Elmer Keith Match Questions

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Last Post 03 August 2024

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cove posted this 30 April 2024

I found the Bud Hyett article "Elmer Keith Memorial Match Thoughts" in TFS#288 very interesting. I have gone to optical sights on my revolvers due to the fact that with open sights the front sight obscures the target when aiming at distant targets. To be able to accurately sight on and hit targets at 600 yards is amazing. I went to the "Keithshoot"website, but could not find any particulars, so my question are: 1- What are the sizes of the targets at the various distances and 2- Do they adjust sights for different distances or use holdover?

If I were to shoot a revolver out to 600 yards, the target could be confused with the neighbors barn

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sluggo posted this 30 April 2024

I remember reading an article that said his revolvers front sight had gold horizontal bars on it that he used to adjust his aim for distance. He must have had a good pair of eyeballs.

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Bud Hyett posted this 30 April 2024

All targets are steel plates hanging from a bar. The goal is the most points, you can shoot any selection of targets as you wish. The shooter has a map of the values for each target for planning his shooting. The nearest target line has several targets with more points for the smaller targets. The smallest target is a spinner on each end with the maximum points for spinning it. Hopefully, hitting this target with each shot will amass enough points to win. The medium targets are more points and again hitting with each shot will get a large number of points. Some shooters try to get the small spinner to amass the greater number of points while some shooters concentrate the medium range targets to get more points. Be there Friday morning for all the practice you can get to understand what you can do and map your strategy. Even hitting the edge of the target scores pints, this is simply for fun.

my questions are:

1- What are the sizes of the targets at the various distances? - Approximate sizes as the plates are flame-cut scrap from the junk yard.

The nearest target line has five targets ranging in size from 10X12, 24X18, two 4 inch spinners on the end of the bar.

The next target line has a 24X30 steel plate

The next target line has a 30X36 steel plate

The 600 yard line has a 48X48 steel plate.

2- Do they adjust sights for different distances or use holdover? - Both. I hold over as this is what I have always done. My friend has three loads and three sight settings he tries from his IMHSA days. This is with a .44 Magnum Blackhawk. A medium load with Unique for close, heavier load with 2400 for the second line, same 2400 load with sight up several clicks for the next line, and a full house 2400 load with many clicks up for 600 yard target. All loads with the Keith-style 245 grain bullet out of wheelweight alloy. He's shot many test and competition loads and knows his revolver.

If I were to shoot a revolver out to 600 yards, the target could be confused with the neighbors barn - You will be surprised at the accuracy you can achieve. Think of artillery firing miles away and coming within yards of the target, even sometimes on the target. During the Friday sighting-in practice, I once shot my S&W 696 just for fun with my 200 grain, 6.5 grains of Unique load. The next thing I saw was several shooters getting out their daily carry guns and banging away.

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Bud Hyett posted this 30 April 2024

I remember reading an article that said his revolvers front sight had gold horizontal bars on it that he used to adjust his aim for distance. He must have had a good pair of eyeballs. - And lots of practice.

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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RicinYakima posted this 30 April 2024

Keith never wore glasses until after his second stroke. He told me he tried to shoot 12 rounds every day at unmeasured distance, with the gun of the day, his grown up life. Think about how many rounds that would be.

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cove posted this 01 May 2024

Bud; Thanks for taking time to provide the above the information. A 48x48 target at 600 yards is mighty small. It sure would be interesting if you could report on this summers match. Thanks again - Bill

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Bud Hyett posted this 01 May 2024

I'm hoping to make the match this year. Right now I'm under an "absolutely no-shooting" restriction from my heart doctor.

The doctor has a heart monitor on me and he fears the recoil impulses will interfere. I'm doing well in that I'm in my twelfth month of remission, far better than two years ago.

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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Shuz posted this 02 May 2024

When and where is the Elmer Keith match this year?

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Bud Hyett posted this 02 August 2024

Replying to a question concerning this year's Elmer Keith Match, cannot get the private message function to work:

Hopefully you made it to the Elmer Keith Shoot and if you did, I would really like to know the results. – Didn’t make it, a cancer treatment and bone biopsy intervened - cancer comes first.

I can't stop being amazed that there are guys shooting at distances of up to 600 yards and hitting a relatively small target using open sights. – Think of how far an artillery piece accurately fires with a shorter barrel. Not a direct comparison, but similar. Ed Doonan and I shot 300 yards at water-filled gallon milk jugs with great hitting probability.

Farm boy from Illinois, living in the magical Pacific Northwest

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