With how the calendar falls this year, our July match is only 18days away.
Here is the match report from June.
www.airgunnation.com
The plan for July 7 and 8 is very similar. There will be a silhouette match on Friday evening, around 430pm. Wth the rifle field target match starting at 930 AM, AZ time on Saturday morning. And then after lunch on Saturday we'll have the pistol field target match.
The main difference between the June and July match will be how the courses are set up. We will be setting 10 lanes, 3 targets per lane. All three targets will be shot at for the rifle match, making it a 60 shot rifle match. For the pistol match the strings will be removed from the hardest target from each lane and the remaining two targets make the 40 shot pistol match. Rationale here is that we get to shoot more for less work, both in the setting of the course, and the actual shooting. (take 6 shots for every get up/get down versus only 4 shots, also should work out to less walking with 10 lanes instead of 13). The pistol match will have targets that are illegal (too hard) for a true AAFTA pistol match, but the increased difficulty experience will make a pistol match at a grand prix feel like a cakewalk.
In the past July matches we've had monsoon storms roll through, knocking down the dust and making the forest feel fresh and clean. Experiencing a high altitude forest after rain is hard to describe, but a thoroughly enjoyable experience. So keep that in mind if considering coming. The storms don't usually last long, and there are plenty of popup shades underneath which to wait out the rain.
If unfamiliar with these matches, they take place about 8 miles south of Luna, NM, which is itself just over the AZ/NM border from Alpine Arizona. I noticed the sign into Alpine says that Alpine has been considered the Alps of Arizona. The actual match site sits @ 8600feet above sea level and about 4 miles off the pavement down a forest service road. Most of us camp and there's an open invitation to all to come join in both the camping and airgun shooting. If new to airguns, we'll stick an airgun in your hands to compete with.
Ive been trying to prep my little cargo camp trailer, packing wheel bearings and other minor maintenance/improvement tasks. Larry is getting his new to him USFT competition ready. Bobby just kicked butt with his .20 Delta Wolf in Hunter class at a different local match and he might just be the new king of Hunter class the way he reigned Open for so long. Dan will probably be playing with his new Labradar at the July match. I need to get Cabes scope mounted and dope figured out for him. Normans likely been practicing with his new to him. Red Wolf and I've heard through the grapevine that he's looking into getting a gun for 9 year old grandson, Ote. I've seen Jim @oldsparky comment about getting his pistol scoped, making me wonder if he's planning on making an appearance. Fun stuff all-around.
Hope to see you at the July match.
PM me with any questions if interested in coming.
Here is the match report from June.
Results - Southwest Airgunners Aspen Mtn June 2023 Match Report
This is going to be a long one, requiring multiple posts (photo limit/post). The June 2023 match is a done deal, and it was as much or more fun than past matches at this site have been. This was the hub of activity once we arrived and got set up...All three photos taken from the same...
www.airgunnation.com The plan for July 7 and 8 is very similar. There will be a silhouette match on Friday evening, around 430pm. Wth the rifle field target match starting at 930 AM, AZ time on Saturday morning. And then after lunch on Saturday we'll have the pistol field target match.
The main difference between the June and July match will be how the courses are set up. We will be setting 10 lanes, 3 targets per lane. All three targets will be shot at for the rifle match, making it a 60 shot rifle match. For the pistol match the strings will be removed from the hardest target from each lane and the remaining two targets make the 40 shot pistol match. Rationale here is that we get to shoot more for less work, both in the setting of the course, and the actual shooting. (take 6 shots for every get up/get down versus only 4 shots, also should work out to less walking with 10 lanes instead of 13). The pistol match will have targets that are illegal (too hard) for a true AAFTA pistol match, but the increased difficulty experience will make a pistol match at a grand prix feel like a cakewalk.
In the past July matches we've had monsoon storms roll through, knocking down the dust and making the forest feel fresh and clean. Experiencing a high altitude forest after rain is hard to describe, but a thoroughly enjoyable experience. So keep that in mind if considering coming. The storms don't usually last long, and there are plenty of popup shades underneath which to wait out the rain.
If unfamiliar with these matches, they take place about 8 miles south of Luna, NM, which is itself just over the AZ/NM border from Alpine Arizona. I noticed the sign into Alpine says that Alpine has been considered the Alps of Arizona. The actual match site sits @ 8600feet above sea level and about 4 miles off the pavement down a forest service road. Most of us camp and there's an open invitation to all to come join in both the camping and airgun shooting. If new to airguns, we'll stick an airgun in your hands to compete with.
Ive been trying to prep my little cargo camp trailer, packing wheel bearings and other minor maintenance/improvement tasks. Larry is getting his new to him USFT competition ready. Bobby just kicked butt with his .20 Delta Wolf in Hunter class at a different local match and he might just be the new king of Hunter class the way he reigned Open for so long. Dan will probably be playing with his new Labradar at the July match. I need to get Cabes scope mounted and dope figured out for him. Normans likely been practicing with his new to him. Red Wolf and I've heard through the grapevine that he's looking into getting a gun for 9 year old grandson, Ote. I've seen Jim @oldsparky comment about getting his pistol scoped, making me wonder if he's planning on making an appearance. Fun stuff all-around.
Hope to see you at the July match.
PM me with any questions if interested in coming.
