MN competitions?

[Rock Knocker]

I live in Minnesota and was wondering if there are many competitions around expecially long range shoots. I dont know if i can even say im new to this because i havent even started yet but i want to. I dont know if i changes things having winter coming up or if they still shoot (they should be shooting.) I would kinda rather do some practical shooting shooting becuase i dont have a bench rifle but who knows what the future holds. Thanks for any help.

 

[spclark]

There's a great resource put out every March by one of Illinois' finest service rifle shooters called the 10 State Highpower Schedule. The ranges included are shown on the map here:

http://www.illinoishighpower.org/10-state_schedule/10-state_schedule.htm

- and you can download the full schedule from the link on that page. 2010's over though so be looking for the 2011 schedule sometime in mid-March next year.

There's a list of range contacts on the back pages & I suggest you download a copy then contact the folks for the ranges closest to you for more info. The range at Harris os the only one listed as having a 1000 yard range. One of those ranges I know has an indoor range that allows shooting to 30 yards and is equipped with electronic targets & may offer 1000 yard "virtual" shooting during the cold winter months. Maybe the range at Harris?

The Winnequah Gun Club range near Lodi, WI is very popular among shooters from MN, WI, IA, IL & MI. You'd be welcome there for any registered matches.

 

[Rock Knocker]

excellent, thanks a lot ;D

 

[Bkluke]

Gopher Rifle and Revolver Club - Harris, Mn.- (www.GRRC.org)

 

[Rock Knocker]

Thanks a ton for the help. Sounds like im just getting interested in this at the wrong time of the year, oh well. I just talked to a guy that gets a group of people together and rents a gun club in Princeton. In the summer the club has a 100 yard range and 3 trap houses but they shut down in the winter and these guys come in and shoot across the whole club, the longest they can stretch it out is 500 yards but thats a very helpfull start compared to all the 100 yard ranges around. Ive got the phone number and adress if anyones interested. The guy made it sound like they take it pretty seriously . Ether way im new to reloading and need to fine tune some rounds.

 

[15Tango]

The Elk River Sportsman's Club hosts an F-Class night, High-Power night and pistol league and trap league. The F-Class & High-Power's done for the year though, I don't know about trap or pistol.

It's a private club but anybody can shoot on those leagues - the gate's opened up for those events.

http://ersportsman.com/

Wayne

 

[GermanS1]

http://minnesotarifleshooting.blogspot.com/

 

[spclark]

Check this out too:

http://www.mrra.org/hipower.htm

I just discovered it myself this morning.

 

[Rock Knocker]

Well good job guys, i want to get into some long range shooting and im looking for some new guns already. The only gun i own right now that could work for any of this is a AR-15 varminter .223, im hoping to be able to hand load some stuff that could get me around 2-3" groups at 400 yards ive gotten 4" groups with factory stuff and 55gr. bullets from a 1-9 twist. So i know i can get better i just dont know how much better. BUT what would a good gun for a beginer into this? I kinda like the idea of building a model 700 but what round? Also are there any factory guns out there that are "cost effective" ive heard a lot of good things about Savage but are any of them actually competition worthy? Being totaly new to this i have to think that spending more than $1500 on the rifle would really be twisting my arm but can i get something good for those prices? I wouldnt mind spending a little more if its going to be a gun i have around for years to come rather than getting a gun and wanting to upgrade right away. Anyways just mindless jibber jabber ive got plenty of time to kill.

 

[effendude]

Hey Rock,
Welcome to the shooting arena here in MN. I am the president of the Elk River Sportsman's Club and I run the F-class league each summer. Each year I train 10-20 new shooters on the basics of shooting mid-range F-class at 300 and 600 yards. We have much fun. Some of us are very competitive while at the other extreme, we have shooters who just want to experience shooting longer ranges or improve their hunting skills. I am also a member of the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Rifle and Revolver Assn. The MRRA is the states competitive shooting organization. www.mrra.org will have the 2011 match schedule posted soon. Membership costs $15 a year and is a great bargain.

The Elk River Club hosts weekly F-class and OTC leagues each summer usually starting in April and running through August. We do some fun, casual events out to 600 yards in the winter, but snow in the pits is tough to shovel at times. ;D ERSC is accepting applications for new members right now. PM me and I'll give you my phone number. I'd be happy to discuss opportunities for you here in MN and we can talk equipment forever. The Elk River Club is on 30 minutes away from Buffalo.
Scott

 

[p scully]

don't forget about north star rifle club in red wing. duluth has the northwest gun club. both host several matches every year. eau claire wi. as well. the website german added is your best source of info for mn. matches. pm me if you have any questions i'm happy to help if i can.

 

[4xforfun]

Thanks a ton for the help. Sounds like im just getting interested in this at the wrong time of the year, oh well. I just talked to a guy that gets a group of people together and rents a gun club in Princeton. In the summer the club has a 100 yard range and 3 trap houses but they shut down in the winter and these guys come in and shoot across the whole club, the longest they can stretch it out is 500 yards but thats a very helpfull start compared to all the 100 yard ranges around. Ive got the phone number and adress if anyones interested. The guy made it sound like they take it pretty seriously . Ether way im new to reloading and need to fine tune some rounds.

If this is the match shot at the "Long Siding" range, about 3 miles north of Prinston, it is a HOOT!!!! I made it to thier final shoot this spring. Tarets shot at 100 to 500 yards. You have unlimited sighters at the first 100 yard relay, but after that ....NO SIGHTERS. This is strictly a score match shot on both regular targets and also animal targets at 300, 400, and 500 yards. It is a good time.

Again, it is a blast.

 

[Rock Knocker]

The guys rent out the West Branch Gun club. 3 miles north of princeton is the right place. Ive heard good stuff about it. My only problem is that i dont have any rock solid hand loads because i just started reloading a week ago and i dont have anywhere to test them out esspecially at those ranges, its sounds like they only compete there.

 

[ARman]

I live in Minnesota and was wondering if there are many competitions around expecially long range shoots. Thanks for any help.
ing becuase i dont ha

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NRA matches in MN are mainly held a 5 different rifle clubs in MN. They are NorthStar rifle club in Red Wing, Gopher Rifle club in Harris, Elk River sportsman's club in Elk river, Northwestern Gun club in Duluth, and Mpls rifle club near Nowthen. Most matches are held between April and October, although MRC has some 300 m matches once a month in the winter. These rifle clubs all have ranges that go from 50 yds (sm bore) to 600 yds and in the case of GRRC -- to 1000yds. GRRC and (I think) NorthStar have shooting clinics in May.
My shooting blog has most anything you need to know about these competitions, including "How-to" articles, and complete schedules. click here http://minnesotarifleshooting.blogspot.com/ for Minnesotarifleshooting.blogspot.com If you have any more questions please e-mail me at ARman772@aol.com
I should add that there are Rifle matches almost every Sat and Sun in the summer months and beginers are always welcome and encouraged to come - Hawkeye

 

[Rock Knocker]

Does anyone know where i can go just to practice. 600 yards would be perfect but 300-400 would be great. Elk River Sportsmans club is the longest range ive been to and they stretch that out to 400 but its quite a drive for me, and members only...

 

[ARman]

Does anyone know where i can go just to practice. 600 yards would be perfect but 300-400 would be great. Elk River Sportsmans club is the longest range ive been to and they stretch that out to 400 but its quite a drive for me, and members only...

************

All of the best rifle clubs and Ranges in MN require membership as they are not public ranges. Where do you live and I could give steer you to the club that is the most convenient?
Bear in mind that these clubs might have a waiting list for open membership, but if you are serious about shooting competitions, there is no other choice.
I posted a link to my shooting blog. If you page through past articles, you can find many pictures of last summer's Small bore and Highpower rifle matches and discriptions of them
Hawkeye

 

[22BRGUY]

We have a range at the Faribault Rifle and Pistol club that stretches out to 600 that will test your wind doping ability....Great bunch of people....also will have a gun show this weekend at the Faribault Armory just off 35W on the north side of Faribault.....can shoot at range with a friend/member to see if you like it and fees are very reasonable....best wishes in your quest

 

[Rock Knocker]

I live in Buffalo. Monticello Sportsmans club is the closest range, but they only have 200 yards and its something like a 3 year wait and $600+ for a membership, so im not even considering going on the list there. These last couple weeks is the first time ive heard of the Elk River Sportsmans club if i would have known about it earlier i would have gone on the list years ago. Im just afraid of the steep upfront costs for a lifetime membership. I think it should be you go on the list pay by year and if you miss a year go to the back of the list and start over, Elk River is the closest for me NOW but who knows in 3-4 years... Hell next year could be a whole different story.

 

[sbrabec]

Rock
Elk River (ERSC Club http://www.ersportsman.com/Index.asp) seems close, about 45 minutes or so and has a 600 yard range. Gopher Rifle and Revolver (http://www.grrc.org/)in Harris, MN has 1000 yards although it is a little further out for you. Can't count out North Star Rifle Club (http://www.mrra.org/northstar/index.htm) in Red Wing, which has 600 yards and not much further than Harris. I know all the above ranges have been listed.
Good luck
Scott

 

[Rock Knocker]

Thanks for the info. I have sent effendude a PM he said earlier in this thread he was presedent of the Elk River club. I will have to look into Harris also, right now 1000 yards really isnt in the question but ive got some time to upgrade.