Jerry,
Please put me down for sporter, 3-gun, and unlimited. I also plan to shoot the 3, one target money matches Saturday afternoon.
I was going to make a separate post to tell newcomers just what shooting at Fairchance is all about. But I can put it here.
Fairchance is special, very special. It has a rich history for benchrest shooting both centerfire and rimfire. It is one of the largest (50-benches) ranges in the country. The history goes deep, all the way back to the days of the Pennsylvania long rifles.
Many, many stories have come from matches held at Fairchance. Some exciting and remarkable matches have been shot there.
I recall on my first trip to Fairchance two guys were arguing about two shooters. One said shooter "A" had won a state tournament. The other guy responded yea but shooter "B" won the Fairchance club tournament and that trumped it. When you win at Fairchance you have 15 more bragging rites than a win anywhere else.
On that same trip I learned another valuable lesson. This was an IR 50/50 Nationals. The wind was howling, and everyone was talking about how the scores would be low and no one expected to shoot very well. Kinda of depressing to be honest.
When the shooting started, we all did our best, but our hearts just wasn't into it.
Then I watched a guy from New York, I think his name was Busby.
He sat down at his bench, and he was strictly business. You could tell the wind and all the talk had not intimidated him. He was there to shoot and shoot he did. I think he won a class or two, but I don't think he won it all. But he changed my shooting forever. I have never allowed conditions to intimidate me since. If anything, it makes me try harder and be more determined. I never spoke to him about this I didn't have to. He gave me a gift that day that words alone could never have done.
Good things can happen at great places and Fairchance is a great place. Don't miss this shoot!!
The one target money matches Saturday afternoon were put on to help draw the ARA guys. The hope is you will show up and shoot the money matches and use them as warm ups for the unlimited Nationals on Sunday. This is your chance to shoot a great range, make a little money, and gain a lot of bragging rites. Hope to see many of you there.
TKH