It was a quiet day at the Wa-Ka’Da Range today as the prone competitors checked in, pressed the flesh, and hit the line to practice. Each competitor received a blue Shooting Sports USA bag, reminiscent of one of those green recycle grocery bags one sees at the super market. It contained a commemorative T shirt, program, 1010 NRA rule book, and carry bag from the Collegiate Club Championships, and a few other pieces of helpful literature.
Relays were run a 30 minute intervals and there were always a dozen or shooters working out the kinks or travel, or-believe it or not- testing ammunition, or simply getting a feel for the place.
It is a well maintained and modern facility of 100 covered firing points. The range is as flat a billiard table and surrounded by high trees on the right and left and the target line. Buildings help block the wind from six but a look at the many flags, as well as a peek though a spotting scope, reveal that all is not quiet forward of the firing line. The mirage can be heavy and the winds unpredictable.
Turning pistol frames at 25 yards are so placed as to block off adjacent targets making it virtually impossible to crossfire at 50 meters. There is no 100 meter line so we will shoot long range on reduced targets.
Box lunches were for sale at a reasonable price and the pace was slow and measured. A table was set up top display the rather large amount of awards. I was also amused by the fact that we all had to fill out a Tax Form W-9 is which is used by the IRS to request your taxpayer identification number. It was needed because there is some serious money, at least to a smallbore shooter, in gift cards to the winners.
About the only excitement was when I discovered I forgot to pull out my ignition key and had a flat battery. With in a minute or two Bob DelCotto dug a pair of jumpers out of his truck, Ron Wigger hooked me up to his Army van, and ten minutes later my car was purring like the proverbial kitten. I was reminded of the time Erik Hoskins wanted loud music at Perry and ran down his battery in the interest of group entertainment.
I wrote my Shooting Sports USA article on the position matches this afternoon as Steve, you guessed it, took a nap. It will be a quiet evening and we will be off to the range about 7:15 for the metallic sight day.
There are only about 45 or so shooters entered but with the likes of Ron Wigger, Nancy Tomkins, Rick Curtis, Charlie Kemp, Jeff Doerschler, Dave Cramer, Allen Elliot, Jim Miller, Ginger McLamore, the Barazinis, Bob DelCotto, mother and daughter Makucevich, Abby Fong, and a host of others it will be a tough match.
Don’t touch that dial as I’ll be back at the same time tomorrow.
-
- Steve is searching for pinholes in his eyelids.
-
- A Championship Belt Buckle- win four and you have a set of hubcaps for a Volkswagen Bug.
-
- The prize table
-
- A general view of the range
