Buddy Clifton

Past 2 term Fifty Caliber Shooter's Association President

Starting with .22 caliber rifles, competition has been a part of Buddy Clifton's life, on and off, for 32 years. After a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery forced him to leave highpower rifle competition in 1991, Buddy made a decision to begin competing again in the Fall of 1992. While engaged in high power competition, he heard a competitor mention the .50 BMG round being shot in 1000 yard competition. Not remembering who that shooter was, Buddy started the search for information on the sport.

The late Bill Bieber was his first contact who, in tern, led him to Skip Talbot. After much discussion with Skip, Buddy joined the Fifty Caliber Shooters Association (FCSA) and made the decision to start competing with the .50 BMG in March of 1993.

In 1993, the FCSA had two classes in which to compete. Heavy Gun, shot for group and Light or production gun shot for score. The Heavy Gun has a weight limit of 50 pounds and the Light Gun could not weight over 32.5 pounds. The match was shot over two days and each gun shot six, five shots strings. Three on Saturday and three on Sunday. Awards were given for three places in Heavy, Light, and a combination of the two called the 2-Gun Aggregate. Awards were also given for the smallest group for Light Gun, Heavy Gun, and highest score of the match. The shooter that placed 1st in the 2-Gun Agg. was considered to be the match winner. The only change that has occurred since that time is the addition of the Unlimited Class which does not have a weight restriction.

Buddy competed only in the heavy class at first and then, after he was thoroughly hooked on the sport, had a light class gun built.

Here is a list of Buddy's accomplishments in .50 caliber benchrest competition since that date.

** After the Sept. 95' match, both light and heavy guns were re-configured. The McMillan Bros Rifle Co (McBros) actions, with K&P light and heavy barrels and Clifton lugs, were glued into dedicated McMillan Fiberglass light and heavy, graphite reinforced, benchrest stocks. In addition, a bullet change was made to the Barnes 800 Gr. LRS.

World Records

*Buddy solely uses McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, McBros Actions, Clifton recoil Lugs (Mfg. by McBros), K&P Barrels and Brakes, Leupold-Premier Scopes, Jewell Triggers, VihtaVouri Powders, RWS primers, and Barnes Bullets.