Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club

The 2023 Summer High Power season got off to a good start on Saturday, April 8th.  Fourteen shooters, all five Juniors, came out of a bright but brisk day to see if equipment and bodies were ready for the upcoming season.  Since there were questions about both bodies and equipment, we shot this match as a Club match; scores were not sent to either the CMP or to the NRA. 

We took all the time we needed and there were a lot of sighter shots as folks warmed up.  On the equipment side, there were no major failures, but we did hear “I forgot my sling, does anyone have any extra earplugs, my tablet died” and the eternal “I forgot how to get into the server.”  As for body issues, the most common comment was; “Groan … I’m getting too old for this stuff”.  It was the usual set of high power complaints, nothing especially new.

The results (ranked by percentage) were:

First                      Mike King                    80 shots               781-27X               97.6%

Second                 Mark Walters              80 shots               764-22X               95.5%

Third                     Jeff Beierke                80 shots               752-15X               94.0%

Fourth                  Randy Jahn                 50 shots               467- 7X                93.4%

Fifth (Tie)             Doc Habel                   80 shots               744-15X               93.0%

                      Marshall Rohrbach           50 shots               465-  9X               93.0%

We had two new shooters join us for the match, Bradd Shull (Addiysn’s Dad) and Tayt Shaffer (Kileen’s younger brother).  Welcome to both of you, y’all come back, ya’ hear!

And, we learned that one of our long time high power shooters recently had some significant heart surgery.  Ron Dague is reportedly recovering well and will be back with us as soon as possible.  Get well Ron!

Our next match will be our annual CMP Games Match on Saturday, May 13^th.  This match will start at 8:00 AM and we will shoot the 30-round Garand Match Course of fire; up to five sighters and ten shots for record Slow Prone, ten shots Rapid Prone and ten shots Offhand from 200-yards.  We will shoot categories for Modern Military, Unlimited Modern Military, M1 Garand (As-Issued and Unlimited), 1903/1903A3 Springfield and Vintage Military (1917 Enfield, 98 Mauser, Swiss Schmitt-Reuben… etc.).  We have a category for just about every safe rifle.  Bring all of your rifles, shoot in several categories or shoot the same rifle as a re-entry match.

One of the goals of the FWRR Junior Program is to share the sport of High Power shooting with young people who are not familiar with the discipline.  On Sunday, April 2 we had a unique opportunity to do this.  The DeKalb County 4-H Hotshots, a 4-H Club that specializes in a number of shooting activities (archery, air pistol, air rifle and .22 rimfire) asked us to make a presentation about High Power shooting to their group.

We decided to present a Mini-High Power Clinic concentrating on the topics of firearms safety, shooting equipment and shooting positions. And, who better to make these presentations that the Juniors themselves?  Our presenters were Kileen Shaffer (4-H Hotshots President). Addiysn Shull (4-H Hotshots Vice-President), Mia King (an Ohio 4-H presenter) and Tayt Shaffer (4-H Hotshot member).

We prepared brief 15-minute presentations based on material from the NRA and CMP training materials, we did a rehearsal of the presentations on a Thursday gathering at the range and we executed our plan.  A major part of 4-H is making presentations and demonstrations, so this Mini-Clinic worked into both the High Power and 4-H skill sets.  We had about sixteen 4-H members present and we were well received by the group.

The Juniors proved to be excellent Ambassadors for the Club. Now that we have the presentation, we may have the opportunity to do it for an Ohio 4-H Club.

Sandbags – they seem simple.  But, I never thought I would have to comment on sandbag etiquette:

We get our sandbags from the Allen County Highway Department.  The Highway Department is  very co-operative, we just go out to the south barn, fill the bags, load them in the truck and bring them out to the range.  The bags are not terribly high quality, so we double bag the sandbags.  They should last a long time, but several factors make our bags wear out a lot quicker than they should.

FIRST:  People rest the muzzle of their rifle on the sandbag.  This is the biggest single factor that damages sandbags.  The blast from the muzzle burns a hole in the woven cover on the bag.  It only takes a couple of shots to melt through both layers of bags and the sand starts to drizzle out of the hole.  If we catch this soon enough, we can put what is left of the bag in another bag, but many times the bag is thrown on the shooting deck, the sand runs out in a pile and we end up having to clean up the mess and throw away the broken bag.

POINT OF ETIQUETTE ONE:  Don’t lay your muzzle on the sandbag.  Not only does this burn a hole in the bag – it is not a very stable shooting position.

SECOND:  Picatinny Rails:  A Picatinny Rail on the underside of your rifle will cut up the bag. Back to Point One, these are not really durable bags.  That rail is very hard on the bags.  We try to keep some carpet squares on the shooting benches to lie on top of the bags.  If the squares have wandered off, sit the rail on your hat and remember to bring a towel or something to put under the rail the next time you come out to the range.

POINT OF ETIQUETTE TWO:  Don’t lay a Picatinny Rail on a sandbag without some protection between the rail and the bag.

Third:  Wet Sandbags:  Please don’t leave sandbags lying in a place that will let them get rained on.  In the first place, it makes the bag about 50% heavier and harder to move around.  Most people don’t want to lay their rifle on a wet bag.  In cold weather, a wet bag freezes solid and turns into a block – not useful for bench shooting.  That frozen bag sticks to the bench and tears the bag when you try to pry it loose.

POINT OF ETIQUETTE THREE:  When you finish with sandbags, please move them to a location where they will not get wet from rain or snow.

The bottom line:  A little thought and courtesy will reduce the work associated with maintaining sandbags and will give everyone more bags and nicer bags to shoot from.

  Thanks to everybody!

We started shooting on our Silver Mountain Electronic targets in the summer of 2020.  That same set of targets served us through that summer, through 2021 and 2022.  By the end of the 2022 High Power season, the target faces were starting to show a lot of wear from the thousands of rounds that had passed through them.   There were ragged holes in the center of the plastic and the faces were badly distorted with a large hump around the missing center portion.  Possibly we could have gotten another shooting season out of them, but we had gotten our money’s worth and it was time to replace them at our leisure rather than having to make emergency repairs in mid-season when they finally came apart.

Over the winter we gathered up the material we needed and on Saturday March 25th a group of high power shooters came out to have a target overhaul work session.  Eight shooters came out and it turned out that eight people was a perfect number to get the work done.  We started about 8:30. About half of the old faces had been glued on with Liquid Nails adhesive and they proved to be a tough job to get off the frames.  Gary Mabis and Doc Habel set up a demolition station to take off the old faces. 

Chris Hartwig took on the job of cutting corners and handhold inserts. 

Martin Didion and Joe Freiburger set up one refacing station and Mike King and Mike Bailey set up a second.

Larry Beardsley just brought donuts, made coffee and stood around while people worked. Things went much more smoothly than we had expected and by 10:30 we were done and had our mess cleaned up.

Some clubs who use electronic targets do not do a fine-tune calibration to align the X-ring into the acoustic center of the target frame; their philosophy is;  ”After all, – that’s what sighting shots are for”.  But, at FWRR we do a fine tuning calibration on our targets.  We were able to closely match the original index marks on the target frames and target insert holding fixtures, so there should be minimal effort involved in recalibrating the targets for the high power season.  Weather permitting we intend to do that next Saturday, April 1st.  With that done, we will have a fresh set of targets ready for the 2023 and following seasons.

Thanks to all of the guys who came out to lend a hand;  it turned out to be easy work with a bunch of guys who are a pleasure to work with.

FWRR Club Meeting

The next meeting of the Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club will be held on Monday, April 3,2023.  Meeting Place: VFW Post 857, located at 2202 West Main Street in Fort Wayne.  Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m.  Food and drink will be available at very reasonable prices before and after the meeting.

Meeting Agenda:  Standard-format meeting and a discussion of Cleanup Day activities.

Please make an effort to attend meetings, as a quorum is required to conduct club business.  Sincere thanks to members who take the time to attend meetings and to support the club in so many other ways.  You truly understand what it means to be members of a club.

2023 Membership Renewal

At present, approximately 30 members have failed to return their 2023 Renewal Form, proof of current NRA membership, and payment.   Attempts are being made to contact those individuals. 

Dues received with postmark dates after March 1^st, but on or before March 31^st, are subject to a $25.00 late fee.

Dues received with postmark dates after March 31^st will be returned with a notice indicating that:

1. the party’s membership has been terminated, and;

 2) future membership requires submission of a membership application and payment of new member fees (cf, Bylaws Article IX, Section 2). 

If personal hardship prevents timely payment of dues, contact a club officer who may arrange either for dues to be waived or for payment to be deferred.

Special Thanks to Generous Members

The Executive Board wishes to thank the many members who have made donations this year.  Your generosity goes a long way to making our facility one which we can enjoy and take pride in.

Cleanup Day (Date Change)

Cleanup Day was initially scheduled for April 15, 2023.  That date happens to coincide with the NRA Convention that is being held in Indianapolis this year.  To avoid the conflict, the Cleanup Day date has been changed to April 29, 2023

Lock Combination Change

The lock combination change is made on Cleanup Day.  Retain your 2022 Membership Card until the change is made or copy the 2022 lock combination onto your 2023 Membership Card.

New Members

Please welcome new members Christopher Cuney,  Johnathon McDaniel, and Marshall Rohrbach. These individuals were inducted as full members at the February, 2023 meeting.

Reminder

Do not drive off-road when the ground is wet and subject to rutting.

Newsletter Delivery

Members who have made changes to the newsletter delivery mode (email vs. USPS delivery) will see those changes go into effect with the mailing of this newsletter.  If you are not receiving the newsletter per the selection that you made on the 2023 Renewal Form, please send a correction to martindidion4@gmail.com.

Sad News

It was recently learned that member Wilbur (Al) Hobson passed away approximately six months ago.

Discipline Reports

ACPDL

No report

USPSA

No report.

High-power (HP)

The last Winter 40-round Offhand Match was held on Saturday, March 11^th. 

The top five shooters for that match were Mike King, Mark Walters, Mia King (Junior girl, no relation to Mike), and Addiysn Shull (Junior girl). 

For the Winter Offhand season, the high shooter was Mike King, followed by Doc Habel, Mark Walters, Mia King (Junior girl) and Gary Mabis.

More information concerning the High Power Program is posted on the Club’s website.

Note to Mowing Crew

The 2023 mowing schedule will be mailed to crew members on or before April 15^th.

For Sale

Russian 1891/30 7.62 x54R Mosin Nagant rifle with bayonet. Price: $400.00.  One case of  7.62x54R ammunition. Price: $250.00.  Contact Joe Hoffman at (260) 433-0402 or joeseph6430@frontier.com.

Texan 16 ga, shot shell reloading press. Price $20.00.  Contact Darrell Fish at (260) 615-1046.

Jewel single-stage trigger for a Remington 700. Price $180.00.  One pound of Reloader 16. Price $60.00.  Vihtavuori N550. Price: $65.00.   Call or text Mark Strahan at (260) 927-5515.

Members who wish to sell shooting-related items may send ad information to Marty Didion at martindidion4@gmail.com.  Ads must be received three weeks before meetings in order to appear in the next newsletter.

Third Annual Indiana Junior State High Power Championship

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club

Date:  Saturday, June 24, 2023                            

Sponsor: Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association

Location: Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club Range, 15715 Rupert Road, Harlan, IN  46743   Google: “15715 Rupert Road, Harlan IN” for detailed directions.

Contact Information:  For additional information, contact the FWRR High Power Match Director, Larry Beardsley, at FWRRHPdirector@aol.com.

Open To: NRA or ISRPA membership not required.  All competitors must have a Release of Liability Agreement on file with FWRR, or must complete the Release at registration. Competitors must sign the Liability Release and a Parent, Guardian or an Authorized Adult must witness the signature.  An Authorized Adult must have signed Parental or Guardian consent to sign the Release of Liability.

Entry Fee: $30.00, payable at Statistics Office on Match day.  Cash or checks only please; no credit cards can be processed. 

                        (Match fees may be reduced by grants or sponsorships)

Ammunition:  Any safe ammunition permitted – No tracers or incendiary rounds.             

Time:  Registration opens at 7:00 and closes at 8:30.  First shot – promptly at 9:00 A.M.  Lunch will be available – free to competitors and may be purchased for $11.00 by non-competitors.

Pre-Registration:  Pre-registrations are encouraged.  Register at  FWRRHPDirector@aol.com.  Walk-in registrations will be accepted up to a range capacity of 28 competitors.  Adults may fire as “Out of Competition” shooters if range capacity allows.  Parents and sponsors of Competitors will be given preference for “Out of Competition” slots.

Course of Fire:  NRA 50-Round National Match Course.  The 600-yard stage will be fired at 300-yards on the MR-63 reduced target.

Rules:   2022 NRA High Power Rules will apply.  Match and Service rifles will be permitted. NRA Classifications will be used.  A Match Jury will be empaneled. 

Per NRA Rule 19.4.1, Coaching will be allowed for Junior shooters who have not established an NRA classification, or who are classified as NRA Marksman.

Targets:  The matches will be shot on Silver Mountain Electronic Targets.  Competitors are required to provide their own display device (Tablet, IPhone, IPad) or similar device.  Competitors are responsible for having enough battery capacity in their devices to support the operating time required for a match.

If, in the judgment of the Range Officer, a competitor is shooting in a manner that endangers the range equipment, that competitor will be withdrawn from the match and their match fees refunded.

Match Structure:  NRA Registered Match

Match 1– 200 yards, slow fire, standing, 2 convertible sighters and 10 shots for record, 12 minutes

Match 2 – 200 yards, rapid fire, sitting, 2 sighters and 10 shots for record, 63 seconds

Match 3 – 300 yards, rapid fire, prone, 2 sighters and 10 shots for record, 73 seconds

Match 4 – Simulated 600 yards, slow fire, prone, 2 convertible sighters and 20 shots for record, 22 minutes

Match 5– Course Aggregate: Matches 1-4.  Match 5 winner will be the Indiana Junior State Champion, subject to residency requirement.

Awards:   Match Winners:  An award will be presented to the winner of each Match.

Classification Winner:  The high scoring competitor in each Classification will be presented an award.  Classifications will be combined until a minimum of three Competitors are represented in each Classification.

Residency:  Indiana Junior State Champion must be an Indiana resident.

2023 Indiana State Junior High Power Championship

June 24, 2023 at the Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club

15715 Rupert Road; Harlan, IN

(See the Match Program for details)

Name: _______________________________  Age (As of 31 Dec 2023):  ______

Address:_________________________

City: _____________________        State:             ZIP: _________

Club Affiliation: ___________________________________

Email:  ________________________

For Junior Participants; Lunch is free.  I want a free lunch:  ___ YES          ____ NO

Additional lunches for parents, sponsors and spectators @ $11.00/each;   # _____

For Junior Participants; an event T-shirt is free.    Size (S, M, L, XL, XXL)  ____

Additional T-shirts for parents, sponsors and spectators @ $12.00/each:

Small _____   Medium _____   Large _____   X-Large ______   XX-Large _____

For additional information, contact Larry Beardsley at FWRRHPDirector@aol.com

Winter Offhand closed out the 2022-2023 season on Saturday March 11.  For the first time in several years we were able to shoot all five of the scheduled matches (no weather cancellations).   In the five sessions, we had 19 shooters who shot 57 matches.  We had one of those Indiana “nice early spring days” even though spring is still a bit away.  It was above freezing (nice) the sun was shining (yes, in Indiana), no wind (even more remarkable) and we had about two inches of snow on the ground.  As I said, it’s Indiana – and northwest Ohio as well!

Since we were able to shoot all five sessions, the season standings would be determined by the best four scores competitors were able to shoot – if a shooter shot all five sessions, the low score was thrown out.  If you only made four sessions or fewer – you had to be on top of your game every time!

The last match of the year was a well shot match.  Mike King kept his lock on first place with a 387-7X. Junior Marshall Rohrbach took second for the day with a 373-8X (season high) and Junior Addiysn Shull shot a personal best of 370-4X to take third. Mark Walters (369-2X and Doc Habel (368-1X) closed out the top five shooters for the day.

The season aggregate top five shooters were:

Mike King            1927-39X             (Five matches)

Mark Walters     1824-14X             (Five matches)

Mia King              1763-16X             (Five matches, Junior girl)

Addiysn Shull       1502- 7X              (Five Matches, Junior girl)

Doc Habel           1495-16X             (Four matches!)

When the low score was thrown out (best four of five), the top five spots for the season were:

Mike King            1547-29X             (Five matches)

Doc Habel           1495-16X             (Four matches)

Mark Walters     1417-16X             (Five Matches)

Mia King              1421-16X             (Five matches, Junior girl)

Gary Mabis          1399-11X             (Four matches)

As the Winter Offhand season closes out, I want to say a huge “Thank You” to all the people who make things run so smoothly.  The shooters know what to do, and they do it safely and consistently.  In many shooting programs there is “that guy” who always has an issue or a problem. I am glad to say, he doesn’t shoot with us, we have a great group of shooters.   I could not do the things I do without the help I get with setting up and tearing down.  The Juniors pass out their own ammunition – I don’t have to worry about that.  Mark Walters stepped in and ran the match when I could not be there.  Thanks Mark.

Our shooting matches are family affairs.  Today we had mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings there to support the Junior shooters.  Daryl Fish (the case fairy) brought us about 2,000 prepped cases and Gary Mabis added another 400 or so to the case bank.  Thanks to everyone for all of your support.

Summer high power starts in April – let’s make it another great season!

2023 Membership Renewal

2023 Membership Renewal Forms were mailed in early December.  Completed Membership Renewal Forms, proof of current NRA membership, and payments are due on January 1^st each year. 

When responding, please read and follow the instructions at the top of the form. 

Dues must be received on or before March 1^st to avoid late fees or termination of membership.

Dues received with postmark dates after March 1^st, but on or before March 31^st, are subject to a $25.00 late fee.

Dues received with postmark dates after March 31^st will be returned with a notice indicating that:

1) the party’s membership has been terminated, and;

2) future membership requires submission of a membership application and payment of new member fees (c.f., Bylaws Article IX, Section 2). 

Dues paid with an NSF check are subject to a $25.00 returned check fee.

If personal hardship prevents timely payment of dues, contact a club officer who may arrange either for dues to be waived or for payment to be deferred.

Individuals who were accepted as members after October 1, 2022 are not required to pay membership dues tor the 2023 calendar year; nevertheless, they do need to return the renewal form with proof of current NRA membership.

Date:  Saturday, June 24, 2023                            

Sponsor: Indiana State Rifle and Pistol Association

Location: Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club Range, 15715 Rupert Road, Harlan, IN  46743   Google: “15715 Rupert Road, Harlan IN” for detailed directions.

Contact Information:  For additional information, contact the FWRR High Power Match Director, Larry Beardsley, at FWRRHPdirector@aol.com.

Open To: NRA or ISRPA membership not required.  All competitors must have a Release of Liability Agreement on file with FWRR, or must complete the Release at registration. Competitors must sign the Liability Release and a Parent, Guardian or an Authorized Adult must witness the signature.  An Authorized Adult must have signed Parental or Guardian consent to sign the Release of Liability.

Entry Fee: $30.00, payable at Statistics Office on Match day.  Cash or checks only please; no credit cards can be processed. 

                        (Match fees may be reduced by grants or sponsorships)

Ammunition:  Any safe ammunition permitted – No tracers or incendiary rounds.             

Time:  Registration opens at 7:00 and closes at 8:30.  First shot – promptly at 9:00 A.M.  Lunch will be available – free to competitors and may be purchased for $10.00 by non-competitors.

Pre-Registration:  Pre-registrations are encouraged.  Register at  FWRRHPDirector@aol.com.  Walk-in registrations will be accepted up to a range capacity of 28 competitors.  Adults may fire as “Out of Competition” shooters if range capacity allows.  Parents and sponsors of Competitors will be given preference for “Out of Competition” slots.

Course of Fire:  NRA 50-Round National Match Course.  The 600-yard stage will be fired at 300-yards on the MR-63 reduced target.

Rules:   2022 NRA High Power Rules will apply.  Match and Service rifles will be permitted. NRA Classifications will be used.  A Match Jury will be empanelled. 

Per NRA Rule 19.4.1, Coaching will be allowed for Junior shooters who have not established an NRA or CMP classification, or who are classified as NRA or CMP Marksman.

Targets:  The matches will be shot on Silver Mountain Electronic Targets.  Competitors are required to provide their own display device (Tablet, IPhone, IPad) or similar device.  Competitors are responsible for having enough battery capacity in their devices to support the operating time required for a match.

If, in the judgment of the Range Officer, a competitor is shooting in a manner that endangers the range equipment, that competitor will be withdrawn from the match and their match fees refunded.

Match Structure:  NRA Registered Match

Match 1– 200 yards, slow fire, standing, 2 convertible sighters and 10 shots for record, 12 minutes

Match 2 – 200 yards, rapid fire, sitting, 2 sighters and 10 shots for record, 63 seconds

Match 3 – 300 yards, rapid fire, prone, 2 sighters and 10 shots for record, 73 seconds

Match 4 – Simulated 600 yards, slow fire, prone, 2 convertible sighters and 20 shots for record, 22 minutes

Match 5– Course Aggregate: Matches 1-4.  Match 5 winner will be the Indiana Junior State Champion, subject to residency requirement.

Awards:   Match Winners:  An award will be presented to the winner of each Match.

Classification Winner:  The high scoring competitor in each Classification will be presented an award.  Classifications will be combined until a minimum of three Competitors are represented in each Classification.

Residency:  Indiana Junior State Champion must be an Indiana resident.

Well … February Winter Offhand proved once again that no one is indispensable. The High Power Range Officer took a month off, but Mark Walters stepped up and ran the Winter Offhand Match as smoothly as anyone could have asked.

For a February morning, it was about as good as it gets.  It was cold, about 24-degrees when things started about 8:40, but  the sun was shining and … for a change there wasn’t any wind!  The thirteen shooters spilled over into a second relay, but things still wrapped up before 10:00.

The scores reflected the great day. 

First:                      Mike King            380-10X

Second:         Mark Walters     373-  2X

Third:                    Doc Habel            370-  2X

Fourth place was a three-way  tie at 357, but Marshall Rohrbach Creedmoored the group with his 357-3X.

The season aggregates reaffirm the old saying; “You gotta’ show up and shoot”.

First:                      Mike King            4 Matches           1540-32X

Second:                Mark Walters      4 Matches           1455-12X

Third:                    Mia King               4 Matches           1407-15X

Fourth:                 Addiysn Shull      4 Matches           1132- 3X

Firth:                     Doc Habel             3 Matches           1127-15X

We have one match left in March and that may well decide the season standings!

February 2023 FWRRC NEWSLETTER

FWRR Club Meeting

The next meeting of the Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023. 

Meeting Place: VFW Post 857, located at 2202 West Main Street in Fort Wayne. 

Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m.  Food and drink will be available at very reasonable prices before and after the meeting.

Meeting Agenda: Standard-format meeting.   Please make an effort to attend meetings, as a quorum is required to conduct club business. 

Attendance at the December, 2022 meeting was outstanding.  Thanks to all who took the time to attend the meeting at the busiest time of the year.

Election Results

The following individuals were elected to serve.

President:  Jim Sweeney

Vice President:  Matt Hice

Secretary:  Mike Miller

Treasurer:  Martin Didion

Director:  Larry Beardsley

Program Manager: Ryan Brammer

Range Safety Officer: Larry Beardsley

2023 Membership Renewal

2023 Membership Renewal Forms were mailed in early December.  Completed Membership Renewal Forms, proof of current NRA membership, and payments are due on January 1^st each year.  

When responding, please read and follow the instructions at the top of the form. 

Dues must be received on or before March 1^st to avoid late fees or termination of membership. Dues received with postmark dates after March 1^st, but on or before March 31^st, are subject to a $25.00 late fee. Dues received with postmark dates after March 31^st will be returned with a notice indicating that 1) the party’s membership has been terminated, and 2) future membership requires submission of a membership application and payment of new member fees (c.f., Bylaws Article IX, Section 2).  Dues paid with an NSF check are subject to a $25.00 returned check fee.

If personal hardship prevents timely payment of dues, contact a club officer who may arrange either for dues to be waived or for payment to be deferred.

Individuals who were accepted as members after October 1, 2022 are not required to pay membership dues tor the 2023 calendar year; nevertheless, they do need to return the renewal form with proof of current NRA membership.

Updating the roster is a time consuming activity.  Deciphering illegible printing and contacting members to obtain proof of NRA membership are frustrating and time consuming activities. 

Renewal Status

At the time of newsletter publication, 58% of the membership renewals had been received and processed.

Special Thanks to Generous Members

The Executive Board wishes to thank the many members who made generous donations this year.  Items such as as insurance, facility maintenance, postage, printing, and utilities are recurring expenses. Your generosity goes a long way to making our facility one which we can enjoy and take pride in.

Lock Combination Change

The lock combination change is made on Cleanup Day (mid to late April).  Retain your 2022 Membership Card until the change is made or copy the 2022 lock combination onto your 2023 Membership Card.

New Members

Please welcome new members Bruce Bickley, Devon Burton, Jeffery Doherty, Mia King, and Karl Pulver.  These individuals were inducted as full members at the December, 2022 meeting.

Discipline Reports

ACPDL

No report

USPSA

No report.

High-power (HP)

Winter 40-round offhand matches are being held the second Saturday of the month from November through March.    Check-in Time: 8:00 a.m.  Firing begins at 9:00 a.m.   For those who wish to use the range on those days, note that the match is typically over by noon.  More information concerning the High Power Program is posted on the Club’s website.

Important Reminders

Some of these reminders are repeated from earlier newsletters.  They are being repeated because violations are still occurring.  Several members have reported violations but failed to advise offenders. If you see someone in violation, please courteously explain the rule infraction.

DO NOT HANDLE FIREARMS WHEN PERSONNEL ARE DOWN RANGE! Proper range etiquette involves opening actions, removing all ammunition from firearms, and stepping away from the firing line.  

DO NOT POST TARGETS ON TARGET FRAMES OR OTHERWISE INTENTIONALLY SHOOT TARGET FRAMES. All shots should pass through target backers and must land on impact bunkers.

THE RANGE STATUS FLAG MUST BE LOWERED AND RAISED EVEN IF YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON ON THE RANGE.  Ensure that targets are removed and the status flag is lowered before departing the range.

CLAY BIRDS ARE TO BE SHOT ONLY FROM THE HUT AT THE SOUTH END OF THE 25/50/100 YARD FIRING LINE.   Shot must land on FWRRC property.

Newsletter Delivery

Changes to newsletter delivery mode will go into effect with the mailing of the April 2023 Newsletter.

Sad News

Member Steve Clouse passed away in December, 2022.  He loved bowling, riding his Goldwing, camping, four-wheeling, and shooting with his best friend, club member Chip Seidel.

For Sale

Two (2) Russian 1891/30 7.62x54R Mosin Nagant rifles with bayonets. Price: $400.00/each.  Two (2) cases of  7.62x54R ammunition. Price: $250.00/440 rounds.  Contact Joe Hoffman at (260) 433-0402 or joeseph6430@frontier.com.

Members who wish to sell shooting-related items may send ad information to Marty Didion at martindidion4@gmail.com.  Ads must be received two weeks before meetings in order to appear in the next newsletter.

Saturday, January 14th was the first Winter Offhand of 2023 and we turned over a fresh page for the New Year.  For a change – the weather was on our side.  It wasn’t snowing like it did for the matches in November and December.  It was beautiful (well at least for mid-January).  The sun was shining, there was almost no wind and at 29-degrees – it felt almost balmy!

And, a note from the High Power Director – the High Power shooters spoil me.  Match time was 9:00.  I arrived about 7:55 to open up –  and the gate was already open.  I wandered down to the clubhouse.  The lights were on, someone had the heat running and the guys were already downrange taking down target frames and setting number boards.  By 8:30 the first relay was full with 12 shooters and we had four more shooters for the second relay – 16 shooters in all – more than we have had in a long time!

Standings for the day:

Mike King            385-5X

Doc Habel           375-6X

Mark Walters     366-4X

Gary Mabis          359-3X

Mia King              355-3X

Season Standings after three matches (1200 point aggregate)

Mike King            1160-22X

Mark Walters     1082- 9X

Mia King              1065-15X

Doc Habel is on a hot streak with a 382 and a 375 for the last two matches – he is not out of the season competition by any means.

Oh, by the-way, Mark Richard sent his regrets, but he was in Florida this weekend.  He claimed that the weather was warm and he walking on the beach and sitting in the spa. 

BUT, he sent a picture along and I wonder if the weather there was any nicer than the Indiana weather today?

As Winter Offhand days go – it wasn’t that bad of a day.  At 33 degrees, it wasn’t precipitating anything, the wind wasn’t bringing tears to eyes or numbing fingers – it was just Indiana grade December dark and gloomy!

Nine shooters came out, but two retired because of back issues with seven shooters finishing up the day. As one of the “retirees” commented; “It’s heck getting old!”

The top three scores for the day were:

Mike King            390 – 8X

Doc Habel           382 – 7X

Mia King              364 – 8X

For the Winter Offhand season, to date – standings are:

Mike King            775 – 17X

Mark Walters     716 –   5X

Mia King              710 – 12X

Miss Mia, recently voted into membership as the first Junior (a girl even) member of the Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club, came in third for the day and currently stands in third place for the season aggregate.

But, the high point of the day came from Tayt, our most junior of Junior shooters.  I’m starting him off by having him shoot off bags to let him learn sight picture, trigger control and to learn the mechanics of running the AR platform.  For the first stage I stressed to him that just where the group landed wasn’t all that critical, the important thing was to get them all in the same area.

As the shooters brought targets back from the first string, Tayt was waving his target and hollering; “I hit the target, I hit the target!”  Indeed he had hit the target with a group about the size of my hand up at 12- o’clock right at the edge of the 5-ring.  He scored a rip-roaring 32-0X on that string, but indeed – he had hit the target.

We made an elevation change on his scope (down 10-minutes) and on the next string he shot a considerably improved score; 190 -3X.  Nineteen of his twenty shots were in the black with one mid-ring 8.  I think we’re making progress.

Today’s match closed out the year for formal High Power activities.  I want to thank everyone for all of their support and I look forward to having a good High Power year in 2023.

FWRR Club Meeting

The next meeting of the Fort Wayne Rifle and Revolver Club will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022.  Meeting Place: VFW Post 857, located at 2202 West Main Street in Fort Wayne.  Meeting Time: 7:00 p.m.  Food and drink will be available at very reasonable prices before and after the meeting.

Meeting Agenda:

Election of Club Officers followed by a standard-formatted meeting will take place.   Please make an effort to attend meetings, as a quorum is required to conduct club business.

Election Ballot

Office	Incumbent	Candidate
President	Jim Sweeney	—
Vice President	Matt Hice	—
Secretary	Mike Miller	—
Treasurer	Martin Didion	—
Director	C. L. (Larry) Beardsley	Dean Drews

2023 Membership Renewal

2023 Membership Renewal Forms will be mailed in early December. Please read and follow the instructions at the top of the form. 

Completed Membership Renewal Forms, proof of current NRA membership, and payments are due on January 1^st each year.  

Dues must be received on or before March 1^st to avoid late fees or termination of membership. Dues received with postmark dates after March 1^st, but on or before March 31^st, are subject to a $25.00 late fee. Dues received with postmark dates after March 31^st will be returned with a notice indicating that;

1) the party’s membership has been terminated, and;

2) future membership requires submission of a membership application and payment of new member fees (c.f., Bylaws Article IX, Section 2).  Dues paid with an NSF check are subject to a $25.00 returned check fee.

If personal hardship prevents timely payment of dues, contact a club officer who may arrange either for dues to be waived or for payment to be deferred.

Individuals who were accepted as members after October 1, 2022 are not required to pay membership dues for the 2023 calendar year; nevertheless, they do need to return the renewal form with proof of current NRA membership.

Updating the roster is a time consuming activity.  Deciphering illegible printing and contacting members to obtain proof of NRA membership can be frustrating and time consuming activities. 

For more information check out our web site: https://fwrrclub.org/index.php/members

Lock Combination Change

The lock combination change is made on Cleanup Day (mid to late April).  Retain your 2022 Membership Card until the change is made.

Newsletter Delivery

Approximately 80% of the membership receives the newsletter via email.  Those members who have email accounts and who currently opt for postal delivery are asked to consider receiving the newsletter via email next year.  Doing so will save printing and postage costs and reduce significant manual labor.  Changes in delivery method will go into effect in April, 2023.

To add or remove your Email address just send an Email to billmac099@yahoo.com with the subject FWRRC-Add or FWRRC-Delete.

Maintenance Activities

The final mowing of the year was accomplished on November 2^nd.   The mowers, sprayer, and cistern were winterized.

Target frame repairs were made on the 25/50/100 Yard Range.

Permanent Target Backers were installed in Pistol Bays 4 and 5. One 4’x4’ corrugated-plastic sheet was installed on each target frame.  (Please remove targets faces and staples after use.)

Eight 2’x2’ corrugated-plastic target backers were made available for use.  The new backers are located inside the building on the 25/50/100 yard portion of the range. (After use, please remove targets faces and staples and return the backers to the building.)

The heater in the building on the 25/50/100 yard portion of the range was repaired.

The gutters on the 25/50/100 yard building were cleaned.

Number boards on the 300 yard range were removed and stored for the winter.

Thanks go the following individuals:  Larry Beardsley, Bruce Bickley (membership hopeful), Marty Didion, Darrel Fish, Mark Klingenberger, Mike Peek, and Jim Sweeney.

New Members

Please welcome new members Ed Klotz, Tony Spangler, and Craig Wallace.  These gentlemen became members at the October, 2022 meeting.

Discipline Reports

ACPDL & USPSA

Nothing to report

High-power (HP)

Winter 40-round offhand matches are being held the second Saturday of the month from November through March.    Check-in Time: 8:00 a.m.  Firing begins at 9:00 a.m.   More information concerning the High Power Program is posted on the Club’s website.

Important Reminders

Some of these reminders are repeated from earlier 2022 Newsletters.  They are being repeated because violations are still occurring.  Several members have reported violations but failed to advise offenders. If you see someone in violation, please courteously explain the rule infraction.

DO NOT HANDLE FIREARMS WHEN PERSONNEL ARE DOWN RANGE! Proper range etiquette involves opening actions, removing all ammunition from firearms, and stepping away from the firing line.  

DO NOT POST TARGETS ON TARGET FRAMES OR OTHERWISE INTENTIONALLY SHOOT TARGET FRAMES. All shots should pass through target backers and must land on impact bunkers.

THE RANGE STATUS FLAG MUST BE LOWERED AND RAISED EVEN IF YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON ON THE RANGE.  Ensure that targets are removed and the status flag is lowered before departing the range.

THE RANGE MAY NOT BE USED FOR COMMERCIAL USE.  We had one report of a member administering what appeared to be a pistol training course to an estimated ten or more individuals.  Members may not undertake for-profit activities at FWRRC.  Be advised that to do so has historically resulted in membership termination.

MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BEHAVIOR AND ACTIONS OF THEIR GUESTS.  Members may take a maximum of two guests to the range per visit, not counting family members.  Do not take more guests and/or family members than you are able to directly supervise.  If your guests or family members are new to the shooting sports, it is strongly recommended that the member refrain from shooting so that all of his/her attention can be devoted to supervision.

Please make certain to close the outhouse doors and to lower the toilet seat covers.

For Sale

A. Jewel single-stage trigger for a Remington 700 or 40X. Incorporates safety and bolt release, $180.00. 

B. 6.5 mm, 142 gr., Sierra, Matchking, BTHP bullets, Qty 4 boxes.  $50.00/box. 

C. 1 lb of Reloader 16, $60.00. 

D. 1 lb of Vihtavuori N550, $65.00. 

Contact Mark Strahan at (260) 927-5515 or ms9568@gmail.com

The High Power Range Officer has the following items that he would like to swap for “something”  that he can use with the Juniors:

A. Qty 100, 90 gr., .223/5.56mm, RMR, BTHP bullets;

B. Qty 900,  9mm, 115 gr., copper-plated, round-nose bullets.

Contact Larry Beardsley at FWRRHPDirector@aol.com.

The Newsletter Editor apologizes to the individual who sent ad information to him in early October.  The email containing your information was inadvertently deleted and  he cannot recall the member’s name.

Members who wish to sell shooting-related items may send ad information to Marty Didion at martindidion4@gmail.com.  Ads must be received two weeks before meetings in order to appear in the next newsletter.