09/20/2026
Well the crowd was light, temps were tolerable and the winds were tricky for the 108th running of “The Greatest Lil Match in Texas” formally known as “Rodney’s 5 and Drive” or “The Way Out West 500yd Shootout”.
I’ve seen a lot of people come through the meat grinder of a match that this thing became in its early years. Those that have stayed and paid their dues, have become nothing short of some of the best shooters in the country.
It’s a family reunion that I look forward too each and every month, even though I may bitch and gripe about it right up to and including the morning of the match!
It’s a pain the ass some months! Not gonna lie, but the amazing part is that, once the setup is complete, the prayers been said and the bu****it and laughter begins to flow, mixing itself with the crack of the r***e and the smell of gunpowder in the air, the whole world seems like a smaller place and I find myself forgetting about anything else but just the enjoyment of the experience!
Life stops happening for 4 hours out of the month and biggest concern in the world is “Where’s my bolt???”
Good times with great people! Thank you to those that have come, those that have went, and especially to those that have stayed!!!
First Place was handed to Dennis Hays today on a big white steel platter by Nick Hill that got served up a big ol dish of WTF I missed the 6” plate and cost myself $70 and became the first loser! Reminding us all it ain’t over till it’s over and don’t take a shot for granted! It’s still 500yds!
Third place went to Sam Marks who fortunately at least didn’t have to battle his brother in the finals this month!
Fourth Place was Frank Davis who shot well all day, just got tricked by the wind a little on the last 2 relays!
Pam Monts soon to be Doty, or maybe it’s going to be Rocky Monts if she keeps shooting the way she has been, once again came out on top of the Factory Class! That win earned her a spot in the open class come January and the start of the new season!
David Harral was the cold bore winner today with an almost dead center hit on the playing card! Literally cut the both the horizontal and vertical crosshairs on the card! Luckily for him he was shooting a 284 because newcomer Jon Shanks almost made us get the calipers out to measure! He cut the vertical line but was about .020” off the horizontal crosshair with his cold bore target with a Factory Savage 110! He was shooting a 6.5 so damn near the difference in bullet diameter is what separated the two! They were the only 2 too hit the playing card today and for both to almost be dead center, that was pretty cool! Also Ryder Lee shot a new Qualifying Score record of 72 out of a possible 80! That’s impressive, I don’t care who you are!!!
Once again, thank you all for your continued support! Wouldn’t be what it is without you guys!
See y’all same Bat time, same Bat channel next month on the 25th!
