Roseville Rifle Club Australia

Archive for October, 2011

The day started foggy and muggy. While driving to Gosford I passed through some very heavy fog. This was not very promising. However the road was empty and I arrived at Gosford Rifle Range half-an hour earlier than I expected, so I was able to enjoy the beautiful view to the National Park valley.

Unfortunately from Roseville RC only Fernando and I were able to attend this event. However I noticed many other North Shore District shooters from other clubs.

I spent some time talking to a few people and finding out that some local shooters do not like Target No1 and prefer Target No7 as it is above the valley and less affected by side wind. Target No 1 however is very close to the slope and wind can not only be left-right, but also may have a vertical effect. I have not used my scope for almost a year while shooting on the electronic targets at the wind-protected Hornsby range, so I sat for a while with my scope watching the wind flags and trying to remember how to use the scope and correlate the mirage with the flags.

The competition was opened by Wayne Bunting and Dennis Smith.

Then target numbers were drawn and I was lucky to shoot my first stage on Target 3, which is 2 targets away from scary Target 1. I finished the 1st stage with 50.6, however the draw for the second stage put me on Target 1.

The wind was consistent and I was able to shoot my second stage with 50.4.

At the third draw I was again given Target 3 and managed to shoot a very good result of 75.8.

Michael Green form Kambalda (WA) was shooting with me and managed to get an unbelievable result 75.12!!!

The competition was very well organized. The only confusion I had was, as I haven’t participated in such an event before I did not put my number on the score card. When the target was drawn and announced I did not know what target I was on. The range Officer kindly helped to rectify my confusion and competition started.

The weather was unstable and twice the shooting was interrupted by heavy rain. Shooters were given optional sighters.

I would like to specifically mention Gosford’s markers! They were unbelievably quick and reliable. There were only a few times that the Range Office called to examine a target. On my last shot on the last stage, when I removed the bolt from my rifle, I missed the target being pulled, marked and lifted up again. Knowing my habit to fire my last shot onto the wrong target, I was really afraid when I was watching and waiting for the target to go down, but it does not. However the check scorer reassures me that everything is alright and I was lucky to get 75.8 on the last stage.

Fernando Gregorio was very disappointed with his results which actually were very good as he took 3rd place in B grade with the aggregate result of 169.12 and won a medal.

It was a really great event with a lot of friendly people around and I want to thank my Club and everyone who supported me in my first Championship outside our range.

D Kazakov

The Australian Veterans Team have come away winners in the World Veterans Teams Match held yesterday at Belmont Rifle Range QLD, shot over 300,600,900 and 1000 yards.

Shooting with very stiff competition they sealed the victory with a combined score of 1947-171 from the USA on 1936-167 and third was Canada with 1933-145. The day was hot and humid thanks to the early morning thunderstorm which struck about 3am. All the team should be very proud of themselves.

Please follow the link:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/68317126@N07/

Day 1: 11th Oct 2011

Well Mike and I arrived intact and mostly with our baggage. After we received our precious cargo,and waiting at the prescribed area we had to proceed to another ill informed area to collect the remaining baggage.

We arrived at the Belmont Rifle Range to organise our caravan, which was more spacious than anticipated. Then we went to get supplies for the remaining 14 days or so, I imagine we will need to gain more supplies later on.

The main presentation had already been sorted by the time we got down to the venue, prizes were handed out, lots of clapping etc.

Had a lovely dinner at the range cafe come restaurant. Lots of great food.

Now time for bed and dreams of the days ahead.

Phill and Fernando headed off to Coonabarabran on Friday afternoon looking forward to a big 5+ hour drive to the country. They stopped at Lithgow Workers Club for a well earned meal and continued on to their destination arriving just before midnight.

It was easy to find their lodging at the Coonabarabran Hotel/Pub as there are only 3 pubs in town and they are all on the main road. They tried unsuccessfully to gain entry as all the doors to the pub were closed and the publican wasn’t going to let anyone else inside, especially two obvious non-locals, Fernando had to call the female owner to explain they were outside waving at them, and needed to get the keys and get some sleep.

The room/closet was just big enough to fit two kid-sized single beds, one small 1940’s sink and a bottle opener. That was OK because they only wanted a roof over their heads and somewhere to freshen up.

The loud swearing and yelling stopped about 45 minutes after the 3 pubs closed, and the locals found their way back to where they came from, after drinking and gambling their dole cheques. A very exciting welcome to Coona township.

The guys were able to sleep in and grabbed some breakfast and coffee at the nearby coffee shop. On arrival at the Rifle Range, which was on one of the club members property’s, they saw the large barn shed which was the clubhouse, and many people who were camping on the range.

They weather looked menacing, and rain and some hail made it possible to only shoot 800m, the officials decided to try and shoot 4 ranges the following day depending on weather.

Phill managed to shoot a 49.2 (needing 3 sighters) for 3^rd place, and Fernando shot a 43.3 in B Grade for 3^rd place also.

A bush tucker dinner was on the menu for those staying around, consisting of lamb on the spit and veggies cooked in the camp ovens.

The following day it was decided to shoot 3X 600m, have lunch then if the weather agrees to shoot 1000y. The gods were with the shooters and the rain held off, but strong, freezing and gusty front on wind prevailed during the course of the day, causing scores to lower as the day went on.

Phill managed a 48.5 in the first 600m for 2^nd place, and Fernando shot a wonderful 49.5 in the last 600m for 1^st place.

At the conclusion of the two day shoot Phill was lucky to gain 4^th place, and Fernando 2^nd place. All and all this was an excellent prize shoot and the country shooters showed their hospitality and mate ship to make it a very enjoyable experience for all.