THE POWDER KEG - Temple Gun Club
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THE POWDER KEG
Officers Board of Directors
Ken Gaby - President Jason Armstrong 254-534-0739
Arthur Chaput - Vice President Arthur Chaput 254-239-7321
Don Wyatt -Secretary/Treasure Dick Dwinell 254-698-0085
Ken Gaby - Recording Secretary Ken Gaby 254-780-2025
Stephen Hammonds 254-721-0534
Membership Jeff Howard 208-741-0152
Jeff Howard – tgcmembership2@gmail.com
Erik Marshall 510-725-7499
Editors- Powder Keg Watt Taggart 254-760-4900
Dave Hamel - HAMEL484@live.com Don Wyatt 254-780-2664
Ethan Begely - chimeraofarezzo@gmail.com
Temple Gun Club TempleGunClub@gmail.com
P.O. Box 2027, Temple, TX 76503 www.TempleGunClub.com
RANGE MAINTENANCE – Aug. 31, 2021 – The grass has grown.
Next Club Meeting – Sept. 13, 2021
RANGE MAINTENANCE – Sept. 25, 2021 – The grass has grown.
From the President - 300-500 Yard Qualification
The first qualification session for the 300-500 yd firing lines will begin Aug 28th after
completion of range maintenance. There will be additional sessions in Sept.
The Board wants to insure those wishing to shoot from the 500 yd firing line can safely
keep shots on target. There have been instances when shooters could not hit a 12X18”
target from 200 yards. Knowing the proper come ups on scopes or iron sights from 500
yds is imperative to keep bullets from striking the ground 100 yds in front of the impact
berm and causing a ricochet that leaves the range.
Once members have qualified, your membership card will be annotated to show 300-500
yd qualified. When the membership card is annotated, members can print another copy
of the card to show qualification.
The Board is aware some people have shot in organized matches from long distance. If
you have a current qualification of marksman or higher in some discipline of high power
shooting, please forward a copy of that qualification card or screen print to Jeff Howard,
membership Director at tgcmembership2@gmail.com Jeff will annotate your
membership card accordingly.
The qualification format will allow shooters to confirm zeros at 100 yds. Then shooters
will have 10 shots to make 3 hits on a 12X18” steel target from 200 yds. Then shooters
will repeat at 300 and 500 yds. Shooters will also be asked about the ballistics of the
load they are shooting; velocity and bullet drop.
www.templegunclub.com 1 Temple Gun Club, Inc
Mid-Week Practice
There are very few people at the range during the middle of
the week. Here we have environmentally conscious green
shooting. The target stand is a used wood fence picket with
a cardboard box stapled to it. The targets are recycled (used
only once) paper plates. Just keep stapling one plate over
the top of the first one, and everything is ready for another
round of shooting. To keep the picket upright, another piece
of cardboard is folded and wedged into the gap between the
concrete blocks at the base. It works and is cheap.
Bringing your own target setup allows this lady practice
without being distracted by other shooters. She has the
entire pistol bay to herself.
Hint: Use a large piece of cardboard, staple the plate to the
edge of the box and not over the picket. Hopefully, the
picket survives the trip to the range.
Voter Integrity Legislation
At the July meeting, Rep. Shine provided some insight into the delaying tactics being
employed by the members of the Democratic Party who chose to leave the state so they
could plead their agenda in Washington, DC. Some wags have characterized the overly
dramatic act as a backdoor filibuster. The club members are now more aware of the
inside baseball or inside the Texas legislature term called “chubbing” and calculated
power to delay action by manipulating the calendar.
When the opportunity arises, it is imperative to keep contacting the legislators and
reminding them that their acts and/or foot-dragging are being monitored.
Construction Update
In June 2021, the Powder Keg included a summary of the planned range
upgrades. Well, the ball is rolling and the dues are being put to use.
Construction of the protective berms for the 300 and 500 yd firing lines began in
mid-August. During the first week, the rifle firing lines on the west side of the range will
be closed. Flag poles will be installed in the area west of the entry driveway to alert and
warn range users that the extended rifle range is being used. Pay attention.
The new covered pistol firing line are closed because the concrete culverts have
been relocated and incorporated into the berm along the 300-500 yd firing
lines. New berms along the “new” pistol firing line will be assembled using
tires and filled with dirt. For the long version of the design of the tire berm,
contact Jeff Howard. The remainder of the range will remain open. After the initial
dirt is removed in front of the rifle impact berm on the west side, the 100-200 yd firing
line will be re-opened. Pay attention to warning signs and barricades. Construction will
take approximately 2 weeks weather permitting.
www.templegunclub.com 2 Temple Gun Club, Incwww.templegunclub.com 3 Temple Gun Club, Inc
Bryan Washko, Sergeant in Media and Communications
Texas Department of Public Safety
How long have you worked at the DPS and how long in your current position?
I began my law enforcement career in 1998 with the Killeen Police Department. I hired on with TXDPS in February 2006.
Spent the majority of my career on patrol. I promoted to Sergeant in Media and Communications in 11/2019
As the local spokesperson for the department, do you have a territory that you commonly work? Do you interface
with local TV and radio broadcasters? Do you prefer TV or radio interviews? In this role, are you on call 24x7 to be the
public face when there is an emergency situation?
I cover San Saba, Mills, Lampasas, Hamilton, Coryell, Bell , and Milam Counties. Yes, I respond to any major incident such
as a fatal crash, officer involved shooting, or any mass casualty incidents or natural disaster. Basically I respond to any
emergency that DPS personnel respond to and that there will be a media presence. I do many media interviews both
television and radio. Yes, on call 24/7.
For your current role, did you have professional training like college or some other course to prepare you for job as a
spokesperson? In Texas, does the department employ others in a similar role? Are these assignments segregated into
regions?
I have 2 years of college and I completed the Basic Public Information Officer Course. However, I feel what helps me the
most in this position is my 23 years of road experience and my daily interactions with the public. In DPS there are 22 PIO
Sergeant positions across the state. They are divided within our 7 Regions across the State.
Besides your role, do have another work-related experience that you would like to share? I am thinking of another job
or special assignment that was particularly memorable for you.
In 2011 I had the honor of being selected to assist the Executive Protection Bureau in DPS for then Governor Rick Perry’s
Presidential Campaign. I travelled with Gov. Perry across the USA as an Agent with EPB from the moment he announced
in August of 2011. I held this position until he dropped from the race in January 2012. My role was to provide protection
to Gov. Perry and to map out and advance the routes as Gov. Perry made multiple campaign stops around the country.
After his campaign I went back to being a road Trooper. In February 2019 I promoted back to the EPB and provided
security for Governor Abbott in Austin. I left this EPB for my current position.
Since this is a military community, I will ask the obvious question, if you served in the armed forces?
I have not personally served, however my father was retired military US Army Vietnam Veteran and Silver star recipient.
My older brother Steven Washko is currently in his final year(23 years) as Lt. Colonel in the US Air Force. He is a navigator
on the AWACS reconnaissance aircraft, my younger brother David is in his 13th year in the US Navy as a Sea Bee. I chose
to become a Trooper at age 11 and went into college four days after graduating high school in order to have enough
credit hours in order to apply for DPS when I turned 21 years old. By far the biggest regret I have is that I have not served
in our armed forces, looking back I feel I missed out on an amazing opportunity to serve our country as well as continue
with my family tradition. My 19 year old son Dillan Washko is currently in the 82nd Airborne Division stationed in Ft.
Bragg, NC. Dillan entered in July 2020. I am needless to say so very proud of him and his accomplishments.
How often does the DPS require you to qualify for use of your sidearm? Do you have a preferred firearm?
We qualify every quarter. We are issued the Sig Sauer P320 9mm
www.templegunclub.com 4 Temple Gun Club, IncGrowing up, do you recall your first firearm? If so, what was it? Did you purchase it or was it a gift? [I remember my
first 22-rifle.]
My first firearm was Christmas 1985 from my dad, Marlin 22 cal rifle, my brother and I both got one. My dad would take
us to Ft. Hood shooting range on Saturdays and we would practice.
Are you familiar with the location of the Temple Gun Club’s range facility? If so, have you seen it since it was
renovated in the past year?
No Sir, haven’t seen it.
Do any the officers or their families avail themselves of the shooting sports at local range facilities? Do any of the local
officers work with youth in the 4-H shooting sports program? I am unaware if any of our Troopers in this area are
involved in any extracurricular shooting sports, or involved in 4-H
In August, a representative from U.S. LawShield made a presentation to the Temple Gun Club. Without particular
details of an incident, are the DPS officers familiar with U.S. LawShield and their recommended policies for interacting
with law enforcement. Enclosed is a copy of my membership card in case you have not seen the latest information
provided to members. (If this question is diving into department policies issues, please suggest a name or office where
that type of question can be covered.)
I have seen similar cards like this. From a DPS standpoint I can say is that if stopped by a Trooper or any other LE on a
Traffic stop, the minimum required by Texas law is to provide a valid driver license and proof of insurance information. If
they choose not to engage in small talk or questioning by an officer that is their right. Now to add to that if an officer
inquires to a criminal investigation for example questioning a driver if there is evidence of possible intoxication during a
traffic stop, then that is something I can elaborate on if desired.
Just in case, some curious soul wonders how I found Bryan. The simple answer is accident, but not a vehicular accident.
Since I do not watch TV, my only exposure to him is his daily routine at the local gym and the pleasure of meeting a new
acquaintance. It was nice to get such a well-rounded interview from Sgt. Washko.
Monthly Range Rule Reminders
Please note the Board has updated the range rules, so the prevailing document is dated
June 14, 2021.
Temple Gun Club’s Range Rules and Safety Rules are on the website: Log-in, then click
the Members Only tab, and click Range Rules. The three-page document includes the
rules and safety standards for the facility. With the construction and changing layout,
remember to be on the alert for barricades, signage, and modified range layout. You are
the safety officer, groundskeeper, and trash removal team leader.
Rule Reminder: Members must display TGC membership card on their person while on
the range. The targets may include paper, cardboard, and polymer material, but nothing
else.
Upcoming Speakers – September 2021
The 4-H Club will be the featured guest speaker. If you have a youngster boy or girl who
is looking for an extra-cirricular activity the presentation will be the place to get a quick
overview of the Shooting Sports offered by the 4-H.
The next club meeting is Monday, 13-September-2021 at the Harris Community
Center in Belton, TX.
www.templegunclub.com 5 Temple Gun Club, IncPrograms
Temple Gun Club Thursday Night Steel Match is 3 stages of family fun held from May until mid
August at Temple Gun Club Range 3924 FM 438 Loop, Temple, TX 76501. The minimum round count
for the match is 75 rounds, but always bring more in case you miss. Please make sure you arrive
early for check in. If you have any questions, please email us at tgc.practiscore@gmail.com.
Jason Armstrong, Match Director.
Tigertown 4-H Club provides a Shooting Sports activity for the youth from 3rd-
12th grades. The club’s activities and venues are as follows:
• Archery practices alternating Saturdays at 10:00 a.m. at the CWUWCD in Belton;
• Rifle practices alternating Sundays at 2:00 p.m., and the opposite Tuesdays at 6:00
p.m. at the Temple Gun Club;
• Shotgun practices Thursday evenings at 6:00 p.m. at Webers in Troy; and
• Muzzle loading practices usually precede the Sunday rifle practices, weather
permitting.
The activities are posted on FaceBook< https://www.facebook.com/tigertown4h/> and
on Bell County’s FaceBook page < https://www.facebook.com/BellCounty4H/> Barbara
Wood can provide more detailed information (woodbtwice@gmail.com or text at 254-
624-6507) Barbara has a day job, so the return call may be in the evening.
Proposed Ban on All Interstate Transport of Wildlife
The full article written by Bob McNally in OutdoorLife (Aug. 09, 2021) is another
wakeup call-- regulations by the federal government is going to get more rigorous and
intrusive. The existing legislation is based upon transportation laws requiring compliance
with Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) and is being hitched to the unstopped regulation of
all things COVID. Apparently, one disease is just like another when it comes to
regulating firearms directly or indirectly.
The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Natural Resources Defense Council
(NRDC) “are leveraging fear of COVID-19 to push forth their anti-hunting agenda.” The
article provided me with a new word “zoonoses” which are “infectious diseases that jump
from animals to people.” [It seems reasonable to search for the word that covers the
reverse leap from humans to animals. Perhaps, a well-read club member or crafty
wordsmith can send a suggestion to the PK editor.]
The CBD and NRDC are petitioning Deb Haaland, the Secretary of the Department of
Interior, and Martha Williams, the head of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service “to use their
authority under the Lacey Act, Endangered Species Act, and Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species.” In the editor’s opinion, if these agency administrators
claim they have existing legislative authority, there probably will be no congressional
hearings or publication for public comment in linked to publication in the Federal
Register. This is being pushed forward under the cloud of protecting the public health.
If hunting is shutdown or rendered economically insignificant, the next logical step is to
question the need for hunting arms and hunting ammunition. It is probably appropriate
www.templegunclub.com 6 Temple Gun Club, Incfor the TGC members to read and research articles being published at OutdoorLife
because they are covering relevant topics. Archived Source: https://archive.is/Gr3XU
Remington Ammunition
On the August 02, 2021, Outdoor Life published an article by Alex Robinson that provides
insight into the durability of the 200 year old brand associated with the Remington name.
The ammunition plant is located in Lonoke, Arkansas. As of October 2020, the facility is
now owned by Vista Outdoor which also owns “brands like Federal Premium, CCI, and
Speer.” Prior to this change in ownership, prior owners included an investment firm and
the creditors made decisions “that hurt Remington’s quality and reputation.” That is a
polite way of saying the company lost sight of their customer, so their cash cow went
dry.
The article cites the core products like Core-Lokt which “is the best-selling deer
ammunition in the history of America.” Of course, actions by various federal agencies
may derail those sale projects, as described in the preceding article.
Besides the discussion of quality control and testing to the article dives into other legal
clouds remaining and the overall restructuring of brands and manufacturing sites.
Overall, the article is a good summary of the manufacturing business.
Archived Source: https://archive.is/PZSzC
New Tag Team- GOA & Ammoland
On August 9, 2021, John Crump posted an article at Ammoland.com announcing that
Ammoland and GOA had recently acquired the “compete Standard Operating Procedures
(S.O.P.) Manual for the ATF’s Firearms & Ammunition Technology Division (FATD).
Persistence and research (maybe good fortune from some source) led to crafting a
request with the precise nomenclature that identified the material which resulted in a
successful production of documents using the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
For effective lobbying, the Gun Owners of America (GOA) led the fight and has provided
the manual to Ammoland so that it may be examined more closely and be the foundation
for future articles. Some of the future topics may include discussion of armor-piercing
ammunition, non-evidentiary firearms, and may also cover methods and procedures for
the FATD training. Archived Source: https://archive.is/AbKlT
Winchester Ammo Recall
In case you may have missed it, the TGC sent an email blast on June 25, 2021 alerting
members to a product recall of WINCHESTER® 9mm Luger 115 grain.
The subject line on the email is “Winchester 9mm Recall.”
www.templegunclub.com 7 Temple Gun Club, IncYou can also read
