What happens when a group of gun-loving ladies get together for a weekend? Well the answer is simple: We hit the range, ride 4-wheelers, use explosives and check out antique shops (I guess the antique shop bit isn't the norm). I recently flew to Missouri to hang out with some friends from Ruger and Women's Outdoor News, and got to do all of those things.
Thanks to Missouri University of Science & Technology, along with the guidance of DeWayne Phelps and Jason Baird, we ladies got to blow stuff up. I'm not talking Tannerite either. We got to use det cord and C4, all the good stuff; obviously all under the watchful eyes of professionals and using all the appropriate safety gear!
The University offers an undergraduate Mining Degree, where the students learn in an experimental mine that we toured. For someone like me, who's a tad claustrophobic, it's a bit scary. They also offer an Explosives Engineering MS and Ph.D. Students of the program get to experience hands-on coursework with explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. Missouri S&T also offers high-school students the chance to attend a week-long camp where they put on a fireworks show for their parents at the closing (more to come on the camp).
A gun-girl weekend wouldn't be complete without an afternoon on the range. We shot a Serbu BFG 50 cal, which had surprisingly little felt recoil, considering how painful it appeared to be. Then we laid out two steel targets and had a shooting competition using some .22 rifles.
Aside from the ethereal antique shops, panoramic views and time spent with great friends; I learned about many unique programs offered in Missouri that you can look forward to hearing more about in the near future! See the video from my trip below.
