Well, the 6th annual Safari Rifle Challenge is in the books. The 75 participants enjoyed a sunny 70 degree Montana day and when the dust settled, Dan Larsson of St. Ignatius MT was the winner. Shooting a .375H&H he scored 197 out of a possible 200! A huge thank you to Shawn Joyce of Diizche Safari Adventures who has become our main sponsor. A big thanks also to Jeff Sipe and Dave Wisher of Montana Rifle Company and Andy Larsson of Skinner Sights. Without the support of these men, we would not be able to put on the quality of shoot that we now offer.

For those who are interested, here is the 2016 course of fire........

2016 Safari Rifle Challenge Course of Fire. Your rifle MUST remain in the rack unloaded with the action open at all times. Do not handle rifles unless you are specifically directed to do so by a range officer. This is a fun shoot designed to test your skills but safety is paramount. Unsafe gun handling will not be tolerated and violators will be asked to leave the range immediately. The range officers are here for everyone’s protection and their directions are law! The RO’s will call and record your score. Please check your score sheet immediately because no scoring errors may be challenged after you leave the firing line.

1. Checking Zero ---- Four shooters on the line. Starting position will be EMPTY rifle, safety off, shouldered and pointed at the target. On the whistle you will load and fire one round then load and fire a second round. Open action, show clear, muzzle up during scoring and return to the gun racks.

2. Shooting Gallery --- Shooter will place unloaded rifle and three rounds on the table. Shooter will take a one gallon jug and hang it on the hook. On the command shooter will give the jug a good push then run back to the table, load rifle and shoot at the jug until it bursts. If you have any rounds left then shoot the hanging 5” DuraSeal ball. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.

3. Charging Lion --- Rifle loaded with two rounds, safety on. On start command, lion will head towards you. You must then kneel down on one (or both) knees, disengage safety and fire both rounds. Open action and show clear before getting up.

4. Fast Blast --- Two shooters on the line. Two rounds in rifle, safety on. On the command shoot the two jugs in front of you. If you burst both jugs then you may load a third round and shoot the gong. First person to hit gong gets an extra 10 points. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.

5. Two Elephants --- Rifle loaded with one round, safety on. Fire at the close elephant target. Move to the next spot, load one round and fire at distant elephant. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.

6. Rhino and Hippo --- Rifle loaded with one round, safety on. Fire at hippo target. Move to the next spot, load one round and fire at rhino target. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done. (Kill zones will be faintly marked for scoring purposes; you must evaluate the angle then shoot at the heart/lung zone just like in real life).

7. Fleeing Buffalo --- Rifle loaded with two rounds, safety on. On the signal the buffalo will start going away. You must FIRST shoot at the 10” 50 yard gong. Your SECOND shot will then be at the buffalo. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.
8. DuraSeal Challenge --- Two shooters on the line. Two rounds in rifle, safety on. On the command, shoot the two 5” DuraSeal targets in front of you. If you hit them both then load a third round and be the first one to hit the gong. First person to hit gong gets an extra 10 points. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.

9. Charging Water Jugs --- Two shooters, two rounds in rifle, safety on. The cart will start towards you and you will then be given the shoot command. You must shoot the jug on your side then race to shoot the middle jug. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.

10. Long Range Gong --- One shooter, one round in rifle with safety on. On command, take one standing offhand shot at the long range gong. Closest gong is for open sights; farthest gong is for optical/dot sights. Open action, show clear, muzzle up when done.


Here are some pictures of our winner and some videos from a few of the stages........























Click on these pictures to watch the short video clip.......

Wow Jay it gets better every year. Were solids required on the departing buffalo? I'm bummed I couldn't make it this year but hope to be back next year.

That looks like a blast!

Looks like fun but I see he rules are weighted towards doubles.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Looks like fun but I see he rules are weighted towards doubles.

Doubles get paired up with doubles in twos competition

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Looks like fun but I see he rules are weighted towards doubles.

I am assuming you're making that statement because most of the events only require two rounds . Even though only about 10% of the competitors shoot a double rifle we try really hard to have it evenly balanced between bolt guns , doubles , open sights and scopes. Since none of these scenarios are timed the speed of a double rifle isn't particularly helpful in most events. If you have any constructive ideas we are always glad to hear it.

Jay,

I thought you did a great job designing this year's participant T-shirts. Each year the shirt is always unique. As usual, they came out really nice!

Best always,
Shawn

This year I made the 18 hour drive from my house east of Colorado Springs to the Safari Rifle Challenge. I brought my 13 year old son with me even though he's not old enough to enter and shoot we both had a really good time.
It was great to meet Jay and the whole crew that hosts and organizes the entire event.
Very well organized and I thought the whole thing came off just like it had been rehearsed.
I brought my 400 Whelen on a 1903 Springfield action, scoped and I thought the friendly competition offered no advantages to Bolt Actions or Doubles and no advantage to scopes or irons.
2 of the events I kind of embarrassed myself but felt like I held my own on the others.
Very fun for all and I must say everyone we met from competitors to vendors to hosts and organizers were flat out good people.
After the smoke cleared my son and I fished awhile in the Libby area before we continued our trip out to Oregon.
Really hope my work schedule allows me to show up again next year, meanwhile I'll work on my skills.
Thanks JCS271 (Jay) for hosting the event.

Thanks for the great photos and videos; moving targets are such good fun!

Great photos of a great event. Thanks for letting us see.

I gather there would be a Minium calibre requirement? Looks like a lot of fun

quote:

Originally posted by BB416:
I gather there would be a Minium calibre requirement? Looks like a lot of fun

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