Please enjoy this edition of the Airfield Shooting Club Newsletter. Please send us your outdoor photos for future newsletter editions. Have you been out in the woods or on the water? Did you take a youngster fishing, hunting, or shooting? Did you take a photo of wildlife or nature you may want to share? Send a copy of the JPEG to [email protected], and it may be included in a future newsletter edition. Add a short caption explaining the who, what, when, and where. There is always room for great sporting photos you may want to share. Tom Sanford
Safety Incident/Damage to Range
Hello from the MO,
Today, Sunday October 12, 2025, while I was at the range making some minor repairs to the range camera system and also sighting in a firearm on the SRB/50, I noticed some damage to the gutters on the front of the structure. It appears that someone discharged a round in the center of the range in the vertical position up thru the bottom of the gutter and the round exited thru the gutter guards. Yes, this damaged the newly installed gutters, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY a round left the range and had the potential to do harm to someone. The thin metal on the gutter system will do little to slow down a high velocity round. From the diameter of the hole it appears to have been from a 22 caliber firearm, most likely an AR type firearm. All members need to take a step back and reevaluate their own safety and range operations along with the rules of the range. This is the 2nd incident that has been identified in less then 2 weeks and both of this incidents had the potential for a round to leave the range, this one most likely did.
Please be safe and report any incidents or damage to the range to me, the Maintenance Officer or any member of the board.
Cory, aka The MO
Buckshot and Shotgun Ranges
🚫 Buckshot Violation Alert 🚫
We recently discovered buckshot shell casings on the shotgun range.
⚠️ BUCKSHOT IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED ON THE SHOTGUN RANGE. ⚠️
This includes trap, skeet, and 5-stand areas.
✅ Allowed Shot Sizes:
Only shot shells size 7.5 or smaller (e.g., 8, 9) are permitted.
🔍 Why? Larger shot can travel beyond our designated shot fall zone, posing a serious safety risk.
🔁 Where Buckshot Is Allowed:
Buckshot, slugs, and similar loads may be used on the SRB or 25/50-yard and 100m ranges.
Let’s keep our ranges safe and enjoyable for everyone. Please follow the rules and help us maintain a safe shooting environment.
Violations of this rule will result in disciplinary action.
Firing Line Safety
I was recently shown a video of a group on a firing line. The safety violations were staggering. These weren’t new shooters — they appeared experienced, but likely complacent. When I was flying aircraft, we had a saying: “Complacency kills.” These folks were lucky that phrase didn’t hold true.
Let’s talk about firing line safety. While each range has its own rules, there should be a universal baseline of safe behavior. Here are a few fundamentals:
- Bringing a Gun to the Line
Always bring your firearm to the line in a case, and ensure it’s unloaded. - Uncasing
Before touching the firearm, rotate the case so the barrel faces downrange. Otherwise, you risk pointing the gun in an unsafe direction the moment you touch it. - Open the Action
Before placing the gun on the bench, open the action, remove any magazines (if applicable), and lay it down with the ejection port facing up. Firearms should never be set down with a closed action or a magazine inserted — except in an emergency. If you have chamber flags, use them. - Cold Line Protocol
When the line is cold and someone goes downrange, step back from the shooting points. - No Handling During Cold Line
When someone is downrange, there should be zero handling of firearms. Many ranges also prohibit loading magazines or handling ammunition during this time (ours included).
All of these rules were violated by multiple individuals in a short video I just watched. Shooting sports are enjoyable and historically very safe — but only when we uphold basic safety standards. Let’s stay vigilant and keep it that way.
Airfield Shooting Club “KEN GROVER MEMORIAL Skeet Shoot”
The semi-annual NSSA registered skeet shooting competition will be held at the Airfield Shooting Club on 18-19 October. The competition will have all categories: 12 Ga, 20 Ga, 28 Ga, .410 bore, and Doubles.
There will be a cash prize for first place in each category.
The cost is $30 per gun.
In order to participate you please notify intent to shoot (day, gun, etc.) and be a member of NSSA. Walkups are subject to waiting and possibly shifting to Sunday.
On the day of the shoot you will need:
- Cash or check for full amount for each gun. Checks are to be payable to Airfield Shooting Club
- NSSA membership card. You may join the NSSA at the shoot, the yearly membership is $30.00
- Classification Sheet.
The competition will allow mixed guns each day so you may compete on any of the 3 days. Once we have all shooters sending their preferences, a draft schedule will be made available to all.
Ties for Gun Championships will be decided by long runs from the front or back whichever is longer.
Email day(s), gun(s), NSSA number and address to:
Additionally, if anyone needs to get their service hours in, I will be asking for help refereeing, scoring and trapping. Let me know which days (Saturday and/or Sunday) you can work. Past volunteers or experienced skeet shooters preferred. Any questions, let me know.
Perfect Pin Match Results
Gentle Shooters,
I have diligently compiled the results from the latest match. Some of you had a rough day! But penmanship probably suffered the worst. There is a column for time and a column for pins and they are there for a reason. Likewise, form numbers clearly. You learned this in first grade. Along with how to clearly print your first and last name. Unless you are Art because I know who he is and there is only one Art.
You know, I swore that when I got old, I would not be grumpy. I also swore that I would eventually shoot this match clean. So please temper your expectations of me. If you are tired of the rant, take comfort in the fact that the next match is November 1st. Until then, ponder these results.
Steven
| ASC Bowling Pin Match Results October 2025 | ||||||||
| Carbine | Finish | Competitor | String 1 | String 2 | String 3 | String 4 | Total | Fastest String |
| 1 | Taylor Strickland | 4.42 | 3.36 | 4.00 | 4.15 | 15.93 | ||
| 2 | Art Schoner | 5.58 | 4.51 | 4.90 | 3.95 | 18.94 | ||
| 3 | Nick Dawell | 4.49 | 7.81 | 3.18 | 5.02 | 20.50 | 3.18 | |
| 4 | Paul Lynch | 4.98 | 6.73 | 6.28 | 4.09 | 22.08 | ||
| 5 | John C | 6.54 | 8.87 | 13.67 | 6.21 | 35.29 | ||
| 6 | Erik Josephson | 10.12 | 8.90 | 11.57 | 4.97 | 35.56 | ||
| 7 | Dennis Bondi | 4.05 | 25.00 | 5.96 | 7.00 | 42.01 | ||
| 8 | Bill Lewis | 8.91 | 8.93 | 4.96 | 45.00 | 67.80 | ||
| Major | ||||||||
| 1 | Bill Lewis | 5.15 | 5.91 | 7.74 | 8.05 | 26.85 | ||
| 2 | Taylor Strickland | 4.99 | 5.12 | 14.54 | 4.43 | 29.08 | 4.43 | |
| 3 | Frank Sanders | 6.59 | 9.27 | 6.01 | 12.21 | 34.08 | ||
| 4 | Erik Josephson | 25.00 | 6.84 | 13.70 | 5.01 | 50.55 | ||
| 5 | Paul Lynch | 4.23 | 5.96 | 6.51 | 35.00 | 51.70 | ||
| 6 | Nick Dawell | 10.48 | 13.02 | 10.83 | 25.00 | 59.33 | ||
| 7 | Phillip Van Cleave | 14.52 | 11.00 | 25.00 | 10.75 | 61.27 | ||
| NFS | Frank Sanders | 13.86 | 25.00 | 12.69 | 12.00 | 63.55 | ||
| NFS | Phillip Van Cleave | 8.98 | 13.17 | 45.00 | 25.00 | 92.15 | ||
| 8 | Art Schoner | 25.00 | 25.00 | 55.00 | 14.31 | 119.31 | ||
| 9 | Vance Owens | 25.00 | 25.00 | 35.00 | 45.00 | 130.00 | ||
| 10 | John C | 25.00 | 35.00 | 35.00 | 55.00 | 150.00 | ||
| 11 | Dan Kniseley | 35.00 | 45.00 | 55.00 | 45.00 | 180.00 | ||
| Minor | ||||||||
| 1 | Erik Josephson | 9.54 | 7.77 | 11.40 | 9.53 | 38.24 | 7.77 | |
| 2 | Phillip Van Cleave | 10.68 | 10.69 | 8.53 | 11.20 | 41.10 | ||
| 3 | Paul Lynch | 11.47 | 8.53 | 10.44 | 10.95 | 41.39 | ||
| 4 | Bill Lewis | 11.21 | 8.58 | 25.00 | 10.54 | 55.33 | ||
| NFS | Phillip Van Cleave | 8.71 | 12.44 | 10.55 | 25.00 | 56.70 | ||
| 5 | Art Schoner | 25.00 | 10.52 | 25.00 | 12.43 | 72.95 | ||
| 6 | John C | 35.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 | 9.47 | 94.47 | ||
| 7 | Nick Dawell | 45.00 | 9.95 | 35.00 | 12.21 | 102.16 | ||
| 8 | Dennis Bondi | 25.00 | 45.00 | 25.00 | 10.67 | 105.67 | ||
| 9 | Taylor Strickland | 25.00 | 65.00 | 6.14 | 10.37 | 106.51 | ||
| 10 | Vance Owens | 85.00 | 45.00 | 45.00 | 14.94 | 189.94 | ||
| 11 | Dan Kniseley | 85.00 | 45.00 | 55.00 | 65.00 | 250.00 | ||
| Revolver | ||||||||
| 1 | Paul Lynch | 9.71 | 7.32 | 10.55 | 11.24 | 38.82 | ||
| 2 | Nick Dawell | 10.20 | 9.71 | 12.28 | 7.82 | 40.01 | ||
| 3 | Bill Lewis | 7.36 | 6.96 | 8.88 | 25.00 | 48.20 | ||
| 4 | Art Schoner | 12.40 | 11.40 | 25.00 | 9.77 | 58.57 | ||
| 5 | John C | 9.62 | 12.02 | 12.46 | 25.00 | 59.10 | ||
| 6 | Erik Josephson | 7.03 | 35.00 | 7.99 | 25.00 | 75.02 | 7.03 | |
| 7 | Taylor Strickland | 35.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 | 14.31 | 99.31 | ||
| 8 | Dan Kniseley | 35.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 | 110.00 | ||
| 9 | Vance Owens | 45.00 | 35.00 | 35.00 | 25.00 | 140.00 | ||
| Sub | ||||||||
| 1 | Erik Josephson | 9.79 | 10.63 | 7.77 | 9.94 | 38.13 | ||
| 2 | Phillip Van Cleave | 12.17 | 6.74 | 10.23 | 12.33 | 41.47 | 6.74 | |
| 3 | Bill Lewis | 9.16 | 25.00 | 7.95 | 12.27 | 54.38 | ||
| 4 | Taylor Strickland | 7.90 | 9.31 | 12.09 | 35.00 | 64.30 | ||
| 5 | Vance Owens | 25.00 | 25.00 | 12.87 | 25.00 | 87.87 | ||
| 6 | Paul Lynch | 25.00 | 14.08 | 25.00 | 25.00 | 89.08 | ||
| 7 | Art Schoner | 35.00 | 65.00 | 45.00 | 10.75 | 155.75 | ||
| 8 | John C | 55.00 | 45.00 | 55.00 | 25.00 | 180.00 | ||
| 9 | Nick Dawell | 45.00 | 65.00 | 45.00 | 65.00 | 220.00 | ||
| 5 Gun Aggregate | Carbine | Major | Minor | Revolver | Sub | Total | ||
| 1 | Erik Josephson | 35.56 | 50.55 | 38.24 | 75.02 | 38.13 | 237.50 | |
| 2 | Paul Lynch | 22.08 | 51.70 | 41.39 | 38.82 | 89.08 | 243.07 | |
| 3 | Bill Lewis | 67.80 | 26.85 | 55.33 | 48.20 | 54.38 | 252.56 | |
| 4 | Taylor Strickland | 15.93 | 29.08 | 106.51 | 99.31 | 64.30 | 315.13 | |
| 5 | Art Schoner | 18.94 | 119.31 | 72.95 | 58.57 | 155.75 | 425.52 | |
| 6 | Nick Dawell | 20.50 | 59.33 | 102.16 | 40.01 | 220.00 | 442.00 | |
| 7 | John C | 35.29 | 150.00 | 94.47 | 59.10 | 180.00 | 518.86 | |
Dangerous shooting at the club
I was at the range today on the 100m. I found a lot of broken clays on the crest of the slight hill just forward of the shooting points. I found bullet strikes on the ground where the shooter missed the clays. Per our rules we prohibit shooting anything on the ground unless it is at the berm. You cannot use portable targets anywhere other than at/in the berm. Because the ground is not stone free, a round could have skipped off a rock and ended up in the road. We do have cameras just for this type of situation so we will track down who did this or you could save us the trouble and let the board know if it was you.
It doesn’t matter if you were shooting rifle, pistol or shotgun. This is not allowed.
Perfect Day for a Bowling Pin Match
Gentle Shooters,
We have a perfect day with perfect pins on tap for this Saturday, October 4th. Just bring your perfect guns, ammo, grip, sight alignment, stance, breathing, trigger squeeze, and follow through for a phenomenal shooting experience. Please arrive at the soon to be famous Airfield Shooting Club range in historic Wakefield for set up by 9. For directions to the range or rules for the match, see our web site at airfieldshootingclub.org. For individualized questions, boink our resident pinhead at [email protected].
Steven
September Rimfire Challenge – ARA Modified Benchrest
Rimfire Challenge – ARA Modified Benchrest 50-Yard Precision Skill Challenge
Experience the fun of a friendly ARA-modified bench-rest shooting event uniquely designed to test and challenge your shooting skills. Join us on Sunday, September 21st, 2025, for a day of fun 22LR shooting.
The shooters will follow a modified version of the ARA Benchrest Shooting Competition, shooting two to four official ARA 25 bull targets, depending on participation. Each shooter has 20 minutes to complete each target, whether it’s a factory or unlimited target classification. The cost is $5 for ASC Members and $10 for Non-Members. Please bring exact cash.
All participants must attend the Safety Meeting to shoot! The range set-up/sighting-in period lasts until 8:30 AM, and then the range goes cold for the 8:30 AM Mandatory Safety Meeting/Instructions. The match starts promptly at 9:00 a.m. and lasts until noon.
All participants must attend the Safety Meeting to shoot! *** The 25 – 50 Meter Range is Closed for this Event. *** For more information about this event, contact the Match Director, Tom Sanford, at [email protected].
Airfield Shooting Club Newsletter
Airfield Shooting Club Newsletter 3rd Edition. Enjoy and feel free to contribute by taking photos of events or your day at the range, writing articles about items of interest, or sharing what you’ve been researching or learning. Email all inquiries or submittals to the [email protected].