Newsletter

UNIVERSITY RIFLE CLUB

Newsletter

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UNIVERSITY RIFLE CLUB, INC., an NRA Affiliated Club since 1917

P.O. Box 13371, READING, PA 19612

NEWSLETTER AND DUES NOTICE FOR THE YEAR 2010

DUES AND INITIATION FEES:

The application fee was increased to $125.00 and the annual dues were raised to $40.00 for Sr. and $3.00 for Assoc. & Jr. as passed by motion at the October meeting in order to help with the increased costs of operations..

REGARDING GUESTS:

ALL GUESTS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED AT ALL TIMES BY A CURRENT CLUB MEMBER. Guests are expected to join the club if they intend to use the range facilities. (See By Laws, article XI, section 3 for further rules concerning guests) The purpose for the guest privilege is to introduce people to the club. A MEMBER MAY HAVE ONLY TWO (2) GUESTS AT THE RANGE AT ANY ONE TIME.

BY-LAWS:

Copies of our BY-LAWS may be had from the Secretary/Treasurer on request.

SPECIAL ATTENTION:

PLEASE READ THIS! Have your range card with you when you come to the range. The 2009 and 2010 gate lock combination will be on the back of your 2010 Range Card. The 2009 combination will remain on the lock until March 31, 2010. The 2010 combination will be used after this date. Please SPIN the numbers when you unlock the gate, and place the unlocked lock in the hasp on the pole. When you leave, close the gate, insert and reclose the lock in the hasps. This way the combination will not be shown on the lock at any time the lock is not attended.

Thanks to all those members who have attended meetings, helped on work parties, made target frames, did chores and attended club events in 2009. KEEP IT UP in 2010. WE NEED MORE OF YOU TO GET INVOLVED WITH MAINTAINING AND RUNNING THE CLUB! We miss those of you who said they would attend meetings but have yet to show up at one. Only 32 members attended one or more meetings in 2009.

Your talents really ARE needed. The club needs people with administrative, computer, mechanical and labor skills. Please come to the meetings, especially the winter meetings at Daniel Boone Homestead, to find out how your skills can make URC a better organization OR EVEN TO KEEP IT IN EXISTENCE.

Meeting attendance was essentially the same as last year, 116 as against 136. There were TWO cancelled meetings this year for lack of a Quorum.

The Range Familiarization Committee members would prefer members who are interested in joining a club as against people who “only want a place to shoot".

Members who live close to the club are invited to make visits to the range from time to time to observe what is going on and to check to see that shooters are members or guests and that the gate is closed and locked if no one is present. We must increase our security, the gate lock is one part of this. The butts still needs two target holders installed but recent HP attendance has been so low that these holders may not be necessary. The repair of the drainage pipe which was crushed by a heavy vehicle trying to drive behind the butts is still not done. DO NOT DRIVE BEYOND THE CHAIN AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE BUTTS!

The University Rifle Club now has a Web Site. The address is http://www.universityrifle.org. The web site contains information about our club including the current year newsletter, match schedules, work party schedules, directions to the clubhouse and to Daniel Boone Homestead (winter meetings site), and photographs. Please use our web site to look up any dates in question. The web site also has links to the NRA and CMP.

Work continues to our south as Pathfinder Meadows is progressing with their construction in this eastern section of their property but has slowed because of the housing slowdown. At least 25 homes have been constructed but none of this work is near our boundary yet. However, by this summer construction along our south boundary will probably be under way. At that time we will have to erect a fence from the end of the "Sound Barrier Fence" that Pathfinder will construct to our new eastern boundary. This is along the south side of Parcel A which they have ceded to us as per our agreement with them. We may want to extend this fence along part or all of the eastern boundary of this parcel. This will require more help in the work details when it gets underway.

URC is sponsoring a Venture Crew of the Boy Scouts of America. If you have youth between 14 and 20 who might be interested in experience in a Venture Crew on Shooting Sports, have them contact Bob Batdorf at 610-373-7356. This crew will be shooting the Smallbore range and possibly other ranges in the evenings of the first and third Wednesdays of the month in 2010.

RANGE CARDS:

Every member is supplied with a range card upon payment of their yearly dues. Have this card with you when you use the ranges. It will contain the yearly combination for the gate. We ask each member to ask anyone using the range to see their range card. Introduce yourself as a member and politely request that they show you their card. You should show your card to them. Remember any member may have two guests with them but the responsible member must be present and have his or her card. Politely ask any unaccompanied nonmember to leave and report the incident to one of the Executive Committee members. Associate members and Junior members (less than 21 years old) must be accompany by a senior member while at the range. THEY MAY NOT ATTEND THE RANGE OR SHOOT THERE BY THEMSELVES.

RANGE SAFETY:

REMEMBER: SHOOT ONLY AT PAPER TARGETS ON PROPER FRAMES SO BULLETS IMPACT INTO PROVIDED EARTHEN BACKSTOPS. NO CANS OR PLASTIC BOTTLES! KEEP ALL ACTIONS OPEN, MAGAZINES AND CHAMBERS EMPTY BEHIND THE FIRING LINE. OPEN CHAMBER INDICATORS FOR RIFLES ARE AVAILABLE FOR $1.00 FROM ANY OFFICER.

Whenever a person is forward of the firing line, all firearms must be cleared with actions open, magazines out and cylinders empty. If you want to check targets be sure that all shooters clear their guns before you walk down range. Remember that shooters with ear protection in place may not hear you if you only call for a target-check or change. Shooters on the pistol range or the 100-yd range cannot see each other without doing some walking.

NOTES OF SPECIAL IMPORTANCE!:

NRA MEMBERS: When you pay your yearly dues or for any correspondence, mention that you are a member of Club #1177.

CMP CORRESPONDENCE: If you correspond with the CMP for any reason, mention that you are a member of Club #25210.

The URC property has been closed for hunting since January 1, 2005 by motion of the membership.

The 300-yard range may not be used when there is anyone in front of the 300-yard firing line on any range of the club! IF SOMEONE IS USING THE 300-YARD RANGE WHEN YOU ARRIVE, YOU MUST WAIT BECAUSE THE OTHER RANGES ARE CLOSED! No one may give any shooter the OK to use any other range when the 300-yard range is in use! Since 300 yard shooting closes all ranges, 300-yard shooters should limit their use to a reasonable time if other shooters arrive at the club and wish to shoot.

IT IS CRITICAL TO OBSERVE ALL OF THE RULES OF OUR RANGE, PARTICULARLY THE INJUNCTION AGAINST SHOOTING ACROSS RANGES! WE ARE BEING SURROUNDED WITH DEVELOPMENTS. BULLETS MUST STAY ON THE RANGE!

SIGN-IN PROCEDURE:

PLEASE DO NOT PUT CHECK MARKS TO INDICATE THE RANGE YOU USED. WE NEED TO KNOW THE BULLET DIAMETER FIRED ON EACH RANGE AND THE DATE FIRED. We don’t want to know the firearm, just the bullet diameter you fired. There is a listing of calibers and their diameter in the sign-in box. The smallbore rifle range is restricted to .22 cal. rimfire rifles. No pistols here! There have been 599 members/visitor-attendances reported in the past 12 months up from 691 a year ago. You MUST sign in and out, even if you do not shoot. You may suffer loss of range privileges if you don’t.

RANGE SCHEDULING:

From time to time U.R.C. will sanction and schedule certain activities including, but not limited to, Construction, Police Training, Competitions or Work Sessions, which will require that the ranges be closed. This authority is reserved to the Executive Committee and/or the Executive Officer. Check the Bulletin Board at sign-in for notices of these closings.

REMEMBER! No general member or group of general members, by themselves, may restrict or reserve or collect any fees for the usage of any club facility. Full cooperation is required and expected from the general membership. Requests for reservations must be presented to the executive board well in advance of the desired dates so that notices may be posted.

SMALLBORE RANGE COMMENTS:

The following rules apply:

1. Remember that the smallbore rifle range is restricted to .22 cal rimfire.

2. No pistols on the smallbore rifle range.

3. No 22 magnum loads.

UNIVERSITY RIFLE CLUB RANGE RULES:

1. The use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or illegal substances shall at all times be forbidden on our premises.

2. Whenever any person is forward of the firing line, all weapons on the firing line must be cleared and on safe. All weapons behind the firing line must have actions open and chambers, magazines, and/or cylinders free of any cartridges at all times.

3. The 300-yard firing range may not be used when there is anyone in front of the 300-yard firing line on any range of the club. If someone is using the 300-yard range when you arrive you must wait because all other ranges are closed until that person is finished shooting. Please, wait in the upper parking lot and speak to the shooter.

4. No shooting at aerial targets with rifles or pistols.

5. The use of automatic weapons is forbidden on our ranges.

6. The Club provides the proper target holders for use on all rifle and pistol ranges and are the only hold used. These are designed to insure that all shots hit the proper backstops to prevent ricochets. Only regulation targets shall be used on all ranges. No cans, bottles, or plastic jugs are allowed. Do not stand anything on the railroad ties on any range or deliberately shoot at them or at target frames and/or holders on any range.

7. On the Smallbore Rifle range only .22 rimfire short, long, and long rifle may be used. (No Magnum loads permitted no Center-fire loads, no jacketed loads.)

8. No cross firing from one range to another. All shots must be in the set direction of the established shooting position to the target set up locations. (No angle shots)

9. Any member may challenge another member on any breach of rules or misuse of the range.

10. Any active member who brings an eligible guest to shoot on the range more than three times in any year, that guest shall be expected to join the club as an active member.

Members are responsible for the safety and conduct of their guests.

11. Any member abusing range privileges faces immediate expulsion according to Article XI of the By Laws.

12. The use of Pyrotechnic and/or incendiary devices or Tracer Projectiles is prohibited on our premises.

13. Members and guests must wear eye and ear protection when shooting on our ranges.

RANGE HOURS:

Monday through Saturday SUNRISE TO SUNSET

Sundays 9:00 AM TO SUNSET

(Note: High-Power Matches generally are finished by 4:30 PM)

ALL RANGES ARE OPEN EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR EXCEPT FOR SCHEDULED EVENTS AND SPECIAL SITUATIONS SUCH AS WORK DETAILS, GRASS MOWING, AND THE PRESENCE OF CONTRACTORS DOING WORK. CHECK POSTED SCHEDULES ON PAGE 4 FOR ACTUAL MATCH DATES AND THE BULLETIN BOARD FOR SPECIAL OCCASION DATES, WHICH WERE NOT KNOWN AT THIS PRINTING. WORK PARTIES ARE HELD ON THE THIRD SATURDAY OF THE MONTH. CHECK THE BULLETIN BOARD EACH TIME YOU SIGN IN.

MEETING SCHEDULE:

General membership meetings of the club are held on the SECOND THURSDAY of every month at 7:30 PM at the Club House with the exception of the DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY and MARCH meetings which are held at the Daniel Boone Homestead (See the "Directions" web page) meeting hall off Daniel Boone Road because of the difficulty in driving out of the club road on ice or snow. We must increase the attendance at these meetings if we are to call ourselves a club. PLEASE ATTEND THESE GENERAL MEETINGS! No action on new memberships or any other business of the club can be done if we lack a quorum of only 7 members. Meetings are now being conducted according to Robert's Rules, which serve to expedite the flow of business in an orderly fashion.

In order to be eligible to vote for officers or to hold office, you must attend at least 3 meetings during the 12 months prior to the election meeting (October) in the case of voting rights, or prior to the nominating meeting (September) in the case of officership rights. This is in accordance with Article VII, Sections 1 and 4 of the By Laws as approved May 14, 1998 by the club membership.

MATCH SCHEDULES FOR THE YEAR 2010:

HIGH POWER MATCHES N.R.A. APPROVED*

March 7 Sunday 50 shot Offhand at 200 yards

April 11 Sunday 80 shot Regional Match Course

May 2 Sunday 80 shot Regional Match Course

June 6 Sunday 80 shot Regional Match Course

July 4 Sunday 80 shot Regional Match Course

September 5 Sunday 80 shot Regional Match Course

October 3 Sunday 80 shot Regional Match Course

NEW FUN MATCH NOT APPROVED BY NRA

April 10 and October 2, Saturdays. 60 shot "3x600 yd" Match at 300 yd on MR-63 targets. Fire 3 20-shot relays of 22 minutes each with 2 sighters. Use any gun with any sights. Fees $10.00. No prizes paid out.

All NRA Matches: Registration at 7:00 AM Shooting starts at 9:00 AM

Fees: 50 shot matches $22.00 (Jrs. $17.00), 80 shot matches $25.00 (Jrs. $20.00).

Copies of the programs for these shoots are available from the sec/treas and on the web site.

*ALL N.R.A. RULES CURRENTLY IN FORCE WILL APPLY

SUNDAY SMALLBORE MATCHES AND POLICE TRAINING SESSIONS:

There are no smallbore shoots for this year, but the Venture Crew will use that range on the evenings of the first and third Wednesdays of the month. For police schedules, check the outside bulletin board at the clubhouse or call Glen Huls, 610-927-1810..

LOW-STRESS, ACTION PISTOL MATCHES, NOT NRA APPROVED:

March 13 Saturday

April 17 Saturday

May 8 Saturday

June 12 Saturday

July 10 Saturday

August 14 Saturday

September 11 Saturday

October 9 Saturday

November 6 Saturday

Silhouette and Nu-Bold targets used with any safe gun. Timed 12 shots, 2 at each of 3 targets and one shot at each of 6 discs at 7 yards with 1 reload. Shooter fires 3 such rounds. Score is point score divided by time. Best of 3. FEE $5.00 Option to shoot Bullseye afterwards. For information, call John Walsh at 610-779-1821.

Firing starts at 9:00 AM for all matches.

SATURDAY WORK DETAIL SCHEDULE:

May 16 Saturday

June 20 Saturday

July 18 Saturday

August 15 Saturday

September 19 Saturday

October 17 Saturday

These work parties run from 9:00AM to 12 NOON on the third Saturday of 6 months. Members who have indicated a willingness to help with these by answering the question on the dues notice will be called as needed earlier in the week of the detail. If the weather is questionable on the day of the detail, you should make up your mind as to what to do. You may participate at any of these without a scheduling call if you really want to help. This would be a big help especially if you can bring a weed whacker with you. We will supply gas mix and whacker line. Other useful equipment to bring: rakes, shovels, chain saws, brush loppers, pick-up trucks, and the safety equipment that you normally use.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING ALL CLUB MEMBERS:

Your club will strive to maintain or replace the target frames, cardboards and target supports but this cannot always be assured. Members are encouraged to look after their own needs by providing their own cardboard backers that can be attached to the target frames. USE THE TARGET FRAME SUPPORTS but shoot at the targets, NOT the supports. DO NOT PLACE ANY TARGETS OR HOLDERS ON THE GROUND OR RAILROAD TIES! If any of you members that are handy with wood construction and would like to make frames, go at it, we will pay for any materials you use. Please police your brass after you shoot to control the litter on the range. If you don't reload , place the brass in the containers on the porch rather than in the trash barrels. NO LIVE ROUNDS IN EITHER PLACE.

ALL OTHER RANGES ARE CLOSED FOR THESE SCHEDULED EVENTS!

NRA MEMBERSHIP:

While we do not require NRA membership to join or be a member of this club, we would like you to seriously consider joining at this time as there will be a serious push to control and restrict our use of firearms in the coming administration. If you do join or rejoin, mention that you are a member of Club 1177. NRA # is 1-800-672-3888. Thanks.