Long-range shoot debuts at Benge

Cory Sowell of Texas lines up a shot last Saturday at a stop along the “Course of Fire” at Blue Ridge Ranch.

A new event in a new sport took place June 4 near Benge.

Blue Ridge Ranch, a stretch of land in the Cow Creek-Cherana Basin, held its first Northwest Precision Rifle League Shoot.

The day-long contest featured competitors shooting at targets from distances of 350 yards to 1,200.

“It's a huge sport that few people know about,” said Jason Cronk of Blue Ridge Ranch. “It's not a spectator sport.”

Participants use special long-range, custom-built rifles to aim at eight-inch and 24-inch steel...