Today, 2/7/15, the first ever perfect 40 was shot at a record qualifying event in Pistol Caliber Cowboy Lever Action. It was shot by Eric Sundstrom of Glendale Arizona at the Arizona State Lever Action Championship.

Congratulations Eric!! Absolutely fantastic shooting.

Eric shot his perfect score in the afternoon 40 shot match at Ben Avery. In the morning match Jim Luke shot a 39 missing only one chicken.

In order to avoid future harassment and possible injury I must point out that Eric's amazing feat was only possible due to the equally amazing spotting of Kathleen Garvin.

Again Congratulations to ERIC SUNDSTROM for his new National Record.

Craig

Not bad for a Citadel boy! Congrats!!! Great spotting Kathleen.
Innocent

Awesome!! Congrats!

Dustin

Congratulations furshure!!! However, so that I can duplicate his feat, please provide all the details concerning gun, sights and load....I'm only kidding about duplicating that feat....unless I can add 3 or 4 matches together to get a 40!

CONGRATULATIONS again...a truly remarkable feat!

Congrats Eric!!!!

Congrats!

What rifle did he use for PC? Just looking to pick up a new gun, wondering what they shot.

Eric shoots a Winchester 94-22 Mag for PC. I was at the match, and that was some fine shooting.
I also have one of these rifles, although I don't shoot it anymore. I did win the Pa State PC title with it in 2009. I had to stop using it because my eyes changed and I couldn't see the sights on the shorter 22 in. barrel.

Al Foust

Great Job Eric and Jim Luke. Eric has been shooting great forever and he just keeps a great attitude all the time...Like Jim Luke. I think what needs to be said is I think both of these guys are about 70 years old and they are getting BETTER with age.

Yes indeedy....Eric shot extremely well the whole weekend. My job was to keep his head in the game and not blow it all by pulling his head up to see if the pig fell over. His lowest shot was about an inch above the belly line. All the rest of the hits were pretty close to center...an inch or two left....an inch or two right. Thanks to Joy for keeping the crowd away that only wanted to remind him..."you only have 10 more shots, and it's PIGS!!"

Thanks to Joy for keeping the crowd away that only wanted to remind him

Thank you Kathleen for pointing out something that needs to be recognized. More than once I have seen scores messed up by unintentional fellow shooters that interfere with a shooter in the "zone" at a match by reminding them of something like "I've never seen a 40 shot before and I think I'm about to see it because you only have chickens left", or in Eric's case pigs.

Guys and gals, if a shooter is doing well, let them stay in their match mindset, if you are not involved in the spotting etc, let the shooter/spotter alone until after the last shot.

Congrats again to the team that helped Eric get to this fantastic score.

Mary

Well said Mary.

And Glen - we're only as old as we feel - and that's a variable.

Michael

I assume that in state and local matches many perfect 40's have been earned but in the Nationals it is a first? Or has 40 never been achieved before?
I have shot just one match so I don't know anything yet.
Thanks

For a score to count as a National Record it must be shot at either a State Championship, Regional Championship or the National Championship. No other "prefect scores" count toward a National Record.

Regarding the number of previous "perfect scores" I personally know of only one but it was at a regular monthly match and was shot in Tucson by Chip Mate. There may well be others in PCCLA but I don't know about them. None of them, however, were shot at a record qualifying event.

Who won what?

Lee O'Neil won SBCLA with a 36 and 38 for a 74

Jim Luke won PCCLA with a 39 and 36 for a 75

Eric Sundstrom won CLA with a 38 and 34 for a 72

Some very nice shooting on 3 absolutely beautiful days. Some of the best weather we've had for our State Championship.