Well, the fourth annual Safari Rifle Challenge is in the history books and will hopefully be remembered as the best one yet. We had nearly 60 registered shooters from all over the western states (is Texas in the west?) and Canada. An army of volunteers working two ranges, a registration/scorekeeper booth,a raffle booth that drew a name every 5 minutes throughout the day as well as a cook staff to keep us all fed at noon made me very proud.
So, let it be known that Andy Larsson (owner of Skinner Sights) is now the reigning champion of the Safari Rifle Challenge 2014! He narrowly edged out Andy Eff who took second place. For those that missed the shoot, you will be able to read about it in upcoming issues of Outdoor Life and Rifle magazines as John Snow and John Haviland were both in attendance. And for those who can't read, Michael Bane and his crew were also there filming for an upcoming edition of Shooting Gallery on the Outdoor Channel. More to come tomorrow, but thanks for all of your continued support, particularly Jeff Sipe and the staff at Montana Rifle Company and Shawn Joyce of Diizche Safari Adventures. Both are major supporters and their contributions made this event a day to remember!

For those that are interested in such things, this was the course of fire...

2014 Safari Rifle Challenge World Championships
Course of Fire / Stage Descriptions

Muzzle UP and Action OPEN while entering and exiting the range. Do not pick up brass, it will be gathered for you. Confirm your score while still on the firing line.

Stage 1 “Sight in at camp with ReVersa Target Stands”. (Distance 45 yards, round count 2) Starting position is standing with an EMPTY rifle, action closed, safety off; rifle must be held with both hands in the firing position and aimed at the target. On the signal, keeping muzzle pointed safely down range at all times, shooter will retrieve one round, load and fire, reload one round and fire again. Open action for inspection and keep the muzzle pointed up when directed to exit the range.

Stage 2 “Montana Rifle Co. Fast Blast”. (Two shooters, 2 rows of jugs, Distance 25, 35, 45 yards, round count 3). Starting position is standing with 2 rounds in rifle, safety on, finger OFF trigger, low ready position. On the signal shoot any two jugs, reload ONE round and shoot third jug. The first shooter to hit all three jugs receives an additional 1 point. Open action for inspection. Muzzle up to exit the range.

Stage 3 “Diizche Safari Elephant Hunt”. (Distance 25, 45 yards, round count 2). Starting position is standing with one round in chamber, safety on, finger off the trigger, rifle in low ready position. On the signal shoot the 45 yard side brain elephant. After firing, move diagonally approximately 5 yards to the marked position, reload with one round and shoot the 25 yard frontal brain elephant target. Open action for inspection. Muzzle up to exit the range.

Stage 4 “Nitro Express Safaris Crossing Buffalo”. (Distance 40 yards, round count 2). Starting position will be standing with 2 rounds in the rifle, safety on and finger off of the trigger, low ready position. On the signal a crossing buffalo with a gallon jug “lung” will start across in front of you. If you burst the jug with the first shot you will earn 10 points, if you burst it on the second shot then you will only receive 5 points. Open action for inspection, muzzle pointed up when exiting the range.

Stage 5 “Champion DuraSeal Challenge” (Distance 20, 40 yards, round count 2) Starting position is standing with 2 rounds in the rifle, safety on, finger off the trigger, low ready position. On the signal, shoot the hanging three inch DuraSeal ball at 20 yards then shoot the four inch DuraSeal diamond spinner at 40 yards. Shooter earns 10 points per hit. Open action for inspection, muzzle up to exit the range.

Stage 6 “Crocodile DuraSeal Brain Shot” (Distance 75 yards, round count 1) Starting position is shooters choice of standing offhand, standing with sticks, kneeling, or seated on the bare ground. One round in chamber, safety on, finger off the trigger, muzzle pointed down range. On the signal fire one round into the RED DuraSeal “brain” causing it to spin and you will earn 10 points. Hits anywhere else are scored as a miss. Action open for inspection, muzzle up to exit range.

Stage 7 “Nitro Express Safaris Charging Buffalo” (Distance 40 and 15 yards, round count 2) Starting position is standing, 2 rounds in rifle, safety on and finger off the trigger, low ready position. On the signal, the 15 yard buffalo will begin its charge. You must FIRST shoot the gallon water jug at 40 yards and then shoot the charging buffalo with your second shot. 10 points for a burst jug and actual points earned on the Champion target placed over the buffalo brain. Open action for inspection, muzzle up to exit the range.

Stage 8 “Diizche Safaris,Save the Tourist”. (Distance, crossing at 25 yards. Round count 1). Shooter will load and chamber 1 round, engage safety and place rifle on the table. Shooter will then take a seat in the chair 5 yards away from the table. On the signal, the leopard starts and the shooter will move forward, pick up rifle and shoot the crossing leopard, firing one round into the Champion paper target placed over the leopards’ lung area before it gets to the tourist. Points earned will be the actual number scored on the paper target, body hits will be scored as a miss. Open action for inspection, muzzle up while exiting the range.

Stage 9 “Montana Rifle Company Charging Jug Shootout” (Two shooters, Distance; charging from 15 yards, round count 2,) Starting position is standing with 2 rounds in rifle, safety on, finger off the trigger, low ready position. On the signal a cart with 3 hanging jugs charges the two shooters. Shooter on left shoots left jug for 10pts, shooter on right shoots the right jug for 10pts. Once your jug bursts, you may then engage the center jug. Shooter that bursts the center jug earns 10 more points. In case of a tie on middle jug, both shooters will fully load their rifles, safety on, low ready start position. On the signal, each will engage the 50 yard jug placed in front of them. First shooter to burst their jug earns 10 points. Open action for inspection. Muzzle up to exit the range.

Stage 10 “Reversa Targets Precision Shoot”. (Distance 25, 35, 45 yards, round count 3). Starting position will be standing with 2 rounds in the rifle, safety on, finger off the trigger, low ready position. On the signal, shoot the 25 and then 35 yard clay birds in the ReVersa Target holder. Transition to the kneeling position, load one additional round, remain kneeling and shoot the 45 yard clay bird. You earn 10 points for each clay target hit. Open action for inspection, muzzle up to exit the range.

Here are a few pictures from the shoot...
How do you even get 450 one gallon jugs of water to the shoot?
Registration booth

Ron Petty of Norma USA and Jeff Sipe of Montana Rifle Co.

The crossing buffalo...

Wayne Jacobsen of American Hunting Rifles being interviewed by Michael Bane

Elephant Hunting

John Snow of Outdoor Life Magazine and Jeff Sipe Montana Rifle Co.

Gene Gordner checking out the raffle table (Gene was shooting some stunning old rifles and he definately hits whatever he is aiming at!)

The infamous "charging water jugs"

Shooting birds in the ReVersa Target Stands

Shooting the attacking Leopard

John Snow (L) and John Haviland (R) checking out Genes old guns

The Montana Rifle Company Booth where EVERYTHING on the table was available to take for a "test drive" with all ammo being provided free of charge by Norma Ammunition! Lots of shooters used them for an entire stage. Where else can you shoot a 505 Gibbs,416 Rigby or any other major caliber on somebody elses dime?

Taking a long poke at a big Croc!

Andy Larsson from Skinner Sights with his First Place trophy which was sponsored by Shawn Joyce of Diizche Safari Adventures

Now I'm really sorry I didn't make it! Looks like Fun!!
Next year I am blocking out those dates and to hell with work.
This year I had been home from Africa for only a few weeks and work had me pinned down.
Next year
Next year....

Looks like a hell of a shoot. Wish I could have been there. Looks like tons of fun.

I will have to go also.

My son and I had a great time and met lots of good folks and reunited with old friends. The organization and detail of the shoot was a testament to all of the hard work and planning that Jay and his merry band of shooters put into the day's festivities. I don't think I've ever been to a shoot that ran so well from beginning to end. I'll definitely be back next year.

Awesome.

I am coming next year.



Mike

If not the greatest shoot on earth, looks like one of the top three.

Let me tell you
Thanks to Jay, Dan and everyone else involved
It was simply a hoot
We all had fun and sore shoulders/arms for that but so worth it


I'm lucky I'm only living 4 hours away so I'm always there

Oh what I missed to help relatives and friends with their "difficulties" this year. Gotta go next year.

Best Shoot yet Jay! This was an absolute blast! I never heard a single negative comment and even as hot as it was, the cold water and the misting tent were able to cool everyone off. Montana Rifle Company and all our employees were EXTREMELY proud to be part of this with you Jay, so look to have some large sponsors from other Friends of the industry next year! After learning that there was more participation in this event than a lot of other shooting events around the country, I think you have a winner! Congrats to my friend Andy Larsson of Skinner Sights for winning! Andy is not only a Great shooter but a good business man, a solid friend of our industry and a good man of God! It was awesome to have Wayne Jacobsen of American Hunting Rifles there as well! I know that John Haviland and John Snow both had a great time and will more than likely be back next year! Ron Petty of Norma-USA had a riot, and thought very highly of how it was ran and the participation level. Overall it was the finest shooting event I have had the pleasure of being part of! Great Job to Judge Jay Sheffield and all his volunteers, you guys are truly amazing.

Thanks for the kind words. I am already working on getting together 2 bulldozers, 1000 yards of dirt and a large excavator, cause we are gonna need a bigger range! See you all next year, JCS

Yeah, you will need bigger range for sure Jay.
I"ll need bigger gun, no, not really...

Are there any pictures of AR members shooting or talking to the celebs?

I can understand talking to celebs, but why would they want to shoot them?

15 minutes of fame it's called

Jay,

Thanks for posting the pictures for all of us to enjoy. It was a privilege to be a part of this year’s event. Sending my very best wishes and congratulations to all of the participants, sponsors, and of course special recognition to Andy Larsson for shooting straight!

Cheers,
Shawn

Looks like it was an awesome time & very well organized. Would like to attend next year. Fine write-up too, and thanks for sharing the great photos.

This is a clip of the charging jugs,

Charging Jug Shootout

Jay and all his helpers put on a great event. It is well worth the 7 hour drive from Seattle. This was my second year participating and I have every intention of returning next year. Incredibly well organized and the sponsor support was great to see.