Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only Safari Rifle Challenge 2015

It is once again time for the Safari Rifle Challenge. Now in our 5th year, we continue to grow and I believe we are now one of the largest events of this kind in the country. I recently sent out the registration packs and the response has been almost 100 percent return of previous competitors. I know that the media coverage, particularly on the Outdoor Channel has helped immensely. Michael Bane filmed us for the "Shooting Gallery" TV show. Outdoor Life editor John Snow attended as did author Jon Haviland. There is a high likelihood that the outdoor show "Where in the World is Colorado Buck" will film this year’s event. And several outdoor writers are also likely attendees.

Each year we are trying to up our game and this year we have added a variable speed remotely operated “buffalo” as well as several cable mounted crossing or charging targets. We also expect to blow up about 350 one gallon water jugs in a variety of scenarios.

We are now at a point where we are having to turn away late registrants for lack of space. To address that issue, our club has been working with the U.S. Forest Service and our local County Commissioners to expand the range facility. We have tentatively reached an agreement for a first phase expansion of 5 acres which will get us 3 more ranges. If all goes according to plan, work will start this fall and we will be ready for a major expansion of our event in the summer of 2016 and the ability to handle up to 200 competitors.

Our list of sponsors continues to grow. Many thanks to Shawn Joyce of Diizche Safari Adventures and Jeff Sipe of Montana Rifle Company for their EXTREMELY generous contributions over the last few years. Thanks also to Champion/ATK for their contributions of DuraSeal self sealing targets, Norma USA for their donation of ammunition and gear, Ruger for shooting apparel and accessories, and Vortex Optics for donating some very nice binos and scope. Mark Sullivan of Nitro Express Safaris donated some great books and a set of videos as did Larry Shores. Skinner Sights also has generously provided prizes.

If you have not had the opportunity to attend one of our shoots in beautiful Libby, Montana, then we hope you will make plans to do so in 2016. If you want to be added to the (confidential) email list, just drop me a line at safaririflechallengeyahoo.com.

Sincerely, Jay C. Sheffield Match Director

Links to some of the media coverage.....

http://outdoorchannel.com/show...983&pid=_SWBYyF5xPpc

http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2014/07/safari-rifle-challenge

Report?

Well the 5th annual Safari Rifle Challenge is in the record books. We had 73 registered participants from Montana, Idaho, Texas, Florida, California, Missouri and even a few guys from Canada. All had come to compete for both fame and glory. Top shooter was Sam Shaw of Brewster Washington with a score of 181, second place was John Harma of Montana (178) and 3rd place to NRA Western Region Director Brad Kruger of Sandpoint Idaho (177).

Shawn Joyce of Diizche Safari Adventures stepped up again this year and provided us with several boxes of great gear and is also the title sponsor of our first place trophy. Jeff Sipe of Montana Rifle Company was letting all of the competitors shoot any of the display rifles including their monstrous Flat Brake 505 Gibbs model with all ammo provided FREE by Norma USA. Randy Anderson of Vortex was on hand to discuss their line of optics and donated some outstanding binoculars and scopes for our lunch time raffle. Andy Larsson of Skinner Sights donated several custom rifle bags as well as the winners choice of any custom sight in the catalog. Ruger apparel and products were flying off the table, as were the whole series of Mark Sullivan hunting videos!

Our local high school clay target team members worked tirelessly throughout the day moving equipment, patching targets and generally keeping the match moving smoothly. Our shooters showed their appreciation of that effort by purchasing $600 in raffle tickets to support them. These kids recently returned from the state shoot with several 1st and 3rd place trophies in trap, skeet and sporting clays!

Here are a few photos of the event and I will try to post some video later. The crowd favorite "charging buffalo" was cable driven with remote control forward/reverse and variable speed. Set at its highest speed it was coming at you so fast from 35yds that many folks never got off their second shot. The 40 yard shot at the small water bottle on the ground was made more challenging by the 1 gallon jug that was released before the shoot command and was now sliding towards you at 20mph for your second shot. A few folks got wet when it was shot point blank! The crossing elephant was quite challenging and of course the "charging water jug cart" is always popular. Champion/ATK provided all of our self sealing targets and those various circles, diamonds and large hanging balls took an absolute pounding. They truly can be shot literally hundreds of times and yet remain totally serviceable.

Some of the shooters


The charging buffalo


Shooting offhand


Our trophy sponsor

The water bottle and sliding jug

Our first place trophy

A few more of our supporters
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The free raffle table
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The sliding jug drew a crowd




Some our target faces


Our 2015 shirt





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Spinning that little DuraSeal diamond with a perfect shot![img]http://i1210.photobucket.com/a...0712_124931_280_zps681d89db.jpg[/img]

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A good time was had by all, see you in 2016!

For those that are curious, here is our 2015 course of fire........

Stage 1 Checking Zero, Distance is 45 yards. Round count is 2. Scoring will be the actual number shown on the paper target. Starting position will be with an empty rifle, safety off, pointed at the target in a normal shooting stance. On the shoot command you will load and fire one round then reload and fire the second round. After firing, muzzle will be pointed up during scoring and during your return to the gun racks.

Stage 2 Sliding Jug and Small Bottle, Distance is 20 and 30 yards. Round count is 2. Scoring will be 10 points per bottle/jug that is hit and explodes. Starting position will be low ready with 2 rounds in the rifle, safety on, finger off the trigger. On command, shoot the small water bottle then the sliding jug. Muzzle up, return to gun rack.

Stage 3 Charging Buffalo, Distance is 35 yards and closing. Round count is 2. Scoring will be actual points earned on the paper target. Starting position will be low ready with 2 rounds in the rifle. On command, fire two rounds at the charging buffalo. Muzzle pointed up during scoring and return to the gun rack.

Stage 4 DuraSeal Diamonds, Distance is 30, 10 and 20 yards. Round count is 3. Scoring will be 10 points per 5 inch target hit. Start on the right hand side of the range with one round loaded, safety on, low ready position. On shoot command, fire at the 30 yard target then with empty rifle, muzzle up, move quickly to the middle position. Load and fire one round at target then with muzzle up move to the third position, load one round and fire. Muzzle up and return to gun rack.

Stage 5 Charging Jug Cart, Distance is 20 yards and closing. Round count is 2. Scoring will be 10 points per exploding jug. Two shooters with 2 rounds in gun. Low ready position, safety on. Shoot the jug on your side of the cart then be the first to shoot the middle jug. Muzzle up and return to gun rack.

Stage 6 Crossing Elephant and DuraSeal Ball, Distance 20 and 25 yards, round count is 2. Scoring is actual number on paper target, 10 points for 5 inch DuraSeal ball. Starting position is low ready with 2 rounds in the gun, safety on. On command, you may aim at the crossing elephant but do not shoot until it is PASSING BETWEEN THE ORANGE CONES. Then fire second round at the hanging DuraSeal ball. Muzzle up during scoring and return to gun rack.

Stage 7 Fast Blast, Distance is 15, 35 and 45 yards. Round count is 3. Scoring is 10 points per exploded jug or DuraSeal hit. Starting position is two shooters with 2 rounds in their guns, safety on, low ready. On command, shoot the 45 yard jug then 35 yard jug. Reload one round and shoot the orange 3 inch DuraSeal diamond. Muzzle up and return to gun rack.

Stage 8 Pandemonium, Distance is 25, 30 and 40 yards. Round count is 3. Scoring is 10 points per target hit and 10 points if a shooter explodes the 2 liter bottle. Starting position is two shooters with 2 rounds in gun, safety on, low ready. On command, shoot the 25 yard hanging DuraSeal ball then the 30 yard hanging DuraSeal diamond. If you hit both DuraSeal targets then speed load one round and be the first to shoot the 40 yard bottle. Muzzle up and return to gun rack.

Stage 9 Long Shot, Distance 80 yards, round count 2. Scoring is 10 points for hitting the 1 liter bottle with your first shot, 5 points if it is your second try. Starting position is one round in gun, safety on, low ready. Shot must be taken off hand. Reload and fire again if necessary. Muzzle up, return to gun rack.

Some of the photos post and some are links that don't work for me. Takes you to photobucket but shows -

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Great event..