Competitors’ Corner: May 2016

I have received a number of inquiries into the new format of the Bianchi Cup, presented by MidwayUSA. This year competitors will shoot their normal course-of-fire as before. Nothing changes—except for the top 36 competitors. The top 16 scores, plus the top 4 in Ladies, Juniors, Seniors/Grand Seniors, Production and Metallic will shoot once more through the course to determine the actual cup winners. There will be a 50 percent increase in the awards schedule for the top 36, provided they actually compete in the final event. The scores from their first time through the course (Match X) will be added to those in the second time through the course (Championship Round) to determine the cup winners. The Championship Round is sponsored by Colt who will host a special presentation for the top 36 at the Western BBQ on Friday evening. A good time should be had by all.

For the 2016 combined BPCR Silhouette and BPTR Championships we have created a special link on our web page that will direct competitors to the online registration page. This should help alleviate some confusion of where to locate this page. Our Silhouette Manager, Greg Connor, cannot attend the championships this year so we have enlisted two of our finest Match Directors, Jim Kidwell and Steve Rhoades, to help conduct these championships.

Online registration is open for the National Matches at Camp Perry and early indicators show a strong attendance. There should be extra housing available on base this year as the NRA requirements are not as great. High Power Across the Course has been changed from 4 to 3 days with 80 shots per day for record. To accomplish this we have changed the pit rotation procedure and will make better use of Block Time and Infiltration Squadding at 600 yards. Targets under contention will be assisted by a referee, both on the line and in the pits. This worked well at the World Championships last year and we want to continue the improvements that it made. For Mid-Range we will use convertible sighters at those ranges where only two sighters are used. We are considering this for Long-Range as well.

Plans are well underway for the NRA World Shooting Championship this September 15-17, 2016. This event has three divisions: Open Pro, Stock Pro and Amateur. We supply all of the firearms and ammunition to fire 12 stages that include Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun, and combined firearms. All of the guns, scopes, ammunition, and other equipment used in the event is put on the prize table at the awards banquet. Competitors are called out in order of finish, rotating by division, to make a selection from the prize table. The prize table value will be a minimum of $200,000. Open Pros, who are allowed to bring their own equipment and ammunition to compete, are eligible for cash awards only. The overall highest score will win $25,000. Last year’s “World’s Greatest Shooter” Bruce Piatt should be on hand to defend his title.