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Post by Kyle on Aug 1, 2017 12:04:19 GMT -5
The shoot has come a long way since the first one in August of 2014. Two concrete benches with tarps strung between trees for shade and to keep the rain off is what we had for starters. If I recall correctly, 200 yards was the max we shot at that time. Jeff has made a huge investment, which I assure you is not remotely being close to being recouped for improvements along the way. We can now shoot to 444 yards under the cover of a metal roof, gravel under foot with 5 concrete benches to shoot from.
This did not come overnight in a FedEx box or by US mail. It came by a lot of sweat and a long paper receipt at the checkout counter. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 35 trees were cut out of the bottom from 200 yards back to about 450 yards that were drug out by Jeffs tractor and a bulldozer. All but about 5 walnuts were sawed into firewood and the brush piled and burned. Several other trees were placed by a trackhoe for a backstop at 444 yards.The ground was dressed up and an unbelievable amount of dirt pushed around by a dozer needed for the job. Ever priced 40 plus hours of labor for custom bulldozer work? Another 20 for a trackhoe? Close to 100, if not more, tractor buckets of dirt were hauled from over 200 yards away to build up and level out the front area around and under the benches with a rock retaining wall built to make a flat spot to the left of the benches. I'm sure more improvements will be made along the way.
So, you "new guys" that are coming to the shoot, now you know how "Our Range" got to be what it is today. To you "veterans" just a reminder of how far things have come.
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Post by 12ptdroptine on Aug 1, 2017 12:14:45 GMT -5
I for one don't have enough words do describe my appreciation for what Jeff has provided to share with us .AND the many many hours put in by Bill, Kyle and Jeff Blakey doing this work...and those same facilitating the kitchen work. And for what? Friendship, Fellowship, and Brotherhood. All this is done out of kindness. Thank you guys from the bottom of my heart! Russell
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Post by Kyle on Aug 1, 2017 14:45:41 GMT -5
Several have come on work parties to help out over the years. Mindy, Mike Trentman, Doug Schwartz, Scott Rauch and Lapua could be added to the list above. Jeff has also had several local friends help out from time to time. The drive for many is long so that work parties are not practical to attend. However, there is much work that can be done helping out Friday evening, early on Saturday morning and Sunday mid day.
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Post by dennis on Aug 1, 2017 15:22:06 GMT -5
I had never heard of Hankins Custom rifles till last year, yea I know I'm a little slow, But was welcomed to the message board and followed a lot of the work that was being done. I certainly appreciate all that went into the range and all who worked, especially thanks to Jeff for making his property available to anyone who wants to come to the challenge. Just is killing me I won't make this one. Everyone have a great time and be safe.
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Post by doug136 on Aug 1, 2017 16:02:37 GMT -5
Im gonna come early and will be glad to help with anything
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Post by markb317 on Aug 1, 2017 16:17:49 GMT -5
Well said Kyle. I'll be there Friday morning unless I decide to get there earlier.
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Post by hillbill on Aug 1, 2017 16:52:57 GMT -5
I have not been there for all the work but I help when I can, 4.5 hours @ 80 mph is not an afternoon stroll but I have made a work trip or two.
A lot of time sweat and money have been invested for sure, there are some great guys that I have grown very fond of in the last three years that show up on that creek. I would likely have never met these guys face to face had it not been for this gathering and it all started with a challenge, now called The Kentucky Challenge.
This is a place where friends are made and Ideas are exchanged, some of which we have put into action. A lot of wheel turning goes on behind the scenes resulting in advancements in what we do and the way we do things.
Who knows where this will go in the coming years? One could bet that If Jeff is still hosting this shoot in 5 years the participants will be on the cutting edge of this thing we call Smokeless Muzzleloading, Not a doubt in my mind!
If you are on the fence about attending? rest assured you will have a great time and there is much to be learned. Do we know it all? absolutely not! but we have an open mind and a big appetite, that's all one needs!
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Post by tnhunter54 on Aug 2, 2017 5:53:03 GMT -5
Very well said Bill.
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Post by Richard on Aug 7, 2017 16:51:54 GMT -5
At least here at Hank's the shoots are a reality and not just the figment of someone's imagination. Thank you Jeff and the crew that has helped to put the range together. If not for the 400 miles/6+ hours separating us, I would also make some of the work parties.
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Post by doug136 on Aug 8, 2017 9:54:25 GMT -5
No one doubts that Richard . Cant find a better guy
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