Jim and the many others supporting and running the Western National’s did an outstanding job. It was a great experience, again. Many great things come to mind but a few on the top of the list was the performance of the Junior shooters. They set records, they won individual matches and the small bore Team shoot off was shoot-off history that was an honor to have witnessed. The Junior Team “Young Guns” tied another team for first. The other team was made up of well accomplished adult shooters. Six shooters went to the line, six shots fired and three hits by the Young Guns, Less than three hits by the second place team.

The keepers of the scoreboard and fine folks gathering the score cards where the most efficient I’ve had the pleasure of seeing operate. They did so well, so smooth, so efficient, so few (maybe no) errors, it was amazing and a big contribution to a well run match.

Target setters - good job throughout. The voice from the tower calling the match (Butch) well done, clear and easy to understand.

Thank You all - Jim, when do you need next years entry forms?

Not surprised it was a well run match. Saw a nice pic of John Mullins surrounded by a lot of big awards. Are the results posted anywhere?

Thank you for the nice comments about the Western Nationals. Everyone who helped with the match is appreciative.

As for match results, we are working on those now along with the photos taken. Everyone who shot in the match will receive a bulletin with all the scores. And we will post this on Steel Chickens. Finally, we intend to send photos and match info to Shooting Sports USA for publication.

We were particularly happy to see all the junior shooters who participated and the new record scores they shot.

The Western Nationals is the largest lever gun silhouette match in the USA for 2022. We are very proud of this and thank each and every shooter who attended.

Plans are already being made for 2023. Dates will be publicized when we have them.

Jim Luke

TENTATIVE dates for the 2023 Western Nationals are Tuesday, July 3, thru Saturday, July 7. The BPCR22 match will follow with the registration and sight in day on Sunday, July 8, with a three--day match to follow. After that there will be a day off before the 2--day BPCR match run by Ken Tebbe and crew.

We have pretty well established that these will be the dates for these matches in the years to come at Whittington.

Speaking of Whittington Center, they are very happy with the matches we are having. They bring a lot of revenue to the Center.

Again, these match dates are only tentative right now. The contracts go out Oct. 1.

Jim Luke

I know I will send both entrys off as soon as they are available. Both matches were great. It like a big family reunion, but we get to shoot rifles.

Steve, a great way to describe the matches. A lot of us felt the same way about the great family atmosphere.

Jim

All the Juniors were amazing! Personally I can speak for one.
The Lever Action Smallbore Western Silhouette Championship 2022 was held the week of July 4th at the NRA Whittington Center, NM. 120+ people competed.
Max, 15 years old, won 1st place and set a new National record for Intermediate Junior high score, 55 of 60 in the Smallbore category. The old record stood for 11 years and was set by Nathan Taylor shooting 51 of 60. Special thanks to all the mentors and coaching over the years, especially John Mullins who always has been available to answer questions and offer advice to this Junior. John helped me too

Max is the youngest competitor ever to win the 60 shot Smallbore Lever Action Silhouette National Champion title. Max also set three more National NRA rifle records that week. We love lever gun but were off to Camp Perry end of the month for Service Rifle Nationals. Max and two other Juniors also set two team records for Juniors. One of which was an overall win in the smallbore competition breaking a tied team score in a shoot off with the adult team. The three Juniors shot three of three Turkeys beating the adults who shot two of three.

Shootmoore,thanks for that post.Congratulations to Max.
I understand the Camp Perry schedule conflict as we like to shoot that also and it’s closer for us near Ridgway,but always same time.

Shootmore, the juniors' performance at the Western Nationals was the high point of the match. We are sending this info and photos to Shooting Sports USA in the hope they will do a feature article on the match. We are all very proud of Max and the other junior shooters who set records.

Jim Luke

Its like their all our sons and daughters, like SWoooster said, "one big family".

"One Big Family". Love hearing that. It is what we've hoped for since this match started. We're getting there. Thanks.

Jim Luke