Southwest Airgunners are excited to announce an airgun-filled weekend at 8600 feet above sea level in the cool and beautiful high country of Western NM.
We had two matches at this location last summer and one just last month. (see here for match report of last month's <20fpe field target event https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/southwest-airgunners-aspen-mtn-may-2021-match-report/?referrer=1) but the upcoming June match will be the first time we've had an Extreme Field Target event.
Summary of the competitive events:
June 11th at around 4pm - sub 20fpe silhouette match.
June 12th at 10am AZ time-sub 20fpe "traditional" field target match.
June 12th shortly after lunch-EXTREME Field Target match.
The silhouette match rules are simple: sub 20fpe (so regular field target guns can be used), shoot from any field target position (bucket and sticks or shooting harness/bum bag, or even a tripod for the Unlimited class guys). 1 shot per target, 1 bank consisting of ram, turkey, pig, chicken, chicken at 4 different distances (40, 50, 60, and 70 yards). 20 shots for each relay and we shoot through twice (40 shots). No entry fee required but donations greatly appreciated.
The sub 20fpe FT match rules will follow the same rules most AAFTA recognized clubs in the US use, with the exception of an Unlimited class in which anything goes, just keep the guns under 20fpe. Targets will be from 10-55 yards for this match with kill zones ranging from 3/8 of an inch up to about 2 inches. Unknown distances, laser rangefinder only allowed in Unlimited class. We typically set up a 13 lane course (2 targets per lane, 2 shots per targets so 4 shots per lane for a total of 52 shots). No entry fee required but donation of $10-20 (typical FT match fee) greatly appreciated, or really whatever you can afford will be appreciated.
The Extreme FT match will follow the rules used for the Extreme Field Target events held at the monthly (winter) Phoenix Rod and Gun club. Synopsis of those rules: up to and including.30 cal, and up to 100 fpe. Pellet class and slug class. Targets from 20-100 yards with kill zones up to 3 inches. Stated distances (or use a rangefinder). Shoot from any back-less chair (typically bucket or stool) using bipod or shooting sticks. 25x scope limit. No entry fee required but donation of $20 greatly appreciated. A portion of the entry fees collected will go back into a pot to go towards the winner(s). The money pot will be awarded to the highest scoring donor. The dollar amount going to the highest scoring donor will be announced at the pre-match meeting (that should up the competitive spirit a bit!).
In regards to the donation of entry fees: The targets for all three events are owned by Rex and or Ben. Both individuals either bought or paid to have these targets made with their personal money. Maintenance of those targets is also being funded by them (painting, string replacement, general repairs). There is also a lot of behind the scenes work to put on matches like these. Personally, it's worth at least $10-20 worth of enjoyment for me to get to shoot at their targets during a fun competitive weekend.
Some of us will be camping for the weekend. Any and all are invited to join. The camping and talking airguns is honestly some of the most fun parts of these weekends. This location is about 2.5 miles off the pavement but passenger cars have made it in the past and camp trailers have also made it to every event. There are no facilities and cell phone service requires a couple hundred yard hike to a slightly higher elevation ("unplugging" for a few days is also a favorite part of this location). If you enjoy the outdoors, airguns, and good people, this event is right up your alley.
Come shoot any combination of the 3 events.
For lots of New Mexico and maybe even southern Colorado airgunners, this might be the closest competitive airgunning event (especially where there's some prize money on the line) to you.
Here are the GPS coordinates for anybody interested: 33°43'27.9"N 108°58'16.7"W
And directions: On HWY 180, about 9 miles south of the tiny town of Luna, NM turn west onto Forest Road 209. The turn off is at mile marker 14. Follow FS209/Saddle Mountain Lookout Road about 2.6 miles. FS209 is gravel road. Luna is just a few miles over the AZ/NM state line from Alpine, AZ.
Rex and Ben have asked that you please PM me if you're planning on attending so that they have an idea of how many shooters to plan for.
We're excited to see all you old friends and hopefully make some new ones at the match in a few weeks!!!
We had two matches at this location last summer and one just last month. (see here for match report of last month's <20fpe field target event https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/southwest-airgunners-aspen-mtn-may-2021-match-report/?referrer=1) but the upcoming June match will be the first time we've had an Extreme Field Target event.
Summary of the competitive events:
June 11th at around 4pm - sub 20fpe silhouette match.
June 12th at 10am AZ time-sub 20fpe "traditional" field target match.
June 12th shortly after lunch-EXTREME Field Target match.
The silhouette match rules are simple: sub 20fpe (so regular field target guns can be used), shoot from any field target position (bucket and sticks or shooting harness/bum bag, or even a tripod for the Unlimited class guys). 1 shot per target, 1 bank consisting of ram, turkey, pig, chicken, chicken at 4 different distances (40, 50, 60, and 70 yards). 20 shots for each relay and we shoot through twice (40 shots). No entry fee required but donations greatly appreciated.
The sub 20fpe FT match rules will follow the same rules most AAFTA recognized clubs in the US use, with the exception of an Unlimited class in which anything goes, just keep the guns under 20fpe. Targets will be from 10-55 yards for this match with kill zones ranging from 3/8 of an inch up to about 2 inches. Unknown distances, laser rangefinder only allowed in Unlimited class. We typically set up a 13 lane course (2 targets per lane, 2 shots per targets so 4 shots per lane for a total of 52 shots). No entry fee required but donation of $10-20 (typical FT match fee) greatly appreciated, or really whatever you can afford will be appreciated.
The Extreme FT match will follow the rules used for the Extreme Field Target events held at the monthly (winter) Phoenix Rod and Gun club. Synopsis of those rules: up to and including.30 cal, and up to 100 fpe. Pellet class and slug class. Targets from 20-100 yards with kill zones up to 3 inches. Stated distances (or use a rangefinder). Shoot from any back-less chair (typically bucket or stool) using bipod or shooting sticks. 25x scope limit. No entry fee required but donation of $20 greatly appreciated. A portion of the entry fees collected will go back into a pot to go towards the winner(s). The money pot will be awarded to the highest scoring donor. The dollar amount going to the highest scoring donor will be announced at the pre-match meeting (that should up the competitive spirit a bit!).
In regards to the donation of entry fees: The targets for all three events are owned by Rex and or Ben. Both individuals either bought or paid to have these targets made with their personal money. Maintenance of those targets is also being funded by them (painting, string replacement, general repairs). There is also a lot of behind the scenes work to put on matches like these. Personally, it's worth at least $10-20 worth of enjoyment for me to get to shoot at their targets during a fun competitive weekend.
Some of us will be camping for the weekend. Any and all are invited to join. The camping and talking airguns is honestly some of the most fun parts of these weekends. This location is about 2.5 miles off the pavement but passenger cars have made it in the past and camp trailers have also made it to every event. There are no facilities and cell phone service requires a couple hundred yard hike to a slightly higher elevation ("unplugging" for a few days is also a favorite part of this location). If you enjoy the outdoors, airguns, and good people, this event is right up your alley.
Come shoot any combination of the 3 events.
For lots of New Mexico and maybe even southern Colorado airgunners, this might be the closest competitive airgunning event (especially where there's some prize money on the line) to you.
Here are the GPS coordinates for anybody interested: 33°43'27.9"N 108°58'16.7"W
And directions: On HWY 180, about 9 miles south of the tiny town of Luna, NM turn west onto Forest Road 209. The turn off is at mile marker 14. Follow FS209/Saddle Mountain Lookout Road about 2.6 miles. FS209 is gravel road. Luna is just a few miles over the AZ/NM state line from Alpine, AZ.
Rex and Ben have asked that you please PM me if you're planning on attending so that they have an idea of how many shooters to plan for.
We're excited to see all you old friends and hopefully make some new ones at the match in a few weeks!!!
A few of us always arrive a few days early to soak up the ambience and get acclimated for an enjoyable weekend with both new and old friends and a chance to show off our shooting skills!