The Ilmperial meet - a report
Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:13 pm
8 and 9th of July 2006, the Imperial historical arms meet at Bisley - the 4th consecutive year I am participating. I packed the car and left from Belgium on the 7th, early in the Morning, to arrive in the early afternoon in Bisley, after an uneventful trip.
For those who do not know it, this is a 2-day shooting competition for historical arms - from BP muzzleloaders to old target rifles, and everything in between. There is a wide variety of competitions, from 25m standing to 200yds standing, rapid fire, snaps etc - too much to mention.
I usually participate in the BP competitions at 200, and some gallery matches at 50m. It also is a good moment to see and meet people whom you haven't seen for some time, and admire each other's rifles.
I started out on Satuday with the BP match rifle at 200, prone, with sling. The wind was a bit variable coming from the right, which led to a few 4's. In all, I shot a decent, but by no means match-winning score of 44/50.
Next one was the Westley Richards ZAR in 577-450 at 200 - also prone, with sling. This was only the 3rd time I fired this rifle, but results were promising - and she didn't deceive me now either. Same problem as with the match rifle, I couldn't find the bull, but shot a respectable 41/50 - not too bad for a 1st outing at 200.
Next in line was the Steyr-Martini in #2 Musket, and that one gave me about the same results: 40/50
In all, I was happy with my preformance, even though some shot better - the winner shot an astounding 47/50 with a rifle identical to my ZAR, beating the next (trapdoor) shooter by a single point. Obviously, Martini's rule! I believe the 1st 8 places had 4 Martini's in them, so...
The afternoon was for some 50m offhand gallery rifle at Melville range. I managed to make a mess with the Swiss 38-40, not finding the rear sight, and having to search and remount it during the allotted time
Rook and rabbit rifle with the .310 cadet went a bit better, I managed to register a decent score with the little rifle - most misses being my fault, not the rifle's, I might add...
The next day (sunday), the weather was not too good - low-hanging clouds, lots of wind, and I was due to shoot Miniature service rifle at 200 with that very same .310 cadet. It took me 2 sighters and 1 scoring shot to set the sights, but then I managed to keep my shots in the 4-ring, ending with 42/50 - 1 point behind the match winner.
The last match of the day was the Vintage (=BP) running deer, which I shot with my Bonehill sporter in 500/450 #2 Musket. You get 2 sighters, and 10 shots for score on a deer target moving in both directions. Somehow or other everything came together there, and I ended with a 31/50 - a full 5 points over the score of the 2nd place.
I do have to admit that the Bonehill is a real tackdriver, and the rifle fits me - it literally is a blast to launch tose 500+gr slugs out to the moving deer at 100 yards.
I was really happy with my performance there, especially as it only is the 2nd time that I shot this competition - and last time was last year...
In all, we had quite a nice weekend with a decadent amount of shooting, good company, lots of meeting old friends - all good reasons to be there!
I met Adam and Kay on Friday evening in the Artist's, we had a beer (or more...) together, and talked about - you guessed it. Unfortunately, Jim wasn't able to make it, he apparently was hospitalized, so not able to come - talk about double punishment... Hope he is better by now.
For those who do not know it, this is a 2-day shooting competition for historical arms - from BP muzzleloaders to old target rifles, and everything in between. There is a wide variety of competitions, from 25m standing to 200yds standing, rapid fire, snaps etc - too much to mention.
I usually participate in the BP competitions at 200, and some gallery matches at 50m. It also is a good moment to see and meet people whom you haven't seen for some time, and admire each other's rifles.
I started out on Satuday with the BP match rifle at 200, prone, with sling. The wind was a bit variable coming from the right, which led to a few 4's. In all, I shot a decent, but by no means match-winning score of 44/50.
Next one was the Westley Richards ZAR in 577-450 at 200 - also prone, with sling. This was only the 3rd time I fired this rifle, but results were promising - and she didn't deceive me now either. Same problem as with the match rifle, I couldn't find the bull, but shot a respectable 41/50 - not too bad for a 1st outing at 200.
Next in line was the Steyr-Martini in #2 Musket, and that one gave me about the same results: 40/50
In all, I was happy with my preformance, even though some shot better - the winner shot an astounding 47/50 with a rifle identical to my ZAR, beating the next (trapdoor) shooter by a single point. Obviously, Martini's rule! I believe the 1st 8 places had 4 Martini's in them, so...
The afternoon was for some 50m offhand gallery rifle at Melville range. I managed to make a mess with the Swiss 38-40, not finding the rear sight, and having to search and remount it during the allotted time
Rook and rabbit rifle with the .310 cadet went a bit better, I managed to register a decent score with the little rifle - most misses being my fault, not the rifle's, I might add...
The next day (sunday), the weather was not too good - low-hanging clouds, lots of wind, and I was due to shoot Miniature service rifle at 200 with that very same .310 cadet. It took me 2 sighters and 1 scoring shot to set the sights, but then I managed to keep my shots in the 4-ring, ending with 42/50 - 1 point behind the match winner.
The last match of the day was the Vintage (=BP) running deer, which I shot with my Bonehill sporter in 500/450 #2 Musket. You get 2 sighters, and 10 shots for score on a deer target moving in both directions. Somehow or other everything came together there, and I ended with a 31/50 - a full 5 points over the score of the 2nd place.
I do have to admit that the Bonehill is a real tackdriver, and the rifle fits me - it literally is a blast to launch tose 500+gr slugs out to the moving deer at 100 yards.
I was really happy with my performance there, especially as it only is the 2nd time that I shot this competition - and last time was last year...
In all, we had quite a nice weekend with a decadent amount of shooting, good company, lots of meeting old friends - all good reasons to be there!
I met Adam and Kay on Friday evening in the Artist's, we had a beer (or more...) together, and talked about - you guessed it. Unfortunately, Jim wasn't able to make it, he apparently was hospitalized, so not able to come - talk about double punishment... Hope he is better by now.
