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By Peter Richards

Set up was well in hand as the sun brightened the eastern sky on a cold Sunday morning and I'm sure there was snow close by. Twenty keen shooters fronted for the range briefs which had the details in the butts and on the mound at 0800hrs. First shots were down range at a little after eight with the wind picking up and more cold weather gear going on.

200 Slow fire string (12 rounds in twelve minutes including sighters) was conducted in variable light to medium icy winds which where strong enough to provide a real challenge to all shooters.

200 Rapid string 2 sighters and ten to score rapid fire in sixty seconds from a standing start; how hard can that be you say?

Well if you sit down in the slightly incorrect position and muscle the rifle onto the target your group, in 90% of the resulting groups, will be not where they were supposed to be. This is due to the shooters rifle not pointing naturally at the target without undue effort.

At this point a butts change was conducted and the first butt crew now warmed up by lifting the new target frames were ushered onto the firing point by the RO. The wind had not let up any and had actually increased for their 200 Slow Fire and Rapid strings.

The 300m rapid string caught some of the front runners out with its standing start to prone 10 shots in70 seconds format. The wind had dropped off by 10.45 and a typical wintry Brisbane day, clear and fine, was enjoyed by all until they had to retire to the 600 m firing point.

The 600m string is not only a long way for most service rifle shooters but it is complicated with the requirement to send twenty scoring shots to the targets in the twenty minute time limit. The wind had now swung around to come from the south east giving the shooters very tricky 2 to 3 minute fishtail changes.

At the end of the 600 most people had had enough with those people that had competed in the two days firing 130 rounds in 10 individual matches or strings, and all of these bullets had gone into (or very close to) the targets.

The usual couple of late comers were accommodated with little fuss and everybody was able to complete all the ranges by day’s end. A note to all readers: If you, or someone you know, does show up late for any QMRC practice or competition range practice for whatever reason, the organisers on the day will do their best to make sure you are able to compete. However, all please take note, the range staff and organisers are volunteers and will not tolerate 'any' unacceptable behaviour directed at them or the QMRC for what is not a QMRC problem.

Presentations

The ASG medals are a great gong. Pentagon shape embossed with Australian Shooting Games symbol with an enamelled stylised green and gold Australia on a sky blue back ground hung with a gold over green ribbon. These were not cheap and were paid for out of match fees.

The scoring was handled by Glen Skipworth and Nathan Fennessy over the course of the day and the numbers were ready for the formal part of the day, well as formal as one could be. As there were some entry fees still unspent, a few buckets of KFC and light refreshments appeared. With the worms now drowning in chicken fat the presentations were carried out with a huge pile of medals presented, some 36 gold, 6 silver and 6 bronze being the exact numbers.

Rifle used three specs of rifles were used: Standard rifle, Modified and Match. With most shooters choosing to stay with their rifle spec they had competed with on day one. The notable exception to this was the evergreen QMRC member Peter Barnier, of Tamworth, who used his new 'Tubb' bolt action in modified class.

Pete's Tubb is chambered in 6mm/250International which is essentially a 22/250Rem necked up to 6mm and with a case blown out to produce straight walls and a 30deg shoulder. Pete steers 100+ gn projectiles to the target through an adjustable rear peep sight and tunnel-ring fore sight.

Another unusual rifle seen over the last couple of months on the range was Colin Hall’s self designed and built straight pull/pump .223rem. This home-grown firearm may go a long way to filling the needs of those who choose to compete in Modified or Match class at half the cost of a Tubb. (Details on page 15)

In standard class the rifle used by the winner and place getters were
1. 6.5x55 Swedish M96
2. 7.5X55 Swiss K31
3. .303 No.4

Particular thanks to the following QMRC members for the conduct of another successful competition: Target manufacturing/refacing team - Clyde Lee, Dallas Carter, Ian and Glen Skipworth; Scores - Glen Skipworth and Nathan Fennessy (Saturday’s scoring was handled by Peter Southerden fresh back from the Mother Country) Range staff - Glen Skipworth and Clyde Lee; Butt masters Glen Skipworth and Clyde Lee. Can you all see a pattern developing here?

The range is reasonably simple to organise but does not run well without a lot of help from the shooters on the day doing the simple things like scoring or collecting cards or moving range admin stores back to the next distance.

When a group of people come together for a common goal there is virtually nothing that team cannot achieve or overcome.

ASG TACTICAL RIFLE & a new record

A field of thirteen Tac rifle enthusiasts lined up in two details to compete. At the end of the shoot a new Australian record at 300m, yet to be confirmed, was set by Scotty Driver with his TRG-42, shooting 199.10x out of a possible 200.20x. Well done Scotty Driver.

The rifles used in this competition varied from my L579 Sako 22/250 to the increasing field of 308win chambered TRG-42s and anything in between.

An interesting point was to note that all but one rifle was fitted with a bi-pod; no it was not mine. I finally went out and purchased a swivel Harris and used it for the first time in this comp.

Introduction: This is an event that is backed by multiple shooting associations, and the QLD Government.  It should be considered the premier event for Australian shooting, and all shooters should make an effort to attend this event.

This weekend is made up of a national and international course of fire, offering something for everyone.  To enter, simply show up each day, pay the rego fee, and shoot your choice of rifle - like any event, this is no different.

Rifle Specification/Classes:  Note:  Rifles are forwards compatible, i.e. Spec 1 can be used in Spec 2 or 3 etc.

Spec 1:  Service     - Standard Iron - Any issued iron sights rifle in original condition – zero modifications.

Spec 2:  Service     - Modified Iron - As above, or faithful reproduction, modified - service calibre.

Spec 3:  Match       - Match Iron - Any service commercial, sporter or match rifle, of any calibre, iron sights.

Spec 5:  Service/Match  - As per Specs 1, 2, or 3 but fitted with optical sights.

FRIDAY: Range open from 1pm for general practice.

SATURDAY Starts 8am:            “Aus Service Match Course” on 300m Service Range as follows:

STRING 1          300m  Slow Fire Appl,    Prone U/S         2 sighters + 10 rounds                9min,                Type-B 4x4

STRING 2          300m  Rapid Fire,          Prone U/S         10 rounds                                  30-30-30sec,     Type-B 4x4

STRING 3          300m  Snap Fire,           Prone U/S         2 sighters + 10 rounds                3sec per shot,   Fig. 12

STRING 4          200m  Rapid Fire,          Sitting U/S        2 sighters + 10 rounds                30-30-30sec,     Fig. 11

STRING 5          200m  Snap Fire,           Sitting U/S        2 sighters + 10 rounds                3sec per shot,   Fig. 12
STRING 6          100m  Snap Fire,           Standing U/S     2 sighters + 10 rounds                3sec per shot,   Fig. 12

SATURDAY pm:                        “Tactical Match Course” on 300m Service Range as follows:

Warm Up - 5 shots in 5 minutes.                                     Entire match shot on MR-63 target.

                        - Deliberate, 10 rounds in 3 minutes (no marking), then directly into next string,

                        - Snap, 5x 6 second exposures for 10 shots total.

SUNDAY Starts 8am:  High Power “International Match Course” on Cannon Hill range as follows:

STRING 1          200y  Slow Fire Application,        Standing U/S     (2 sighters + 10 rounds)  12min,  SR

STRING 2          200y  Rapid Fire,                       Sitting U/S        (2 sighters + 10 rounds)  60sec,  SR

STRING 3          300y  Rapid Fire,                       Prone U/S         (2 sighters + 10 rounds)  70sec,  SR-3

STRING 4          600y  Slow Fire Application,        Prone U/S         (2 sighters + 20 rounds)  22min.  MR-1

This event is the same course of fire shot at one of the largest shooting events in the world - at Camp Perry Ohio.

Trophies – awarded for each event 1 & 2

            By String and Each Event, by QMRC rifle specifications

Note: IMC results go towards the Grand Prix and can be use grading and proficiency claims.

Cost: $25 per event (per day).

Accommodation:  Below are accommodation options available on the range.  Plenty of alternatives around town.

  - On base Motel rooms, Singles bunk partitioned rooms, 4 bunk dormitory rooms.  Linen & pillow available for small fee.

  - Camping (caravan, camper or ten) sights on base available with or without power.

Further Information:   

Event Details, Paul Feeney (Event Director) QRMC  Tel: AH) 07 3394 1637 rifle@ahipa.com

Accommodation, Rex Wigney, Tel: BH) 07 3398 4309  or qra@qldrifle.com or go to www.qldrifle.com for brochure.

High Power information:  David Waters, Tel AH) 02 4739 6422  rifle @ aihpa.com   www.aihpa.com

                * * * Note:  Organisers reserve the right to change the event or schedule without notice * * *

Shooters should bring the necessary equipment to complete this across the course event – rifle, ammo, mat, scope or binoculars, eye and ear protection, hat, sunscreen, and any other required equipment.