Safari Rifle Challenge
World Championships in Libby, Montana
Sunday July 9, 2017 8am-4pm

The Event: This is a family oriented shoot featuring both life size and moving targets. It is designed to simulate events encountered on an African Safari. Targets will be scored and times will be announced, but since all prizes are awarded by random drawing, you will be competing purely for the glory of sport! Participants will be expected to cheerfully help with reset of targets, powering the moving targets and any other menial labor that may be necessary for the greater good. ALL shooters must be at least 18yrs old and pre-registered. There is a $20 participation fee which will also entitle you to a commemorative t-shirt.
The Guns: This is a big bore, dangerous game rifle shoot. Essentially .375/9.3 caliber or larger cartridges in single shot, bolt action or double rifles with minimum muzzle energy of 4000 ft/lb. If you have an antique double rifle in a smaller caliber that is capable of taking big game then bring it! Single shot, double barrel or bolt action 10/12/20 gauge guns firing single lead balls or slugs will also be allowed. Sorry, but no handguns, pump or semi-automatic firearms. You will need about 30 rounds.
ABSOLUTELY NO LIGHT LOADS!

The Rules: All guns will be placed in the racks with actions open. When it is your turn to shoot, you will be directed to get your rifle by the range master. SAFETY AND MUZZLE CONTROL ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE! The start position will generally be low ready with a round in the chamber, finger off the trigger and the safety on, unless otherwise directed by range staff. A range master “PH” will stay beside you at all times while on the course. On most stages, there will be a limited amount of ammunition allowed in your gun when starting the stage, extra rounds will have to be loaded from the belt, pocket, butt stock etc. We reserve the right to change the course of fire based on our disposition, your disposition, untimely demise of the targets, comments from the peanut gallery, weather or whatever other factors may be present. All distances are approximate and subject to change.

The Course of fire: Shooting positions will vary from standing on your hind legs and shooting offhand, to kneeling and seated. Frequently it will be a combination of positions. Some stages may require the use of shooting sticks which will be provided. Many stages will require you to fire at a target, move to another spot, reload and then fire at a second target. All movement will be done with an empty gun and all reloading will be done once you are safely at the next shooting position. If you have any physical issues that preclude a certain activity we will cheerfully accommodate you.
The 10 stage course is specifically designed to NOT favor any particular style of rifle or sight system. Distances will vary between 5 and 75+ yards. Targets will vary from life-size broadside buffalo and elephant heads to clay birds, water jugs and steel gongs.

Location: Libby Shooting Sports Complex on Farm to Market Rd. across from the Libby Airport.
Time: Shooting starts at 8 am SHARP! Please arrive early to check in and get setup. Remember to bring lawn chairs, hat and sunscreen. You are encouraged to bring your own food and drinks (NO ALCOHOL ON RANGE PROPERTY). Water and soft drinks will be available for purchase in the clubhouse.

Please email me to sign up or request more information. Email is safaririflechallenge@yahoo.com

P.S. There will be vendors on site including Montana Rifle Company and Norma USA who will once again have a large display of their rifles and ammunition available to test fire and Skinner Sights will display their line of fine aperture sights and custom carry /range bags.

Directions; From Libby; Take Hwy 2 east about 3 miles from town. As the highway starts up a steep hill in front of you, watch for Bowker Rd at the bottom of the hill on your LEFT side. Take Bowker 100yds to the intersection with State Rd 482 (Farm to Market rd). Turn RIGHT on 482 and go 3.5 miles to the range which will be on your left. If you get to the airport you have just passed the range.

From Kalispell- HWY 2; as you go down the steep hill entering Libby, turn RIGHT on Bowker. Take Bowker 100yds to the intersection with State rd 482 (Farm to Market rd). Turn RIGHT on 482 and go 3.5 miles to the range which will be on your left. If you get to the airport you have just passed the range.

Local motels;
www.ventureinnlibby.com 406-293-7711
www.sandmanmotel.us 406-293-8831
www.thehuckleberryhouse.com 406-293-9720
www.dumontscreeksidebnb.com 406-293-0660
Evergreen Motel 406-293-4178
Caboose Motel 406-293-6201
Roadway Inn 406-293-2771

I doubt I can make it but I will put it on my try to attend list.It seems like a real shoot!

I have booked for this trip.The shoot should make for a nice weekend getaway.I do not know which rifle to bring.I am better with a bolt rifle than a double but it would make for a good opportunity to practice with my double rifle.It looks like the range is very close to the airport so there will be no need to rent a vehicle.

Shootaway, I think the nearest airport that accommodates commercial jets is at Kalispell, MT, 90 miles from Libby.

Thanks I will check on that.

quote:

Originally posted by PhilR:
Shootaway, I think the nearest airport that accommodates commercial jets is at Kalispell, MT, 90 miles from Libby.

You are right.It looks like I will have to rent a vehicle.I will need to drive from Kalispell.I will be lodging in Libby.

I told someone here where I plan on going and they suggested I take a horse back ride while there.Libby looks quite nice.I will bring my camera for sure.

Kalispell MT is the nearest commercial airport. Bring both your double and a bolt gun then shoot what you want throughout the day!

Shoot away, I fly Delta thru Minneapolis to Kalispell on my many trips to Libby. Works well for me. I'm usually there for spring bear and/ or fall hunting.....never seem to make it for the shoot.

Phil

quote:

Originally posted by PhilR:
Shoot away, I fly Delta thru Minneapolis to Kalispell on my many trips to Libby. Works well for me. I'm usually there for spring bear and/ or fall hunting.....never seem to make it for the shoot.

Phil

I will be flying United.The flight is about 7hrs from Montreal with an hour stop in Chicago.Thanks again Phil.I hope you can make it there.

I will be flying up Highway 200. It takes about 3.5hrs. It's a pretty rough crowd but the scenery makes up for it.

I am planning on making it as I will be up for the summer at my place outside Sandpoint.

I came last year, really enjoyed the shoot and the Libby area, my youngest boy came with and we fished some in the surrounding reservoir and streams.
I'll be driving again this year about an 18 hour jaunt each way for me but well worth it.
Looking forward to seeing you all there and thanks again JCS 271 for organizing this event.

It sounds awesome wish I could take my 416 rem mag there .

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
It sounds awesome wish I could take my 416 rem mag there .

You can!

The applications are coming in so if you are planning on attending, get it in the mail fast! We have some "well known" folks signed up so those of you who can't attend may be able to see and read about the shoot later on this fall, I'll keep you posted. We are also working on some more motorized targets, should be fun. See you in July!

I received my temporary import permit from ATF for both my rifles today.

This fun annual event is just around the corner and will be here before you know it! Jay, have all of the available slots been filled?

Best always,
Shawn

We will be full in the next couple of days, I am just waiting on the last few app's to arrive from folks who emailed confirmations. Should be fun!

Darn Ice Cream seasons

Darn Ice Cream seasons

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
We will be full in the next couple of days, I am just waiting on the last few app's to arrive from folks who emailed confirmations. Should be fun!

This event never seems to disappoint and keeps growing! I am hearing rumors you may have some television and print coverage (again) during this year’s event. I hope that comes to fruition Jay.

quote:

Originally posted by ExpressYourself:
This event never seems to disappoint and keeps growing! I am hearing rumors you may have some television and print coverage (again) during this year’s event. I hope that comes to fruition Jay.

We have a couple of guys scheduled to come that most folks will recognize. Only 8 weeks to go!

Dang. I'll be in Zim during that period........

quote:

We have a couple of guys scheduled to come that most folks will recognize. Only 8 weeks to go!

I'm coming, but I'm just a nobody, no fear of anybody recognizing me!
Would be interesting if AR members also included their AR handle on their name tag. I may have met some members last year at the shoot but wouldn't know it by their proper name instead of their AR handle.
Mines not hard to figure out Dave Snellstrom; AR handle Snellstrom.....
I'm pretty sure I was the only guy at the shoot last year with a 400 Whelen.

That's a great idea. We will try and include that on name tags this year.

Well, I am coming too, though I'm not well known enough to count! I have never met Dave, but I am pretty sure I met Shootaway at one of our Texas Big Bore shoots in Houston several years ago. My wife and I will make a leisurely drive up and enjoy all the beautiful scenery around Libby. Two years ago, I shot this event and I learned I better get some practice in, this time! Jay puts on a great event that runs like a well oiled machine... great moving targets that I routinely miss, but great fun nonetheless! I think I'll go load up some 450/400 ammo!
Lee.

quote:

Originally posted by JCS271:
That's a great idea. We will try and include that on name tags this year.

Sounds like a great event!

quote:

Originally posted by lee440:
Well, I am coming too, though I'm not well known enough to count! I have never met Dave, but I am pretty sure I met Shootaway at one of our Texas Big Bore shoots in Houston several years ago. My wife and I will make a leisurely drive up and enjoy all the beautiful scenery around Libby. Two years ago, I shot this event and I learned I better get some practice in, this time! Jay puts on a great event that runs like a well oiled machine... great moving targets that I routinely miss, but great fun nonetheless! I think I'll go load up some 450/400 ammo!
Lee.

See you again this year,lee440.It has been 7 yrs already since that shoot.I am looking forward to this shoot-meeting some more big bore shooters and touching off a few rounds!

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
Sounds like a great event!

Jay puts on a fantastic annual event!
Here are our Previous Event Links that you can review…in case you have interest in seeing more about some of the past events!

I'll be there gents
As always, it'll be a hoot thanks to Jay & Co.
George, you gonna love it

See you there Milan.If you are sticking around after the shoot we could go for a beer.

Hopefully they will publish the order of finish . . . would be interesting to see how some of the advice-ladened offhand open-sight rifle shooters actually do . . .

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Hopefully they will publish the order of finish . . . would be interesting to see how some of the advice-ladened offhand open-sight rifle shooters actually do . . .

I know someone(or two) will be wishing/praying I don't do well.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
See you there Milan.If you are sticking around after the shoot we could go for a beer.

You got it George

This event is almost here! Individual engraved granite award plaque and the rosewood clubhouse perpetual award.

About 28 days to go. Not only will somebody win that trophy, there are also a lot of cool prizes on this years raffle table. Looks like we will have motorized targets on both ranges, so get ready to shoot some movers!

Will you have a massage therapist for our shoulders on site?

JCS, is there going to be a concert this year like the last time I was there? It was great!