Orrington rifleman ranks among nation’s top shooters

Allowing that the violence occurring in schools nowadays is casting a negative shadow on firearms ownership nationwide, it’s a pleasure to publicize events, occurrences, and accomplishments that display the positive, recreational aspects of owning guns. Hence, the target of this column is the shooting skill that enables Jim Goody of Orrington to win prestigious state and national rifle championships.

In July 2000, Goody entered the Maine State Championship benchrest rifle match held at the Capital City Rifle Range in Augusta. Using a custom-made, .30-caliber Jaguar rifle fitted with a Weaver 36X telescopic sight, the 43-year-old marksman set the crosshairs on targets placed at ranges of 100 and 200 yards. When the smoke cleared from the two-day event sanctioned by International Benchrest Shooters, Goody received the championship trophy aimed at by high-caliber competitors from all corners of the state. As the winner of the 100- and 200-yard matches, his combined scores also gave him Grand Aggregate honors.

Have gun, will travel: A month later, Goody and his “.30 Jag” were on the firing line of the National 200-300 Yard Long Distance Championship match held at the Union County Sportsman’s Club in Weikert, Pa. When the final gun was fired, the scores showed that Goody had shot his way to first place at 300 yards and fifth place at 200 yards. Again, his combined scores won the Grand Aggregate.

Come October, the respected rifleman journeyed to Mainville, Pa., to compete in the 100-200 Yard National Score Championship held at the Mainville Sportsman’s Club. After two days of squinting and squeezing, the tally of Goody’s targets put him at first place in the 200-yard competition, third place at 100 yards, and once more marked him as top gun in the Grand Aggregate.

Then came November and the National Points Championship match in Thurmont, Md. When the last day of competition dawned on the Thurmont Sportsmen’s Club’s range, Goody and another formidable rifleman named Ted Perreco were tied for top honors. To the surprise of all present, however, Perreco elected to forfeit the shoot-out. “I was stunned,” Goody recalled, “when Ted walked up to me and said something like, ‘Well, I guess you’ll be taking the trophy home with you,’ and walked off. Just like that.”

Thus, the 2000 National Points Championship trophy now stands among the many others displayed in Goody’s home handy to Brewer Lake. He is married to the former Teresa Bowley of Orrington. They have three daughters, Amanda, 21, Andrea, 19, Arinn, 15, and three foster daughters, Shannon, 15, Jeannie, 12, and Ruth Ann, 12.

Typical of target shooters, Goody doesn’t talk shop without giving credit to his rifle, which, as mentioned, wasn’t bought off the rack. To the contrary, the bolt action was built by the Nesieka Bay Co. of Poulsboro, Wash., Shilen Rifle Co. of Ennis, Texas, turned the stainless steel barrel, and the fiberglass thumb-hole stock was made by Lee Six of San Jose, Calif. The rifle was assembled by Eddington gunsmith Ron Moore.

A high-quality rifle, however, requires high-performance rounds. In Goody’s words: “The .30 Jag cartridge is a wildcat load that’ll consistently shoot 1/2-inch groups at 200 and 300 yards.” Essentially, a wildcat load is a cartridge designed to increase the velocity of a standard-caliber bullet. Suffice it to say, serious competition shooters reload their own “stepped-up” rounds.

Obviously, the proficiency required to win highly competitive rifle matches comes only from long-term association with firearms and, of course, continual practice. Accordingly, Goody cut his shooting teeth while hunting with his father, Paul Goody, and uncles Ray and Gerry Goody, all of whom hold the distinction of being registered among South Brewer’s native stock.

It wasn’t until the 1980s, however, that Jim Goody developed an interest in target shooting. And as his enthusiasm for the sport increased, so did the desire for a club and shooting range handy to home. So it was that in 1985 Goody and several area sportsmen established the Orrington Rod and Gun Club. Sprawling in the shadow of King’s Mountain, the club’s range is located on the East Bucksport road, a.k.a. the Peat Bog Road.

Aside from organizing five IBS-sanctioned matches annually, the 175-member club offers informal competitions and activities such as turkey shoots and the always entertaining Zero In Day held before the opening of deer season. Additionally, the club sponsors the annual Brewer Lake-Field’s Pond Ice Fishing Derby.

By 1991, Goody was competing in IBS-sanctioned matches and shooting impressive scores with a custom-made 6mm rifle. The gun’s action and barrel were built by Bill Morrison, the legendary Bangor gunsmith whose talents are now applied in his Bradford shop. Enhancing the rifle’s accuracy, as well as its value, is the stock crafted by the skilled hands of the late Roderick “Buster” Houston of Brewer.

When asked if he had his sights set on any future rifle matches in particular, Goody answered, “I just intend to keep shooting and see where my scores take us.” Referring, of course, to his tried-and-true .30 Jag traveling companion.

It’s unfortunate that, because of the mayhem now occurring in schools, the subjects of gun ownership and Second Amendment rights are under heavy fire nationwide. Yet, in this column recognizing the accomplishments of a responsible rifleman, and publicizing a positive, recreational aspect of firearms ownership, the question begs: Why is it that in all of the aforementioned shooting matches in which hundreds of people handled hundreds of guns and fired thousands of rounds of ammunition, not one act of rage or vengeance or violence was committed? Or even thought of, for that matter.

Obviously, the reasons for the shootings that, unbelievably, are becoming common in schools nowadays extend far beyond firearms.

Tom Hennessey’s columns can be accessed on the BDN Internet page at: www.bangornews.com.