We have a little bit for everyone this issue; hope you like it. Note the membership application now has a spot on it for "Sponsor." We are attempting to increase membership in MSSA; at the end of the year, we'll total the new members for each sponsor and give a prize. Don't know what it'll be yet. You can send comments or input for a future newsletter to either P. Fitzgerald or B. Sliger.
Newsletter: The next issue of the "Shooter" will go out near the end of Sept 1996. The cutoff date for material to be sent to the editor & included is Sept 15, 1996.
Membership Information: Please check your mailing label for correct spelling, address, zip code, etc. If there is any error, mail your old label with corrections to MSSA. The code on your label indicates the year and month in which your membership expires. The first two digits are the year, and the middle two digits are the month. Members with expiration dates prior to this issue will be deleted from the association roster one month after delivery of this newsletter, unless a renewal is received.
At the May 11 MSSA board meeting, there was discussion and a passed motion to change the name of our organization from the present "Missouri Sport Shooting Assoc" back to "Missouri State Rifle and Pistol Assoc." This change was made in 1982. One thing to consider is the MSSA inventory of memorabilia that currently has MSSA on it. Additionally, Bob Sliger did a review of other state organizations, and found that 33 have "rifle and/or pistol" in the name, while 19 have "sports shooting" or just "shooting" in their name. Without going into any reasons for the original change or the present proposal for reversal, we are seeking feedback from the membership. We want to know your position on the matter as well as the reasons for your position. This matter will be voted on by the membership at the annual meeting this fall. Please send a note regarding your position with any comments to MSSA, P.O. Box 10170, Columbia, MO 65205.
It's very important that we all get out and exercise our right to vote. We must also support the pro-gun candidates seeking public office. No campaign can succeed without a dedicated corps of volunteers.
Election Day Type of Election Last Day to Register Aug 6, 1996 Primary July 10, 1996 Nov 5, 1996 General Oct 9, 1996
In St. Francois County, you can register to vote at the County Clerk's Office, at all city halls, at the state license bureau, at the Missouri division of family services, at the Missouri state employment office and Southeast Missouri Mental Health Center. There may be even more in your area. Call your County Clerk for information and while you have their attention get a candidate list and call or write to find out if they support your gun rights. If you would like to help, call the NRA/ILA Grassroots Division at 1-800-392-8683.
Have you ever had the "deer rifle accuracy blues?" I got a case of this sometime last fall. I had worked up some pet handloads for my Ruger M77 7mm Mag, using several premium bullets: Hornady, Speer Grand Slam, Sierra Boattail, Nosler, and selected a load that gave 1.25 inch accuracy. Well that's plenty good for collecting a deer in Missouri, and I got two with that rifle in 1995 to prove it.
Anyway, the blues actually started in October in Wyoming. My brother and I went on a mule deer hunt, and I took the M77, while he took a Win 30-06 with a BOSS. We decided to go to a range in Laramie and check our zero (that's what all the magazines say to do, isn't it?). Anyway, both our rifles were still pretty well in zero, but my rifle wouldn't print groups like I was expecting. My brother with his BOSS? Oh, he proceeded to kick my butt with 1 inch groups. I guess I've shot too many Highpower matches, and the competitor in me doesn't like coming in last place in tiddly winks, let alone rifle shooting. Even my brother-in-law shot better!
Well, I decided that when I got back to Missouri, something would have to be done about this rifle (after MO deer season). The first thing I did was put a Bell & Carlson synthetic stock in place; supposed to be a drop-in deal. Went to the range and was horrified to find that the point of impact had changed 18 inches (low). The barrel was completely free floating with the synthetic stock. However, the wood stock had a raised boss near the front end that was applying pressure to the barrel. I wrote Ruger about this, and they responded that all their rifles are designed with 5-7 pounds of pressure on the barrel from the forward end of the stock. Hmmmm... if moisture on a wood stock with free floating barrel can cause the wood to swell, touch the barrel, and change the point of impact, what would moisture on this stock do, if it required 5-7 pounds of pressure? What if the pressure changed a pound or two?
I didn't like the sound of this, and decided I would never use the M77 wood stock again. But the darn thing didn't shoot any better with the synthetic stock either! Still about 1.5 inch groups, depending on whether I had the caffeine shakes or not. Something more would have to be done. I decided to pull out the stops and have a Timney trigger installed and glass bed the action in the synthetic stock. I ordered the trigger from Midway (Columbia, MO), and took the gun to Otto Matyska, of Otto-Comp, Affton, MO, 314-638-3327. Timney advertises that they have a crisp 3 pound pull, while factory triggers are approx 6-7 pounds because of all the liability. The glass bedding cost $65, the trigger was approx $60, and the trigger work cost $40.
Went back to the range and was very pleased with the results. ALL of my handloads, as well as factories, were printing 1.5 inch or better, but my best handload printed 4 shots that a postage stamp would cover. That'll do. I don't know for sure, but I think the trigger job made the biggest difference. Now I'm not advocating that everyone do this work to their rifle; 1.5 inch groups is certainly adequate to take a deer. However, if your hunting ever includes sighting in with your brother, and you want to be the "big dog of small groups", get the work done!
Arnold R&P Club, Bullseye 2700's, July 7, August 4. 1800's are also an option during the firing of the 2700. Service Pistol (NMC) held after 2700.
How would you like to go shotgunning for woodcock, dove, grouse, pheasant, rabbit, quail, teal, and ducks all in one day? And what if you got to shoot barn pigeons, starlings, and coots also, just for fun at no extra charge? I did just that several weeks ago at Sorenson's Kennels & Sporting Clays in Defiance (St. Charles County). Let me tell you, after competing in both spring and fall trap leagues for nearly 10 years, I thought I was an accomplished shotgunner, until I tried my hand at sporting clays; what a humbling experience! But it was some of the most fun I've ever had with a shotgun. Tom & Kay Sorenson opened their kennel in 1958, and have had over 50 Field Trial Champions, as well as the National Championship. They opened up the sporting clays portion of their business several years ago. The "course" consists of 10 stations that are located on 250 acres of beautiful woods, ponds, and cropland. Walkways are mowed; it reminds you of walking around a golf course with a shotgun. Anyway, an assistant walks with your group and releases the clay birds when you call. In most cases, he is out of sight as well as the machine for throwing the birds. Most stations have a platform that you must stand on while shooting. In every case, you are presented with "birds" like you've never seen before on a trap or skeet range, but they represent what you're likely to see in the field remarkably well.
Several stations are worth mentioning: at the "Fur & Feathers" station, you call for the shot, and a rabbit comes whizzing out from the right, on the ground and bouncing. You take the shot; at the report, a "quail" comes right behind. At the "Duck" station, instead of a platform, you have to sit down in a jon boat that is mounted on springs on the bank of a large pond; that's right, it moves like waves on water with your every move. You call for the shot, and a pair of birds come from the left over the water. The station called "Scooting Coots" was just that. You stand on the bank of a large pond, call for the bird, and this time a machine throws the clay discs on their "backside" or upside down right across the water. They skip along, one about 10 feet behind the other, across the water. I never saw real coots move that fast, but then.... Sorensons is open 7 days a week, and recommends calling for a time (similar to tee times) so they can make sure they have stuff waiting for you. Cost is $15 for 50 birds (5 stations) or $25 for a 100 bird, 10 station course. This is very reasonable as "walk through" clay courses go, and very addictive as well! Sorensons is located 4 miles south of Hwy 40 on Hwy DD. Their phone number is: 314-828-5149.
I am Harold Miederhoff, presently serving MSSA as Vice-President. I have been a member of MSSA and its predecessor, the Missouri State Rifle & Pistol Assoc for over 25 years. I have been a member of the board for over 15 years. I am a retired teacher of secondary mathematics, having taught for over 25 years. I currently have a part time job to help support my shooting habit.
In addition to competitive Smallbore shooting my interests include gardening, woodworking, and Civil War history. I have won the State SB Prone Championship several times as well as being "Distinguished" for that event. In 1993, the year I retired, I made the Dewar International Team at Camp Perry. That is quite an honor and I feel fortunate to have been once in the company of so many outstanding shooters. My youngest daughter, Melissa, is also a competitive SB shooter. She shot with the UMKC rifle team for four years and won numerous State Junior Championships in her youth. In addition to serving as Vice-Pres of MSSA, I am taking care of membership records, helping with the State Championship approvals, and manufacture the plaques used for championships and special MSSA awards. The walnut used in the plaques comes from trees cut on Bucksnort Range at Marshall.
I believe that MSSA can be an effective and influential organization. What is needed is for individuals to step forward to donate their time and talent to MSSA's causes and programs. In the past, a few individuals have tried to carry the whole program by themselves. This will not work. When those individuals burn out or die, things do not continue. The competition and junior programs are doing well. There is a need for more involvement on the legislative and membership fronts.
Help Eddie Eagle make your hometown safer; become an Eddie Eagle volunteer. With firearms in about half of all homes, the National Rifle Assoc's Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program for children provides a vital community service. Since 1988, the program has reached over 7 million kindergarten through sixth grade children with a lifesaving message: IF YOU SEE A GUN, STOP! DON'T TOUCH. LEAVE THE AREA. TELL AN ADULT. Volunteer your time to bring Eddie Eagle into your hometown. Designed by educators and safety officials, and distributed through schools and law enforcement agencies, the program reinforces the safety message through a variety of materials for parents and teachers.
The NRA also has TV public service announcements (PSA's) available for you to place on local stations, as well as tips on sponsoring the program in local schools. As little as $160 could provide materials for a school of 600 students. Your support is vital to the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program in continuing to expand its effectiveness where it is most important...at the grass roots. We have made significant inroads into numerous communities and welcome your support in continuing to educate our young children about firearms. With your assistance, we can make the Eddie Eagle Program an integral part of the school curriculum within your community. If interested, please call 1-800-231-0752.
As I've stated before, I've been doing a lot of work with a 7mm Mag rifle, trying to get the most accuracy out of it I can to make it a true long range gun; 300+ yard stuff. For this kind of shooting you need not only accuracy but some pretty good velocity/trajectory as well, to minimize the effects of not knowing exactly how far the distance is. I frequently use a chronograph to check my handloads, and nearly always I send some factories through it the same day I'm testing just for a sanity check to make sure I'm getting good data. I loaded up some rounds with 160 gr Barnes X-bullets that were otherwise identical to loads I liked with 162 gr Hornady BTSP's.
To my surprise, the ammo with the Barnes bullets clocked much faster than the same loads with the Hornady's; the additional velocity was as much as 130 FPS at the lighter loads, and as much as 200 FPS at heavier loadings. This was not a one shot fluke; I shot approx 80 rounds through the chronograph that day, loads with Barnes bullets, Hornady bullets, and factories. Every one of the Barnes loads was faster than comparable loadings with the Hornady.
So why the difference? I think it has something to do with the shape of the Barnes bullet. Being solid copper with no lead core, it necessarily needs to be longer to achieve the same weight as a lead core bullet. In fact, the bullet looks very much like a match hollow point that you would use in highpower rifle matches; long, and comes to a very sharp point. Possibly this difference in aerodynamics of the projectile would account for the increased velocity. I'm not complaining.
In 1995, the MSSA awards committee decided to present Willa Eyman with an award for many years of service to the organization. Willa helped her late husband "Bud" with many of the things that he did for the association. She took care of membership records, typed the newsletter, and spent a lot of time answering the phone at the Eyman residence. Willa was a valuable resource to me while I was trying to put the affairs of MSSA back together after a period of inactivity. The award was intended for presentation at the 1995 awards dinner, but Willa was unable to attend due to an illness in the family out of town. I delivered it to her one day when I was in Jefferson City. The following is the contents of a hand written note of thanks that MSSA recently received from Willa:
Ladies & Gentlemen,
I would like to express my appreciation to the MSSA for the
beautiful framed Service Award. A special thanks to Harold
Miederhoff for taking the time from his busy schedule to
personally deliver the award, since I couldn't be there for the
meeting. As you all know, Bud and I believed strongly in
promoting the MSSA and worked diligently to that end. Through
MSSA, we have met so many wonderful people and have established
many lasting friendships. Again, thanks to each of you for this
very special gift. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.
May God richly bless each of you.
Sincerely, Willa Eyman.
Check out the March '96 'Shooter.
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