Post by Hank on Feb 5, 2022 12:54:20 GMT -5
Kentucky Challenge Official Muzzle Loader Shoot
Rules, Regulations and 2021 Shoot Dates
A Little History of The Shoot
The Kentucky challenge started in the fall of 2014. The first shoot was intended to get all the custom smokeless muzzle loader builders together for some friendly competition and to compare builds. At the first Kentucky Challenge, we had 2 shooting benches with a tarp overhead, a maximum range of 200 yards, and bad weather to deal with that day. Six years later, and we now have a large shelter with 9 covered shooting benches, a kitchen area, plenty of overhead protection from the weather, as well as a functioning bathroom with a flush toilet, hot water and a shower. We have come a long way from that first shoot and are now scheduling 4 shoots for the year 2022
The following is an explanation of the shoot, the shoot rules, the 2022 shoot dates, and the cost to participate.
2022 Shoot Dates
February 12th 2022 The Polar Bear Shoot (No Competition, fun shoot, one day, NO COST)
April 8th, 9th,10th 2022 The Spring Kentucky Challenge
August 12th, 13th, 14th 2022 The Fall Kentucky Challenge
September 16th,17,18th 2022 The Double Down Make Up Shoot
The Tournament
The tournament consists of 4 matches: 1 at each distance of 100 yards, 200 yards, 300 yards, and 400 yards. Each match has a 10-minute time limit. The match consists of three (3) scoring shots and up to two (2) siter shots in the allotted 10-minute time limit. This means you must have your three scoring shots on the score target before the 10-minute time limit is up. All siter shots will be fired at a separate target. Your official score target must have no more than three (3) holes in it, or it will be disqualified. (Exception: If your target is hit by another competitor’s shot, you will not be disqualified.) Each distance will be shot and scored in the same manner.
We will have relays for each match and distance. The number of shooters we have will determine how many relays there will be. Each relay will have a shooter set-up time before the match begins. Once the Range Master announces, “COMMENCE FIRE, RANGE IS HOT”, the 10-minute timer will start. You must finish the relay within the 10 minutes. Anyone that runs out of time and does not have 3 shots on the target will not get a score for that relay (NO SCORE). If you shoot someone else’s target, you will not get a score (NO SCORE) at that distance. If you have a malfunction and are able to remedy the problem and finish in the allotted 10-minute time limit, your score will still count. However, if you cannot finish your 3 shots, you will receive a (NO SCORE) for that distance. Once the 10-minute limit is up, the Range Master will announce “RANGE IS COLD”.
Classes
As we have grown and our rifles have changed, it is time to make some separations. Therefore, we will be having 3 classes this year:
1. Break Action class
• Stock: Must be no wider than 2 inches on the forearm. The butt stock and forearm must be rounded on the bottom. No stock modifications allowed; must be as manufactured.
• Trigger: Rifle must have a trigger pull set no lighter than a 2 pounds.
• Scope: There will be no scope restrictions on these rifles.
2. Hunting Class
• Stock: Must be no wider than 2.600 inches on the forearm. The butt stock and forearm must be rounded on the bottom (with the exception of tactical style stocks such as the Manners T4 and T5 style that have a small flat on the butt stock and/or forearm and were manufactured that way.) Any stocks in question will be examined by the Range Committee for clarification and a decision will be made at that time. No stock modifications allowed; must be as manufactured.
• Trigger: Any trigger may be used with a minimum of a 1.5 pounds pull weight. Must have a working safety.
• Scope: There are no scope restrictions on these rifles.
• Weight: The maximum weight for the entire rifle as shot during the match must be no more than 16 lbs.
3. Unlimited Class
• There are no restrictions to the rifle; shoot what you bring.
Equipment Requirements
Rifle: All Rifles must be loaded from the muzzle end. (Powder, bullet, wad and/or sabot.) Smokeless powder, black powder or its substitutes can be used. Rifles can be of any configuration (bolt action, break action, inline, hammer, flintlock, etc.) There are no caliber restrictions.
Rest: Any combination rest may be used except for the following:
o The rest may not be strapped to the bench or the rifle.
o The gun must be able to be lifted straight up when removed.
Targets
The scoring targets will be provided by the range. The only targets that will be permitted during the match is an official Kentucky Challenge Target. These targets are 14x14 and printed on white card stock. They start with an X Ring followed by a 10 Ring, 9 Ring, 8 Ring, 7 Ring, 6 Ring and 5 Ring. Each shot will count for the total number of points that the indicated ring represents. The shot must be 100% inside the ring to count as the higher score. Otherwise, it will be counted as the smaller ring number.
Targets will be placed and removed by the Target Crew and will be given directly to the score person.
Targets may be hung in any orientation.
Wind Flags
Wind flags will be supplied by the range and will simply be a piece of plastic ribbon tied to a stake. There will be two flags at each distance. Shooters may bring their own wind flags which can be positioned down range by their owners, wind flags must be placed with-in 20 yards of the targets. Example: Flags can be placed at 80 yards, 180 yards, 280 yards, and 380 yards. Once placed the flags cannot be moved during the match. The wind flags may be moved to the next distance during target change outs.
Electronic Devices
The only electronic devices that will be permitted during a match are:
• An electronic timer (You can use your personal phone for a timer on the shooting bench if you desire: no alarms- just the timer.)
• Electronic hearing protection.
Additional Information
Sharing of rifles, rest, scopes, etc. - Sharing of equipment is permitted, however you must shoot the entire match with the same rifle.
Helping a youth or beginner - Helping a youth or beginner is permitted as long as they are physically able to shoot the rifle. Anyone that requires help loading or placing the rifle in the bags from another person will not be eligible for any awards.
Entry Fees
You may participate in more than one class if we have enough time and benches for everyone to shoot.
One Class - $100.00 ($75.00 goes to the house, $25.00 goes to the class pot.
Two Classes - $50.00 extra ($25.00 goes to the house, $25.00 to the class pot.
Three Classes - $50.00 extra ($25.00 goes to the house, $25.00 goes to the class pot.
Total due if competing in one (1) class: $100.00
Total due if competing in two (2) classes: $150.00
Total due if competing in three (3) classes: $200.00
Non-Shooters
All non-shooters will be required to pay the House fee of $65.00. By paying this fee you will also be entitled to the lunch on Saturday as well as the door prizes and the t-shirt.
Spouses and children are excluded from this fee and will also not be eligible for the door prizes or t-shirt.
Scoring
Scoring will be done the day of the shoot. Each target will be measured with a micrometer and score recorder. The score will be written on the target and each competitor is urged to double check the score for accuracy. Once the match results are announced no changes will be made.
At each shoot we will present a certificate with the winner’s name and score. These certificates will only be given out to the final (high score) winners of the match (not at each yardage.)
FIRST PLACE: A 1st place certificate and cash prize to be given out will require at least three (3) shooters in the class.
Second Place: A 2nd place certificate and cash prize to be given out will require at least six (6) shooters in the class.
Third Place: A 3rd place certificate and cash prize to be given out will require at least nine (9) shooters in the class.
Awards
• Cash Pots: Cash pots collected at each shoot will be given out at the end of the shoot. Each class will have its own cash pot and will be allocated as follows: First Place - 50%, Second Place - 30% and Third Place - 20%.
Safety
The most important part of any shoot is the safety of all who participate and attend. Everyone must do their part by looking out for the other guy.
The following safety rules will always be enforced:
1. Bolts are to remain open or removed from the rifle except when you are on the bench and actively shooting. Keep bolts open even when on the bench until you are ready to fire. (Exception to this is for those of you who load on a fired primer and then reprime once the rifle is placed back in the bags.)
2. For break action rifles, carry and store the rifle in the open position.
3. At the beginning of the day, each person is required to look through the bore of their gun and verify it is unloaded by seeing daylight through the bore. (Exception to this would be rifles with side locks, etc.)
4. Everyone must have a witness mark on their ram rods. NO EXCEPTIONS. You will not be permitted to shoot without it. This mark is to identify when the gun is loaded and must be checked at the beginning of each match.
5. There should be no talking to the shooters while they are on the firing line.
6. No loud talking behind the firing line.
7. No one is permitted in the firing zone except for the active shooters and range masters.
8. Range masters have full control of the firing line and behind the firing lines. If you have any questions or concerns, let them know. If you see someone is in immediate danger you should yell “Cease Fire, Cease Fire” until the danger is rectified.
Hours of Operation
• Friday: The range will open for practice the Friday before the match at 1:00 PM and will close at 5:00 PM. Each shooter has a 30-minute time limit on the bench. Once your 30 minutes are up you must move to allow the next shooter in line to practice, if no one is waiting on a bench you may practice for another 30 minutes, then give up your bench to the shooter that is waiting, if no one is waiting then continue on and re-pet the process every 30 minutes. Some exceptions may be made under special circumstances.
• Saturday: The range will open for practice at 8 am on Saturday the day of the Tournament and stay open for practice till 8:30 AM. This time is to allow anyone that did not get practice shots on Friday 30 minutes of practice. At 8:45, we will have an All-Shooters Meeting and begin setting up for the match. Depending on when the tournament is over, the range may possibly re-open for more open practice after the awards ceremony.
• Sunday: The range will re-open Sunday at 11:00 am and stay open for shooting until 3:00 PM for anyone that was a paid participant in Saturday’s Tournament.
Food at the Shoot
Hankins Custom Rifles, LLC. will provide lunch on Saturday during or after the match is over. Timing will dictate when lunch is served. If we have a small turn out, then lunch will be served after the match is complete. If we have a large turn out, we will most likely take a break at half time to eat lunch.
All other food and drinks will be the responsibility of the attendees. As in the past we all contribute to the food and we have always had way more than needed.
Door Prizes
All paid shooters and attendees will have their name put into the door prize hat once.
Anyone wanting to donate a door prize may do so my contacting Hankins Custom Rifles at hankinsrifles@twc.com
I would like to thank everyone in advance for your continued support and participation of these Kentucky Challenge muzzle loading shoots. We will continue to have these shoot and as time goes on, we will advance and change the way these are conducted.
Anyone that has any suggestions as to how we can make these shoots more enjoyable please let me know.
Rules, Regulations and 2021 Shoot Dates
A Little History of The Shoot
The Kentucky challenge started in the fall of 2014. The first shoot was intended to get all the custom smokeless muzzle loader builders together for some friendly competition and to compare builds. At the first Kentucky Challenge, we had 2 shooting benches with a tarp overhead, a maximum range of 200 yards, and bad weather to deal with that day. Six years later, and we now have a large shelter with 9 covered shooting benches, a kitchen area, plenty of overhead protection from the weather, as well as a functioning bathroom with a flush toilet, hot water and a shower. We have come a long way from that first shoot and are now scheduling 4 shoots for the year 2022
The following is an explanation of the shoot, the shoot rules, the 2022 shoot dates, and the cost to participate.
2022 Shoot Dates
February 12th 2022 The Polar Bear Shoot (No Competition, fun shoot, one day, NO COST)
April 8th, 9th,10th 2022 The Spring Kentucky Challenge
August 12th, 13th, 14th 2022 The Fall Kentucky Challenge
September 16th,17,18th 2022 The Double Down Make Up Shoot
The Tournament
The tournament consists of 4 matches: 1 at each distance of 100 yards, 200 yards, 300 yards, and 400 yards. Each match has a 10-minute time limit. The match consists of three (3) scoring shots and up to two (2) siter shots in the allotted 10-minute time limit. This means you must have your three scoring shots on the score target before the 10-minute time limit is up. All siter shots will be fired at a separate target. Your official score target must have no more than three (3) holes in it, or it will be disqualified. (Exception: If your target is hit by another competitor’s shot, you will not be disqualified.) Each distance will be shot and scored in the same manner.
We will have relays for each match and distance. The number of shooters we have will determine how many relays there will be. Each relay will have a shooter set-up time before the match begins. Once the Range Master announces, “COMMENCE FIRE, RANGE IS HOT”, the 10-minute timer will start. You must finish the relay within the 10 minutes. Anyone that runs out of time and does not have 3 shots on the target will not get a score for that relay (NO SCORE). If you shoot someone else’s target, you will not get a score (NO SCORE) at that distance. If you have a malfunction and are able to remedy the problem and finish in the allotted 10-minute time limit, your score will still count. However, if you cannot finish your 3 shots, you will receive a (NO SCORE) for that distance. Once the 10-minute limit is up, the Range Master will announce “RANGE IS COLD”.
Classes
As we have grown and our rifles have changed, it is time to make some separations. Therefore, we will be having 3 classes this year:
1. Break Action class
• Stock: Must be no wider than 2 inches on the forearm. The butt stock and forearm must be rounded on the bottom. No stock modifications allowed; must be as manufactured.
• Trigger: Rifle must have a trigger pull set no lighter than a 2 pounds.
• Scope: There will be no scope restrictions on these rifles.
2. Hunting Class
• Stock: Must be no wider than 2.600 inches on the forearm. The butt stock and forearm must be rounded on the bottom (with the exception of tactical style stocks such as the Manners T4 and T5 style that have a small flat on the butt stock and/or forearm and were manufactured that way.) Any stocks in question will be examined by the Range Committee for clarification and a decision will be made at that time. No stock modifications allowed; must be as manufactured.
• Trigger: Any trigger may be used with a minimum of a 1.5 pounds pull weight. Must have a working safety.
• Scope: There are no scope restrictions on these rifles.
• Weight: The maximum weight for the entire rifle as shot during the match must be no more than 16 lbs.
3. Unlimited Class
• There are no restrictions to the rifle; shoot what you bring.
Equipment Requirements
Rifle: All Rifles must be loaded from the muzzle end. (Powder, bullet, wad and/or sabot.) Smokeless powder, black powder or its substitutes can be used. Rifles can be of any configuration (bolt action, break action, inline, hammer, flintlock, etc.) There are no caliber restrictions.
Rest: Any combination rest may be used except for the following:
o The rest may not be strapped to the bench or the rifle.
o The gun must be able to be lifted straight up when removed.
Targets
The scoring targets will be provided by the range. The only targets that will be permitted during the match is an official Kentucky Challenge Target. These targets are 14x14 and printed on white card stock. They start with an X Ring followed by a 10 Ring, 9 Ring, 8 Ring, 7 Ring, 6 Ring and 5 Ring. Each shot will count for the total number of points that the indicated ring represents. The shot must be 100% inside the ring to count as the higher score. Otherwise, it will be counted as the smaller ring number.
Targets will be placed and removed by the Target Crew and will be given directly to the score person.
Targets may be hung in any orientation.
Wind Flags
Wind flags will be supplied by the range and will simply be a piece of plastic ribbon tied to a stake. There will be two flags at each distance. Shooters may bring their own wind flags which can be positioned down range by their owners, wind flags must be placed with-in 20 yards of the targets. Example: Flags can be placed at 80 yards, 180 yards, 280 yards, and 380 yards. Once placed the flags cannot be moved during the match. The wind flags may be moved to the next distance during target change outs.
Electronic Devices
The only electronic devices that will be permitted during a match are:
• An electronic timer (You can use your personal phone for a timer on the shooting bench if you desire: no alarms- just the timer.)
• Electronic hearing protection.
Additional Information
Sharing of rifles, rest, scopes, etc. - Sharing of equipment is permitted, however you must shoot the entire match with the same rifle.
Helping a youth or beginner - Helping a youth or beginner is permitted as long as they are physically able to shoot the rifle. Anyone that requires help loading or placing the rifle in the bags from another person will not be eligible for any awards.
Entry Fees
You may participate in more than one class if we have enough time and benches for everyone to shoot.
One Class - $100.00 ($75.00 goes to the house, $25.00 goes to the class pot.
Two Classes - $50.00 extra ($25.00 goes to the house, $25.00 to the class pot.
Three Classes - $50.00 extra ($25.00 goes to the house, $25.00 goes to the class pot.
Total due if competing in one (1) class: $100.00
Total due if competing in two (2) classes: $150.00
Total due if competing in three (3) classes: $200.00
Non-Shooters
All non-shooters will be required to pay the House fee of $65.00. By paying this fee you will also be entitled to the lunch on Saturday as well as the door prizes and the t-shirt.
Spouses and children are excluded from this fee and will also not be eligible for the door prizes or t-shirt.
Scoring
Scoring will be done the day of the shoot. Each target will be measured with a micrometer and score recorder. The score will be written on the target and each competitor is urged to double check the score for accuracy. Once the match results are announced no changes will be made.
At each shoot we will present a certificate with the winner’s name and score. These certificates will only be given out to the final (high score) winners of the match (not at each yardage.)
FIRST PLACE: A 1st place certificate and cash prize to be given out will require at least three (3) shooters in the class.
Second Place: A 2nd place certificate and cash prize to be given out will require at least six (6) shooters in the class.
Third Place: A 3rd place certificate and cash prize to be given out will require at least nine (9) shooters in the class.
Awards
• Cash Pots: Cash pots collected at each shoot will be given out at the end of the shoot. Each class will have its own cash pot and will be allocated as follows: First Place - 50%, Second Place - 30% and Third Place - 20%.
Safety
The most important part of any shoot is the safety of all who participate and attend. Everyone must do their part by looking out for the other guy.
The following safety rules will always be enforced:
1. Bolts are to remain open or removed from the rifle except when you are on the bench and actively shooting. Keep bolts open even when on the bench until you are ready to fire. (Exception to this is for those of you who load on a fired primer and then reprime once the rifle is placed back in the bags.)
2. For break action rifles, carry and store the rifle in the open position.
3. At the beginning of the day, each person is required to look through the bore of their gun and verify it is unloaded by seeing daylight through the bore. (Exception to this would be rifles with side locks, etc.)
4. Everyone must have a witness mark on their ram rods. NO EXCEPTIONS. You will not be permitted to shoot without it. This mark is to identify when the gun is loaded and must be checked at the beginning of each match.
5. There should be no talking to the shooters while they are on the firing line.
6. No loud talking behind the firing line.
7. No one is permitted in the firing zone except for the active shooters and range masters.
8. Range masters have full control of the firing line and behind the firing lines. If you have any questions or concerns, let them know. If you see someone is in immediate danger you should yell “Cease Fire, Cease Fire” until the danger is rectified.
Hours of Operation
• Friday: The range will open for practice the Friday before the match at 1:00 PM and will close at 5:00 PM. Each shooter has a 30-minute time limit on the bench. Once your 30 minutes are up you must move to allow the next shooter in line to practice, if no one is waiting on a bench you may practice for another 30 minutes, then give up your bench to the shooter that is waiting, if no one is waiting then continue on and re-pet the process every 30 minutes. Some exceptions may be made under special circumstances.
• Saturday: The range will open for practice at 8 am on Saturday the day of the Tournament and stay open for practice till 8:30 AM. This time is to allow anyone that did not get practice shots on Friday 30 minutes of practice. At 8:45, we will have an All-Shooters Meeting and begin setting up for the match. Depending on when the tournament is over, the range may possibly re-open for more open practice after the awards ceremony.
• Sunday: The range will re-open Sunday at 11:00 am and stay open for shooting until 3:00 PM for anyone that was a paid participant in Saturday’s Tournament.
Food at the Shoot
Hankins Custom Rifles, LLC. will provide lunch on Saturday during or after the match is over. Timing will dictate when lunch is served. If we have a small turn out, then lunch will be served after the match is complete. If we have a large turn out, we will most likely take a break at half time to eat lunch.
All other food and drinks will be the responsibility of the attendees. As in the past we all contribute to the food and we have always had way more than needed.
Door Prizes
All paid shooters and attendees will have their name put into the door prize hat once.
Anyone wanting to donate a door prize may do so my contacting Hankins Custom Rifles at hankinsrifles@twc.com
I would like to thank everyone in advance for your continued support and participation of these Kentucky Challenge muzzle loading shoots. We will continue to have these shoot and as time goes on, we will advance and change the way these are conducted.
Anyone that has any suggestions as to how we can make these shoots more enjoyable please let me know.