September 6, 2009 Clays Match Report

12 Guns Entered Today

 

     3 Open Guns - Class won by Chuck Treat with a score of 46

     9 Limited Guns - Class won by Mark Wuesthoff with a score of 33

 

          Welcome everyone.  There is no doubt it's September, and summer is fading.  Heavy rain showers struck the area intermittently today, and it was a lot cooler at game time, with the temperature hovering at 59degrees.  There was a heavy overcast above, and there was also no doubt that fall is on it's way.  Light jackets sufficed to keep everyone warm, and during the heat of competition, shirtsleeves once again became the order of the day.

     There was a light turnout today, with only 12 guns on hand to shoot at Target Array Series H.  We noticed one change from the normal menu right away.  Instead of the Standard Sized Clays being green or black today, they were all white.  The first several rounds still featured a few standard sized clays, mixed with a lot of orange micros, and the ever-present black micro in the middle.  In the field of 12 guns today, 9 were in the limited Class.  It's apparent the shooters are using the clays match as a practice ground for the Tuesday evening plate matches, and familiarizing themselves with their defense weapons they carry every day.  Absolutely an excellent idea, and one that will serve our shooters well, should, God Forbid, the need ever arise.  So let's take a look at target array series H as the shooters saw it today.

    

     Round 1:  Check Mark *

 

     This array starts on the outside with a standard white clay, then has a descending line of orange micros, turned up  just before the black micro in the middle.  Did I mention, there were five targets before engaging the black center micro?  Pick 4, break them, and then it's on to the black micro in the middle.

 

     Round 2:  NNNNNNNs *

 

      This string has 2 lines of 5 clays looking like opposing "N"s.  The one standard white clay on each side forms the inside bottom point in the letter N, and is the last standard seen in this match.  

 

     Round 3:  micro nnnnnnns *

 

     This array is essentially the same as round 2, except in this string of targets, there are no standards, only 5 orange micros.  And of course, the black micro in the middle.

 

     Round 4: Parallelograms * 

    

     Here's an array for you geometry types.  2 opposing parallelograms, each comprised of 4 orange micros, with the ever-present black micro in the middle.

 

     Round 5:  Straight to the black *

 

     Round 5 is comprised of a simple straight line.  The line is comprised of 4 orange micros, with the ubiquitous black micro in the middle. 

 

* This reporter has taken the liberty of naming the target strings, the names being subjective, and subject to (guaranteed of) change before you see array series H again.

 

     At the end of regulation play we have a winner in the Open Class.  Chuck Treat has hit 46 of the clays and leads the pack of Optic-toting pistols.

     In the Limited Class, we have a tie----Sort of.  It seems that Alan Caron and Mark Wuesthoff have tied at 33 targets apiece.

Unfortunately for Alan, in frustration he has abandoned hope of victory and left the club.  The rules are clear on this.  You have to be present to win, so Mark Wuesthoff takes the medallion and has bragging rights for another week.  Well, hang in there next week Alan.  That single action Buntline .44 of yours was doing a good job today.  It would have been interesting to see two revolvers face off in a shoot-off. 

     Well, there you have it folks.  Fall is approaching, and it's dry and cozy in the range building.  The Clays Matches, Plate

 matche, & Defensive Shotgun Matches go all year around, so put on coats, jackets, hats and whatever it takes to stay comfortable and come on out and play.  See you all next week.

Hal