45nut
08-02-2009, 02:03 PM
Cool,, a reporter that did not demonize the sport!
http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/1556165.html
Hansen shoots top spot in national gun competition
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
By Amy Erickson
Photo
http://www.lemarssentinel.com/photos/12/48/68/1248688-S.jpg
(Sentinel photo by Amy Erickson) Patrick Hansen, of Le Mars, won overall national champion in the Big Bore Issue Class at the Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals in June, in Sioux City.
Patrick Hansen's Swiss Vetterli rifle was built in the 1870s.
It's about 4 feet long and weighs 10 pounds.
Shooting that rifle Hansen, of Le Mars, earned overall national champion in the Big Bore Issue Class at the Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals in June.
"I've been shooting about five years," Hansen said. "I bought that gun at a gun show. It's an antique so anybody could purchase it."
The Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals have been around about six years and the association is more than 40 years old, said Scott Merchant, match director of the Sioux City contest and outdoor rifle range officer for the Sioux City club.
The Cast Bullet Association is all about casting original bullets using lead and molds and shooting them in antique rifles, Merchant said.
Hansen added that single, double and triple molds can be used.
"We want to see how well we can get cast bullets to shoot out of rifles," Merchant said.
Earning the title of overall national champion means Hansen earned the most points in the June 13 and 14 military nationals at the Hawkeye Rifle & Pistol Club in Sioux City.
The Big Bore Issue Class was first introduced into the national military contest last year so Hansen is the first to win the traveling trophy.
He shot targets at 100 yards and 200 yards, firing 60 shots each day of the two-day event.
To compete in Hansen's class participants were required to use .40 caliber bullets or bigger and original rifles with no modifications.
The competition also included Issue, Modified Iron and Modified Scope classes.
Most of the rifles used by Cast Bullet Association members date back to the World War II era and older and that historical aspect is the big part of the organization, Merchant said.
For example the first rifle Hansen bought was a 30/40 Krag that dated back to the Spanish-American War, Merchant said.
"When you make your own bullets, it doesn't cost as much to shoot," he said. "In turn, you shoot more proficiently."
The association's military nationals are held in Sioux City and the Paul Bunyan Rifle & Sportsmans Club, in Puyallui, Wash. alternating years, Merchant said.
Hansen, who also does trap shooting at the Le Mars Sportsman's Club and shoots pistol at the club in Sioux City, said he enjoyed the Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals.
"You get to see the different military rifles and how they shoot," Hansen said. "You learn more and more about your gun from everybody you talk to."
http://www.lemarssentinel.com/story/1556165.html
Hansen shoots top spot in national gun competition
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
By Amy Erickson
Photo
http://www.lemarssentinel.com/photos/12/48/68/1248688-S.jpg
(Sentinel photo by Amy Erickson) Patrick Hansen, of Le Mars, won overall national champion in the Big Bore Issue Class at the Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals in June, in Sioux City.
Patrick Hansen's Swiss Vetterli rifle was built in the 1870s.
It's about 4 feet long and weighs 10 pounds.
Shooting that rifle Hansen, of Le Mars, earned overall national champion in the Big Bore Issue Class at the Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals in June.
"I've been shooting about five years," Hansen said. "I bought that gun at a gun show. It's an antique so anybody could purchase it."
The Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals have been around about six years and the association is more than 40 years old, said Scott Merchant, match director of the Sioux City contest and outdoor rifle range officer for the Sioux City club.
The Cast Bullet Association is all about casting original bullets using lead and molds and shooting them in antique rifles, Merchant said.
Hansen added that single, double and triple molds can be used.
"We want to see how well we can get cast bullets to shoot out of rifles," Merchant said.
Earning the title of overall national champion means Hansen earned the most points in the June 13 and 14 military nationals at the Hawkeye Rifle & Pistol Club in Sioux City.
The Big Bore Issue Class was first introduced into the national military contest last year so Hansen is the first to win the traveling trophy.
He shot targets at 100 yards and 200 yards, firing 60 shots each day of the two-day event.
To compete in Hansen's class participants were required to use .40 caliber bullets or bigger and original rifles with no modifications.
The competition also included Issue, Modified Iron and Modified Scope classes.
Most of the rifles used by Cast Bullet Association members date back to the World War II era and older and that historical aspect is the big part of the organization, Merchant said.
For example the first rifle Hansen bought was a 30/40 Krag that dated back to the Spanish-American War, Merchant said.
"When you make your own bullets, it doesn't cost as much to shoot," he said. "In turn, you shoot more proficiently."
The association's military nationals are held in Sioux City and the Paul Bunyan Rifle & Sportsmans Club, in Puyallui, Wash. alternating years, Merchant said.
Hansen, who also does trap shooting at the Le Mars Sportsman's Club and shoots pistol at the club in Sioux City, said he enjoyed the Cast Bullet Association Military Nationals.
"You get to see the different military rifles and how they shoot," Hansen said. "You learn more and more about your gun from everybody you talk to."