.50 Cal and Machine Gun Fun Shoot Sept. 14, 15 & 16

from Dudley Brown
Executive Director
exdir@rmgo.org
Rocky Mountain Gun Owners

Rocky Mountain Gun Owners isn’t a “shooting” organization – we leave that to other organizations that concentrate on shooting-related issues, and frankly do a better job (and which organizations are entirely incompetent in the political arena). RMGO is here to defend your rights to own, possess, carry and discharge firearms, largely in the field of politics.

But last year a group of large caliber shooters asked for our help, and we decided that aiding one major shoot per year wouldn’t signal a shift in our priorities and, well, would be darn fun. We did that last year, and this year are stepping up efforts to promote this fun event..

Called the “.50 Cal and Machine Gun Fun Shoot” (See http://www.rmgo.org/fiftycal.htm.), it might just be the most politically incorrect event in Colorado. While it is run as a very safe and organized event, it is a rare opportunity to see firearms in action that are not often viewed even on video. Other than a cornucopia of actions firing the .50 caliber cartridge, there are 20mm Swiss anti-tank weapons, bowling ball mortars, black powder cannons, fully automatic rifles and machine pistols of all types, and the list goes on. And these weapons are fired at fully reactive targets: partially filled propane tanks, vehicles filled with gas, etc. Everything is done in a safe manner, and everything is done with one goal in mind: celebrating liberty by having fun.

The event is fantastic for families, and draws large crowds of spectators. But be warned: the lure of actually firing a .50 cal at a propane tank can take hold of you – and often your wife or girlfriend, husband or son – quickly. With many firearms for rent – the owner of the firearm supervises everything, letting you simply enjoy the experience – the height of most people’s experience is firing one of these weapons.

Camping is available, and food will be available on-site. But bring your hearing protection, maybe a fold up chair, and certainly your camera or camcorder.

The event starts on Friday, September 14 at 3 pm. Saturday is the big shoot, when most of the reactive targets will be used. Saturday night is not to be missed, when we really show off the tracers and set off the big fireworks. We shoot until 10 pm on Saturday, so plan on a long night. Sunday the shoot lasts from 8 am until noon.

This year, the event is being held in the southwest corner of Morgan County. It is a 1 hour drive from downtown Denver, out in what we call “God’s country.” No worry about whiney liberals ruining this shoot, as we will be miles from civilization. Directions follow this message.

The price for admission is more than reasonable: Spectators pay $5 each ($3 for RMGO members), with children under 12 free. To get a shooting position, you must pay $75.

Rental prices on the guns are determined by the owners of those firearms, but you do not need to pay the $75 shooter’s entry fee (that is only required for those who bring their own weapons to shoot). .50 caliber firearms rent at 5 shots for $15 or 3 shots for $10. Smaller caliber weapons, including machine guns, will be priced considerably less.

If you need more information, call, e-mail or fax the RMGO office. But bring friends, family and anyone interested in real fireworks to our .50 cal shoot in September.

For a printable flier, go to http://www.rmgo.org/fiftycal.htm 

Directions:

From Denver on I-76 -- Exit at Hudson (30 miles from I-25) and go East on Highway 52 (though Hwy. 52 curves North to Wiggins, go straight East) for 37 miles on paved/dirt road to intersection of Road F & Road 14 (14 miles east of the Weld/Morgan county border). Follow the .50 signs! 

From I-70 -- Bennett exit go North on State Hwy. 79 for 23 miles to State Hwy. 52 at Prospect Valley; go East on Highway 52 (Hwy. 52 curves North to Wiggins, go straight East) to intersection of Road F & Road 14 (14 miles east of the Weld/Morgan county border). Follow the .50 signs!

From Northeastern Colorado: Exit I-76 into Fort Morgan Main street, and head south. Go east on Platte (Highway 34) ˝ mile to Sherman Street (which is actually Road 19) and head south out of town for 13 miles to Road F. Go west on F to road 14 (5 miles) and follow the signs south.