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When Chris Whitney fired a 600-41X for his first 600 on a 3×600 course of fire, I commented that I believed it had been done only five times previously. I was incorrect. I has been done at Midland eight (8) times previously (since 2006 which is when I started using Access to produce the results).

• Leo Cebula – July 2009
• Peter Church – September 2015
• Peter Church – September 2017
• Ray Gross – June 2018
• Ray Gross – July 2018
• Peter Church – July 2019
• Ray Gross – September 2020
• Chris Whitney – October 2020

Arguably, Midland is an easy range. At least part of the year it is easy. As I thumbed through the scores for about seven (7) matches per year since 2006, I was surprised with the variability of winning scores. Some were surprisingly low, others were at the none, one, or two down. The lows were not necessarily matches with small turn-outs. Rather, they appeared to be days where the wind was not dopeable.

At any rate this was a fun exercise to keep my mind active during my retirement.

Cheers!

On the 3rd of October in the year of COVID (2020) we conducted the last Suburban Mid-Range Prone Match of the season. Twelve (12) shooters came out on a cool, but relatively still day.

We had one important milestone, Chris Whitney shooting a Scoped Any Rifle with Sling posted a 600-41X for the high Any Rifle. I believe this is only the fifth 600 posted at the Midland Range (I admit I could be overlooking a couple more, but they are damned scarce). So this is quite an achievement. Good job, Chris.

For the F-Open, Tony Dekelaita fired a 594-34X for highest score. Steve Goyette was high F-TR with a 589-22X, and Ray Gross was the high Palma Rifle with a 596-41.

Our next match at MCSC will be the Halloween BSA Charity Match on November 7, 2020. Click here for the program.

On Saturday the 18th of July 2020, we got together for the second Mid-Range Prone Match of the 2020 season. If all had been well, this would have been fired on July 4, 2020, and the Michigan Fullbore Championship would have been fired on May 23rd. However, thanks to Coronavirus that was not to be.

At any rate, this was the third weekend in a row that had a match on it. The 4th was the Fullbore Championship, the 11th and 12th was the Michigan Long range championship, and finally the 18th was this match. That kept the turnout low. Six (6) Shooters, and only five (5) scorecards turned in.

Our day was increasingly warm, and humid. However, we pulled out the awnings and we were able to cover the line and finished by 11:30 AM. As payment for the heat and humidity, Mother Nature gave us easy conditions. For a couple of strings, it felt like weather to check your zero in.

The High Target Rifle Shooter was Ray Gross with a 597-32X, beating Jamie Root, 597-25 by seven (7) “X’s”. The high and only F-Open shooter was Marcel Bollinger with a 592-22X.

After a coronavirus delay of about seven (7) weeks the 2020 Michigan Fullbore Prone Championship was finally held. Twenty-one (21) shooters participated in this years event. We had eight (8) F-Open shooters, five (5) F-TR shooters, seven (7) Target Rifle (Sling) shooters, and one Mid-Range prone shooter with an Any Rifle who shot for fun.

The F-Open was a contest between Marcel Bollinger and Al Barnhart. Marcel was victorious with a 447-22X to Al’s 446-29X.

In F-TR, Paul Phillips dominated the field firing a 445-23X compared to his second place challenger, Tom Martelle who posted a 441-21X.

In the Target Rifle (Sling) category it was a run for the money between visiting Hanne Brantner from Pennsylvania and Midland local, Ray Gross. Hanne was the winner with a 449-28X over Ray’s 448-29X. Per Michigan Rifle and Pistol Association rules, Hanne cannot be named Michigan Champion due to residency. As a result, Ray is named the Target Rifle Champion.

We had sixteen (16) shooters turn out for the first Suburban Mid-Range Prone Match of 2020. Normally, we would have started in May, but due to Governor Whitmer’s executive orders in response to the Coronavirus Crisis we were not allowed to conduct any matches.

Conditions were pleasantly cool, and sunny. However, we were dealing with a strong, gusty wind. From those who tried to dope it, many commented that it was almost undopeable.

There were some interesting scores fired. Jamie Root was the high sling shooter with a 597-26X. Of note, is his closest competitor was twelve (12) points behind. I believe Jamie was benefiting from a hard hold, and nuclear 223 handloads (MZ over 3100 fps with 85.5 Bergers).

in the F-Open Category Marcel Bollinger bested the pack with a 590-26X. He too was seven (7) points ahead of his closest challenger.

Finally, in F-TR Tom Fisher was high with a 583-15X, a handy fifteen (15) points of his nearest competitor.

The next match at Midland will be the Michigan Fullbore Prone Championship, postponed from May 23 to July 4, 2020. The program is:

The Suburban Mid-Range Prone match scheduled for June 13, 2020 is On!

Program:

Per the Governor’s orders regarding the Coronavirus Crisis all matches are canceled until May 15, 2020. This includes matches scheduled for April 25, 2020, and May 9, 2020.

If the spread of the virus abates such that groups of more than 10 are allowed, it is possible the May 23, 2020 Fullbore State Championship will run as scheduled. If not, we will likely postpone until later in the year.

Stay at home and stay healthy!

Per the Governor’s Executive order, Midland County Sportsman’s Club will be closed until April 13, 2020. As a result the Winter League matches scheduled for April 4, 2020 and April 11, 2020 are canceled.

With luck we will be able to start again after the 13th.