50 left. Terry Collins and his band of Picacho Pistol shooters put on a good match today and scores reflected the hard work. Mac still wins and William is top one handed shooter. 52Ratcheteer came in third. There were about 11 shooters, with Harry L. shooting bench and almost getting that perfect score, an 898/900!. Today is the 20th of September.
This weekend there will be a 3-position X-the-course regional match at Capitan, NM. This is mentioned because our very own 5-0, Dale B., is part of that group and President for Life of the Franklin Mountain Gun Club and a long-time bullseye shooter. 52Ratcheteer will be there Saturday to balance out all the top shot shooters with his low scores but bright attitude. 88 rounds at 200, 300 and 600 yards mostly with 223 caliber.
Today is Wednesday, 9-13-17. Six shooters beat the sun for two 900 point matches. Photos will be posted later. Some shooters do not come to this range because the early morning sun hits you right in the eyes. Umbrellas are used as are metal and plywood sheets hung from the rafters (see photos). None-the-less it was a great two matches with friendly talk and good shooting.
Tuesday, Sept. 12th was a good day almost cool in the morning. The Butterfield pistol range faces north so no morning sun to heat things up. Later we will miss that sun. Some 10 shooters came and shot a 900 point bullseye match followed by a 30 round big bore shoot. As always lots of fun. Terry deserves all the credit for running a great match.
Wednesday, September 6th saw calm winds for three shooters and one observer who hopes to shoot next week. Yesterday's match in Las Cruces was canceled due to illness and then today many had other priorities, such as errands and stuff. The four of us had a good shoot.
What a great shoot for Wednesday, August 30, 2017.
EIGHT SHOOTERS! Wow! The sounds from the artillery range 40 miles north echoed down the canyon.
The weather behaved until the end when a breeze kicked in, but we finished just after noon, shooting two 900 matches. Come on out and join us!
Today (8-27-17) a few of us went to the Ft. Bliss bullseye match. About 12 competitors and we took home match winner (William), 1,2,3 in Senior (Jeff, Mac, and Dale) and a first in junior (James, William's son). Lot's of fun. This match differs from the Ratcheteer's match in that it is 50 shots (10 slow fire, 20 timed fire and 20 rapid fire). Come out the fourth Sunday at Ft. Bliss and try it out. $10. Be there at 8:30 am, starts at 9 am.
The 8-23-17 match was windy. Five shooters shot the first 900 point match and four shot the second 900 point match.. The first was a 22 lr match. For the second two shooters shot 45 caliber and three shot 22 lr. One target blew over and was re-secured with more sandbags. Between matches we sat and talked and rehydrated for about 15 minuets. Some shot one-handed and others two-handed with all targets at 25 yards. It was a good match and everyone had a good time. Some shooters could not make it due to work and other commitments. We hope to see them next time.
One question asked is what is the best 22 lr pistol to shoot this match. There is no real answer because it depends on how serious you want to be. It should be a 22 long rifle and you need at least 100 rounds. If it uses magazines you should have two but one can suffice. Revolvers are good, too. Sights can be the standard style that the pistol has or you can add a red dot or a pistol scope. It depends on how good your eyes are. There are pistols made for competition with longer barrels and lighter triggers but they can be expensive. Bring what you have and see how it works. If you have never shot 25 yard bullseye before the first match might be difficult as you acclimate yourself to the distance and the commands. Come watch and see what it is like. Outdoor light and wind and being in close proximity to other shooters takes some getting used to. This is different than shooting at an indoor range.
