From: "Tom Charnock", [EMAIL PROTECTED] The NRA Service Rifle shoot was held on the 3 & 4 July. By kind invitation of the Army Rifle Association 3 teams (of 6 shooters) entered the Methuen inter divisional match held on Wednesday 5 July. This is only the second time since the mid 1970's that civilians have been allowed to shoot alongside servicemen. We civvies using bolt actions only. Thanks are due to the NRA and to Pete Bloom for enabling this re-joining of civilian and serviceman in a competition of such standing. Well how did the civvies do?? I shot in the Methuen team match (Wednesday) for the South Wales rifle club of which I am a member, and I was not able to attend the other days. However here is the info on the Methuen Approx. 40 plus, military teams from all over, USA, Canada, Middle East and Europe as well as UK's, Army, Air Force and Navy. Most used SA80's except overseas teams (Steyr, M16 etc) all seemed to be 5,56 (223 cal). Three civvy teams assorted rifles, mostly 223 cal, with some 308's. Same course of fire for all teams, no allowance for us bolt action guys (see Practice 4 !!!). Bull is 5 points, rest target 4. Practice 1; Fig 12 target, 10 shots (2 sighters) 300yds, prone, 60 secs, Bull 240mm, no big deal, best chance for a maximum of 50 (I got 45, three our team maxed). Practice 2; Fig 12 target, 10 shots total, 300yds prone 2 shots at a 15 sec exposure, THEN 30 secs to run to 200 sit or squat, 2 exposures of 6 secs with 2 shots attempted on each exposure, THEN 30 secs to run to 100yds standing, 2 exposures of 6 secs with 2 shots attempted on each exposure, bull 240mm. Time pressure to get 2 positional shots off in time, run down terrain varied pools mud etc. Most dropped shots here, (me got 45) Practice 3; Fig 14, 10 shots, 100 yds, 5 double exposures of 3 secs each exposure, the first shot standing and the second 2secs later, from kneeling or squatting, Bull 100mm (Yes 4 inches) All sorts of problems here, 3secs time of exposure, need to reposition self and reload to be ready in 2secs for the next 3sec exposure, and a SMALL target, never mind the position stand or kneeling, and cocking the bolt (I got 21 on this). Big variation in scores with the 223cals doing best, a REAL struggle with my 308. Practice 4; Fig 11 2off, 10 shots, 200 yds, 25secs, sit kneeling or squat, only 5 shots on each to count, Bull 240mm. Time real killer here, start standing, up come 2 targets, drop to kneel (me), engage, re-load, press on, how time flies, keep count of hits per target, shift to next target after 5 shots, press on, only 25 secs for the lot. Most bolt boys got off all shots but position and time pressure gave varied hits. I had 9 hits for 39 points (3 bull, 6 outer). Again the guys with the pee squirt guns (223cal) did best on this (I MUST get one!!!) Practice 5; Fig 12, 10 shots, 300 yds, 5 mins (yes 5 minutes!), however is only a 3sec exposure, 10 times during this lifetime of waiting. Bull 240mm. Awareness and watching essential, and there are 2 "no shoot" targets thrown in at random to get the twitchy trigger finger working !! (I got 42) So how did the civvies do?? Well the winners had a team total of 1300 odd points and our S.Wales club team had 1100 odd. In fact we beat 5 of the teams with their semi-autos (we were PLEASED) I think there was some acknowledgement that these civvies could hack it with their bolt actions. I guess it would have been a real test to see how they would have got on if we changed over rifles and re-shot the course. However a GREAT day, and if you ever get the chance to do it NEXT YEAR, you really must get a team together. And thanks again to the NRA, Pete Bloom and the Army for their very kind invitation. Tom Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
