Junior Claims F-TR Northern Rockies Regional Championship and Ties NRA National Record
The Fourth Annual Northern Rockies Long Range & F-Class Regional took place September 27-29th at Missoula, Montana’s Deep Creek Rifle Range and was hosted by the Montana Rifle and Pistol Association. 75 shooters from 17 states, Canada and Sweden took 1000 yard aim over a two day period under unexpected, difficult weather conditions.
Capital High School Sophomore, Andrew McLain (15 years of age) from Helena, MT tied a Junior F-TR National Record with a score of 194-5X in the first 20 round 1000 yd match. Andrew continued to post good scores over the remainder of the tournament claiming the F-TR Regional Gold with 938-22X. Along the way, Andrew out shot 30 of the other combined F-Open and F-TR competitors including several previous regional champions and several NRA National Record holders. Andrew’s score claimed the F-TR title, and his score was bested by only one F-Open shooter, the F-Open Regional Champion, John Bruce, Kuna, ID.
This is Andrew’s first year of competitive shooting and first 1000 yard F-Class regional tournament. Andrew was shooting a Precision Rifle & Tool rifle and has been mentored by Donald Erpenbach. Interestingly, McLain used the same rifle that Erpenbach used in 2012, when Erpenbach established his own National Record (a fine shooting Savage!) Andrew took many experienced shooters by surprise for his first F-Class tournament at this young age. We hope to see Andrew competing in the upcoming 2014 F-TR nationals.
Friday-Four Man Team Match
Shooting got under way on Friday with 14 teams competing, firing the Palma format at 800-900-1000yds. The first place team in F-Class was a F-TR team composed of 2 Montanans, Mike Anderson and Andrew McLain, and 2 Idahoans, David Kynoch and Mark Frisbey. McLain was a last minute substitute on the winning team. McLain performed very well in the team match and went on to have a great weekend in the individual matches.
The Sling Division was closely contested and the All National Guard Marksmanship Team “All Guard D12†came out on top with Garey Diefenderfer, John Coggshall, Leigh Jenks and Stuart Mackey barely edging out Team “Can-Amâ€, made up of several Canadians and Washington’s “30 Cal Gal.â€
If you ever have the chance to shoot in a team match, go for it, they are a lot of fun and they help you become a better shooter and wind doper from the experience.
Individual Matches
The original Course of Fire for the weekend was supposed to continue with the Palma format at 800-900-1000yds for Saturday and Sunday, but due to the severity of the weather, the jury elected to continue with the matches, but fire them all from the 1000yd line under overhead cover.
In the F-Open Division, John Bruce ran away with the lead on the first and second days, and won the Regional Gold Medal for his second time. In the heavily contested F-TR Division, it was a close race each of the days and for the final championship. After 60 rounds for record on the first day, 3 points separated 1st to 3rd, with junior shooter, McLain coming in a surprising third place. As day two wrapped up, it remained very close with 2 previous regional champions and McLain battling it out of the overall F-TR title. In the end, it was McLain coming out on top in only his second long range F-Class match!
McLain, F-TR Regional Winner
Hank Hannah Wins the Hotly Contested Montana National Guard Trophy
In the Northern Rockies Tournament, the top Montana National Guard Shooter is recognized with a Trophy signifying their accomplishment using a service issued rifle and ammunition. This year, there were a total of 12 Montana Air and Army National Guard members competing at the tournament including 9 members of 1-163rd Sniper Section, MT ARNG. The competitiveness among the shooters was noticeable and in the end, Hank Hannah of the MT ARNG came out on top, taking home a Dick Kramer autographed print that was donated by US Tactical Supply. Hannah fired his Sniper Section issued M-24 and used M118LR match ammunition.
All National Guard Marksmanship Team Continues to Dominate in Missoula
Over the last several Northern Rockies tournaments, a member of the All Guard Team has won the Palma division, and members of the team have established a few NRA National records along the way. This year was no different. The team members are all on even ground, competing with Eliseo tube rifles, fitted with Benjamin barrels and fire factory match ammunition. This year, while the inclement weather kept many scores down, some shooters really shined with their shooting skills in less than optimum conditions. Garey Diefenderfer of the West Virginia Air National Guard squeaked out a win over Seattle, WA area Police Officer, John Van Santford. Both men fired terrific scores tying each other at 982/1000. However, Diefenderfer took the win by his 42X’s to Van Santford’s 36X’s. Diefenderfer is in his 16th year with the All Guard Team and began shooting small bore with his Dad when he was 6 years old.
D-12, LR Regional Winner
This match also was our Montana State Championship where Montana Residents are recognized as being the top shooters in their chosen disciplines
The Northern Rockies Tournament has been fortunate to see tremendous growth and success. The tournament has been sold out for the last 4 years, and both sling shooters and F-Classer’s have enjoyed terrific shooting conditions there (typically). Between F-Class and sling shooters, there has been 8 NRA national records established at the tournaments and one (pending) tied record.
Because of the sold out matches and growing waiting lists, we are going to break this regional tournament into two weekends in 2014, one for Sling shooters and one for F-class shooters. If you are interested in attending the tournament next year, you need to get on the email list for future registration info. Contact us at: jameydan@gmail.com for more info on future matches and to be put on the email list.
The success of the tournament is due to the efforts of the volunteers and also the generous contributions of the prize donors. There were many terrific donations by sponsors including: Savage Rifles donating a rifle, Nightforce a scope, Stiller actions provided an action and several barrel makers were generous in donating barrels to the prize table. The Montana Rifle and Pistol Association would like to extend a sincere thanks to the following sponsors and encourage fellow shooters to support those that support us!
The Fourth Annual Northern Rockies Long Range & F-Class Regional took place September 27-29th at Missoula, Montana’s Deep Creek Rifle Range and was hosted by the Montana Rifle and Pistol Association. 75 shooters from 17 states, Canada and Sweden took 1000 yard aim over a two day period under unexpected, difficult weather conditions.
Capital High School Sophomore, Andrew McLain (15 years of age) from Helena, MT tied a Junior F-TR National Record with a score of 194-5X in the first 20 round 1000 yd match. Andrew continued to post good scores over the remainder of the tournament claiming the F-TR Regional Gold with 938-22X. Along the way, Andrew out shot 30 of the other combined F-Open and F-TR competitors including several previous regional champions and several NRA National Record holders. Andrew’s score claimed the F-TR title, and his score was bested by only one F-Open shooter, the F-Open Regional Champion, John Bruce, Kuna, ID.
This is Andrew’s first year of competitive shooting and first 1000 yard F-Class regional tournament. Andrew was shooting a Precision Rifle & Tool rifle and has been mentored by Donald Erpenbach. Interestingly, McLain used the same rifle that Erpenbach used in 2012, when Erpenbach established his own National Record (a fine shooting Savage!) Andrew took many experienced shooters by surprise for his first F-Class tournament at this young age. We hope to see Andrew competing in the upcoming 2014 F-TR nationals.
Friday-Four Man Team Match
Shooting got under way on Friday with 14 teams competing, firing the Palma format at 800-900-1000yds. The first place team in F-Class was a F-TR team composed of 2 Montanans, Mike Anderson and Andrew McLain, and 2 Idahoans, David Kynoch and Mark Frisbey. McLain was a last minute substitute on the winning team. McLain performed very well in the team match and went on to have a great weekend in the individual matches.
The Sling Division was closely contested and the All National Guard Marksmanship Team “All Guard D12†came out on top with Garey Diefenderfer, John Coggshall, Leigh Jenks and Stuart Mackey barely edging out Team “Can-Amâ€, made up of several Canadians and Washington’s “30 Cal Gal.â€
If you ever have the chance to shoot in a team match, go for it, they are a lot of fun and they help you become a better shooter and wind doper from the experience.
Individual Matches
The original Course of Fire for the weekend was supposed to continue with the Palma format at 800-900-1000yds for Saturday and Sunday, but due to the severity of the weather, the jury elected to continue with the matches, but fire them all from the 1000yd line under overhead cover.
In the F-Open Division, John Bruce ran away with the lead on the first and second days, and won the Regional Gold Medal for his second time. In the heavily contested F-TR Division, it was a close race each of the days and for the final championship. After 60 rounds for record on the first day, 3 points separated 1st to 3rd, with junior shooter, McLain coming in a surprising third place. As day two wrapped up, it remained very close with 2 previous regional champions and McLain battling it out of the overall F-TR title. In the end, it was McLain coming out on top in only his second long range F-Class match!
McLain, F-TR Regional Winner
Hank Hannah Wins the Hotly Contested Montana National Guard Trophy
In the Northern Rockies Tournament, the top Montana National Guard Shooter is recognized with a Trophy signifying their accomplishment using a service issued rifle and ammunition. This year, there were a total of 12 Montana Air and Army National Guard members competing at the tournament including 9 members of 1-163rd Sniper Section, MT ARNG. The competitiveness among the shooters was noticeable and in the end, Hank Hannah of the MT ARNG came out on top, taking home a Dick Kramer autographed print that was donated by US Tactical Supply. Hannah fired his Sniper Section issued M-24 and used M118LR match ammunition.
All National Guard Marksmanship Team Continues to Dominate in Missoula
Over the last several Northern Rockies tournaments, a member of the All Guard Team has won the Palma division, and members of the team have established a few NRA National records along the way. This year was no different. The team members are all on even ground, competing with Eliseo tube rifles, fitted with Benjamin barrels and fire factory match ammunition. This year, while the inclement weather kept many scores down, some shooters really shined with their shooting skills in less than optimum conditions. Garey Diefenderfer of the West Virginia Air National Guard squeaked out a win over Seattle, WA area Police Officer, John Van Santford. Both men fired terrific scores tying each other at 982/1000. However, Diefenderfer took the win by his 42X’s to Van Santford’s 36X’s. Diefenderfer is in his 16th year with the All Guard Team and began shooting small bore with his Dad when he was 6 years old.
D-12, LR Regional Winner
This match also was our Montana State Championship where Montana Residents are recognized as being the top shooters in their chosen disciplines
- 2014 Montana State Long Range Champion: LTC Patrick Hover, Great Falls, MT
- 2014 Montana State F-Open Champion: Patrick McCall, Three Forks, MT
- 2014 Montana State F-TR Champion: Andrew McLain, Helena, MT
Results Bulletin is located at: https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=9dd1741015c8b822&id=9DD1741015C8B822%21335&authkey=!AG02BlAG1Tj9nt8#!/view.aspx?cid=9DD1741015C8B822&resid=9DD1741015C8B822%21337&app=WordPdf&authkey=%21AG02BlAG1Tj9nt8
Northern Rockies Tournament SuccessThe Northern Rockies Tournament has been fortunate to see tremendous growth and success. The tournament has been sold out for the last 4 years, and both sling shooters and F-Classer’s have enjoyed terrific shooting conditions there (typically). Between F-Class and sling shooters, there has been 8 NRA national records established at the tournaments and one (pending) tied record.
Because of the sold out matches and growing waiting lists, we are going to break this regional tournament into two weekends in 2014, one for Sling shooters and one for F-class shooters. If you are interested in attending the tournament next year, you need to get on the email list for future registration info. Contact us at: jameydan@gmail.com for more info on future matches and to be put on the email list.
The success of the tournament is due to the efforts of the volunteers and also the generous contributions of the prize donors. There were many terrific donations by sponsors including: Savage Rifles donating a rifle, Nightforce a scope, Stiller actions provided an action and several barrel makers were generous in donating barrels to the prize table. The Montana Rifle and Pistol Association would like to extend a sincere thanks to the following sponsors and encourage fellow shooters to support those that support us!
Creedmoor Sports
US Tactical Supply
Bigbrass.com
Sportsman's Warehouse - Missoula
Powderkeg Shooters Supply - Canada (F-TR Team Trophy Sponsor!)
Lilja Rifle Barrels
Sinclair International/Brownells
Timney Trigger
Rightsight
Stiller Action
McGowan Precision Barrels
Berger Bullets
Savage Arms
Sierra Bullets
Competition Machine
Krieger Barrels
Broughton Barrels
Bat Machine
Nightforce Optics
Satern Rifle Barrels
US Tactical Supply
Bigbrass.com
Sportsman's Warehouse - Missoula
Powderkeg Shooters Supply - Canada (F-TR Team Trophy Sponsor!)
Lilja Rifle Barrels
Sinclair International/Brownells
Timney Trigger
Rightsight
Stiller Action
McGowan Precision Barrels
Berger Bullets
Savage Arms
Sierra Bullets
Competition Machine
Krieger Barrels
Broughton Barrels
Bat Machine
Nightforce Optics
Satern Rifle Barrels
first time this year I couldn't wait to get the shooting coat on just to get warm. And I brought extra cold weather gear this year... Not enough! 
