First Varmint Rifle Competition

June 25, 2012

In spite of the windy conditions on Sunday, our first BMRPA Varmint Rifle Competition was a success. Sixteen shooters signed up and we had enough competitors for all 3 classes.


The wind was a real challenge. 10 to 15 mph was predicted but, judging by bullet deflection, it was a heck of a lot faster. Add to that the compound shifting over the burms. In the words of one of our competitors, “It was a humbling experience.” The targets appeared to be something new to our group, as well. There are 10 varmint silhouettes of various sizes, each having a small white circle within the shape. A hit in that circle is worth 10 more points than a body hit. At 200 yards, some of those circles are mighty small.


Top scores and winners:


Factory class: Despite the wind conditions, Richard Schatz shot an impressive 305 out of 400 with his .223 taking 1st place, Chris Brown came in 2nd with his .220 Swift at 245 and Jay McNamara shot 3rd with his .270, scoring 180.


Custom class: It was Richard Schatz in 1st with 205 using a 6 Dasher, Chris Strand, 2nd, shooting a .308 for 175 and Brent Lipelt, in 3rd, scoring 155 with a 6 Dasher.


AR class: There were only 2 shooters. Myriam Vennie took 1st with 85 and Steve Langlie, 2nd with 70. Both were shooting .223 cal.


The full tally is here: June 24, 2012 Varmint Rifle Competition Results


A few minor issues were found that we will correct for the next shoot. We found that, sometimes, a shooter would align on the wrong target after recoil. That resulted in an occasional cross shoot. At the next shoot, we’ll remind the shooters to verify their target number and we will provide numbers on the back boards to help. We will also give a 2 minute warning before cease fire. The windy conditions were something I should have considered. As a result, there will be a sight-in time anytime before 9:30 a.m. That will give shooters time to zero for conditions and allow time to set the match targets before the start of the match.


Yup, we’re going to schedule another match. Everyone enjoyed the challenge and opportunity to compete so much that I was asked to set up another match. I’ve put in a request to Tom Thompson to schedule a match for the 21st of July. As soon as I get word from Tom, I’ll let you all know via the web site.


I want to thank all who participated for their patience and their help in making the match a success. It was good to see everyone enjoy themselves.



Gary Vennie

January 18, 2026
Dear BMRPA Members, It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to let all of you know that the BMRPA has lost one of its founding fathers. Marlin Fried, the namesake of the Fried Family Marksmanship Center, passed away this week. He is survived by his wife Leanne, children and grandchildren. While Marlin has not been active as a shooter with BMRPA for several years, we would still occasionally see him at the outdoor range in his red Chevy pickup, tending to the trees he had planted. In years before, many of you might have known Marlin from Gun City, the shop he started on Main Street in Bismarck. For those of you have never made it to Gun City, it was the type of unique gun store we don’t really get to see anymore. Not all of the trees at the Fried Family Marksmanship Center were planted by Marlin but a great many of them were. He embodied the spirit of old men planting trees which they will never live to enjoy the shade of. It was that spirit of providing for future generations and his enthusiasm for marksmanship and firearms ownership that inspired Marlin to donate the land that the Fried Family Marksmanship Center sits on today. The BMRPA, a club founded by competitive shooters coming together never had its own facility before Marlin’s gift. It was that gift by Marlin and the Fried Family that was one of the greatest factors turning the BMRPA into an organization that provides opportunities for competitors, youth and female shooters and provides a space to exercise our freedom. For that gift, we are thankful and appreciate how uncommon an act such as that is.  So, Marlin and the Fried Family, we thank you! We also wish to express our condolences to the Fried family for their loss during this sad time. A memorial service will be held at 11:30AM on Monday, January 19, 2026, and visitation will be held Sunday, January 18, at 5:30PM at Bismarck Funeral Home, and 7pm prayer service. https://www.bismarckfuneralhome.com/obituaries/marlin-fried Tom Headrick President, BMRPA
November 25, 2025
2025-26 Junior Marksmanship Program
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