Shooting vintage "Gas" guns...

[Adam Helmer]

Our semi-auto rifle matches start up on April 23, 2006. It is a 100-yard course similiar to the National Match course with slow fire, standing to sitting rapid, standing to prone rapid and prone slowfire. I have several old militaries that get a day at the range as we fire a match each month. The Garand gets first dibs and then various FN ABL Model 49s in .30-06, 8x57mm and 7x57 go to the line. One of my favorites is the 8x57mm Hakim. I found a fine accuracy load with 150 grain spitzers and IMR 4895. We are not allowed to hunt with semis in PA, so my "gas guns" are target guns, only.

Most new shooters do not know the old guns and they shoot the AR and are interested in my "warhorses." We only field 10 or 12 shooters per match, but it is a congenial group and a fine way to spend a Sunday at the range. If I can find some non-corrosive 7.62x54R ammo, I will shoot the M40 Tokarev. Who else likes shooting the old gas guns?

Adam