2011 Thunder Beast Team Challenge

[Zak Smith]

Competition Dynamics (http://thunderbeastarms.com/competition/competition-dynamics) and Thunder Beast Arms Corporation (http://thunderbeastarms.com/) present The
2011 THUNDER BEAST TEAM CHALLENGE
Nov 4-6, 2011 at the Blue Steel Ranch in Logan, NM

This match is an extreme test of practical field rifle shooting and its supporting activities. Two-man teams will be required to navigate rugged desert terrain, recognize, locate, range, and engage challenging rifle targets from compromised shooting positions, communicate with their partner and the range officer (RO), and do it under time constraints. This will be a physically-demanding match!

The match staff have a proven track record of involvement in some of the most challenging and influential 3-Gun, multi-gun, and practical long-range matches of the last ten years, including: the Steel Safari, Practical Rifle Team Challenge, Rocky Mountain 3-Gun, SOF 3-Gun, and the and the United States Marshall's Posse match.

The venue for the match is the Blue Steel Ranch, near Logan NM. This is the same site where the Steel Safari is held.

http://thunderbeastarms.com/images/tbtc.jpg

The rest of the details are available on the
MATCH WEB SITE (http://thunderbeastarms.com/competition/team-challenge-2011)

[Hoser]

Im in.

[banks74]

Me too.

[Mendocino]

Sounds like a great time, I'm in.

[J Tactical Firearms]

Sounds awesome.

[MattR]

This looks like fun, will a single shot rifle be ok or will you need a magazine?

[banks74]

This looks like fun, will a single shot rifle be ok or will you need a magazine?

Paul from Trigger Time shot a 7wsm single feeding at the Steel Safari and did real well. He said it was a major PITA but manageable.

[C Ward]

Single loading isn't bad witha good ammo management plan

[Zak Smith]

Single shot rifles will not be prohibited.

[Zak Smith]

To follow up, the rules will be generally similar to the PRTC, CGI, and SS/SRM rules, with some changes. The closest match to this concept will be the PRTC, if you want to start doing your homework now.

The rest of the match info will be posted next weekend.

[MattR]

Single shot rifles will not be prohibited.

I'm out

[quickdraw]

I'm out

I think Zak is saying single shots are allowed.

[Zak Smith]

I'm out
Wow, the concept that someone would decide to opt out of a match because sub-optimal equipment is not prohibited is pretty weird.

New announcement: Flip-flops and short shorts are not prohibited.

I'm all about letting people make poor choices.

[Mendocino]

Wow, the concept that someone would decide to opt out of a match because sub-optimal equipment is not prohibited is pretty weird.

New announcement: Flip-flops and short shorts are not prohibited.

I'm all about letting people make poor choices.

Should the abolition on suffrage not be prohibited?

[J Tactical Firearms]

How soon are you expecting to fill up/how many teams? Still lining up the other half of my team but definitely trying to make this match. Also, do both shooters need carbines?

Thanks.

[MattR]

Single shot rifles will not be prohibited.



Wow I completely missed the "not" part....reading r hard...I guess thats what happens when you look at it on a phone. So about the night stage is night vision going to be necessary or allowed?

[Zak Smith]

Not required, and not allowed just because a very small minority of the competitors would have access to it.

[Zak Smith]

How soon are you expecting to fill up/how many teams? Still lining up the other half of my team but definitely trying to make this match. Also, do both shooters need carbines?

Thanks.

Yes. From the web site:


TEAM MEMBER 1 - LONG-RANGE RIFLE SHOOTER
Team member 1 uses a Long-Range Rifle on the long field stages and the night stages, and a "Tactical Division" carbine on the gully assault stages.

TEAM MEMBER 2 - CARBINE SHOOTER
Team member 2 uses a "Tactical Division" carbine on all stages.

I do expect the match to fill up, for two primary reasons: 1) the Steel Safari sold out in one day, with over 3x the demand vs. the number of slots we had for that match, and 2) people have been asking about another team match since we (CMG at that time) ran the PRTC in 2006.

The limit will be somewhere around 60 teams, but I can't guarantee that number at this time. The max actually depends on the ratio of "RO" teams to regular non-RO teams.

[Fried Chicken Blowout]

similar to the PRTC, CGI, and SS/SRM rules



Okay I know that SRM is Sporting Rifle Match... What does the other stuff mean?

[Zak Smith]

http://coloradomultigun.com/prtc/
http://coloradomultigun.com/cgi/
http://steelsafari.com/
http://sportingriflematch.com/

[cofi]

would this be a good first event??? going to be in the #2 spot with an experienced shooter

[C Ward]

would this be a good first event??? going to be in the #2 spot with an experienced shooter

Depends on the shooter and their comfort level with new things . We all started somewhere . Also there is a train up / clinic there , http://thunderbeastarms.com/training/205-practical-field-shooting-workshop , on the 17th and 18th of Sept .

[Zak Smith]

Like Chuck said, we all started somewhere. If you do your research and train for it, there's no reason you couldn't do quite well. But make no mistake, this is not going to be anything like a club match. A lot of people are taken by surprise by the Steel Safari when they show up the first time, and this match is going to be harder than that one.

It's all about the level of "homework" and preparation you're willing to put in beforehand. There is enough information already posted to this thread, and through links posted here, to be very prepared for the match. Some of it is mental adjustment, some of it is skill, and some of it is physical.

When I shot the ITRC the first time, I had already verbally quizzed a match veteran for probably four hours, and then my partner and I made a preparation/training plan that we followed up to the match. I think we came in 13th out of 47 teams that year.

[Zak Smith]

Also, I am taking applications for RO teams. If you and your team-mate have relevant experience as range officers and want the opportunity to shoot this match without paying the match fee, please contact me privately. RO's will not get any competitive advantage over anyone else, but they will be shooting a day ahead of the main match.

[Zak Smith]

Application is posted

[Mendocino]

If you are a motivated carbine shooter that is interested in partnering with a long range shooter for the TBTC let me know. My expectation is to shot with my partner at least three times prior to the match, with one of those sessions at the Blue Steel Ranch. I am motivated and want to do well at the TBTC.

My expectation of a good fit for my skills would be at least a "mid-level" 3Gun shooter. I have the complete long range kit, shot a 52 at the last Sporting Rifle Match, and had a mediocre finish at my first Steel Safari with a 29th place finish.

PM me if interested.

[Zak Smith]

Mendocino is a good dude.

[J Tactical Firearms]

Application printed, match fees on standby, still lining up the other half of my team.

[Hoser]

App headed your way yesterday morning.

[J Tactical Firearms]

If anyone one is interested in teaming up for this match let me know via email. I can be the #1 or #2 shooter. The buddies I had in mind are not setup for this match or are busy with school. Thanks.

[mrfish83]

Looking forward to it! App is in the mail.

[J Tactical Firearms]

Thanks to Mr Fish my app is in the mail also. Looking forward to training up for and shooting this match.

[Zak Smith]

The match is not sold out yet, so get your apps in if you want to shoot this match. I am also still accepting RO applications.

thanks!

[mrfish83]

This should be an excellent match. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm amazed it hasn't sold out yet... think Steel Safari quality shooting/venue without the June heat!

[cofi]

if i found a cool long range guy i would sign up in a heartbeat but both my friends with big rifles are to fucking gay to join

[Hoser]

My app went in the mail the first day it was posted.

Looking forward to it. With Jimmy and Zak running the show you know it will be fun.

[C Ward]

Signed up with Butterpants , this should be a good match the terrain and location lends itself to being able to do things not possible elsewhere .

[banks74]

I am looking forward to this match as well. Tim and I shootin it.

[Zak Smith]

Just a reminder, we have several #205 classes coming up. These would make great "train ups" for this match, since we're using the same venue. Next class is this coming weekend.

[Zak Smith]

I posted some updated information here about stages, etc.
http://www.thunderbeastarms.com/forum/threads/2011-thunder-beast-team-challenge.99/#post-305

I could still use one or two people willing to RO who have 3Gun/USPSA RO'ing experience, or if not, are just willing to help tape/reset.

[Mendocino]

SPONSOR UPDATE

We have over $34,000 in prizes for the Thunder Beast Team Challenge!. The sponsors have really stepped up. Their generosity is particularly significant considering that this is a new match this year and was not budgeted by the sponsors. The shooting community is really blessed with such supportive businesses. Please have a look at the list below and make sure you patronize these fine companies.


Major Match Sponsor ($5000 or more)
Thunder Beast Arms Corporation

Silver Sponsor ($4000 to $4999)
Barrett Firearms

Bronze Level Sponsors ($2500 to $3999)
Magpul Industries
US Optics
Spindrift Targets

Sustaining Level Sponsors ($1250 to $2499)
Night Force
Angus Precision Target Systems
Hornady
Score High Gunsmithing
Steiner Binoculars

Associate Level Sponsors ($500 or less)
3 Gun Stuff
Bartlein Barrels
Black Hills Ammunition
Brian's Brass
Brownells
Burris Optics
CS Tactical
Euro Optics
Hodgdon
Hoser Brass
Impact Data Books
Kifaru
Lapua
Schmidt and Bender
Sierra Bullets
Sinclair International
Storm Tactical, Inc.
Talley Manufacturing
Triad Tactical
Victor Company
GA Precision

[Hoser]

Good news.

See you Thursday.

[Zak Smith]

Latest info here
http://www.thunderbeastarms.com/forum/threads/2011-thunder-beast-team-challenge.99/page-2

I'm heading down Sunday to change the course. If anyone needs to get in contact with me, try voicemail.