Match Results
column By: Zack Taylor / Tom Outland / Mark Barnhill | December, 23
Desert International Long-Range Black Powder Target Rifle Matches
Phoenix, Arizona
March 30 - April 7, 2023
Ben Avery Shooting Complex
There is nowhere else in the world where the black powder cartridge rifleman and long-range muzzle loading rifleman can come together to shoot everything from silhouette to .22 targets, to midrange and long-range targets on arguably the best ranges in the world at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix, Arizona. Ten consecutive days of “shooting nirvana” sponsored by the Arizona Western Independent National Shoot, (AZWINS). Two days of Silhouette, one day of .22 Target, two days of Mid-range Target and five days of Long-range Target. The sole purpose of this event is to provide a high-quality shooting experience that is fun and meaningful for these riflemen to participate in.
The Desert International match is where black powder target riflemen come to prove and improve their loadings, fire their rifles under match conditions and go on to other venues, prepared to perform their best.
A special “thank you” goes to Don and Carol McDowell, Eddie and Candy Hayes for hosting the wonderful potluck dinner, Steve Farringer our statistics wizard and score card guru, Skip Burks for target and pit logistics, Curtis Stables, our photographer and first assistant pit/target logistics. Also, to Shiloh Sharps, Montana Vintage Arms, Wyoming Sight Drifter, Buffalo Arms, K.W. Wasserburger, Gentleman Jim and many anonymous donors for the prize table; and especially to Phoebe and Steve Fogler for the Wives Prize Table and Creedmoor Song.
Names notated on the equipment list with an asterisk, used the same rifle and load in the midrange and long-range matches. Please note that our designated photographer, Curtis Stables from North Pole, Alaska, fired his first target matches ever, after loading his ammo in the tent, and surprised everyone, including himself. You can also do it, but you first have to show up and shoot; be there on January 30 - February 8, 2024. llhepburn@outlook.com.
Equipment List:
Mark Schuenke: 45-90 Durren/Kluskens/Schuenke 1885 Winchester High Wall, 30-inch Krieger 1-16 twist barrel, 525-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, White Lightning lube, .060 LDPE wad, 82 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal GM150M primer, Starline brass, Distant Thunder front sight, Baldwin rear sight, 14.5 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with two wet patches MPro7 and one dry patch.
Dave Gullo: 45-100 1878 Sharps Borchardt, 34-inch Badger 1-18 twist barrel, 540-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Tropical Lube, .030 LDPE wad, 87 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150 primer, Starline brass, Riflesmith front sight, Kelley rear sight, 12 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with one 2.5-inch arsenal patch and MPro7.
Bryan Youngberg: 45-100 1877 Shiloh Sharps, 32-inch Shiloh 1-16 twist barrel, 532-grain Paul Jones GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, White Lightning lube, one .030 Walters wad, one .040 HDPE wad, 92 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal GM210 primer, 24 lb. bond paper over primer, Starline brass, Distant Thunder front sight, MVA Long Range Buffalo Soule rear sight, 12 lb., 10 oz. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore squeegees and MPro7.
Steve Farringer: 45-90 Farringer/MVA 1885 Winchester High Wall, 34-inch Douglas 1-16 twist barrel, 532-grain BACO GG Postel bullet, 1-16 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 LDPE wad, 77.5 grains Swiss 2Fg, Federal GM150M primer, Starline brass, DZ Arms 8X scope, 15 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO Squeegees and MPro7, one cotton patch with 1-10 water soluble oil, swabbed chamber.*
Cliff Gregg: 45-90 1885 Winchester High Wall, 32-inch Ron Smith 32-16 twist barrel, 525-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 LDPE wad, 83 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal GM 150M primer, water-color paper primer wad, Starline brass, Distant Thunder front and rear sights, 12 lb. OAW, rifle wiped with one cloth patch and MPro7.
Zack Taylor: 45-90 King/MVA 1885 Winchester High Wall, 30-inch Douglas 1-16 twist barrel, 540-grain BACO 459542M3 GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, Hecho En Casa lube, one .025 card wad, one .060 Walters Wad, one Walters LDPE wad, 81.5 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal GM150M primer, Starline brass, DZ Arms 8X scope, 13.5 lbs. OAW, one BACO Squeegee with MPro7 followed by one 2.25-inch cotton patch damp with 1-12 water soluble oil, swabbed chamber.
Blair Svihra: 45-90 King/Remington Rolling Block, 32-inch Krieger 1-20 twist barrel, 535-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, Blair Butter lube, .060 Walters LDPE wad, 91 grains Swiss 1½Fg, CCI-BR2 primer, Starline brass, MVA 10X scope, DZ mounts, rifle wiped with one patch and MPro7.
John Venhous: 45-90 Lozito 1878 Sharps Borchardt, 32-inch Green Mountain 1-17 twist barrel, 538-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, home-made lube, .030 poly wad, 82 grains Swiss 1½Fg, CCI-BR2 primer, Starline brass, DZ Arms 8X scope, 13.5 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with one 2.5-inch arsenal patch and MPro7.*
Dennis Armistead: 45-90 1874 C. Sharps, 32-inch McGowan 1-16 twist barrel, 540-grain BACO Mini grease groove Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, home-made lube, .030 Walters poly wad, .060 Walters Wad, 80 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal GM150M primer, Seth Cole 55W paper primer wad, Starline brass, MVA 10X scope, DZ mounts, 14 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes, two felts with MPro7 and one 2.5-inch cotton patch.
Don Johnson: 45-90 King/Remington Rolling Block, 32-inch Badger 1-18 twist barrel, 535-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, Purple Fox lube, .030 poly wad, 80 grains Swiss 1½Fg, CCI-BR2 primer, Starline brass, MVA front sight, Kelley Soule rear sight, 13 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and MPro7 followed by one patch.*
Robert Wilkes: 45-70 Browning 1885 High Wall, 30-inch badger 1-18 twist barrel, 560-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, home-made lube, .030 Walters Wad, 64 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 210 primer, G&F paper primer wad, Starline brass, Kelley front and rear sights, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and 2-inch damp patch with MPro7.
James Dodson: 45-90 Zimmerman #3 Remington-Hepburn, 30-inch Badger 1-18 twist barrel, 540-grain BACO M3 GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 poly Walters Wad, 81 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150 primer, Starline brass, Kelley front and rear sights, 11lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO Squeegees with MPro7 followed by one 2-inch cotton patch.
Kenney Wasserburger: 45-110 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 30-inch Shiloh 1-16 twist barrel, 547-grain BACO DDEPP PP Hyde base bullet, 1-14.5 alloy, 55W Vellum patch paper, .060 veg wad, .060 poly wad, felt Sagebrush wad, 103.5 grains Olde Eynesford, Winchester Large Rifle primer, ash-less filter paper primer wad, Norma brass, MVA 6X scope, 21.3 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO Squeegee and MPro7 followed by Pro-Shot 2.5-inch cotton patch.
Curtis Sables: 45-70 1885 Browning High Wall, 30-inch Badger 1-18 twist barrel, 535-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, Olive Oil/Beeswax lube, .030 poly Walters Wad, 70 grains Swiss 3Fg, Remington 9½ primer, Browning front and rear sights, rifle wiped with squeegee and windshield wiper fluid on a 2.5-ich patch followed by a dry 2.5-inch patch.*
Don Harvey: 45-100 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 32-inch Shiloh 1-18 twist barrel, 565-grain Paul Jones #45003 GG bullet, 1-16 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 Walters Wad, 87 grains Swiss 1½Fg powder, Federal 150M primer, index card primer wad, Starline brass, MVA 10X scope, 15 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and MPro7 with one arsenal patch wet with 1-7 NAPA cutting oil/water.
Steve Fogler (Rifleman Class): 45-100 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 32-inch Shiloh 1-18 twist barrel, 540-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 poly Walters Wad, 78.5 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 215 Magnum primer, Starline brass, MVA front and rear sights, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and cotton patch with MPro7.*
Rick Rueter: .45 1885 C. Sharps Arms High Wall, 34-inch Green Mountain 1-14 twist barrel, 550-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 Walter Wad, 96 grains Olde Eynsford 1½Fg, Remington 9½ primer, index card over- primer wad, Starline brass, MVA 10X scope, 11 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and one patch with MPro7.
Don McDowell (Rifleman Class): .45 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 32-inch Shiloh 1-19 twist barrel, 468-grain BACO 438470 PP bullet, 1-16 alloy, wet wrapped Seth Cole 55Y patch paper, .045 NAP rubber cork wad, 83 grains Olde Eynsford 1Fg, CCI-BR2 primer, Jameson brass, MVA 6X scope, rifle wiped with BACo bore wipes and one 2.5-inch cotton patch with NAPA water soluble oil /water 1-7.
Ed Keller: 40-65 1885 Browning High Wall, 30-inch Krieger 1-15 twist barrel, 420-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-19 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 poly Walters Wad, 58.4 grains Swiss 3Fg, Federal 150M primer, paper primer wad, Remington and Starline brass, MVA 6X scope, 14 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with one wet arsenal patch with 10% Ballistol to 90% water.*
Eddie Hayes: 45-90 Pedersoli John Bodine Rolling Block, 30-inch Badger 1-18 twist barrel, 540-grain KAL PP bullet, 1-30 alloy, 7 lb. Seth Cole patching paper, two .030 Walters Wads, one lube wad, 88 grains Olde Eynsford 2Fg, CCI-BR2 primer, napkin over-primer wad, Starline brass, Shaver front sight, MVA Buffalo Soule rear sight, 14.9 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO Bore wipes and one flannel patch with water soluble oil 1-10 mix.*
Bob Anderson: .45 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 34-inch Shiloh 1-18 twist barrel, 545-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 veg wad, 87 grains Olde Eynsford 1½Fg powder, Remington primer, paper over-primer wad, Starline brass, MVA 10X scope, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and patch with MPro7.
Tim Galligan: 45-90 CPA Stevens 44½, 32-inch Badger 1-18 twist barrel, 530-grain BACO Creedmoor GG bullet, 1-20 alloy, beeswax/olive oil 50/50 lube, .030 felt Walters Wad, 85 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150M primer, newsprint over-primer wad, 8X Parsons scope, 14.5 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and one arsenal patch with 15% Ballistol/85% filtered water.
Jeff Krum: 40-70 Straight 1874 C. Sharps Arms, 32-inch C. Sharps barrel, 420-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, BACO lube, .060 Walters Wad, 70 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150M primer, MVA 6X scope, rifle wiped with arsenal patches and 50/50 Dextron and water.
John Brooker (Rifleman Class): 45-70 C. Sharps, 30-inch 1-18 twist barrel, 538-grain Paul Jones GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, Sagebrush lube, 1⁄8-inch veg wad, 69 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Winchester primer, Federal brass, MVA front and rear sights, 10 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with 2-inch flannel patch with Ballistol and water.
Scott “Grizz” Stephensen: 45-100 Red Willow Ballard, 30-inch Badger 1-16 twist barrel, 573-grain David Mos GG bullet, SPG Tropical Lube, .060 Walters Wad, 95 grains Olde Eynsford 2Fg, Federal 155 primer, Winchester brass, MVA 10X scope, 13 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO Bore wipes and Moose Milk.
Midrange Equipment List
Mark Schuenke: 45-70 Fewless/Schuenke 1885 Winchester High Wall, 30-inch Green Mountain 1-18 twist barrel, 535-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, White Lightning lube, .060 poly Schuenke wad, 69 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150M primer, Starline brass, Distant Thunder front and rear sights, 10.25 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with two wet MPro7 patches followed by one dry arsenal patch.
Dave Gullo: 45-90 Remington Hepburn, 32-inch Badger 1-18 twist barrel, 540-grain BACO GG bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Tropical Lube, .030 poly wad, 69.6 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 210 primer, Leatherwood 6X scope, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and 2.5-inch arsenal patches and MPro7 followed by one dry patch.
Bryan Youngberg: 40-70 Straight 1877 Shiloh Sharps, 32-inch Shiloh 1-14 twist barrel, 442-grain BACO GG bullet, 1-16 alloy, White Lightning lube, .030 veg wad, .040 poly wad, 66 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 210M primer, phone book paper over-primer wad, Remington and Hornady brass, MVA #113 front sight and MVA Buffalo Mid-Range Soule rear sight, 12.5 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and MPro7.
Zack Taylor: 44-90 Remington Straight 1878 Sharps/King Borchardt, 32-inch Kreiger 1-16 twist barrel, #447520M2 BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, Monikowski lube, .025 card wad, .030 poly wad, 69 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150M primer, Starline brass, Distant Thunder front sight MVA Soule rear sight, 12.5 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and MPro7 and one cotton flannel patch damp with 1-12 water soluble oil, chamber swabbed.
Blair Svihra: .45 Meacham 1885 Winchester High Wall, 540-grain BACO GG Creedmoor bullet, 1-16 alloy, .060 poly Walters Wad, 71 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal brass, CCI-BR2 primer, MVA 10X scope, DZ Arms mounts, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and one cotton patch with MPro7.
Kenny Wasserburger: 45-100 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 30-inch Shiloh 1-16 twist barrel, 510-grain NEI Postel GG bullet, White Lightning lube, .060 veg wad, .060 poly wad, 1/8th inch felt wad, 103.5 grains Olde Eynsford 1½Fg, Winchester Large Rifle primer, Norma brass, MVA 6X scope, 21.3 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and MPro7.
Dennis Armistead: 45-90 1885 C. Sharps High Wall, 32-inch McGowan 1-16 barrel, 540-grain BACO Mini grease groove Money bullet, home-made lube, .030 poly Walters Wad, .060 veg wad, 80 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150M primer, Seth Cole 55W over-primer wad, 10X MVA scope, DZ Arms mounts, 14 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and MPro7 with 2.5-inch cotton patch.
Don Harvey: 45-90 1874 Shiloh Sharps. 34-inch Shiloh 1-18 twist barrel, 565-grain Paul Jones GG Creedmoor #45003 bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 Walters Wad, 75 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150M primer, index card over-primer wad, 10X MVA scope, 13 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and MPro7 with 1-7 NAPA cutting oil patches.
Rick Reuter: 45-70 1885 C. Sharps High Wall, 34-inch Green Mountain 1-14 twist barrel, 550-grain BACO GG Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, .060 Walters Wad, 66 grains Olde Eynsford 1½Fg, Remington 9½ primer, index card over-primer wad, Starline brass, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and cotton patch with MPro7.
Tim Galligan: 40-65 CPA Stevens 44½, 32-inch Badger 1-16 twist barrel, 413-grain Paul Jones GG Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, Beeswax/Olive oil lube, 62 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Federal 150M primer, newsprint over-primer wad, MVA 8X scope, rifle wiped with one arsenal patch, one cotton patch and 15% Ballistol/85% filtered water.
John Brooker: 40-65 C. Sharps, 30-inch 1-16 twist barrel, 410-grain Lyman Snover GG bullet, 1-20 alloy, Sagebrush lube, .060 Walters Wad, 58 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Winchester brass, MVA front and rear sights, 10 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with two 1.5-inch flannel patches with Ballistol and water.
Scott “Grizz” Stephensen: 40-65 Cody Ballard, 30-inch Badger 1-16 twist barrel, 386-grain Brooks GG bullet, 1-25 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 felt Walters Wad, 60 grains Olde Eynesford 2Fg, Starline brass, 10X MVA scope, 13 lbs. OAW, rifle wiped with BACO bore wipes and Moose Milk.
BPCR Silhouette
Livingston, Montana – May 6, 2023
Park County Rod and Gun Club
Strong wind, 45 degrees F, partly cloudy
Equipment List:
Eric Lah: 45-70 Shiloh Sharps, 1-18 Shiloh barrel, 540-grain Smithson/Gunn bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 poly wad, 65 grains (c), 68 grains (p) 70 grains (t,r) Swiss 1½Fg, CCI BR-2 primer, Winchester brass, rifle blow-tubed, no wiping or cleaning.
Tor Pederson: 40-50 SS Shiloh Sharps, 1-16 Shiloh barrel, 350-grain Brooks bullet, 1-30 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 Walters Wad, 47 grains Swiss 1½Fg, CCI BR-2 primer, BACO .30-40 Winchester brass, MVA 6X scope, rifle blow-tubed, no wiping or cleaning.
Paul Dowell: 45-70 Shiloh Sharps, 1-20 Shiloh barrel, 540-grain Brooks bullet, 1-20 alloy, C. Sharps lube, .060 Walters Wad, 67 grains Swiss 1½Fg, 9½ Remington primer, Starline brass, MVA iron sights, rifle blow-tubed, no wiping or cleaning.
Lon Morris: 45-70 Shiloh Sharps Creedmoor, 1-18 Shiloh barrel, 540-grain Brooks Creedmoor bullet, 1-30 alloy, GWW lube, .030 poly wad, 61 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Remington 2½ primer, Rocky Mountain Cartridge brass, 1135 fps velocity, MVA B5 scope, rifle blow-tubed, cleaned between relays.
John Carlisle: 30-40 1898 Krag T-Model, 1-10 Krieger barrel, 210-grain Lyman 311284 bullet, No. 2 alloy, SPG Lube, copper gas check, 20 grains IMR 4759, cotton tuft, 9½ Remington primer, Remington brass, no crimp, 3.070 OAL,1750 fps velocity, 10X Unertl scope, rifle not cleaned.
Steve Garbe: 30-06 1903 Springfield National Match, 1-10 Springfield barrel, 195-grain Lyman 314299 bullet, No. 2 alloy, SPG Lube, copper gas check, 21 grains IMR 4759, cotton tuft, CCI BR-2 primer, Lapua brass, taper-crimp, 3.253 OAL, 1770 fps, 8X Lyman Target Spot scope, rifle not cleaned.
Wyoming State BPTR Midrange Championship
Worland, Wyoming – June 2-3, 2023
Worland Shooting Complex
On June 2nd, the Worland Shooting Complex was set to begin our 10th anniversary Wyoming State Midrange BPTR Championship. This match is held on the first weekend in June each year. This match continues to grow, even with the economy and gas prices that we are witnessing. We were set to have a 22 BPCR match on Friday morning and sight-in for the BPTR in the afternoon. Unfortunately, the weather did not see fit to cooperate. Worland had been seeing unsettled weather all spring and Friday was not looking to be any different. It was rainy and windy all day so the 22 BPCR match and sight-in was canceled. Saturday morning and through the remainder of the weekend the weather could not have been much nicer for a match.
This year’s match saw around 10 BPTRA records being set or broken. These were in the Men’s Division with Rick Moritz, Women’s Division had Loyce Ellingrod and Linda Bonefield setting some records and in the Junior Division Emily Hayes broke some of her own records. Rick Moritz had a Wyoming BPTR Midrange record number of X’s with 27 out of two 30-round matches. And he still holds the high 60-round score of 582 that he set in 2018.
We have begun our planning stages for the 2024 Midrange match. This will be held June 1-2, 2024. On Friday, May 31, we are planning to hold a 22 BPCR match in the morning and then have a sight-in for the midrange match in the afternoon. I want to thank all those that sent in their registration and entry fees in early. This helps in the planning of everything including the awards.
Rick Moritz: 45-90 CPA Stevens 44½, 525-grain Jones Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, DT No.3 lube, poly wad, 88.7 grains Swiss 1½Fg, DZ scope.
Bryan Youngberg: 40-70 Straight 1877 Shiloh Sharps, 400-grain Jones, 420-grain BACO and 450-grain BACO bullets, 1-16 alloy, White Lightning lube, .040 poly wad, .030 fiber wad, 64-66 grains Swiss 1½Fg, MVA #113 front sight, MVA Midrange Soule rear sight.
Emily Hayes: 45-70 Winchester High Wall, 530-grain Postel bullet, 1-30 alloy, Bullshop NASA lube, .030 Walters Wad, 69 grains Olde Eynesford, Kelley front and rear sights.
Jack Odor: 45-90 1885 Winchester High Wall, 535-grain Jones bullet, 1-16 alloy, home-made lube, Walters Wad, 83 grains Swiss 1½Fg, DZ scope.
Kenny Wasserburger: 40-70 Straight 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 385-grain Mos and 450-grain BACO bullets, 1-14.5 alloy, White Lightning lube, .060 HDPE wad, 57.5 and 66 grains Swiss 1½Fg, 6X MVA 23-inch scope.
George Bonefield: 45-70 C. Sharps, 535-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 Walters Wad, 67 grains GOEX 2Fg, MVA sights.
Loyce Ellingrod: 45-70 1885 Wyoming Armory High Wall, 530-grain Jones Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, Bullshop NASA lube, .030 poly wad and .030 Walters Wad, 68 grains Swiss, Shaver front sight, MVA rear sight.
Linda Bonefield: 45-70 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 535-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 Walters Wad, 67 grains GOEX 2Fg, MVA sights.
Steve Carter: 40-65 Browning High Wall, 426-grain Brooks bullet, 1-20 alloy, veg wad, GOEX, Shaver front sight, MVA rear sight.
Robert Kiernan: 45-70 Cody Ballard, 519-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, Knoell lube, Walters Wad, 66 grains Swiss 2Fg, Brockway/Vanway sights.
Steve Rosenberry: 45-70 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 520-grain BACO Money bullet, SPG Lube, BACO wad, 65 grains Swiss 1½Fg, MVA sights.
John Venhous: 45-90 1878 Sharps Borchardt, 530-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, home-made lube, .030 poly wad, 82.5 grains Swiss 1½Fg, DZ scope.
Blair Svihra: 40-82 Meacham High Wall, Smithson bullet, 1-16 alloy, home-made lube, .060 poly wad, 63 grains powder, MVA scope with DZ mounts.
Cliff Gaddis: 45-70 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 540-grain Brooks Creedmoor bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 Walters Wad, 62 grains Swiss 1½Fg, DZ scope.
Don McDowell: 45-90 1874 Shiloh Sharps, Brooks Dual Diameter PP bullet, 1-16 alloy, NAPA Rubber Cork wad, 82 grains Olde Eynsford 1½Fg, MVA sights.
Kody Outland: 44-77 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 500-grain Brooks bullet, 1-16 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 Walters Wad, 72 grains Swiss 1½Fg, MVA sights.
Eddie Hayes: 40-65 Rolling Block, 410-grain Brooks Turkey Killer bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 card wad, 55 grains Swiss 1½Fg, Zika sights.
Shawn Hayes: 45-90 Rolling Block, 535-grain Brooks Postel PP, SPG Lube, .060 veg wad and .030 card wad, 83-grains Olde Eynesford 1½Fg, MVA sights.
Joel Miles: 45-90 1874 Shiloh Sharps, 508-grain bullet, home-made lube, home-made wad, 70 grains Swiss 2Fg, Shaver sights.
Terry “Rabbit” Hubenka: 40-70 Straight Ballard Pacific No. 5, 416-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .030 poly wad, SPG Lube, Swiss 1½Fg, MVA #112 front sight, MVA Soule Buffalo rear sight.
Randy Ellingrod: 45-90 Cody Ballard High Wall, 550-grain Sagebrush Elliptical bullet, 1-16 alloy, Bullshop NASA lube, .030 poly wad and .030 Walters Wad, 85 grains Swiss 1½Fg, MVA sights.
Don Johnson: 45-90 Remington Rolling Block, 459-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, Purple Fox lube, poly wad, 80 grains Swiss 1½Fg, MVA front sight, Kelley Soule rear sight.
Dennis Kerasotas: 45-70 Axtell Sharps, 500-grain Brooks bullet, 1-16 alloy, SPG Lube, carbon wad, 69 grains Olde Eynesford, Kelley Soule Midrange sights.
Richard Moffitt: 40-65 Browning High Wall, 424-grain Brooks bullet, home-made lube, plastic wad, Olde Eynsford 1½Fg, MVA sights.
Tom Outland: 40-70 Bottleneck 1877 Shiloh Sharps, 450-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-16 alloy, DGL lube, .030 Walters Wad, 70 grains Swiss 1½Fg, MVA sights.
Rod Salzman: 45-90 Pedersoli, 535-grain Lyman Postel bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Lube, .060 fiber wad, Swiss 1½Fg, MVA sights.
Dave Gullo: 45-90 Ballard, 540-grain BACO Money bullet, 1-20 alloy, SPG Tropical Lube, .030 poly wad, 73 grains Swiss 1½Fg, MVA front sight, Kelley Soule rear sight.
Rich Hicks Memorial Match
Canal Fulton, Ohio – September 24, 2023
Canal Fulton Ramrod Club
by Tom Outland
This year we enjoyed an exceptionally fine day at the Canal Fulton Ramrod Club, continuing our muzzleloading tradition. The weather was fine; winds at five mph with gusts to 15 mph and the skies were partly cloudy. Improvements to the range this year were evident, and our facility was excellent. As always, the food folks brought in was tremendous, ranging from apple fritters to potato salad, incredible beans and franks, chili, veggies, and on and on.
Our turn out was strong this year, and as Rich would love to see, old and new friendships abound. The “Show and Tell” table, as always, provided a center of activity. A beautiful Zimmerstutzen (parlor rifle) was on display, as were slug and picket rifles, historic and contemporary, as well as cartridge rifles.
We had five cartridge shooters, and this is the most we have ever had. Our highest scorers demonstrated proficient skills, and we always encourage newer shooters to “get their feet wet” at this match.
Two of our more serious slug shooters have progressed in skills as well. Slug proficiency is a skill that may require years to develop, and often folks have high expectations. Often years of experience will improve performance. Since we lost our last generation of slug shooters, we will need to work hard to reclaim the level of skill those folks demonstrated.
Bob shot his .45 caliber slug gun. The barrel was made by Kenny Bresien. The scope was 24-power made by Mitchell. Bob used 82.5 grains of Olde Eynesford 1½Fg powder, .003 freezer paper lubed with Nyoil, and small Federal primers. Mike Policy shot his 38-55 cartridge rifle by CPA, with 55 grains of Swiss 1½Fg. Kyle shot his 11-pound P.A. Reinhard rifle of .38 caliber, using 65 grains of Swiss 2Fg.
This year we want to remember Hal Prucha. Hal was a close friend of Rich’s, and I was fortunate enough to visit Hal and his wife Suzi in Virginia. These were wonderful folks. Those who would like to see Hal’s collection, please visit Halp@pbase.com before the site is removed. It is loaded with information. Suzi also sent us a brief obituary:
Hal was born in 1943, and raised in Maryland. He lived near the Potomac River and duck hunted as a kid; he was always interested in some type of shooting. Hal became a member of a gun club while living there, and was a member of the Fairfax Rod and Gun Club when we moved to Virginia in the early 1970s. He was a member of the Muzzle Loading Association and the North South Skirmish Association. He continued to shoot for a short time after becoming blind in 2005, using metal targets and listening to movement directions. Hal began his teaching career in the late 1960s, teaching industrial arts, and wood shop. He retired from teaching in 1998. He started collecting antique firearms in the early 1990s and at the present time his collection is in the hands of Poulin Auction Company in Maine. The collection is to be auctioned in November. Hal passed away in May of 2023.
We would like to thank the Canal Fulton Ramrod Club, the Log Cabin Shop, SPG Inc., and anonymous donors who contribute generously their time and resources to this match. We thank Kim, Kyle, Andrea, Joni and Juliaette for collecting aluminum cans through the year to recycle and assist in the prize distribution, as well as Donna Barnhill for providing secretarial and technical skills necessary to keep this match in order. See you next year!
