CMP GSM Master Instructor Dave Dieball assists a clinic participant with the standing position.

Record numbers of families attended the second CMP Rimfire Sporter Clinic & Half-Match held at the Howell Gun Club (HGC), CMP Affiliate #56164. The event was held on 13 April 2008 in Howell, MI. News of the club’s comprehensive and “novice” friendly shooting clinic is spreading throughout Southern Michigan and Northern Ohio, and contributing to the greater attendance numbers. The events have earned the reputation of being well organized, comprehensive and full of “hands-on” instruction.

CMP Master Instructors Dave Dieball and Jeff Knop happily welcomed 24 competitors including 9 families comprised of Aunts, Uncles, Nephews, Neighbors and friends. Greg Patyk, the HGC Rifle Chairman provided additional help with the event, covering fundamentals of each position with the youth shooters and by conducting a well-organized and efficient match on the club’s 50-foot indoor range.

Jeff Knop developed the Rimfire Clinic PowerPoint presentation using the CMP GSM Master Trainer Charts as a basis with a focus on youth, adults and hands-on practical exercises. Jeff also covered different types of equipment needed for competition, and provided a display of the materials presented for competitors to handle. Included in the display were the many types of rifles and equipment that can be used in rimfire sporter competition, which helped underscore the fact that all shooters need is a basic rifle, standard velocity ammunition and an understanding of the Basics of Marksmanship while enjoying good quality family time.

The HGC was happy to welcome back returning families and competitors, along with welcoming the new comers to the event. Everyone enjoyed a relaxed and comfortable learning environment. The families participated in discussions about the History of the CMP and Rimfire Sporter Competition. On the range they practiced obtaining their “Natural Point of Aim” while learning how to get into a good Prone, Sitting and Standing positions through practical exercises. Dillon Burns (11-years old) contributed his expertise by volunteering to demonstrate the three forms that can be used in the Sitting position. Greg Patyk served as a training assistant for the Standing position with Jeff Knop pointing out important parts. All of the families then conducted their practical exercises with assistance from the more experienced shooters. Following a break to enjoy some good local Pizza from Marco’s Pizzeria, the families put their newly acquired knowledge to use earning some very respectable scores.

In the Youth Division of the Rimfire Sporter Match, Cameron Maciejewski earned a Gold in the Target Category with a very respectable score of 261 using a Ruger 10/22. Cameron’s friend Elliot Maksout earned Silver and Dillon Burns earned Bronze. In the Youth Open category, Elliot Maksout earned a Bronze award with the highest score of a 220. Competition was fierce in the Adult Division. In the Target Category, Greg Patyk fired three perfect “50” scores earning him a Gold for a super score of 290-10X using his trusty Mossberg Model 44. Dave Dieball, firing a CZ 452 earned Silver with a score of 283-5X and Ron Maksout, David Branson, and Margie Hamway (Dillon Burns Aunt) earned Bronze. The Adult Open Category held another hotly contested event with Jeff Knop firing one of his trusty CZ 452 FS earning a Gold with a score of 279-7X, Ron Maksout earning a Bronze with a score of 261 firing his Ruger 10/22 and Dan Kaba firing his fathers Winchester lever action and a score of 260-2X.

This HGC’s Rimfire Sporter Match is part of the Club’s ongoing Smallbore Rifle Program that includes CMP Rimfire Sporter, Indoor Small-Bore Leagues and the ARA 50 yd. Benchrest Match Program in the summer months. The Club also has an active CMP Garand/Springfield/Military “As-Issued” Match schedule. See the CMP Competition’s page both the Rimfire Sporter and the GSM “As-Issued Rifles” scheduled matches and clinics or http://www.howellgunclub.org for more information. One of the goals of the HGC Rifle Committee is to travel 10-15 juniors and adults to compete in the CMP Rimfire Sporter Match held at Camp Perry on 20 July 2008.

Additional photos can be viewed at http://www.odcmp.com/Clubs/Pics/HowellRimfireApr/index.htm.  Results can be viewed at http://www.odcmp.org/0408/HowellResults.pdf. 

Major Jeff Knop is a Senior Army Instructor for the Detroit Public Schools Army JROTC Program at Finney High School. If you wish to contact him about how you can contribute to the M1 for Vets program or Rimfire Sporter Clinics and Matches, please email him at jlknop@sbcglobal.net.

NEXT ARTICLE