BLAST FROM THE PAST..1982 FORTVILLE, INDIANA.

[260 Striker]

I'm not sure if this is the answer but it looked like a swarm of ants when the target setters came out. I think there were 20 sets of big bore targets (maybe more) and it took a lot of people to set all those targets between relays. I remembered clubs loaned targets to Fortville and all the club names were stamped on the edges of the feet so all the targets would get back to the clubs after the match. I know lots of people were upset about the range conditions but I suspect the members at Fortville were just overwhelmed by all the logistics. I was impressed to see all those targets standing at the beginning of each relay even if it was confusing to know which target to shoot at. Later when the Shooting Steel book came out it listed all the entries at the early Internationals matches but for some reason most of the big bore U-AA got deleted. Guess which class I was in. Missed my chance to become famous for shooting such a lousy score.

[JACKIE40X40]

Yes, the truck looked like a clown car at the circus, I could not believe how many setters was in that truck.

[gibar]

Yes that match was a disaster. First, while the Match directors - Bill and Etta were very friendly people but I believe that they expected ihmsa shooters to come in and build the range. Didn't happen. To compound this the regional director at that time was always reporting in the paper that the range was progressing. I participated in the monthly matches there and very little was being done to the range.

Second, too many protests and shooters being thrown out. The worst offense was protesting the shooter/gun who eventually won unlimited. He might have been the first person to use the dead frog shooting position. The gun was not touching the ground, resting on a boot top or anything else resembling an articifal rest. Also since using this position where it was a more natural position of holding the gun(canted about 45 degrees), he remounted the sights to compensate for this. I was overjoyed to see him win!

Third, shootoff targets were pop cans, snuff cans and maybe some other junk I do not remember. Really?

And lastly most shooters do and should remember that place as Fartville!

[JACKIE40X40]

Snuff can. Is what I remember, The problem was they did not move after being hit, they had to go down and inspect each can for hits.
Richard Fotz production 80,Joe May Unlimited 80,Arthur Lavailee Revolver77,Claude Kinard Standing 67.4 gun agg 284x320 Bruce Adamchik.

[JACKIE40X40]

It was 1525 entries in Indiana.

[mugs]

Such memories. I'll never forget the truck load of hay they spread behind the targets so the setters didn't get stuck in the mud. Bev was on the line spotting during one of the downpours she said she thought she would drown. Mike Averre also shot a prod. 80. Dick Folz was one of our AK. shooters, i spotted him in the shoot off with Mike. Snuff cans flat on the stand, painted white to be able to see them on the black stands. You guys have to stop this stuff making me feel old.
Mugs

[gibar]

Such memories. I'll never forget the truck load of hay they spread behind the targets so the setters didn't get stuck in the mud. Bev was on the line spotting during one of the downpours she said she thought she would drown. Mike Averre also shot a prod. 80. Dick Folz was one of our AK. shooters, i spotted him in the shoot off with Mike. Snuff cans flat on the stand, painted white to be able to see them on the black stands. You guys have to stop this stuff making me feel old.
Mugs

WE are old!!!

[Alvin]

I had forgotton about the snuff cans.....the company was handing those out to everyone they came across. I have to check my old issues for the number of entries. My memory is not the best at time!!

[braud357]

Didn't Claude Kinard shoot a 80x80 in revolver ??

[Alvin]

Jackie--you are correct....1525 was the total entries. I've always had the number at 1725 stuck in my head all these years......
As far as Claude Kinard is concerned, he did shoot an 80X80 in Revolver(which is listed as a new record in The Silhouette) with a 10 1/2inch Ruger Super Blackhawk. He also won Standing with a 67X80. He won Standing the year before (1981) with a 69X80. Says he lost both of his feet in a tragic auto accident in the fall of 1981.
Wow--the stuff you learn (or relearn) by reading old issues of The Silhouette.