Post by Hank on Jan 2, 2016 19:08:43 GMT -5
As most of you may know I (Hankins Custom Rifles, LLC.) host a shoot twice a year called "The Kentucky Challenge". This event originally called The Ultimate Muzzleloader Challenge was intended and directed towards other manufactures for muzzle loading rifles to bring their rifles to the shoot to prove their ignition system and accuracy of their rifles. Well to make a long story short I did not get one single other manufacture to show up and back up their claims.. What I did get was a bunch of people (members) from Doug's Board to show up. Most of these guys built their own rifles. Each and everyone of them were great guys...
Originally called the Ultimate Muzzleloader challenge, a member from Doug's that you all know (hillbill) said in a post that he was going to the "KENTUCKY CHALLENGE" and from that day on it has been called "The Kentucky Challenge".
At the first Kentucky Challenge I had 18 shooters and 5 non-shooters to attend. None of these guys knew what to expect, all they knew was they wanted to go, so they went. Most of these guys had been messaging each other on Doug's Board for years but never met, so at the first Kentucky Challenge they were all brought together for the first time. We shared names, ideas, experiences, stories, memories and much more. I believe that every one of them was glad they came and I want to thank each one of them for attending and helping brake the ground for this new event that is different from any other. We all went home with many new friends.
I cant tell you all how glad I am that the manufactures that I originally prompted to attend this shoot did not show up. The members from Doug's Board are what made the first shoot a huge success and without them there would not have been a second shoot. Hats off to you guys.
For those of you who may be new to Hank's Board and don't know what The Kentucky Challenge is: It is a three day weekend dedicated to shooting Muzzle Loading rifles only. Any muzzleloader is welcome; from an old flintlock with black powder to the most advanced modern day muzzleloaders we have. This shoot is a place where we can all learn and share knowledge about these rifles; from seeing different rifle builds to talking about loads, duplex and singles, from learning how to use your target turrents, to making drop charts, getting ideas for your next build, to finding your next favorite bullet.....it's all here. What better way to learn and share knowledge than among friends.
You do not need to be a competitive shooter to attend the shoot and have a great time. The shoot is set up more for teaching and learning than competition. We are simi-organized on the range, meaning there is no set coarse you have to shoot, you can shoot 5 shots or 50 shots in a day it's all up to you. We do have a friendly competition for smallest group shooting from 100, 200 and 300 yards. We also have 25 steel gong targets set up from 100 to 350 yards. These gongs range in size from 4x4 inches up to 12x12 inches. We had a couple hundred dip cans filled with tannerite as fun targets that were placed from 50 to 340 yards; pick your can, make your shot, a hit was a positive BOOM.....Deadeye was the only one to hit a dip can at the 340 yard mark last year that I know of. We also do some off hand shooting out to 350 yards to see who can hit the gong the farthest away. One miss and your out of the game. There are several practice targets set up for sighting in as well.
There is plenty of room for tents and campers. I have running water with a outdoor (hot water) shower for anyone that wants to use it. The local motel is 12-14 miles away and the good stuff is in Georgetown KY about 30 miles from the range. We will have plenty of food for Friday evening and all day Saturday. Everyone should bring their own drinks and snacks. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring a covered dish as we always set up a table full of food and if you go away hungry, that's your own fault. Anyone wanting to bring a pop-up shelter, shooting bench, sand bags or front rest, foldable camp chairs, etc. are welcome to bring it. We could also use a four wheeler or two for running and resetting targets.
I will start a list of the people that have contacted me and are planning on attending, listing their Hank's Board name, their real name and the city and state they live in so if anyone wants to car-pool they can contact each other and make arrangements. I am only listing the city and state with that persons permission.
Special thanks goes out to Bill Travis (Hillbill) and Kyle Pittman (kyle) for all the hard work they have put into range improvements. Also a big thanks goes to Jeff Blakely (deadeye) for providing Deadeye's Kitchen and keeping us well fed. Also, thanks to Alan Towe (SML) for bringing the shrimp and everyone else that has attended the shoots so far....
Cost of admission is $125.00 for first timers, $100.00 for returning attendees and $35.00 for non-shooters. Bring your kids for FREE. For more information please contact me via PM or e-mail.
2016 Scheduled Kentucky Challenge Events
April 22-24
August 19-21
Please send your admission fee to me as soon as you know you are attending so I have some (money) for making improvements and to get a good head count for the food. I never thought I would have to say this but Space is limited to a maximum of 40 shooters so make your reservations early.
My address is as follows:
Jeff Hankins
4875 Lemon Northcutt Rd.
Dry Ridge, KY. 41035
The Kentucky Challenge is sponsored by...................
I hope to see you at the next "Kentucky Challenge"!
Sincerely,
Jeff Hankins