jimbob_texas

Shot with the ROs on Saturday, it was a balmy 108 when we left the range (after only 8 stages). According to the (always accurate) weatherman, you folks are in for some decent weather, with maybe a chance of rain. High is ONLY predicted in the 90s, which is heaven compared to 108, trust me. The stages are really, really fun, but you may have to aim here and there. Bring hot weather gear, and stay hydrated. Pack the umbrella, just in case. I'll see everyone on Stage 5, where I'll be the RO with the lovely Jackie Schroeder. jr

Sweet, merciful crap was it hot! ROs tried to shoot the whole match last weekend, but we were greeted with 113 degrees and only made it through 7 stages. Managed to complete the 5 remaining this past Friday and Saturday, when it was a cool 104. My personal performance can be summed up as "vomitous." Oh, well. Sucks to be me. The squads, to a person, were awesome. Not once did we have to ask a second time for help resetting Stage 1. Dave and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, and I impressed myself in particular by not dying. You know, I try to explain to my non-shooting friends about the camaraderie of the shooting community, but I don't think they have a point of reference. We're exceptionally fortunate to have this sport in common - it brings out the best in everyone. Props to Porter and Menzik for coordinating a match schedule that ran silky smooth, and stages that live up to the Double Tap reputation. Thanks also to the people behind the scenes, making sure we were fed and had scores out in a timely fashion. The prize table just keeps getting better, doesn't it? Amazing how much stuff was given away. Thanks to all for another great DTC.

Yeah, I think the lead in my bullets melted. It'll be downright chilly in the 90s.

Stayed there last year, right after it had opened. One of the nicest hotels in Alvin, for real.

...What was wrong with the Days Inn? No bueno? Rhonda's being a little critical - these were amenities: complimentary cockroaches, hot and cold running hookers, and an on-site pharmacy! I found out that you apparently don't need to bolt a toilet to the floor - they're mostly stable without bolts!

The fun squad (that's 11) had a GREAT time, and I'd like to thank the ROs, the match sponsors, and our hosts for their hospitality and a fun match! It was really good to see and visit with everyone. jr

I'll be there, on the FUN squad!

Umm, yeah. I'd call it a lost brass match. Archaeologists will find it in about 10,000 years.

You won my shotgun. Rats. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy. Congratulations. I was truly lusting after that shotgun. Glad to know the money will be well-directed.

Great match again, and we were WAY drier than last year. We had to bug out and get back to Dallas, so we didn't stick around for today's shooting or the scores. I hope everyone managed to stay relatively dry today. Thanks to all the hard-working folks who put this match on, to the ROs, and to the sponsors. Also, thanks to the Pearland Shooting Club for being such gracious hosts yet again. jr

What Trixie said. I will never tempt fate like that again. I was flattered to hear from folks who were disappointed we didn't RO, and felt guilty that I wanted to "shoot the match and enjoy it." That'll learn me. Squad 23 rocked (hey, that's punny!), and kept things fun. Did the weather stink? Yes. Yes, it did. So what? Could scoring have been done better? Not bloody likely. Consider how many people picked and chose when and how they'd shoot. I dare you to do better. Porter's genius as a stage designer remains unmatched, and the dedication of the staff was textbook. Thank you so much to all, and to my girls who fed us during the day. Squad 23, you were awesome - thanks for the great weekend.

Right back atcha, Josh! It was great meeting you and watching you shoot - congrats on your win, you did great! We did have the most fabulously awesome squad, didn't we? That's the only reason I kept my frozen butt out there, we still had a good time in spite of everything. See ya next year. I heard there were a bunch of wise-asses in that squad. I could've sworn I saw a dog stuck to a fire hydrant on Sunday morning...

Well, this is just screaming for a PhotoShop...

See? That story gets gheyer every time I hear it. Soon there'll be a pink dress, just like I said.

I chronoed on Sunday at 167. 4.7g of VV N320 under a BulletWorks 180g bullet chronoed just where I expected it.

I ask myself why I RO matches in Wichita Falls, what with the weather and all. Then I look around and see so many friends that I've made simply by doing so. It's a no-brainer for me. There are not many communities like the shooting community. You kids toughed it out again, and I respect that. This match was a good test of shooting, and I learned a lot. I had the advantage of being a first-hand witness to every single shooter on the range. I was really impressed by the quality of the shooting, down to the last shooter. I'm not sure that I've ever attended or RO'd a match that ran as smoothly as this one, weather notwithstanding. My sincere thanks and appreciation to Ken, Lee, and the entire staff. Thanks to Arthur Brown for his Range Master tutelage - that man knows the rule book. Thanks to Robert Porter for the Double Tap Ranch, and the crew that set up the stages over the last several weeks. The scoring system was awesome, and results were posted and awards handed out in record time. The results were posted online before I even got home to Dallas. Area 4 is on the move, and I'm looking forward to bigger and better things to come. Thanks to all. jr

What'd I say about being negative? Just don't look surprised when there's a snow tornado with rabid feral hogs flying out of it. It's Texas, where we have 2 seasons: Summer and Not Summer. Dress and pack accordingly. jr

Oh, yes you will.

Y'all stop being so negative (I'm looking at YOU, Hebert) - it'll be fine...for Wichita Falls. There won't be snow, and there won't be plagues of locusts, frogs, fiery hail, etc. Probably. Just pack for a trip to the Antarctic and you'll be fine. Like thegirl said, bring the front sight, and all Wichita Falls preparations (gun dust cover, clean your gun, clean your mags, etc.). Do NOT underestimate the ability of that red dust to cause the gremlins to come out in force. Ask me how I know. Respect the dirt. It's an awesome match, but it's not the Double Tap - no run and gun hosefest here. Transitions and positions are how I'd describe it. You're gonna run back and forth, squat, jump, sit and (probably) swear. You're also gonna have to wipe the smile off your face when you're done. I'll see you kids on Stage 9. Rhonda and I are looking forward to seeing all y'all (that's the plural of "y'all") there. jr

Another "Junior!" Nice addition to the match. This is gonna be a blast. Can't wait. jr

I like beer. I like shooting. I drink. Therefore, I am.

I feel bad about this (not really), but you know what really, really sucks? I had 2 rounds go "click" on stage 9. While I was merrily swearing and racking out duds, the RO yells, "STOP!" Turns out the rain had killed her shot timer. Reshoot. I still managed to squander that, putting 4 rounds in one target and none in the one on top (stacked targets on the left). Here's the sucky part for you, good news for me: I won B Limited. Let me buy you a beer next time we shoot together, we can swap reloading tips...

I might point out that Jim was squadded with us - the North Texas bunch. I warned him up front, but I think we might've still corrupted him a little. It's great that we all enjoy a sport where we get to meet new folks, then ruin them. He was a great sport and a great shooter, and we all enjoyed getting to meet him. Welcome to Texas, Jim! jr

Had a blast - thanks to all at CASA for a great match. Not much you can do about the weather, and I heard not one complaint from the staff about it. In fact, their attitudes spilled over to the shooters, and it personally made a difference for me. We had a great squad (even though it suffered a little attrition - I'm looking at you, Rhonda), and it was great to have so many Limited shooters on the same squad. Thank you ROs. You were downright inspirational. Thanks to all who made this weekend possible. jr

Just don't let the silverback engineer it for you. Something WILL break.