The 2014 Berger Southwest Nationals are now complete with over 250 participants including representatives from Ireland, Scotland, and Canada. The numbers increased again by approximately 50 more shooters this year and the range can still handle additional participants. This is an exceptionally well run match with sponsors providing over $60,000.00 in door prizes. The weather cooperated warming each day from 42 F to a high of 75 F with no rain (or snow).
From a Canadian point of view we did quite well this year in individual and team events. The strong representation in TR was from Ken Nelson second High Master, in F Open Steve Baardsen First Master , Eric Bisson fourth Master, in FTR Gerry Wiens high senior and Barry Hamilton first Marksman.
From a team point of view, we did exceptionally well in F Open until an injury took out Les Dolhun after the first day. Keith Skjerdal substituted for Les however the score was not allowed. In FTR the Canadian team had a gun malfunction on the first day and first time shooter at the match Mitch Young had problems with vertical with the load he was using. On the second day the gun was repaired and Mitch used another team member’s rifle to achieve a second day win with records broken by team members. The Canadian team achieved a third prize winning with Gerry Wiens providing some excellent wind coaching.
This year we achieved High Master Class status at door prizes with new shooter Mitch Young walking away with a gift certificate for any March scope followed by winning a Hawk Eye bore scope, total value in excess of $4000.00. In addition, Jim Wilderman is receiving a Night Force scope as a bonus placement award.
Conditions were interesting this year as usual with days of wind being somewhat steady for periods to fish tail winds where the flags and mirage did not agree.
From a personal point of view, I achieved some personal best scores ever shot, with my favourite souvenir a shot out spotter (in the x ring) followed by scores that proved I have to work on my wind reading skills. I would like to once again thank Gerry Wiens for hosting me in Phoenix at his winter get away and look forward to next year already.
If you are even remotely interested in long range come on out to a match. Mitch has been shooting long range for less than 12 months, has taken home almost $5000 in door prizes with the Rempel bipod he won at the Canadian Western F class finals and took home a third place team medal in a US National match. In addition, Mitch will be receiving one of the high score medallions at a later date.
Team results:
Canadian FTR team took third overall and set some records with day two scores.
Individual results:
This is what I came home with. Thanks to all the sponsors and organizers for a fantastic match.
Left to Right - Jim Wilderman, Barry Hamilton, Cal Waldner, Keith Skjerdal, Mitch Young, Gerry Wiens, Eric Bisson, Stephen Baardsen
The "Smile when you see the flash" picture taken by Keith S.
Pictured, Canadian F open team cleaning first two shooters at 800. Shots outside 10 ring are sighters. All four members cleaned 800 yards.
Day 7 First day of Berger Southwest Nationals. Bullet design and rifle handling with Bryan Litz. Wind clinic for all shooters.
Cal Waldner and Mitch Young at the Canadian Flag
Daryl Buell, US FTR team member, coaching Mitch Young during wind clinic.
Day 6 60 shots at 1000 at Ben Avery Club Match
Another beautiful day in paradise. Captain Morgan has arrived and they let him in the US again.
You can probably pick out the one Canadian by the stock. Foreground, Les D, on the spotting scope William Whitman US, middle Jim W (the snowball) and in the distance Gerry W.
Day five in Phoenix. Saturday. Club Palma match at Ben Avery. 800 was not to bad, 900 got interesting, 1000 got real challenging with lots of change.
Of the eight Canadians that shot, Ken Nelson placed second in TR, Les Dolhun got a fourth in F open with 432, Gerry Wiens got a second in FTR with a 433 and Jim Wilderman got a fourth with 428.
App. 60 shooters, pictured is one relay.
Our newest shooter, Mitch Y at 1000, with barefoot Keith S scoring.
Day three in Phoenix. Thursday. Practice at Ben Avery, Canadians there were Cal, Keith, Les, Gerry and Jim.
Got to practice at 600 and 800. Nice calm day before the fun begins.
Pictured is Keith at 800.
Went to AZ firearms day two. As far as gun shops this one had an interesting selection, two Gatling guns, a 20mm bolt action that makes a 50 look like a .22, water cooled Vickers machine gun, 50 cal belt fed machine gun with mount.
Prophet river may have a problem importing the Gatling gun, although they class it as a semi auto here, if anyone has the $42,900.00 they can contact them directly. Caliber is 45-70.
Day one in Phoenix, a little shopping, weather is fantastic.
Got the last 8lb of Varget and the last 500 pack of Juggernauts, no 7mm 180 hybrids or 4831sc to be found. Shelves have rifles again and traffic is lighter in stores than last year.
Brunos shooting supply
Those Canadians packing now or already in Phoenix are in alphabetical order:
TR
Ken Nelson
F Open
Stephen Baardsen
Eric Bisson
Les Dolhun
Keith Skjerdal
Cal Waldner
FTR
Barry Hamilton
Gerry Wiens
Jim Wilderman
Mitch Young
Practice matches from Desert Sharshooters site
Jan 30 - 600-1000 practice Ben Avery
Feb 1 -800,900,1000 practice Ben Avery
Berger Southwest Nationals
Feb 4 – shooting clinic
Feb 5 – Midrange match (60 shots at yards)
Feb 6 – 4 man team match, Palma course; individual practice
Feb 7 – Individual Palma course (15 shots each at 800, 900, and 1000 yards)
Feb 8 – Two 20 shot matches & a 20 shot 4 man team match at 1000
Feb 9 – Two 20 shot matches at 1000 yards.
From a Canadian point of view we did quite well this year in individual and team events. The strong representation in TR was from Ken Nelson second High Master, in F Open Steve Baardsen First Master , Eric Bisson fourth Master, in FTR Gerry Wiens high senior and Barry Hamilton first Marksman.
From a team point of view, we did exceptionally well in F Open until an injury took out Les Dolhun after the first day. Keith Skjerdal substituted for Les however the score was not allowed. In FTR the Canadian team had a gun malfunction on the first day and first time shooter at the match Mitch Young had problems with vertical with the load he was using. On the second day the gun was repaired and Mitch used another team member’s rifle to achieve a second day win with records broken by team members. The Canadian team achieved a third prize winning with Gerry Wiens providing some excellent wind coaching.
This year we achieved High Master Class status at door prizes with new shooter Mitch Young walking away with a gift certificate for any March scope followed by winning a Hawk Eye bore scope, total value in excess of $4000.00. In addition, Jim Wilderman is receiving a Night Force scope as a bonus placement award.
Conditions were interesting this year as usual with days of wind being somewhat steady for periods to fish tail winds where the flags and mirage did not agree.
From a personal point of view, I achieved some personal best scores ever shot, with my favourite souvenir a shot out spotter (in the x ring) followed by scores that proved I have to work on my wind reading skills. I would like to once again thank Gerry Wiens for hosting me in Phoenix at his winter get away and look forward to next year already.
If you are even remotely interested in long range come on out to a match. Mitch has been shooting long range for less than 12 months, has taken home almost $5000 in door prizes with the Rempel bipod he won at the Canadian Western F class finals and took home a third place team medal in a US National match. In addition, Mitch will be receiving one of the high score medallions at a later date.
Team results:
Canadian FTR team took third overall and set some records with day two scores.
Individual results:
This is what I came home with. Thanks to all the sponsors and organizers for a fantastic match.
Left to Right - Jim Wilderman, Barry Hamilton, Cal Waldner, Keith Skjerdal, Mitch Young, Gerry Wiens, Eric Bisson, Stephen Baardsen
The "Smile when you see the flash" picture taken by Keith S.
Pictured, Canadian F open team cleaning first two shooters at 800. Shots outside 10 ring are sighters. All four members cleaned 800 yards.
Day 7 First day of Berger Southwest Nationals. Bullet design and rifle handling with Bryan Litz. Wind clinic for all shooters.
Cal Waldner and Mitch Young at the Canadian Flag
Daryl Buell, US FTR team member, coaching Mitch Young during wind clinic.
Day 6 60 shots at 1000 at Ben Avery Club Match
Another beautiful day in paradise. Captain Morgan has arrived and they let him in the US again.
You can probably pick out the one Canadian by the stock. Foreground, Les D, on the spotting scope William Whitman US, middle Jim W (the snowball) and in the distance Gerry W.
Day five in Phoenix. Saturday. Club Palma match at Ben Avery. 800 was not to bad, 900 got interesting, 1000 got real challenging with lots of change.
Of the eight Canadians that shot, Ken Nelson placed second in TR, Les Dolhun got a fourth in F open with 432, Gerry Wiens got a second in FTR with a 433 and Jim Wilderman got a fourth with 428.
App. 60 shooters, pictured is one relay.
Our newest shooter, Mitch Y at 1000, with barefoot Keith S scoring.
Day three in Phoenix. Thursday. Practice at Ben Avery, Canadians there were Cal, Keith, Les, Gerry and Jim.
Got to practice at 600 and 800. Nice calm day before the fun begins.
Pictured is Keith at 800.
Went to AZ firearms day two. As far as gun shops this one had an interesting selection, two Gatling guns, a 20mm bolt action that makes a 50 look like a .22, water cooled Vickers machine gun, 50 cal belt fed machine gun with mount.
Prophet river may have a problem importing the Gatling gun, although they class it as a semi auto here, if anyone has the $42,900.00 they can contact them directly. Caliber is 45-70.
Day one in Phoenix, a little shopping, weather is fantastic.
Got the last 8lb of Varget and the last 500 pack of Juggernauts, no 7mm 180 hybrids or 4831sc to be found. Shelves have rifles again and traffic is lighter in stores than last year.
Brunos shooting supply
Those Canadians packing now or already in Phoenix are in alphabetical order:
TR
Ken Nelson
F Open
Stephen Baardsen
Eric Bisson
Les Dolhun
Keith Skjerdal
Cal Waldner
FTR
Barry Hamilton
Gerry Wiens
Jim Wilderman
Mitch Young
Practice matches from Desert Sharshooters site
Jan 30 - 600-1000 practice Ben Avery
Feb 1 -800,900,1000 practice Ben Avery
Berger Southwest Nationals
Feb 4 – shooting clinic
Feb 5 – Midrange match (60 shots at yards)
Feb 6 – 4 man team match, Palma course; individual practice
Feb 7 – Individual Palma course (15 shots each at 800, 900, and 1000 yards)
Feb 8 – Two 20 shot matches & a 20 shot 4 man team match at 1000
Feb 9 – Two 20 shot matches at 1000 yards.
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