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New Winds at Manatee ?

Wanting to help was my goal. There appears to be "personal" issues down there. Being outside looking in, things appeared to be simple. Not true in politics.

Sorry, Im not a politition...................
 
The last I heard, the "plan" was to work on the east berm. Just like we talked about Larry, I know you support that idea and you were one of the original supporters of it. I wish you guys the best.
 
If you guys are not having fun at Manatee, on the 565 yd line or shooting the gong at 1000yds., there is some thing seriously wrong with you. Ive shot there 8 or 10 times, and had a blast every time. As far as the 565 not being 600yds, what does that really matter? It is what it is and that's just fine with me. I just wish I could get there more often. The only complaint Ive got is unless you get there early for the 565 match you have to shot from a bench that is at a long angle to the target. I shot from a bench in the 20s or 30s (number 1 bench being to the west end)one time and missed big time when going from the west end of the fence to the right end. If left to me I wouldn't change a thing.
 
I live in Northern Broward County & quarterly make the 3.25 hour trip one way to shoot specifically out to 1000 yards as it is the only 1000 yard range within "Reasonable" driving distance. I also belong to the Port Malabar Rifle & Pistol Club & actively shoot & compete F-TR at 600 yards monthly from October to May. Personally, I would like to see the berms widened past 565 to accommodate intermediate distances between 565-1000 yards. The concrete benches are very solid, well built and very usable. I shoot prone & there is just enough room in between benches to set up & shoot. It also protects from muzzle sideblast from guys shooting .50 cal with brakes. A Target-Cam system would be awesome & on my wish list for the distant targets past 565yds (Change to 600 yards...I agree). Range is run very safely by the officers with minimal/no amount of aggravation, which I love.

Just recently got back from Wytheville, Va from a long-distance practical school from Dan Newberry (www.bangsteel.com) Highly recommend the course. We shot to @ 1250 yards. Targets are there out to 1800+ yards. Contact Dan directly.

LOVE Manatee, HATE the drive!
my $.02
Doug
 
The only way it will happen is support from the shooters I don't think the gun club is going to have monthly meetings. This is the only place we have a chance. I am not a paper shooter but I will support fully any shooting as long as it is safe. Members and non members that would like to see the range improved the right way please help Good Shooting Larry
 
Savagedasher, thats an "open" mind you have there. Dont stray from it! You build your own rifles? Even if you dont, think about this for the moment.....

Everyone is a natural born competitor. Lets look at 1000 yards for a second. Some are happy slapping 10 rounds on an 8" gong, some are happy putting 10 rounds within the X ring at 1K.

YOU will go there, I know you will. Everyone will take a shot at it.
 
I went to the Manatee web site today to take a look at up coming events, the schedule calender needs to be updated. While I was there I also looked for the format for the shoots and the rules of the shoots that are held there, didn't find those either.

If there are members of Manatee on this site that are monitoring this thread, could you please fill in the blanks? I'd like to have more info before I pack up my rig and travel 230 + miles 1 way to shoot a match that has no rules or restrictions.

I'd like to know cost, round count, start time among other things. I've shot there probably 6 times since I moved up here for fun, but would like to shoot more but need more info. I know I could pick up the phone, but this is the internet age.

Thanks, and good shooting.
Don Dunlap
 
Hi guys,

Thought I would take the opportunity to clarify some comments regarding the range and matches at the Manatee gun club.

I am a recently elected board member and have been instrumental in trying to bring some semblance of order to our Saturday matches. We started the year, with all matches subject to IBS rules regarding weight and bench equipment. Since then the rules governing the steel target matches on the 1st and 3rd Saturday have been changed to the older policy of no rules of any kind. Yes, a rail gun would be allowed.

The 2 matches I run on the 2nd and 4th Saturday are run under IBS rules.

Several board members are persuing a plan to move the berm on the “right” side of the range back from 565 yards to allow placement of the targets at a true 600 yards. In addition plans to widening the 1000 yard gap to approximately 100 feet and in the process correct the drainage problem thru that gap.

We are also trying to get the clubs web site up to date.

TYPICAL MONTHLY MATCH SCHEDULE AND RELATED ROUND COUNTS:

First Saturday: 1000 yard steel gong match; consisting of 3, 5 shot strings for record. Typical round count would be 35 to 45 rounds, including fowlers, sighters & possible shoot-offs. Entry cost is $8 per shooter. $7 returned in prize money. You can participate in the match and not be a part of the prize money pool for $1. There are no rules regarding guns or bench equipment.

Second Saturday: 565 yard IBS type paper match, consisting of 4, 5 shot groups on IBS 600 yard paper targets. Typical round count would be 35 to 45 rounds, including fowlers & sighters. Entry cost is $8 per shooter. $5 returned in prize money (target costs). You can participate in the match and not be a part of the prize money pool for $3. All guns, bench equipment and line call are to be governed by the IBS rules. There are basically 2 classes, light guns under 17# and those over 17#. It is the shooters responsibility to be informed regarding the rules governing equipment and register in the appropriate class. Fowlers and sighter are targeted at clay birds in the dirt bank behind the target frames.

Third Saturday: 565 yard steel gong match; consisting of 3, 5 shot strings for record. Typical round count would be 35 to 45 rounds, including fowlers, sighters & possible shoot-offs. Entry cost is $8 per shooter. $7 returned in prize money. You can participate in the match and not be a part of the prize money pool for $1. There are no rules regarding guns or bench equipment.

Fourth Saturday: 1000 yard IBS type paper match, consisting of 2, 10 shot groups on the center 24” square section of the IBS 1000 yard paper targets. Typical round count would be 35 to 45 rounds, including fowlers & sighters. Entry cost is $8 per shooter. $5 returned in prize money (target costs). You can participate in the match and not be a part of the prize money pool for $3. All guns, bench equipment and line call are to be governed by the IBS rules. There are basically 2 classes, light guns under 17# and those over 17#. It is the shooters responsibility to be informed regarding the rules governing equipment and register in the appropriate class. Fowlers and sighter are targeted at clay birds in the dirt bank behind the target frames.

Fifth Saturday: No matches are scheduled.

Regarding the round count, I feel uncomfortable without at least 45 rounds for steel matches. The round count for IBS matches are more easily controlled by the shooter. No shoot-offs mean fewer variables. Those matches could be shot with as few as 30 to 35 rounds. Better to have too many than too few.

Shooters should be signed in at the club house by 8:00 AM. Matches start at approximately 9:00 AM

Some shooters want rules governing our matches and some do not. This schedule attempts to accommodate both.

We welcome all constructive comments and or corrections to the above. Too much typing for this guy.

I will not be running the 565 yard (600) IBS match this weekend. The club’s match director will be filling in. I am heading up to Oak Ridge, TN to shoot in a sanctioned 1000 yard F-Class match.

Steve
 
Great response Steve!
I also believe there is a caliber restriction, 30 cal at the 565yd gong 5 inch gong and 338 cal at the thousand yd 8 inch gong, for the monthly matches. I believe the caliber restriction for the IBS matches is .40 cal.
Tom
 
Also note:
In addition to the match fees, non-members pay a daily fee of 18$ to shoot all day at the range,
Members pay 5$.
Tom
 
Don this was your kind of shoot we had last weekend and you have seen many we had 15 shooters and we had a first time shooter with a bi pod hand it to us . Its not the gun it the shooter. Good Shooting Larry
 
Thanks guys,

Keep the comments and clarifications coming :)

Agree, I missed several points regarding steel gong size: 5" dia. at 565 yards and 8" dia. at 1000 yards. Also the caliber restrictions even at the steel gong matches. Some times, the 7mm and 30 Cal's. will spin those gongs 4 to 5 revolutions. You have to wait too long for a follow on shot.

I think the annual club membership is a great deal. Signing up in December saves some money.

Pm me if you need to discuss any issue not suitable for this format.

Steve
 
Hi Savagedasher,

Be careful what you say about who won with what. A closer look at that the gun on that bi-pod showed it was no off the shelf factory gun. Good shooter, yes. Great rifle, for sure.

I was out shooting just for fun :)

Steve
 
To clarify. The winning rifle was a custom Accuracy International, McMillan stock, Surgeon action, Custom
Bottom metal with a Schmidt/Bender scope, piloted by a good shooter.
Tom
 
The only " RULE " for the gong matches at Manatee Gun Club is 30 cal. maximun @ 565yds. and 338 cal @ 1000yds. This is to protect the gongs. The Gong match has been shot monthly for many years with basically no rules and has been enjoyed by all who participate. 20 to 25 shooters has been steady until the ammo and component shortage, now 14 - 15 but we see it coming back to last years average. Heavy guns have little advantage over light guns if any. I have been the match director for almost 4 years and I have seen many "light guns" outshoot the heavy guns. Looking through the last several years results at both the 565 and 1000 yd. matches, heavy guns have only won about 20% of the time. Come on out, have some fun, see what we do, learn how to read the wind and mirage with a great bunch of guys. It will be $8 well spent, I guarantee it. First Saturday is 1000yd. and 3rd. Saturday is 565yd. If weather keeps us from shooting 1000yds. we shoot 565 yds. Sign in 7:45, warm-up starts about 8:30 and the match starts 9-9:15 am. over about 11:00.
MIKE
 
I never said it wasn't a good gun. But if it wasn't pointed in the right spot it wouldn't of won. Give the credit to where it belongs. When a new shooter comes and beats us at our own game with a bi pod. It tells me one of two things our equipment sucks or He did one great job of shooting. When they went to the 3'' gong for the shoot off he hit it 3 out of 4 times. I have always said it not the equipment it the Shooter. Good Shooting Larry
 
The shoot off gong at 565 is 4" not 3" Larry. 5" competition gong is sub minute of angle, the shoot off at 4" is almost 50% smaller in area. That was really great shooting. We also learn from newcomers!! MIKE
 

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