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Midwest Varmint Match Shooters

Many are unaware that since the demise of the VHA (Varmint Hunters Association), what used to be the VHA Midwest Regional Match has continued as the Midwest Varmint Match Shooters (MWVMS) regional match. This benchrest rifle match has been held annually in the first week of May since 2007 at the Wabash Wildlife and Sportsman Association’s range in North central Indiana (and 3 years prior at the Hillsdale range in Michigan). When the VHA suddenly vanished in the summer of 2015, the decision was made to continue the popular match without any official organizational ties.

The success and popularity of the match can be attributed directly to the unique and challenging target designed by match director Dave Todd and the varying distances at which these targets are shot. Supported by a large variety of companies in the shooting industry (some of which have donated door prizes annually), the match boasts the largest winner’s purse in the region for a varmint shoot. Cash prizes are paid through fifth place in custom, factory and aggregate classes.

The match proved so popular that it spun off two other matches with smaller cash prizes (paid only to three places) that are held at the same range. Those are the ToadWalker match in April (named after founders Dave Todd, AKA “Toad”, and Dallas Walker) and the Cannonball match in October (named for the famed Wabash Cannonball). Drawing shooters from several nearby states, the format grew in popularity until it has now been used at five ranges in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Yearly match schedules are worked out in a cooperative effort by the different clubs to avoid schedule conflicts. Individual shooters’ scores are tabulated by a volunteer for a shooter of the year award (recognition only - no prize money).

The best part of all this is that there are no clubs to join, no dues to pay and nothing but fun and prizes to be had! The matches are open to anyone who has equipment that meets the match rules and pays the entry fee. Fees vary slightly from club to club and match to match. A larger entry fee generally means larger purse prizes, since the entirety of the entry fees (minus expenses) is returned back to the winning shooters.

Classes

Matches consist of two classes of rifles, which are factory class and custom class. Class descriptions typically read as follows;

FACTORY CLASS: Must be factory production receiver, stock, barrel and chamber. May be any factory chambered caliber 30 caliber (.308) or less. Allowed modifications from pure factory are: Trigger may be aftermarket, receiver may be bedded, and barrel may be re-crowned. No aftermarket muzzle brakes in the factory class. Any scope and mount is acceptable. Guns with flat bottom forearms are not allowed in the Factory class. No altered factory stocks. No stock with forearm over 2.3" wide. No forearm stabilizers such as Accuracy Asset

CUSTOM CLASS: Rifles not qualifying for the Factory Class. Twenty-five pound weight limit (25#), including scope. Must be 30 caliber (.308) or less. No rail guns. No "clam shell" muzzle brakes allowed. Rifle must be carried to the line in one piece and be capable of being fired from the shoulder.

Shooters who enter both factory and custom classes are automatically in the aggregate class. Matches consist of 20 shots in each class for a possible total of 400 points in the aggregate.

Targets

As mentioned above, targets for these events were designed by Dave Todd and consist of the ‘field mouse’ target for 100 yard competitions and groundhog targets for further distances. Best edge scoring is used on all targets. The field mouse target has individual images for each shot and will have 5 or 10 mice depending on the event. So far, only the Wabash matches are shot at three distances. They are 100, 300 and 400 yards. At these events, only five shots are fired at 100 and 400, so the upper target in the photo is used at 100.

Above are examples of five and ten shot, 100 yard targets with .225” ten rings. The lower target is used at ranges that shoot only two distances, with the shorter distance being 100 yards.

Above is a pair of 300 yard targets with .665” X rings. The ten ring is slightly over 2” tall. These two particular targets were shot in a match (ToadWalker 2017) that had mirage so heavy that bullet holes could not be discerned at 300 yards, as indicated by the note jotted at the top of the top target. Conditions like that and/or excessive wind are exceptionally difficult because they make it easy to throw a shot outside the groundhog silhouette. That results in a zero score for that shot, which will usually knock you out of contention to win that match. This doesn’t happen as easily on round IBS targets.

Participating Ranges

All ranges are Private ranges. Non-members may register for MWVMS matches as guests.

Sanctioned Ranges

Sanctioned ranges must use properly scaled targets and shoot at least one distance of 300 yards or more. Their match scores count toward Shooter Of The Year totals.

Wabash Wildlife & Sportsman Association

Wabash, Indiana

Contact dtoadnan *at* aol *dot* com for info on the Wabash MWVMS matches

Looking downrange at Wabash. White target backers are at 100, 300 & 400 yards.

Looking down the 15 bench shooting line at Wabash during the 2017 Midwest Regional MWVMS match.

Hillsdale Rifle Club

Osseo, Michigan

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Contact lrgoodger *at* gmail *dot* com for info on the Hillsdale MWVMS matches

Looking down the 14 bench firing line at the 2017 Hillsdale MWVMS match.

Looking downrange at the Hillsdale 200/300 yard line. MWVMS targets are hanging at 300.

Other Ranges

Other ranges generally use targets that don't comply with MWVMS Shooter Of The Year rules and their matches don't count toward SOY totals. They may or may not use the MWVMS target images. They are included here because their matches draw a significant number of MWVMS shooters.

Meeker Sportsman Club

Meeker, Ohio

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Contact waynedodge4547 *at* gmail *dot* com for info on the Meeker matches

The ten bench firing line at Meeker.

The 400 yard targets above have .80” X rings. The ten ring is slightly over 2.5” tall. This shooter deliberately shot low (on the factory target at left) to increase his chances of keeping all five shots, rendered invisible by mirage, inside the silhouette. He was braver on the custom target on the right. There were no higher scoring 400 yard targets at this particular match (ToadWalker 2017). Many shooters had shots scoring zero at 400 yards due to heavy mirage obscuring bullet holes. The large 4 written on the targets indicates bench number. Relay and bench number are written at the bottom (14.04 and 17.04).

2018 Target Addition

Some of our shooters have gotten so good on these targets that they are occasionally shooting groups at 300 yards that are so tight only four of the five holes can be discerned. An increasing number of 'lost' bullet holes at 300 yards (combined with the 2018 change of shooting the longer distances first due to mirage issues later in the day, which lessens the need for the large, lower part of the groundhog) has prompted some ranges to change to 10 silhouette targets at 200 and 300 yard distances. Only one shot per hog is fired on these targets.

This 11x17 inch 200 yard target is currently used only at the Hillsdale, MI range. Scoring rings are scaled to 2/3 the size of the ones on the 300 yard groundhogs.

This 13x19 inch 300 yard target is currently used only at the Hillsdale, MI range. Ring scaling is the same as on the two groundhog, 300 yard target above.

Wind Flags

No private wind flags are allowed. Two flags can be set at mid-range at the discretion of the match director.

What is a Midwest Varmint Match Shooter?

A Midwest Varmint Match Shooter is an individual who shoots score matches at the targets shown above. Nothing more, nothing less. It is not an organization. There are no dues or costs. It is simply a label. The shooting matches are hosted by shooting ranges, not MWVMS shooters. If you wish to participate in one of the matches, contact the person indicated for the range you wish to attend in the Participating Ranges column. They can inform you of dates, rules and any costs associated with participating in their match.

If you love accurate rifles and challenging benchrest shooting without the hassle of organizational memberships, become a Midwest Varmint Shooter! Cash prizes are always fun for top placing contestants and with a variety of participating ranges, you can surely make a match or two to see if you like the format. IBS members who have shot in these matches all agree that they are much more difficult than the IBS targets.

Range Safety Protocol

For MWVMS matches (written by: Dave Todd)

Consistent range protocol is an integral part of successful matches, so the shooters always know what to expect and everyone acts accordingly.

No bolts allowed in any gun on the premises, unless on the firing line after the Range Officer (RO) gives the command to insert bolts.

Please remove Bolts when finished firing your relay. This indicates to the RO that a competitor has completed the course of record fire.

No spotting scopes within 20’ of the line. No spotters allowed to aid any shooter. No bench assistance, except for Youth class (under 18 registered in Youth class). No one allowed on firing line, except range officers and active shooters.

A Youth competitor’s gun may only be touched by the adult assistant during record fire if a safety issue arises. An adult is required with anyone under age 18.

No optical aids on firing line other than mounted rifle scopes.

A mid-relay Cease-Fire may be called by the RO, if there is a safety issue.

A competitor encountering a function problem shall notify the RO and remove the bolt at once. He/she may, or may not, be permitted by the RO to remove the weapon from its rest for repair. Such weapon is usually allowed to return to the firing line, time permitting, with RO approval.

A weapon with a stuck bolt, shall not be allowed moved from its downrange bench rest position until that bolt is free and removed, or approved by RO.

Additional ammo must be verified with a Range Officer. If you encounter a misfire, raise your hand for RO to verify your round count and acquisition of another round of ammunition.

No additional time shall be afforded to any shooter for any reason.

Remove bolt from rifle when finished firing the record in a relay. Remain seated, quietly, until the RO calls the Cease Fire. Do not stand up and do not remove anything from the bench until instructed by the RO.

Watch your target until the end of your relay for crossfires.

Crossfires shall not be given consideration unless the Range Officer becomes aware of the questioned target(s) prior to the end of the relay. If you crossfire or notice one, raise your hand for the RO. Obvious caliber crossfires shall be rectified by the scoring team, when identifiable. Otherwise, the worst of the hits are scored.

Do not sit at the bench while target crew is downrange.

Guns and equipment are allowed placed on the bench, only. After target setters are back, shooters are called to the line and there is time provided for preparation to line up guns & equipment to prepare for fire.

Match Relay Commands

For MWVMS sanctioned Matches (written by: Dave Todd)

Consistent range commands are an integral part of successful matches.

When target setters are back and the range is clear, the RO shall begin announcement, in a cadence, as follows:

“Shooters to the line.” Shooters may now approach and sit at the bench and handle their equipment and firearm. RO to allow time to sit prior to start of 2 minute timed prep period.

“Your 2 minute preparation begins NOW.” Start timer. Shooters have 2 minutes to align their gun to their target and get their ammo and bench ready to fire the record relay.

“You may insert your bolts. Check your target number.”

“On my command you will have three minutes to fire unlimited sighters.

Ready on the right, ready on the left, ready on the firing line …

…Commence Fire.”

(Use a timer to count down the 3 minutes)

Give a “One minute” warning and a “30 seconds” warning.

“Cease Fire. Are there any staged rounds? Release any staged rounds.”

(Allow staged rounds (only already chambered) to be fired, IMMEDIATELY.)

“With (5) (or 10) rounds only on the bench, you have (5) (or 10) minutes. “Ready on the right, ready on the left, ready on the firing line ...”

“Commence Fire.”

(Use timer to count down 5 (or 10) minutes to the next command.)

(Give a “One minute” warning and a “30 seconds” warning.