We want to thank Peter Dobson at Hirsch Precision for supporting the Benchrest shooting program at Petitcodiac Sportsman Club with a donation of a brick of Lapua CenterX. 
Today was a cold one for sure. Temperatures started at -16C, going up to -8C, and add a bit of wind for the -27C windchill factor! 
We are rapidly winding down the 2018 shooting season with today's Christmas shoot in Minto. At the same time that we had a wonderful time together, we did get bad news that the Chief Firearms Officer in New Brunswick has caused a number of range closures based on what appear to be rather minor issues. Petitcodiac's rifle and pistol ranges have been closed until modifications can be made and so the annual Christmas shoot there, an event that has been so much fun in the past, has had to be cancelled. Needless to say, this has caused a good deal of consternation and discussion during this Christmas shoot.
The Minto Gun Club ranges have also been inspected and the 50yd, 100yd and pistol ranges have received a 1 year certificate while the 200yd range is closed.
The Christmas shoot, organized by John McC., consisted of several fun targets designed by Shane McC. Thanks to both these gentlemen for their work on our behalf. The first target was a bunch of snakes around Indiana Jones, the second a bunch of worms coming out of an apple, the third were 10 foxes in the henhouse and the fourth a random target on which we had to shoot 5 shots. Scores on the first three targets were accumulated and the top shooter was able to pick first from wrapped presents we had each brought for this event. The second place shooter chose second, etc., all the way to the last shooter who chose last. No-one knew in advance what they would get.
Top snake shooters were Dan G., Volker T., Darryl K., George M., Don M., Bert deV. and Dave C. Top worm shooters were Darryl K., Don M., Gerard D., George M., Bill H., Matt McA. and Volker T. Top fox shooters were Bert deV., Dan G., Volker T., Bruce B., Darryl K., Cecil H., Gerard D. and John McC. When all was said and done, the top "pesky critter" shooter was Darryl K. with Volker T. a close second and Bert deV. a distant third.
Eleven shooters came out to brave the cool -6C morning and have a fun shoot at 150yds. At least the wind was light, which is a change for Petticodiac. The wood stove
Thanks to everyone who pitched in and got the fire started, targets posted and retrieved and helped as Range Officers and took the pictures, etc. Match Director and Scorer today was Volker T.
Before the medals were presented to today’s shooters, medals to the top three shooters from last week’s PSC 3-gun match (Shotgun, Rifle and Handgun) were presented to 1st Chris S., 2nd Dan G., and 3rd Darryl. K. Good shooting guys. The Match Director was Brian P. for this previous match.
John McC 97x5 57 63 26 243x5
RESULTS - RF BR OPEN CLASS:
The eagerly awaited day for the Minto final centerfire championship shoot finally arrived after a night of high winds that blew down trees and knocked out the power in many places across the
The one saving grace was that on Sunday, it did not rain. It was as cool as it was at the shoot in Florenceville on the day before but it was so nice to have a warm fire in the stove in the clubhouse. The wind was blowing hard with frequent gusts and it was inconsistent across the range. A wind flag near the firing line might indicate a left wind while another, further down the range pointed in the opposite direction. It was very hard to determine the velocity of the wind as, most often, the daisy wheels were spinning out of control and the tails were horizontal like a well behaved pointer on a bird.
Today, John McC. was the match director and organised everything extremely well as he does so often. Don M. was the scorer wih George M. verifying the scores. Targets were set and changed by Wayne K., David C., Tony L., George M. and Bert deV. The range officer duties were shared by Wayne K., David C., Tony L., and Dan G. Thanks, everone, for your help which made this shoot so enjoyable.
As this was a final shoot, a feast was laid out for the shooters. Tony L. had brought some of Shelly's wonderful squares. David and Susan C. had prepared lovely sandwiches, cheese and squares. Thank you all so much for a great lunch during the shoot.
Bert deV. - 288/10X
Dan G. - 129/0X
Centerfire Sporter Class, second highest match score - Volker T.