Long Range Fun!

[dbm]

Spent five days last week shooting long range at Bisley. There were two matches at the weekend and a group of us (varying from 9 to 12) met up for a few days earlier for some informal LR practice. We shot mornings only; Wednesday 600yds, Thursday 900yds, Friday 1000yds. Much of the time we shoot matches so opportunity to spend some time trying new loads or brushing up on technique was welcomed.

I took opportunity to shoot my Deeley-Edge-Metford at long range for the first time. This started out as an original action dated 1878 that a friend had bought in South Africa a few years ago. My friend (being a barrel maker) has fitted a new Metford barrel and a had new stock made. He chambered it for 45-2.6". Having completed the restoration he decided he was unlikely to shoot the rifle much and I have acquired it. Other than fire forming cases and some load developement work I hadn't fired this beyond 100 yards. At 600yds the rifle showed promise with a good string of 4s and 5s on the NRA targets. With the elevation established I made a best estimate for 900 yards - first shot was a 4 and in all I fired 15 shots without a miss. At 1000yds it took a little longer to find the target but once there I remained on target with the four rounds I had left. I'm looking forward to shooting this more.

Saturday was the Long Range Rifles Branch of the MLAGB's annual 1000 yard championship - 32 shooters took part with 28 returning score cards! Weather was warm and sunny with a fresh 2 o'clock wind. Course of fire was 30 shots with three convertible sighters. Competitors came from throughout mainland UK, plus Jersey, France, Holland and USA. I was pleased with my 5th place.

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1 P.Senior    (GB)  108.4  (Metford)
2 J.Hepsworth (USA) 108.2  (Ingram)
3 D.Personnic (Fr)  104.3  (Repro. Rigby)
4 J.Mallarme  (Fr)   99.4  (Whitworth)
5 D.Minshall  (GB)   98.3  (Pedersoli Gibbs)

Sunday was the MLAGB National 500 yard rifle championships with matches for free rifle and Enfield rifle. Again, another warm sunny day and 3 o'clock gusting wind. Course of fire is 10 shots with three convertible sighters. With these relatively short courses of fire there is no scope for error. I was delighted that my wife Kim won the free rifle match, but won't mention my performance! 34 shooters took part.

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1 K.Minshall   (GB)      44   (Pedersoli Gibbs)
2 M.Lavalette  (France)  42.1 (Custom rifle)
3 P.Senior     (GB)      42   (Metford)
4 N.Washington (GB)      41.2 (Pedersoli Gibbs)
5 C.Kalfsvel   (Holland) 41.1 (Pedersoli Gibbs)

The Enfield rifle match results were:

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1 P.Senior  (GB)  30    (Original)
2 P.Wolpe   (GB)  28.1  (Original)
3 J.Womble  (GB)  28    (P-H 1858 Repro)
4 M.Hall    (GB)  26    (P-H 1858 Repro)
5 M.Mott    (GB)  26    (Original)

After five days shooting it's nice to have a rest. Next match is in Derbyshire in June, an aggregate of ten shots at each distance 200, 300 and 400 yards.

David

[DuncaninFrance]

I bet it was five days shooting AND about ten days talking David!

[Karl/Pa.]

That has to be a great time.