Match Results

Richard Hicks Memorial Match/.22 BPCR Midrange National Championship/.22 BPCR National Championship/.22 BPCR Silhouette Match/2024 Sporting & Rook Match

column By: Staff | March, 25

Richard Hicks Memorial Match

Brile Williams, aged 15, shooting her way to second place in Cartridge Rifle category.

Canal Fulton, Ohio – September 29, 2024

Canal Fulton Ramrod Club

Weather conditions were fine this year at Canal Fulton for shooting at 100 yards, though not in favor of attracting public interest. Wind was 0-10 mph, skies were cloudy, and the air was humid with some light rain. Overall attendance was down, with 11 shooters competing. Four entries were slug shooters, and the remaining seven were shooting black powder cartridge rifles. The slug gunners reigned supreme this year, and Carl Nelson shot a very high score, indeed.

Food at our match continued to be a strong attraction and we had ample chili, Sloppy Joes, cookies, pies, sandwich tray, etc. Nobody goes home hungry!

The “show and tell” continues to provide historic arms for discussion and viewing. A very fine Henry Berg Schuetzen rifle of Davenport, Iowa, made an appearance. It is circa 1860, with all the tools and carrying case. This fine picket rifle was in original condition.

This year I need to draw attention to a couple of issues. As you know, all moneys beyond necessary expenses are given to the winner. Since I began to shoot this match in 2005, match prices have remained the same, yet expenses increase. I will propose a $5 increase per match. Also, historically, since Rich Hicks passed away we have scored our own targets. This year it was brought to my attention there were some errors scoring targets. We encourage shooters to stay until the final ceremony/business meeting.

Remember, the winner of the “King” match is to name the memorial for the following year. In addition, we recognize and celebrate Brile Williams again this year. At age 15, she shoots high scores and also competes at the National Matches at Friendship, Indiana.

“Handicaps” as posted were: Cartridge with iron sights get three points and three X’s. Cartridge rifles with scopes get three points. This will be revised next year to state: “Cartridge rifles get three points, and iron sights get three X’s.”

Carl Nelson’s rifle was made by Berry. It is a .50 caliber and he shot 105 grains of Swiss powder. His rifle was scoped.

Mike Policy shot his 38-55 cartridge 44½ Stevens rifle by CPA with 55 grains Swiss Fg1½ Powder.

Mark Barnhill shot the “Old Harrison” Reinhard rifle (made in 1879) with a Unertl scope, 80 grains of Swiss Fg1½, 530-grain, two-piece bullet and was patched with Reynolds freezer wrap paper.

A special thanks to Canal Fulton Ramrod Club, Log Cabin Shop, and Larry Baker at SPG Sales. Your donations make this match possible. Many thanks to the Barnhill family and friends for faithfully donating cans to return money for the match, and of course, Donna Barnhill, for her secretarial and technical work. As Rich Hicks stated, “This shoot is intended to be less serious and more social.” Good friendships have evolved here, indeed!

.22 BPCR Midrange National Championship

Cheyenne, Wyoming – August 6-7, 2024
Cheyenne Rifle and Pistol Club

.22 BPCR National Championship
Raton, New Mexico – July 8 - 10, 2024
Whittington Center

.22 BPCR Silhouette Match

Carpenter, Wyoming – December 14, 2024
Smithmoor Range
40-shot match, .22 BPCR Rules

There was a lot of interest in the December match! We had been limiting the matches to 25 entries, but within a couple of days after we started taking entries, we had 38 shooters sign up. We let 30 shooters in the match and ended up only having to turn three or four away after several last-minute cancellations. Thirty entries mean six relays on five targets, which translates to a long day; however, the match went well. The shooters seemed to enjoy the competition and there were some good scores shot. The weather was uncharacteristically nice for December 14. The temperatures rose into the low 50s and the wind was nonexistent most of the day with small breezes occasionally coming up.

I wanted to shoot a paper target for the fifth station in the match and the weather cooperated, so that’s what we did. We used the 100-yard WSU target from SPG Sales and put it at 100 yards. A gong was used for a sighter, and then 10 shots were fired on the paper target from any position. There were quite a few shooters that were within a handful of points of winning, but Craig Wolf came out in the lead with a 242-4C. In AAA / AA / A class, our winner was Emily Anderson with a super 238-3C.

Asa Smith was absolutely elated to be our A Class winner with a 21 yesterday. It was his personal best. Great job Asa, everyone was proud of you! Dave Bieber was our AA class winner with a 25. Michael Jackson, Jr. was quite pleased to be 1st AAA with a 32. He was very happy about shooting a Master score and was wishing his Dad could have been there to see it. Michael Jackson, Sr. rarely misses a match, but was under the weather with a cold. Dick Farmer came in first in Master Class, while Caleb Wolf shot an excellent 34 to be first Grand Master. Caleb dropped a pig yesterday to put him out of a shoot-off for Match Winner. I’m laughing/crying with you, pard, I feel your pain!

I was tickled to give Seth Tangeman the coveted “Match Winner” pin yesterday. He shot an amazing 35, downing five chickens and shooting “clean” prone. This was his second match win here at Smithmoor. Doc Bement and Danny Glick also cleaned the prone targets yesterday and took home pins.

Thanks to all who work hard at Smithmoor to make these matches happen; we couldn’t do it without you.