Good Varmint Silhouette Match in Pala

[EricStecker]

To All,

I wanted to formally thank John Adams for inviting Shawn, Michelle and myself to the June varmint silhouette match in Pala, CA. The match consists of shooting varmint sized silhouette targets from 200 yards to 600 yards using F-Class type rifles and position,you can shoot off a bench if you want).

John provided the rifles that the three of us used. We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the match and this style of shooting. I enjoy a change of pace and this course of fire along with the informal and friendly way they hold matches was just the ticket.

You would think that shooting silhouettes using rests and scopes would be easy but it was quite a challenge since the wind direction and velocity changes could easily push your bullet off the small varmint silhouette targets. You really had to stay on top of the changes to get hits each time. The high score of the day was an impressive 48 out of 50. ,For the record we were not at the top of the list as this type of shooting is harder than it may seem but I did beat Shawn and Michelle...teehee)

If you are looking for a fun match run by capable and friendly folks you should drop by the Pala range on the first Sunday of every month,I believe). If you want more details contact John Adams at jadams009@earthlink.com. John can tell you everything you need to know.

Regards,
Eric Stecker

 

[SongdogHunter]

I've only shot one match out there but did have a good time and will be back fro more when I can free up some time.

SDH

 

[Forum Boss]

Eric,

This is the kind of match my club runs in Ojai, NE of Ventura, though ALL our shooting is at 600. Yep, tagging a chicken with a 3" diameter hit zone is VERY challenging at 600.

We have a feature story on the shooting at PALA. You'll find it here:

http://www.6mmbr.com/gunweek033.html

The story even includes Katy's famous guacamole recipe!

 

[Ramsh00ter]

I have not been able to shoot Pala for sometime due to other commitments, I can't wait to get back.

In order to show some friends back east the shoot, I posted some photos and information on my wife's web site. If you would like to see some more detailed photos go to the following link.

http://www.brooksiebuffstuff.com/varmintshilo.htm

Randy

 

[StephenPerry]

Eric
Pala listed you as Eric Stretcher. I know that's how you felt after you climbed off the ground 10 or 15 times. Next time try the benches. At Pala we now shoot 600m so there are 5 distances 200-600m. The order of silhouettes now are pica 200, crow 300, squirrel 400, rabbit 500, prairie dog 600.
Fun shoot lots of action.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR

 

[mysticplayer]

This sounds like way too much fun. going to head out tomorrow to smack some varmint boulders at 1km.

Fun, fun, fun.

Jerry

 

[Forum Boss]

Randy,

Man, there are some sweet-lookin' rigs in that line-up. Glad to see there are some serious precision shooters left in Calif.

What assortment of chamberings are you seeing on the line these days? Up in Ojai, the 6BR, 6BRX and Dasher have been king for the last two years.

But at our club Accuracy is critical. I see you only shoot the smallest target,your "pica") at 200m.

We shoot all four targets at 600 yards: Ram, Turkey, Pig, and Chicken. There are 10 targets per bank and four are chickens. The "hit zone" on the chicken is about the same as the Picas--maybe a 3" diameter circle. With a 1/2 MOA rifle you have to do a perfect shot to hit a chicken. With a 1/4 MOA rifle, you have a little latitude. A .308 can win it all, but by the end of the day, the 6BR/BRXs usually have the highest hit totals. You get more points for the chickens that the rams, so precision is rewarded.

I like the idea of multiple distances--gives more of a chance at hits. At our match some tyros get discouraged because the can't nail the chickens at all. Shorter ranges would provide positive reinforcement.

PROPOSAL:
You know what we should do is have a Silhouette Trifecta--Pala, Ojai, and San Luis Obispo--maybe in three successive weekends, then we could crown an official state champ. What do you think?

Steven, could we get you up to San Luis?

 

[Tcon260]

Does San Luis Obispo have this type of match?

Ted

 

[Ramsh00ter]

Moderator,

Harold limits the shoot to max of 6.5mm and 105 grains bullets. Other than that, anything goes.

You see mostly 6mm in many configurations. My son and I currently shoot 6Dashers, we used to shoot a version of 6mm Rem Imp'd.

I enjoy the shoot and different distances, just as in a High Power Shoot, you have to deal with many different conditions.
And with the different distances and the animals scaled accordenly, the average shooter gets more hits. But believe me, it is no cake walk. I have shot Pala for the last 4-5 years or so, and only have one straight 40 under my belt. It is very challenging and fun.

Great group of shooters there. I am about a year away from finishing a remodeling project, when it is done,,and I get my gun room back), I will be back. Actually, my son and I were talking about trying to make the July 1st shoot, as we need a break.-

At the Ojai shoot, are you using standard High Power Silo targets at 600 yards? Or are they scaled down?

Regarding a series shoot, contact Harold, I would bet he would love to get something like that going. He has worked very hard to develope this shoot. I take my hat off to Harold, very dedicated individual.

Randy

 

[StephenPerry]

Pala Shooters
To help some out don't expect to set-up a loading table at Pala, no time to load during the Shoot. Most everybody goes out and sets up the targets they just knocked down. Cleaning would be nothing more than running a wet patch through your barrel which most don't bother to do. Though great guns these are not BR guns unless you choose to shoot one, most have muzzle breaks not because they look cool because they work in this game. Calibers from what I have seen range from 22 Dasher up to 6.5 whatever most use something like a 6x47 Lapua. Actually my 6x47 Rem with the 66 grn bullets I make for BR was knocking down one after the other at 600. Problem is after the shot I had trouble getting on the next target this is where the muzzle break allows you to see your hit and be ready for the next shot. See allot of moly bullets, ok Berger 105 molys other bullets of that weight would work fine too. Mike Sosenko shot the only 50x50 using one of John's 22 Dasher's with 80 grn Hornaday bullets. Mike smithed the gun along my 6x47 Lapua and most of John's other Pala guns. Mike also makes the muzzle breaks allot of us use. I use the aluminum disks Mike makes under my Hart rest also. Maybe next year when I get more time in I will hit the ground and shoot like a Pilgrim farmer. But not all the time though. Heard some Indian wampum over the hill don't want to be part of an Indian up-rising. Like in the Born in East LA Movie I don't think 20 guns could hold off 5000 Mexicans but in this case Indians.
The shooting is fast and Harold gets us done around 1 PM. There is time before and after to practice and the Friday before the Shoot. Use your search using Pala Shooting to access the range. In the left bar hit Varmint Rifle Shooting. Remember to bring enough ammo. The course is now 50 shots 200-600. You are allowed 2 sighter shots for each 10 record. You will probably shoot a dozen in the morning practice so minimum 80 rounds get the 100 MTM box you will fill it up. Bring you own drinks and some food sometimes there is community food and drink but don't count on it. Construction uni-sex port-a-potty.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR

 

[Forum Boss]

Moderator,

[snip]with the different distances and the animals scaled accordenly, the average shooter gets more hits. But believe me, it is no cake walk. I have shot Pala for the last 4-5 years or so, and only have one straight 40 under my belt. It is very challenging and fun.

At the Ojai shoot, are you using standard High Power Silo targets at 600 yards? Or are they scaled down?

The program at Ojai is a little different. Right now we shoot three or four "stages" of 10 steel targets. Sometimes we'll add a stage of shooting at the 600-yd BR paper target first thing in the morning, but that means somebody has to truck the target frames about 30 miles from where they're stored.

I prefer the Pala format of working your way out in distance. We START at 600 and some guys have trouble getting zeroed the first time.

Targets are scaled-down silhouettes. The Ram is about 18" x 12" and is pretty easy to hit. The smallest target, chicken, is maybe 6" high counting head and foot, but the "hit zone" in the center is about a 3" circle. Chickens are very challenging. There may be only 1 or 2 times a shooter gets all ten targets during the whole day. Sometimes it doesn't happen at all.

The smaller the target, the higher the point total. Having a rifle that delivers a VERY tight vertical is the key. I can see my hits with no muzzle brake on my 6BR. If you're shooting something like a 6-284 a muzzle brake is helpful.

I would like to see the club do something like a stage with clay pidgeons at 300 so the newcomers and guys with factory rifles would get a little more gratification to start off. It looks like your Pala format is great.

Here's Ojai, looking out towards the 600-yard berm:

We also have a 100-yard "fun benchrest" match every month. Interestingly, the best 600-yard guns have done pretty well at 100 yards too.

 

[StephenPerry]

Paul
Ojai Course looks similar except at Pala there is more up the slope shooting and there are several event materials left up like the Cowboy stuff. At Pala we draw or are assigned a starting distance. The first time I shot Mike and I started at 400 then 500 then 600 then back to 200 and finally at 300. You can have actually several teams of shooters shooting the same bank of targets at different distances.

Stephen Perry
Angeles BR

 

[Shelley]

Paul,

In the above photo, I notice that the ammo holder has different bullets in it. There appears to be short light bullets in front and longer heavier bullets in the rear. Is it customary to shoot lighter, perhaps more accurate bullets, at shorter range and heavier bullets, that can handle the wind drift at the longer distances?

Thanks
Shelley

 

[Ramsh00ter]

Shelly,

In years past, as a High Power Silo shooter, most of us used lighter bullets for the first 3 banks and stepped up to a heavier bullet for the Rams at 500 meters. I personally used 168's, then went to the 190's for the Ram.

I have considered this at the Pala match a few times, but that is far as it got. At Pala, at least for me, the 105's seem to work accross the course.

I have seen a few of the guys trying to save the barrels on their long range rigs by using a short range PPC for the 200 meter bank. But I think it hurt them in the long run.

I have never seen one of these varimint silos not go down when hit. I have seen a few turn from an edge hit, but a different bullet wouldn't change that. Mayber a thicker Moly coat, lol

Just my two cents worth.