www.templegunclub.com 1 Temple Gun Club, Inc THE POWDER KEG Officers Ken Gaby - President Arthur Chaput - Vice President Don Wyatt -Secretary/Treasure Ken Gaby - Recording Secretary Membership Jeff Howard – [email protected]Editors- Powder Keg Dave Hamel - [email protected]Ethan Begely - [email protected]Board of Directors Jason Armstrong 254-534-0739 Arthur Chaput 254-239-7321 Dick Dwinell 254-698-0085 Ken Gaby 254-780-2025 Stephen Hammonds 254-721-0534 Jeff Howard 208-741-0152 Erik Marshall 510-725-7499 Watt Taggart 254-760-4900 Don Wyatt 254-780-2664 Temple Gun Club P.O. Box 2027, Temple, TX 76503 [email protected]www.TempleGunClub.com RANGE MAINTENANCE – Aug. 31, 2021 – The grass has grown. Next Club Meeting – Sept. 13, 2021 RANGE MAINTENANCE – Sept. 25, 2021 – The grass has grown. From the President - 300-500 Yard Qualification The first qualification session for the 300-500 yd firing lines will begin Aug 28 th after completion of range maintenance. There will be additional sessions in Sept. The Board wants to insure those wishing to shoot from the 500 yd firing line can safely keep shots on target. There have been instances when shooters could not hit a 12X18” target from 200 yards. Knowing the proper come ups on scopes or iron sights from 500 yds is imperative to keep bullets from striking the ground 100 yds in front of the impact berm and causing a ricochet that leaves the range. Once members have qualified, your membership card will be annotated to show 300-500 yd qualified. When the membership card is annotated, members can print another copy of the card to show qualification. The Board is aware some people have shot in organized matches from long distance. If you have a current qualification of marksman or higher in some discipline of high power shooting, please forward a copy of that qualification card or screen print to Jeff Howard, membership Director at [email protected]Jeff will annotate your membership card accordingly. The qualification format will allow shooters to confirm zeros at 100 yds. Then shooters will have 10 shots to make 3 hits on a 12X18” steel target from 200 yds. Then shooters will repeat at 300 and 500 yds. Shooters will also be asked about the ballistics of the load they are shooting; velocity and bullet drop.
Transcript
www.templegunclub.com 1 Temple Gun Club, Inc
THE POWDER KEG
Officers Ken Gaby - President Arthur Chaput - Vice President Don Wyatt -Secretary/Treasure Ken Gaby - Recording Secretary
Board of Directors Jason Armstrong 254-534-0739 Arthur Chaput 254-239-7321 Dick Dwinell 254-698-0085 Ken Gaby 254-780-2025 Stephen Hammonds 254-721-0534 Jeff Howard 208-741-0152 Erik Marshall 510-725-7499 Watt Taggart 254-760-4900 Don Wyatt 254-780-2664
RANGE MAINTENANCE – Aug. 31, 2021 – The grass has grown. Next Club Meeting – Sept. 13, 2021
RANGE MAINTENANCE – Sept. 25, 2021 – The grass has grown.
From the President - 300-500 Yard Qualification
The first qualification session for the 300-500 yd firing lines will begin Aug 28th after completion of range maintenance. There will be additional sessions in Sept.
The Board wants to insure those wishing to shoot from the 500 yd firing line can safely keep shots on target. There have been instances when shooters could not hit a 12X18” target from 200 yards. Knowing the proper come ups on scopes or iron sights from 500 yds is imperative to keep bullets from striking the ground 100 yds in front of the impact berm and causing a ricochet that leaves the range.
Once members have qualified, your membership card will be annotated to show 300-500 yd qualified. When the membership card is annotated, members can print another copy of the card to show qualification.
The Board is aware some people have shot in organized matches from long distance. If you have a current qualification of marksman or higher in some discipline of high power shooting, please forward a copy of that qualification card or screen print to Jeff Howard, membership Director at [email protected] Jeff will annotate your membership card accordingly.
The qualification format will allow shooters to confirm zeros at 100 yds. Then shooters will have 10 shots to make 3 hits on a 12X18” steel target from 200 yds. Then shooters will repeat at 300 and 500 yds. Shooters will also be asked about the ballistics of the load they are shooting; velocity and bullet drop.
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Mid-Week Practice There are very few people at the range during the middle of the week. Here we have environmentally conscious green shooting. The target stand is a used wood fence picket with a cardboard box stapled to it. The targets are recycled (used only once) paper plates. Just keep stapling one plate over the top of the first one, and everything is ready for another round of shooting. To keep the picket upright, another piece of cardboard is folded and wedged into the gap between the concrete blocks at the base. It works and is cheap. Bringing your own target setup allows this lady practice without being distracted by other shooters. She has the entire pistol bay to herself. Hint: Use a large piece of cardboard, staple the plate to the edge of the box and not over the picket. Hopefully, the
picket survives the trip to the range.
Voter Integrity Legislation At the July meeting, Rep. Shine provided some insight into the delaying tactics being employed by the members of the Democratic Party who chose to leave the state so they could plead their agenda in Washington, DC. Some wags have characterized the overly dramatic act as a backdoor filibuster. The club members are now more aware of the inside baseball or inside the Texas legislature term called “chubbing” and calculated power to delay action by manipulating the calendar. When the opportunity arises, it is imperative to keep contacting the legislators and reminding them that their acts and/or foot-dragging are being monitored.
Construction Update In June 2021, the Powder Keg included a summary of the planned range upgrades. Well, the ball is rolling and the dues are being put to use.
Construction of the protective berms for the 300 and 500 yd firing lines began in mid-August. During the first week, the rifle firing lines on the west side of the range will be closed. Flag poles will be installed in the area west of the entry driveway to alert and warn range users that the extended rifle range is being used. Pay attention.
The new covered pistol firing line are closed because the concrete culverts have been relocated and incorporated into the berm along the 300-500 yd firing lines. New berms along the “new” pistol firing line will be assembled using tires and filled with dirt. For the long version of the design of the tire berm, contact Jeff Howard. The remainder of the range will remain open. After the initial dirt is removed in front of the rifle impact berm on the west side, the 100-200 yd firing line will be re-opened. Pay attention to warning signs and barricades. Construction will take approximately 2 weeks weather permitting.
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Bryan Washko, Sergeant in Media and Communications Texas Department of Public Safety
How long have you worked at the DPS and how long in your current position? I began my law enforcement career in 1998 with the Killeen Police Department. I hired on with TXDPS in February 2006. Spent the majority of my career on patrol. I promoted to Sergeant in Media and Communications in 11/2019 As the local spokesperson for the department, do you have a territory that you commonly work? Do you interface with local TV and radio broadcasters? Do you prefer TV or radio interviews? In this role, are you on call 24x7 to be the public face when there is an emergency situation? I cover San Saba, Mills, Lampasas, Hamilton, Coryell, Bell , and Milam Counties. Yes, I respond to any major incident such as a fatal crash, officer involved shooting, or any mass casualty incidents or natural disaster. Basically I respond to any emergency that DPS personnel respond to and that there will be a media presence. I do many media interviews both television and radio. Yes, on call 24/7. For your current role, did you have professional training like college or some other course to prepare you for job as a spokesperson? In Texas, does the department employ others in a similar role? Are these assignments segregated into regions? I have 2 years of college and I completed the Basic Public Information Officer Course. However, I feel what helps me the most in this position is my 23 years of road experience and my daily interactions with the public. In DPS there are 22 PIO Sergeant positions across the state. They are divided within our 7 Regions across the State. Besides your role, do have another work-related experience that you would like to share? I am thinking of another job or special assignment that was particularly memorable for you. In 2011 I had the honor of being selected to assist the Executive Protection Bureau in DPS for then Governor Rick Perry’s Presidential Campaign. I travelled with Gov. Perry across the USA as an Agent with EPB from the moment he announced in August of 2011. I held this position until he dropped from the race in January 2012. My role was to provide protection to Gov. Perry and to map out and advance the routes as Gov. Perry made multiple campaign stops around the country. After his campaign I went back to being a road Trooper. In February 2019 I promoted back to the EPB and provided security for Governor Abbott in Austin. I left this EPB for my current position. Since this is a military community, I will ask the obvious question, if you served in the armed forces? I have not personally served, however my father was retired military US Army Vietnam Veteran and Silver star recipient. My older brother Steven Washko is currently in his final year(23 years) as Lt. Colonel in the US Air Force. He is a navigator on the AWACS reconnaissance aircraft, my younger brother David is in his 13th year in the US Navy as a Sea Bee. I chose to become a Trooper at age 11 and went into college four days after graduating high school in order to have enough credit hours in order to apply for DPS when I turned 21 years old. By far the biggest regret I have is that I have not served in our armed forces, looking back I feel I missed out on an amazing opportunity to serve our country as well as continue with my family tradition. My 19 year old son Dillan Washko is currently in the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC. Dillan entered in July 2020. I am needless to say so very proud of him and his accomplishments. How often does the DPS require you to qualify for use of your sidearm? Do you have a preferred firearm? We qualify every quarter. We are issued the Sig Sauer P320 9mm
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Growing up, do you recall your first firearm? If so, what was it? Did you purchase it or was it a gift? [I remember my first 22-rifle.] My first firearm was Christmas 1985 from my dad, Marlin 22 cal rifle, my brother and I both got one. My dad would take us to Ft. Hood shooting range on Saturdays and we would practice. Are you familiar with the location of the Temple Gun Club’s range facility? If so, have you seen it since it was renovated in the past year? No Sir, haven’t seen it. Do any the officers or their families avail themselves of the shooting sports at local range facilities? Do any of the local officers work with youth in the 4-H shooting sports program? I am unaware if any of our Troopers in this area are involved in any extracurricular shooting sports, or involved in 4-H In August, a representative from U.S. LawShield made a presentation to the Temple Gun Club. Without particular details of an incident, are the DPS officers familiar with U.S. LawShield and their recommended policies for interacting with law enforcement. Enclosed is a copy of my membership card in case you have not seen the latest information provided to members. (If this question is diving into department policies issues, please suggest a name or office where that type of question can be covered.) I have seen similar cards like this. From a DPS standpoint I can say is that if stopped by a Trooper or any other LE on a Traffic stop, the minimum required by Texas law is to provide a valid driver license and proof of insurance information. If they choose not to engage in small talk or questioning by an officer that is their right. Now to add to that if an officer inquires to a criminal investigation for example questioning a driver if there is evidence of possible intoxication during a traffic stop, then that is something I can elaborate on if desired. Just in case, some curious soul wonders how I found Bryan. The simple answer is accident, but not a vehicular accident. Since I do not watch TV, my only exposure to him is his daily routine at the local gym and the pleasure of meeting a new acquaintance. It was nice to get such a well-rounded interview from Sgt. Washko.
Monthly Range Rule Reminders Please note the Board has updated the range rules, so the prevailing document is dated June 14, 2021.
Temple Gun Club’s Range Rules and Safety Rules are on the website: Log-in, then click the Members Only tab, and click Range Rules. The three-page document includes the rules and safety standards for the facility. With the construction and changing layout, remember to be on the alert for barricades, signage, and modified range layout. You are the safety officer, groundskeeper, and trash removal team leader.
Rule Reminder: Members must display TGC membership card on their person while on the range. The targets may include paper, cardboard, and polymer material, but nothing else.
Upcoming Speakers – September 2021 The 4-H Club will be the featured guest speaker. If you have a youngster boy or girl who is looking for an extra-cirricular activity the presentation will be the place to get a quick overview of the Shooting Sports offered by the 4-H. The next club meeting is Monday, 13-September-2021 at the Harris Community Center in Belton, TX.
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Programs
Temple Gun Club Thursday Night Steel Match is 3 stages of family fun held from May until mid August at Temple Gun Club Range 3924 FM 438 Loop, Temple, TX 76501. The minimum round count for the match is 75 rounds, but always bring more in case you miss. Please make sure you arrive early for check in. If you have any questions, please email us at [email protected]. Jason Armstrong, Match Director.
Tigertown 4-H Club provides a Shooting Sports activity for the youth from 3rd-12th grades. The club’s activities and venues are as follows:
• Archery practices alternating Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at the CWUWCD in Belton; • Rifle practices alternating Sundays at 2:00 p.m., and the opposite Tuesdays at 6:00
p.m. at the Temple Gun Club; • Shotgun practices Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at Webers in Troy; and • Muzzle loading practices usually precede the Sunday rifle practices, weather
permitting.
The activities are posted on FaceBook< https://www.facebook.com/tigertown4h/> and on Bell County’s FaceBook page < https://www.facebook.com/BellCounty4H/> Barbara Wood can provide more detailed information ([email protected] or text at 254-624-6507) Barbara has a day job, so the return call may be in the evening.
Proposed Ban on All Interstate Transport of Wildlife The full article written by Bob McNally in OutdoorLife (Aug. 09, 2021) is another wakeup call-- regulations by the federal government is going to get more rigorous and intrusive. The existing legislation is based upon transportation laws requiring compliance with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and is being hitched to the unstopped regulation of all things COVID. Apparently, one disease is just like another when it comes to regulating firearms directly or indirectly. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) “are leveraging fear of COVID-19 to push forth their anti-hunting agenda.” The article provided me with a new word “zoonoses” which are “infectious diseases that jump from animals to people.” [It seems reasonable to search for the word that covers the reverse leap from humans to animals. Perhaps, a well-read club member or crafty wordsmith can send a suggestion to the PK editor.] The CBD and NRDC are petitioning Deb Haaland, the Secretary of the Department of Interior, and Martha Williams, the head of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “to use their authority under the Lacey Act, Endangered Species Act, and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.” In the editor’s opinion, if these agency administrators claim they have existing legislative authority, there probably will be no congressional hearings or publication for public comment in linked to publication in the Federal Register. This is being pushed forward under the cloud of protecting the public health. If hunting is shutdown or rendered economically insignificant, the next logical step is to question the need for hunting arms and hunting ammunition. It is probably appropriate
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for the TGC members to read and research articles being published at OutdoorLife because they are covering relevant topics. Archived Source: https://archive.is/Gr3XU
Remington Ammunition On the August 02, 2021, Outdoor Life published an article by Alex Robinson that provides insight into the durability of the 200 year old brand associated with the Remington name. The ammunition plant is located in Lonoke, Arkansas. As of October 2020, the facility is now owned by Vista Outdoor which also owns “brands like Federal Premium, CCI, and Speer.” Prior to this change in ownership, prior owners included an investment firm and the creditors made decisions “that hurt Remington’s quality and reputation.” That is a polite way of saying the company lost sight of their customer, so their cash cow went dry. The article cites the core products like Core-Lokt which “is the best-selling deer ammunition in the history of America.” Of course, actions by various federal agencies may derail those sale projects, as described in the preceding article. Besides the discussion of quality control and testing to the article dives into other legal clouds remaining and the overall restructuring of brands and manufacturing sites. Overall, the article is a good summary of the manufacturing business. Archived Source: https://archive.is/PZSzC
New Tag Team- GOA & Ammoland On August 9, 2021, John Crump posted an article at Ammoland.com announcing that Ammoland and GOA had recently acquired the “compete Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P.) Manual for the ATF’s Firearms & Ammunition Technology Division (FATD). Persistence and research (maybe good fortune from some source) led to crafting a request with the precise nomenclature that identified the material which resulted in a successful production of documents using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). For effective lobbying, the Gun Owners of America (GOA) led the fight and has provided the manual to Ammoland so that it may be examined more closely and be the foundation for future articles. Some of the future topics may include discussion of armor-piercing ammunition, non-evidentiary firearms, and may also cover methods and procedures for the FATD training. Archived Source: https://archive.is/AbKlT
Winchester Ammo Recall In case you may have missed it, the TGC sent an email blast on June 25, 2021 alerting members to a product recall of WINCHESTER® 9mm Luger 115 grain. The subject line on the email is “Winchester 9mm Recall.”
