Tax Blast 2003
Saturday, April 12th, 2003.
The backstop had been rebuilt on the previous weekend, and in addition to the 1040 forms, Lou had produced some spectacular "Axis of Evil" targets. These included pictures of Kim Il Jong, Osama bin Laden, Fidel Castro, Saddam Hussein, and Iraq's "Super Mega Special Elite Republican Guard". There was also an occasional picture of Barney The Dinosaur.
(Note: At least one person has since expressed an interest in buying some of these "Axis of Evil" targets. I think we can talk Lou into making a set or two.)
We had hoped for a higher turnout, but we only ended up with about eighty folks through the course of the day. Hopefully, we will have a much better advertising budget for the next event. Well, we were glad for the people that did show, and we hope that they were glad that they came, as well. (Heard from one young lady to her boyfriend, "We've been here for SEVEN HOURS...")
The weather was perfect. The day had started out a little chilly, but it warmed up into at least the mid sixties, maybe even higher, as the day progressed. Seems that we usually have good weather for these events, which I see as a good sign.
The open shoot in the morning was loud and fun. A couple of folks were really chewing into their ammo supply at a delightfully alarming rate. This may SOUND problematic, but everything was legit and legal. In fact, several more folks learned this wasteful technique throughout the day.
This was a good chance for folks to try shooting different things, get in some important practice, or just engage in some stress-relief. I have found very few things that can reduce tension and lower anxiety like popping off multiple rounds.
Lining up at the open shoot. This youngster had a good time.
After all this fun, we went into the four pin shoot. About fifteen shooters competed in this event. The fastest nine times moved into the "playoff" round. We had three groups of three shooters competing against each other, with the first to knock all of his/her pins off the table moving to the final round. Of the final three, who all shot very well, Paul E came out the fastest. (He also had the best time in the opening round, so this was not a fluke. He is a good shot.) I love this type of event. The really neat thing that I have noticed is that everyone is always encouraging each other, even people against whom they are competing. I also enjoy watching the pins spin around without falling off of the table. Usually, larger caliber handguns win this event more often, when compared to 9mm or other smaller rounds. This was the case again, as a .45 won, a .40 came in second, and a 9mm came in third.
Congrats to Paul for winning the M44 in the Bowling pin shoot.
They just won't fall down..... Congratulations, Paul!!!
The .50 cal returned, again courtesy of Mr. Becker. It was fun to see the reaction of folks who had never shot this before, getting a go for the first time. Everyone enjoyed this. There may have been an occasional look of disapproval from a wife or girlfriend when someone who shot the fifty for the first time announced that they wanted one, but then maybe there wasn't...
The look on someone's face after they shoot this is great. There are truly no words to describe how it feels to squeeze one off with this behemoth. Ya just gotta do this....
This was a hoot, and a holler...and everyone says, " I want one of these!!!"
Then, while some folks were eating and a few more were downrange, a bunch of the rest of us piled into Macomb County's Big Deuce for a spiffy photo op. See spiffy photo below.
More practice and open shooting went on later in the day. Some of the folks got in quite a bit of practice with both pistol and rifle. There was even a tracer demonstration later on after it got dark.
Practice, practice, practice...
There were excellent burgers, and some tremendously scrumptious smoked/BBQ chicken, and home made chili mac and home made corn muffins. The food alone was worth the trip.
Lots of gear was available, as several folks took advantage of the chance to participate in a gear swap meet. We have to do this again...
Thanks to everyone who came and worked, drove the shuttle (JJ and TJ), ran the range, cooked some food, made some "Axis of Evil" targets, and big thanks to Mr Frank Stasa. Everyone made this a good time. We would liked to have seen more people, but beyond that, I could not have imagined a better time. Also thanks to John for bringing the ear plugs and safety glasses. These were especially important when the fifty went off.
-Lee
Let me go back downrange..... Set 'em up, and then knock 'em down......
Good buds from Livingston County....
