"Frozen Chosin" Match
The Sanner's Lake Frozen Chosin match honors those who fought and died in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir in Northern Korea in the winter of 1950. The Battle of Chosin Reservoir, also known as the Chosin Reservoir Campaign, was a brutal 17-day battle of the Korean War, fought over the roughest terrain under the harshest winter weather conditions of the war. Allied troops were encircled and attacked by enemy forces but were able to break out and inflict crippling losses on the enemy. A cold front from Siberia had descended over the Chosin Reservoir and the temperature plunged to as low as −35 °F. The freezing weather resulted in frostbite casualties, icy roads, and numerous weapon malfunctions. Medical supplies froze, morphine syringes had to be defrosted in a medic's mouth before they could be injected, and frozen blood plasma was useless on the battlefield. Cutting off clothing to deal with a wound risked gangrene and frostbite. Batteries for the vehicles and radios did not function in the freezing weather and quickly ran down. The lubrication in the guns gelled and rendered them useless in battle. Firing pin springs and operating rods froze and jammed.
Refer to the Wikipedia page https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Chosin_Reservoir for details on the battle and the heroism and hardships of “The Chosin Few”. Although we won’t get anywhere close to the miserable conditions they experienced during the battle, this match honors their service and sacrifice.
Match Report
Sanner’s Lake Frozen Chosin Match Report
18 January 2025
Recent snow and rain followed by sustained sub-freezing temperatures made for miserably appropriate conditions at the 10th annual Frozen Chosin Match at Sanner’s Lake. But the damp chill, slippery surfaces and threat of additional icy rain didn’t deter eleven competitors who made their way to the SLSC rifle range to send rounds downrange in remembrance of the infamous Battle of Chosin Reservoir, regarded by many historians as one of the most brutal battles (if not THE most brutal) in American history.
A perfectly matched mix of M1 Carbines and M1 Garands filled out the firing line (along with a classic ’03 Springfield), providing a proper and historically correct mix of Allied firepower for the match. And when the shooting started it was anyone’s guess as to who would come out on top, with the little Carbines shooting well above their paygrade and holding their own against the bigger, more powerful Garands. When the smoke cleared at the end of the morning, though, it was Daniel Maine and his M1 Garand overcoming a suspect front sight to take first place with an super 265-3X. Asher Maroot was hot on his heels, though, taking second place and keeping the pressure on all day with his well-sorted Inland M1 Carbine nailing a strong 257-1X. Rounding out the top three was Josh Kelley and his M1 Garand stepping up to the plate to nab third place with a personal best 230-0X. Check out all the scores in the match report link below along with a few pictures from the match.
Thanks to everybody who made it out to the range on a chilly January morning to let their old rifles do the talking in spite of bleak skies and wintry weather. We’ll resume the regular 2025 high power rifle season at Sanner’s Lake with the Vintage Military “Woodstock” match on March 20th, which just so happens to be the vernal equinox A.K.A. the first day of spring! And after you get your rifle dialed in at the Woodstock Match you’ll be ready to shoot the first High Power Vintage Military Rifle match just two days later on March 22nd.
See you there!
Match Photos
Drifting snowbanks made for good cover during the prone slow stage:
The only upside to the standing stage was getting off the cold concrete:
Style points for the bayonet!
The long snowy trudge to the targets...
Match Details
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More Info
Match Director
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Mark - swierczekml@gmail.com
Match Description
- 30 round match shot at 100 yards using a standard NRA SR-1 target.
- Ten shots prone slow fire, ten shots prone rapid fire, and ten shots standing slow fire following NRA high power rifle rules.
- Ten minute sighting-in period prior to shooting for score.
Firearm/Equipment
- M1 Carbines are the focus of the match, but any centerfire rifle or carbine used in service during the Korean conflict is acceptable.
- Refer to the Korean War Weapons Wikipedia page for details. If it’s on the list and legal for use at SLSC, bring it!
- Rifle must be configured as it was used in service, i.e. no sporter modifications, aftermarket precision sights, bedded stocks, etc. are allowed.
- Modern replicas (e.g. James River M1 Carbine) or semi-automatic variants (e.g. Auto-Ordnance Thompson, Ohio Ordnance Works BAR) are acceptable.
- No mounted optics or bipods. Shooting mats and slings are acceptable.
- Attire should be appropriate to the weather (period correct preferred!). No custom shooting jackets or specialized gloves.
- Other: Spotting scope (optional, but helpful), shooting mat (optional)
Who
- Open to the public. Non-members contact match director for gate access.
Where
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SLSC Rifle Range: Directions to SLSC and map of SLSC Grounds
Schedule
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Once a year in January or February targeting (hopefully!) the coldest day possible.
Weather
- The colder the better. Rifle and equipment should be properly cold soaked on the line prior to shooting. Only historically accurate methods may be used to unstick frozen equipment!
Cost
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Everyone - $5
Age Categories
- None. Match director may handicap shooters displaying excessive youth and vitality!
Divisions
- Rifle type and caliber will be listed in match results. The more interesting and unique, the better!
Course of Fire Details
- NRA SR-1 targets at 100 yards.
- Sighting shots: 5 rounds (or more if needed) in 10 minutes
- Prone slow fire: 10 rounds in 10 minutes
- Prone rapid fire: 10 rounds in 60 seconds with one reload.
- Standing: 10 rounds in 10 minutes
- Thirty shots total for score
Scoring
- 100 points possible for each string, 300 points total.
- Shooters ranked by highest combined score.
- Ties broken by X's, then by highest individual string, then by fewest hits of lowest value.
- Each string of 10 shots will be shot on a separate target.
- Point value of the ring for each shot will be totaled (maximum of 100 per target).
- Number of X's will be noted.
- Holes touching a higher value ring are given the higher value.
- Firing fewer than required number of shots will be scored as misses.
- Firing more than the required number of shots and more than 10 hits are on the target, with no cross firing evident, the 10 hits of the lowest value will be recorded for that string.