News

Bathurst Rifle Club Inc 2nd April 2016 Captains Trophy, 800yards

            The breeze as is usual sprung up just before the first shooters hit the mound for the first of two days of competition for the Captains Trophy. The early shooters did not fair too well as the breeze coming in from the south west changed strength quickly and constantly. Gusts up to 3 or 4 windage points above the average caught out many, with magpie threes becoming a common occurrence.

           Only the experienced duo of Nick Cock and Graeme Bright were able to master the changes both dropping just one point each but neither was able to make much impact on the centre bulls eye ring; Cock shooting just one centre and Bright two centre bulls eyes.

           Gordon Shepherd started the magpie scourge with a pair as John Coghill and Dennis Lavelle followed suit. Ron Gibson avoided the dubious honour, just, but inner fours were plenty. Jeff Eppleston playing with a homemade bipod in preparation for the FTR trials was most unhappy with the results of his efforts, the rifle almost uncontrollable at times. With 8 to be selected from a field of 38 Canada hopefuls Eppleston will need to come up with big improvements in his shooting gear.

           The cream floated to the top in the second stage as the conditions moderated with Shepherd, which he so often does shooting a possible, albeit light on centres. Cock then showed everyone why he is the predominant shooter in the club with a 50.06. Of the rest Coghill was the only improver as Bright and Gibson wobbled in the breeze and Lavelle had a disastrous stage as his projectiles sprayed all over the target.

           Eppleston packed bricks under his bipod with little improvement and left the mound with a lot of work and much thought needed to get a workable system for his FTR assault on the Canadian trip. Cock won the Cock of the Walk, A grade, and Gibson B grade.

           Due to the return to AEST and the B2B hill climb event on Barry Gurdon Drive, next weeks’ shoot will commence at the later time of 1300 hours. The last 300 yard Championship range will replace the previously designated 900 yard Captains Trophy which will be contested on the 9th April when members elect; of the Australian F-class rifle team to Canada will practice alongside club members. 

Scores:

N Cock TRA 99.07 (1/4) 99 ¼

R Gibson TRB 90.06 (9) 99

G Shepherd TRA 95.04 (2 ½) 97 ½

G Bright TRA 95.06 (1 ¾) 96 ¾

J Coghill TRB 88.03 (7 ½) 95 ½

J Eppleston FSA 107.6 (6 ¾) 94 ¾

D Lavelle TRB 84.03 (4 ¼) 88 ¼