FNH USA Sponsors Unique All-Equipment-Provided Sniper Match
SENECA ROCKS, WV –-(Ammoland.com)- More than two dozen of America’s best long range shooters gathered for three days of competition at the Fall 2010 Alleghany Sniper Challenge, October 9-11, atop this scenic mountain range, marking the Eastern Continental Divide.
This event is the only one of its kind that offers all steel targets at distances up to 1,200 yards and at varying angles across mountain valleys.
However, it was the support of FNH USA which made the 2010 Fall Challenge a unique and true first of its kind all-equipment-provided event. FNH USA provided each competitor with one of its FN SPR A5 .308 long range precision rifles with standard 20-inch fluted barrels, McMillan stocks, and a MIL-STD optical rail with 20 MOA forward cant. Competitors were also issued identical scopes, rings, slings, and ammunition provided for by other manufacturers. Competitors were not allowed any other equipment including electronics or range finders (bipods were allowed).
“FN’s support was absolutely instrumental in making this match possible,” said Rod Hansen, who shares the title of co-creator and co-Match Director with John Markwell. Together they started this event almost 10 years ago to provide fellow long range shooters with the types of challenges, distances, and real world conditions they themselves enjoy.
“This match places each competitor on a level playing field and represents the most extreme and complete test of each shooter’s skill and knowledge of ballistics,” said Hansen.
“We are proud to put our products into the hands of these competitors,” said Benjamin Voss, Instructor and Master Firearms Specialist with FNH USA. “These types of events allow us to receive direct feedback from the people who use our guns and allows us to improve, develop, and shape future products,” said Voss, who is also the captain of FNH’s long range shooting team.
Voss and his two team members, Justin Daley, a police sniper, and Jason Thompson, are all former Marine Corps snipers who served together. They also shot the match using new rifles from FNH.
“These events also give us an opportunity to test prototypes and new ideas to continually improve our product line,” said Voss.
The Fall 2010 Alleghany Sniper Challenge takes place over two weekends, essentially becoming two matches. The first weekend match took place in September, and FNH USA provided all the rifles for that first weekend as well. More than 50 shooters took part and used FNH rifles over the two weekends.
Since Hansen and Markwell designed the match from the ground up they also made changes they felt would improve the experience for the competitors. Shooters engage almost 50 targets and are allowed to fire up to 125 shots, but they only count misses, not hits. The shooter with the lowest score wins.
The winners from the first weekend were: 1st Kevin Mussack of upstate, NY, 2nd Geoff Martel of Mt. Morris, NY, and 3rd Eric Underiner of Ringoes, NJ.
Winners of the second match: 1st Pete Pi, Jr. from Cor-Bon in Sturgis, SD (who provided all the ammunition used), 2nd Rich Grinn of Clarkston, MI, and 3rd Chris Soyka of Iona, MI.
FNH donated two rifles to be awarded as prizes (all prizes are awarded by random drawing and the winner of the match is only guaranteed a trophy). The winner of the FN SPR A5 rifle the first weekend was Tom Pohuski, Jr. from Baltimore, MD, and in the second weekend was Ernest Stokesberry from Kansas City. MO.
FNH USA, LLC is the sales and marketing arm of FN Herstal, S.A., Belgium. Its corporate mission is to expand its global leadership position in defense, law enforcement and commercial markets by delivering superior products and the finest in training and logistical support. Visit www.fnhusa.com to view the entire line of FNH USA, LLC products and services. FNH USA, LLC, P.O. Box 697, McLean, VA 22101 USA.