More news, reviews and information at your fingertips

June 2010 Issue

Last instalment of
the .308
Winchester feature
Target Shooter
Make your own windflags • Pellet Preparation • New Products • and lots More…..1
2 Target Shooter
 With FL lens.

Without FL lens.

The Ultimate
Visual Experience

Victory FL Diavari 4-16x50 T* – the most compact long-range
riflescope of its class – tailored to demanding stalking at home
or abroad.
Cutting-Edge Long-Range
Hunting Optics
The new reference class by Carl Zeiss provides demanding hun-
ters with the perfect optical base for accurate shooting over long
distances. Thanks to the unique FL concept, the Victory FL Diavari
riflescopes offer razor-sharp details and bright images which
are free of chromatic aberrations even with high magnifications.
The innovative ballistic concepts ASV and RAPID-Z® allow for
defined and accurate aiming via holdover point or indexed hol-
dover lines.

New: Victory FL Diavari 4 –16 x 50 T*

www.zeiss.de/sportsoptics

Target Shooter 3
Welcome to the June Issue......................

.......of Target Shooter

Sections
17 The Sightron 111
10-50x60 Scope 6 Shooting Sport News
by Vince Bottomley
8 Shooters Calendar

10 Support your Local Gun

Shop
25 DIY Windflags
12 Self Adhesive ScopeTurret
by Carl Boswell
Labels by Nigel Greenaway

15 Website Review

21 Shooting Black Powder

Pistol by Chris Risebrook
31 Making the first shot
count by Vince Bottomley 37 I Phone Ballistics by Chris
Parkin

56 Handloading ‘Old Faithful’

the .308 by Laurie Holland

41 Pellet 70 Stuff your bags by

Vince Bottomley
Preperation Part 2
by Tim Finley 69 Lazy Mans Auto Reset
Target

74 This Smallbore Business

47 WMS Steel by Don Brook
Challenge
78 Profile on Matt Milson by
by Chris Parkin Hayley Platts

85 Club Review

101 Advertisers Index

80 Gallery Rifle
Basics - Past,
Present and Future
by Gwyn Roberts

4 Target Shooter
 Association Pages
86 UKBRA

88 UKBR22 Editor(s).
Carl Boswell and Vince Bottomley
90 F- Class Advertising and Office Manager
Andy Dubreuil. email; admin@targetshooter.co.uk
93 Quigley Association Contributors
Vince Bottomley Chris Parkin Tim Finley
96 Gallery Rifle Laurie Holland Chris Risebrook Carl Boswell
Don Brook Chris Farr Nigel Greenaway
97 UKPSA Gwyn Roberts Ken Hall Les Holgate
Hayley Platts Stanley Shaw Tony Saunders
Webitorial - June 2010
So, we have a new Government and a new format with a Con Lib Dem coalition. Personally, I’m not
unhappy with this – two new viewpoints rather than the tired old Labour spin.

Could these two new visionaries possibly see the sense in holding the Shooting Olympics at Bisley
rather than Woolwich? Not only a vast saving in staging the shooting but no de-commissioning
costs after the games. One of the Coalition’s promises is to “urgently move forward with plans for
a genuine and lasting legacy for the 2012 London Olympics”. This should at least mean scrapping
the idea of charging shooters of almost half a million for the ‘infrastructure’ left over from the shoot-
ing events!

No matter who is in power, Target Shooter continues to grow from strength to strength, with more
contributors, more content and more new readers. It would be nice to add ‘more advertisers’ to
that list but sadly, those who place copy for their employers just can’t be tempted to try something
new. The inside front cover and the back cover are the most expensive advertising slots in any
magazine and not surprisingly our major importers regularly buy this space. But is it cost-effective?
Advertising managers – are you really getting best value for your employer? If I told you there was
a magazine with three-times the readership of any other, wouldn’t you be tempted to try it?

We currently attract a monthly readership of over 10,000 with 70% from the UK and the remainder
spread over thirty countries. Why not try an ad. in Target Shooter and take advantage of our vast
readership? If shooters don’t know what you sell, how can they buy it from you? More and more
shooters are turning to the internet and that suits us just fine!

Until next month. Vince, Carl & Andy

Carl Boswell - carl@targetshooter.co.uk and Vince Bottomley - vinceb@targetshooter.co.uk and
Andy Dubreuil - admin@targetshooter.co.uk Copyright © Trinity Digital Publishing Ltd

Disclaimer
The website www.targetshooter.co.uk is part of Target Shooter magazine with all contents of both electronic media copyrighted. No reproduction is permitted unless
written authorisation is provided.
Information, prices and data is believed to be correct at the time of posting on the internet which is on or around the 1st of each month. Advertisements that are firearm
related are from companies or individuals that Target Shooter magazine believes are licensed to hold such firearms and accepts no responsibility if companies or
individuals are not so licensed.
Letters and photographs submitted by members of the public to Target Shooter magazine will be accepted on the basis that the writer has agreed to publication unless
otherwise stated. Target Shooter magazine has no control over the content or ownership of photographs submitted.
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publishers and relate to specific circumstances within each article. These are the opinions
and experiences of writers using specific equipment, firearms, components and data under controlled conditions. Information contained in the online magazine or on the
website is intended to be used as a guide only and in specific circumstances caution should be used. Target Shooter Magazine does not except any responsibility for
individuals attempting to recreate such testing using any information, data or other materials in its electronic pages.Publishers of Target Shooter magazine.

Target Shooter 5
 Shooting Sport News

True-Flite Stock better bedding but also takes the ‘ring’ out of
This New Zealand company is famous for its the stock, which is often present with aluminium
barrels but now they have launched a new stocks.
rifle-stock. As you can see from the photograph
it is a composite of aluminium and wood. The The stock in the picture is configured for off-hand
billet aluminium is CNC machined to take Target Rifle shooting and comes with a multi-
the Barnard P action and it incorporates an adjustable butt and cheek-piece. This
interesting ‘flexi-bed’ system. wouldn’t of course be needed for F Class and
considerable weight (and cost) could be saved
This bedding system is quite clever in that the by removing it. I’m hoping that an F/TR version
action is pulled-down into the bedding area will eventually be available as I would reckon
on to two flexible synthetic ‘rails’. The actualthat there would be a significant market for such
bedding-screw pillars are also flexibly mounted. a stock.
This system will provide a much greater area of
contact for the action rather than simply riding Fox Firearms are the True-Flite importers and
on ‘highspots’- as is the usual case with an Brian Fox has recruited a couple of volunteers
aluminium bedding-block system. I would to try the stock so look out for a follow-up.
imagine that the flexi-bed not only provides

6 Target Shooter
The Phoenix Trade Show offer for the long range shooter and we hope to
The Phoenix Meeting had a lively trade show have a review of one of them in an issue later
this year. It took at least ten minutes to get to this year – see pic. As did Midway UK, Westlake
the stall you wanted to get too, through the Engineering, Fox Firearms, NWCP, Innovatech,
crowds. It was jam packed. The usual stalls were Green Leopard. We are working to have new
present, with a few new ones as well. The products for review in the future.
trade show has a variety of things to offer, from Although it was a wet and breezy day – it’s a
antiques to the latest in technical gadgetry, for bank holiday so that is the norm – the trade show
those into a variety of shooting sports. had its usual enticements. What would be nice
Global Rifles had a number of products on to see is something a lot bigger at Bisley during
this weekend, like the UK Shooting Show we
reviewed a few months ago. Bisley is the
The rain kept a lot in the Pavilion during the wet home of UK shooting and the Phoenix could
Saturday afternoon grow – with backing - to the size of the Anno
Domini meeting many years ago. Some-
thing to think about, as the UK Shooting
Show was a great success.
Gwyn, who I met at the show, will no doubt
be writing a review of the matches from
his perspective in the coming months, as I
know he was there for the full four days of
shooting. Something to look forward to in
upcoming issues.

Last but not least minimum. With the Olympics looming there
– our new government in the form of David could not be a better time.
Cameron and Nick Clegg have announced
the desire to repeal a host of “Bad Legislation” Anyway, one for you all to ponder.
that Labour had imposed. They were actually
seeking people to TELL them WHICH laws This is in the words of a friend via email, but
should be repealed. Now, there is a great it is something that all shooters, whatever they
opportunity for us all, including this magazine, shoot should get involved with – start petitions
to get a message out that shooters should call in the house of commons, etc. Watch this space
for the repeal of the .22 handgun ban at a for more news.

Target Shooter 7
Calendar of events over the next few months
If your club or association has events you want to publicise here then email us.
1 June NRA Shooting Club Day (National
Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
Multi-discipline NRA Shooting Club Day. Targets
have been booked on Melville and at 100, 200,
900 and 1000 yards. All disciplines welcome.
Open to all full members of the NRA who have
completed and returned the registration form
which is available by clicking on the link below.
Contact Heather Webb at the NRA
7 June Highpower Rifle Association Match
(National Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
80 round XTC. Details can be found by clicking
on the links below.
http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk
5-6 June WEST MIDLANDS REGIONAL
TARGET SHOOTING SQUAD
West Midlands 10m Airgun Championships
3 x 60-shot matches, finals, standard and 5
target pistol. WMRTSC Wolverhampton
Karen Morris Phone (Ian): 07970 166457
Email: kazmorris@orange.net
7 June to 9 June Scottish Open Championships
(Barry Buddon (Scotland))
This years Scottish Open Prize Meeting will be
held at Barry Ranges, Carnoustie near Dundee on
Saturday 7 June to Monday 9 June 2008.
Whether TR or F Class, expert or beginner,
everyone is welcome at this hugely enjoyable
meeting.
Further information and entry forms may be
obtained from Allan Mabon or by clicking below.
http://www.scottishrifleassociation.org.uk
7 June to 8 June Greshams and Norfolk Open
Meeting (Thetford (England))
http://www.ncra.co.uk/fb%20entry%20form.htm
11 to 13 June British International 50 Metre
Championships http://www.benchrest22.org
Email: info@nsra.co.uk
Location: Lord Roberts Centre, Bisley
12-13 June : Hungarian FT Open 2010
Field Target air rifle National Championship +
Open.
more details: http://www.fieldtarget.hu/ftob2010
more info: fieldtarget@fieldtarget.hu
8 Target Shooter
5 to 6 July F Class League (National Shooting
Centre (NSC), Bisley)
Contact(s): Mik Maksimovic
5 to 6 July MLAGB Pedersoli Challenge
(Wedgenock, Warwickshire)
An Open Competition for pistol, rifle and musket.
Contact(s): David Spittles
7 to 26 July NRA Imperial Meeting (National
Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
NRA Imperial Meeting. This series of matches
is divided up into disciplines with competitions
for Service Rifle, Civilian Service Rifle, Cadets,
Historic Arms, Schools, Gallery Rifle and Pistol,
Match Rifle and Target Rifle. It finishes on the
26th July with the Queens Final followed by Prize
Giving.
Contact(s): NRA Imperial Meeting
26th July- 6th August Rimfire and Air Rifle
Benchrest European Championships 2010. Plzen
in the Czech Republic - http://www.erabsf.org
3 Aug Highpower Rifle Association Match
(National Shooting Centre (NSC), Bisley)
80 round XTC. Details can be found by clicking
on the links below.
http://www.highpowerrifle.co.uk
Contact(s): Highpower Rifle Match Entries
23 to 24 Aug Gallery Rifle National
Championships (National Shooting Centre (NSC).
Some of the events being shot are 1500, Bianchi
Match, Timed & Precision 1, 2 and 3, Multi-
Target, Precision at 25 and 50, Phoenix A,
Advancing Target and Speed Steel Challenge.
Contact Brian Thomas
27 to 29th Aug - UK National Rimfire and Air Rifle
Championship - held at Paul Lane Rifle and Pistol
Club. Cotact via the UKBR22 website
26 Sep Somerset SBSA – Open Shoot. (Rifle)
Long Ashton Ranges. Tel. 01275 836442. Email.
julian.withey@btinternet.com
1-3 October: Field Target World Championship,
Hungary more details: http://www.fieldtarget.hu/
ftob2010
more info:fieldtarget@fieldtarget.hu
 Portsmouth Gun Centre Ltd
295 London Road
North End
Portsmouth
PO2 9HF
Opening Times Tel 02392 660574
Mon 9.30 - 5.30 Fax 02392 644666
Tues Closed
Wed Closed E-mail sales@portsmouthguncentre.com
Thur 9.30 - 5.30 Website www.portsmouthguncentre.com
Fri 9.30 - 5.30
Sat 9.30 - 5.30
We stock a full range of Rifles, Pistols, Air Guns, Shotguns, Ammunition,
Reloading Equipment and Accessories. All major brands stocked including BSA,
CZ, Air Arms, Marlin, Ruger, Umarex, Uberti, Cometa, Pedersoli, Berreta, Lincoln,
Webley, Pedersoli, etc.

Welcome to GT Shooting.
The premier shooting sports shop in Surrey

Fullbore & .22LR Optics

Black Power Ammunition
Air Rifles and Pistols Reloading equipment
Used rifles and Pistols and more...

Our premises are located at

53 Chipstead Valley Road, Coulsdon, Surrey, CR5 2RB
www.gtshooting.co.uk

Tel: 020 8660 6843

Fax: 020 8660 6843
We are conveniently situated near the M23 & M25.Shooter
Target 9
Opening times: Tuesday to Saturday 10.00am - 5.30pm
 ‘Support your local gun shop’
The Dolphin Gun Company
The Dolphin Gun Company is the result of a
collaboration between two friends who are both
well-known shooters on the GB F Class scene.
Mik Maksimovic will be known to many of you as the
major ‘mover’ in the GB F Class Association and it
was Mik who masterminded the Team who beat the
World at the 2009 World F Class Championships at
Bisley.
Mik’s partner is Peter Hobson, another keen F Class
shooter and GB Team member and both have vast
long-range shooting experience. In line with several
shooting ventures which have emerged recently, the
Company was born out of necessity.
When F Class got serious in the UK three or four
years ago, many Open Class shooters – particularly
those using the 7mmWSM – soon realised that a
barrel wasn’t likely to last a full season. Aside from
any cost consideration, it was proving difficult to get
quality gunsmithing work done within a reasonable
time-scale so, the Dolphin Gun Company was born
– initially to supply and fit barrels for Mik and Peter
and for a few fellow shooters. Then, as demand and
expertise increased, they were soon being asked to
supply complete rifles.
Setting up in the gunsmithing business is not easy
or cheap. Premises and machinery in the form of
lathes, milling machines etc. must be acquired.
Fortunately, Peter Hobson is already heavily
involved in the precision engineering business and
has a vast premises set in the beautiful Lincolnshire
countryside. Peter’s business already had a sort of
Mik Maksimovic sorts out another load for a
customer
10 Target Shooter
shooting link as he is involved in building armoured
vehicles and test-range facilities for a variety of
weapons was already in place. This facility can now
be extended to the new business and all customer
guns are fired and supplied with a test target and
load data – pretty unique as I don’t know anyone
else offering this service.
Most of the work currently in hand is concerned
with F Class rifles as this is the field where Mik and
Peter have amassed a vast amount of knowledge
and a major part of their work is with the Barnard
action though of course, they will build a rifle to a
customer’s wishes and at the time of my visit, Mik
was testing a customer’s tactical rifle built around a
Surgeon action and McMillan A5 stock.
With shooters’ requirements so varied, it’s
impossible to maintain an inventory of stocks and
actions but they do aim to keep a good selection
of barrels in stock – mainly Bartlein – as this
component is usually the ‘stumbling-block’ as a
six-month wait is typical at the moment. By keeping
a good stock of barrels, it means that re-barrelling
can be turned around very quickly and they are also
happy to supply barrels to others in the trade.
Their indoor ballistic test range is well equipped with
a proper chronograph and calibres up to 50BMG can
be evaluated. Integral with the range tunnel is an
extensive reloading and maintenance facility all
properly kitted out to provide a warm comfortable
environment. Check out the website at www.dol-
phinguncompany.co.uk
Rifle Work Ammunition Development
 Re-barreling work Assistance in Ammunition Development up to and
 Fitting of Moderators and Muzzle brakes - Reproofing of including .50 BMG
Rifle required
 Trigger work – See Trigger work

Ballistics Testing
Offering Ballistics testing for research
and development purposes to Stanag,
NIJ and V50 testing of composite and
steel materials. Including High speed
photography and Certifiable Results of
tests.
Dolphin are now proud to announce
that we are ISO 9001:2008 BSI
certificate No FM32560 for our
Ballistic testing.

Dolphin Gun Company & Ballistic Services (a division of Hobson Industries )

2 Vine Street
STAMFORD
Lincs
PE9 1QE
Tel: 01780 481567 or 0774 7771962
Email: mik@mikdolphin.demon.co.uk

Website: www.dolphinguncompany.co.uk

Please feel free to contact us at any reasonable time to discuss any requirements that you may have.

Target Shooter 11
 Self adhesive scope turret labels
by Nigel Greenaway

Above - The self adhesive labels as they come in the packet. A rather innovative idea that
may well prove popular with a lot of shooters
Over the years I’ve become quite adept at reaching
for my old modelling paintbrush to carefully paint new
numbers on to elevation turrets of various scopes
to represent quick reference points for 100, 200,
300 yards, etc. This was always a small but vital
element of Practical Rifle and Service Rifle
competition preparation – you really do not have
time to refer to a piece of paper sellotaped on to the
side of the rifle and then count the clicks for the next
range. Both disciplines involve run downs between
ranges where you have approximately 30 seconds
to reach the next firing point 100 yards away. Using
any of these seconds to count clicks is a recipe
for disaster – especially during a 600 yard to 100
yard rundown when your brain starts to get a bit
Below - Before and after
scrambled due to lack of oxygen! When you are
exhausted and gasping for air being able to quickly
move your elevation turret on to the next CLEARLY
INDICATED range is vital.
You can imagine then how delighted I was when
I heard about Rangesports.Com – a small UK
company that has spotted a niche in the market
and has started to produce sidewheel/turret labels,
primarily for air rifles. The labels are printed on
exterior grade heat laminated adhesive vinyl which
is hard wearing and waterproof. Rangesports.com
also manufactures custom stickers so a quick email
explaining my need for a simple set of numbers
from one to ten soon resulted in a custom pack of

12 Target Shooter
Above - AR15 with Nightforce scope My current Civilian Service Rifle is a Southern Gun
Company Speedmaster topped with a Nightforce
NXS 2.5-10x24 scope. This is a great little scope
stickers. You can see from the photographs that the
which I selected for its size. The elevation turret is
labels have a vertical line below the range number
not very tall which leaves little room for paining new
which can be aligned to your zero point for that
numbers on – which you can see from my efforts in
distance. The air rifle labels start at 8 and move
the picture where I have painted new silver range
up in one yard or metre increments to 20 and
numbers. I found that the Rangesports labels had
then change to 2 yard/metre increments up to 60.
to be cut down in height but this was no problem
There are a few other distances thrown in for good
and they were easy to handle and apply. The latest
measure like 25, 35, 45 and 55. These distances are
Nightforce scope has a taller turret so this will make
then repeated for the side focus wheel that air rifle
life easier.
shooters use for range finding.
All in all a great idea and I look forward to testing
They are available in two colour ways but custom
them for the rest of the shooting season.
colours are available:

Black with white lettering and markers.

Light Grey with black lettering and white markers

(more suitable for aluminium sidewheels)

The label sizes are 5mm x 6mm for the turret labels
and 8mm x 5mm for the side wheel. Cost is £7.45
which includes postage. Visit www.rangesports.
com for more details including information on their
other shooting accessories.

Target Shooter 13
TIM HANNAM Retail & Trade
EnquiriesWelcome
The Reloading Specialists
Peckfield Lodge,
Great North Road ,
Leeds, LS25 5LJ
Tel: 01977 681639 Fax: 01977 684272
New
3 in 1 Case
Mouth Cutter

Reloading Presses
We stock a full range of presses by Lee, Lyman, Hornady and Forster

Reloading Dies
We stock a wide range of die sets and individual dies by Lee, Lyman ,
Hornady and Forster

Scales
We stock both electronic and beam scales from Lee, Lyman , Hornady.

Brass Cases
From the most popular to the fairly obscure Manufacturers include
Lapua, Remington, Winchester, Starline and IMI

Smokeless Powders
We carry a wide range of powders from Vihtavouri, Hodgdon, IMR
and Alliant

Case Preparation Accessories

We stock a wide range of equipment, tools and kits.

Bullets
Including Match, Varmint and Target bullets from Lapua, Hornady
Remington and Winchester. We carry a wide range of pistol bullets in
both jacketed and lead.

Primers
For both Rifle and Pistol calibers from Remington, Winchester,
CCI and Federal

plus lots more inc Pro-shot, Birchwood Casey, G96

14 Target Shooter
 Website Review

This month we review our own website and it would the account on for ‘passing trade’, for want of a
be great to get some ideas from you, the reader. So better expression! However, the interest in the Scribd
please pass these on to us. versions of the magazine could not be more healthy,
standing at over 5000 readers a month – we thought
One of the reasons for this review is that most of we would remind readers who use this site about the
our readers, about 9500 per month visit it for all the official Target Shooter website and the past issues,
services we offer. We started off using Scribd as videos and support available via our website.
the medium for Target Shooter magazine, Not that it matters as readers are
but this became readers at the end of the day, but
cumbersome very for best viewing of our magazine
quickly. When and peripheral products, do try
taking on the new an visit us here at www.target-
magazine software shooter.co.uk.
we thought
interest in the Scribd
version would wane
a little. Just keeping

Target Shooter 15
 Tel/Fax 01722782432
Email; ags.westlake@virgin.net/ Website; www.westlakeengineering.com

The Taurus ML Revolver is converted from a Taurus .357 Magnum Long Barrelled Revolver.
The cylinder is removed and a Yoke extension fitted, this contains the spring loaded
plunger that frees the action when the yoke is closed. As this extension cannot be removed,
it prevents the re-fitting of the original cylinder. The Barrel is shortened to approximately 5
¼ inches and the wristbrace is removed.
A new cylinder is made which has pockets for shotgun primers at the rear with a small
flash hole through into the chamber at the front. The chamber is made to accept .357” lead
wadcutter bullets. The conversion of your pistol costs £330.00. Extra Cylinders are £180.00
each. If you do not have a pistol I can order a new pistol from the Importers.

www.FoxFirearmsUK.com
Tel: 0161 430 8278 or 07941 958464
PUTTING SHOOTING FIRST

VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE VERY BEST VALUE CUSTOM PRECISION RIFLES FOR TR, MATCH,
F-CLASS, AND BENCH-REST—WE ARE NOW SELLING A FULL RANGE OF HARRELL PRODUCTS
WE STOCK HUNTING RIFLES BY COOPER, KIMBER AND PFEIFER AND COMPETITION-WINNING RIFLES
FROM KELBLY AND KEPPELER, AND ARE TRADE AGENTS FOR THE
SUPERB BARNARD ACTIONS, AND RECORD-BREAKING TRUE-FLITE AND BARTLEIN BARRELS

WE ALSO STOCK PROFESSIONAL BORESCOPES (from £533) AND A RANGE OF HIGH-POWER SCOPES
FOR COMPETITION AT AMAZING PRICES (eg 8-32X50 WITH 30mm TUBES FROM £100) ALONG WITH
STUNNING BINOCULARS AND SPOTTING SCOPES

SEB LAMBANG BENCH RESTS AND ACCESSORIES ARE THE BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE. WE STOCK HIS
FULL RANGE AT LOWEST POSSIBLE PRICES, ALONG WITH THE BUDGET
CALDWELL RANGE- BERGER BULLETS TO YOUR DOOR- EXPORT TO EUROPE, NO PROBLEM!
SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL SPECIFICATIONS AND CURRENT STOCKLIST
16 EVERYTHING
Target Shooter WE IMPORT IS BY FAR THE BEST VALUE IN THE UK
First impressions of the Sightron
S111 Series 10-50x60
LRTD scope
Above - Here’s the 10-50 Sightron next to my 8-32 Nightforce NXS (top)
When is ‘big’ too big? I remember when I bought
my first rifle, a ten-power scope was considered
to be ‘plenty big enough’. In some respects
it was – for the rifles we were using then! I new ‘benchmark’.
remember buying my first 36 power Leupold
scope for benchrest competition. We need 36
power because we must be able to see our
shot-holes at 200 yards but, no one expects
to see shot-holes at 1000 yards – do they? At
1000 yards, all we are doing is ‘quartering’ a
large circular target and yes, you can do that
quite well with a ten-power scope. When your
shot is marked with a spotting-disk, you will see
it with your ten power.
Then along came Nightforce with their 12-42
power scope. It was expensive, I was happy to
ignore it – until somebody turned up with one.
We all had a look through it – the world would
never be the same again! I bought a Nightforce.
We all bought a Nightforce! We all learned a
little as well - bigger isn’t necessarily clearer and
some shooters preferred the image at 32 power
rather than 42. Amongst discerning shooters,
the 8-32 Nightforce developed a following and
the optics on my 8-32 Nightforce BR are just
about the best of all my scopes and I tend to
by Vince Bottomley
use it as a benchmark when reviewing optics
for Target Shooter. Having said that, I’ve just
acquired a 40X March so that might become the
In a world where top-end optics are
approaching £2000 many shooters are looking
for the best possible value before they part
with their hard-earned. Over the past twelve
months, we have had a new player in the quality
target-scope market – Sightron. Aimfield
Sports is the UK importer which for me is great
because CEO John Dean is also a keen F Class
shooter and you will see him at most of the GB F
Class League shoots. In other words, he knows
about the kit he is selling, unlike some of our
importers who have scant knowledge of their
products – let alone the experience of actually
using them! Sightron’s 8-32 has proved to be
a very popular scope with F Class shooters
and no wonder, when I tested it alongside my
Nightforce, the Sightron matched it for image
quality and, if I remember rightly, offered a
slightly more contrasty image. Not bad, when
you consider that the 8-32 Sightron is a good bit
cheaper than anything in its class.
Target Shooter 17

When I heard that Sightron were about to launch
a 10-50 power scope I got quite excited and
when I saw the first one to hit the UK on the
Aimfield Sports stand at the Newark Show, I just
had to have it for a review for Target Sports readers.
Yes, we have already reviewed the 12-50
Schmidt & Bender, a fabulous scope in every
aspect but at around £1750, it will sadly
remain out of reach of many shooters but John
confidently told me that he would be able to
retail the new Sightron for under a grand –
fantastic! What’s more, he agreed to lend me
the scope – but only for a couple of days – a lot
of people want to see it, so this review will be
more of an impression than a full test.
Eager to make the most of this opportunity, I
opted to use the Sightron in a 600 yard
benchrest competition coming up on Easter
Monday. It’s just possible to see 6.5mm
bullet-holes at 600 yards with my Nightforce so
this would be a good test for the 10-50 Sightron
but before we do, let’s have a closer look at this
bit of glass. On the scales, the Sightron weighs
in at 1 lb. 13 ounces – not bad – a tad lighter
than the Nightforce. Yes, those three ounces
will be important to shooters who are attempting
to meet a weight limit – like F/TR at 18lbs.2 oz.
or benchrest Light Gun competitors who are
18 Target Shooter
Not many scopes have a ‘50’ on the
zoom ring
restricted to 17lbs. When building rifles for these
disciplines, ounces are important!
The Sightron’s 30mm body tube has the
usual satin anodised finish and the 36 mm
ocular comes with a protective rubber ring which
will no doubt save a few of us from the dreaded
‘snipers kiss’. The ocular can also be rotated –
as with European scopes – to focus the reticle.
And, now that I’ve mentioned it, the reticle is an
ultra-fine crosshair-dot which will satisfy even
the most discerning benchrest shooter and is
exactly what is required for accurate long-range
target work. If I remember, I did comment on
the reticle on the early 8-32 Sightron scope as
being just a little heavy for my taste. Thank-you
Sightron for addressing this – we now have a
perfect reticle. (They have also upgraded the
8-32 reticle).
The objective lens is a substantial 60mm in
diameter - so be thinking about high rings,
though if you are using a Picatinny type rail, this
will give you a useful bit of lift. In true Sightron
style, all lettering is tastefully incised in gold and
on the underside of the turret, that all-important
‘Made in Japan’. Controls move with that smooth
‘precision’ feel of a quality instrument and the
turrets, which are protected by dust covers,
 Yes – it was raining when I
took these shots!

adjust with a positive ‘click’ in eighth MOA Sightron is now back with the importer, Aimfield
graduations. Long-range ‘effers appreciate Sports and we will have to wait until the first
eighth MOA clicks. Their half MOA V bull is now delivery arrives from America before we can
four clicks across – not two! complete this review and carry out all our usual
tests to check adjustment accuracy, return to
The side-focus (not available on the lower- zero, tracking and resolving power of the lenses
priced Nightforce BR scope) travels three- etc.
quarters of a turn from closest focus (which I
didn’t get chance to measure) out to infinity. Both Meanwhile, I can only say that this scope has
lenses have a greeny-blue anti-flare coating and created a lot of interest and no wonder, on the
internally, the body-tube has received an face of it Sightron are giving us a scope the
effective anti-flare finish. Don’t look directly equal of any for less than £1000. If you are
into the sun to check the effectiveness of this interested, get in touch with Aimfield Sports
but, under normal use shooting towards the www.aimfieldsports.com and make sure you
sun - but not into it - I couldn’t induce flare. have your name on one from that first batch.
Similarly, chromatic aberration – or ‘fringing’ – a
greeny-yellow halo around high-contrast If you need another reason to buy a Sightron
subjects - was minimal. here’s one of the best. Sightron are the only
scope manufacturer sponsoring UK shooting. In
Normally I would carry out my optical addition to giving scopes as prizes at the World
comparison test with my Nightforce BR but, no and European F Class Championships, they
time so it’s straight into the 600 yard competition. have also given F/TR World Champion Russell
I decided to really test the Sightron by Simmonds a scope. Support those who support
mounting it on my 22 Dasher rather than the us!
6.5x47 I normally use. This would be a real test
of the Sightron’s optics – would I really be able
to see 22 bullet-holes at 600 yards?

The answer? Yes, I could. Amazing! Sadly, the

Target Shooter 19
20 Target Shooter
 Shooting the Black Powder Pistol
Part 7

by Chris Risebrook
In Part 6, we went through the loading procedure for 2 and give the barrel a good slap to make sure
single shot pistols. Now, let’s see if we can actually that no powder is stuck in the tube. Then, place a
make it go bang! To make it more difficult, I have pre-greased patch centrally over the muzzle, and
chosen the flintlock. place the ball in the centre of the patch - photo 3.
This pistol is a .44 cal. smoothbore and I use .435
ball with a ten thou. patch. It just so happens that
cotton handkerchief material is ideal.

Smoothbores seem to work best with substantial

charges and this one seems to give its best
accuracy with 30 grains and tight patching. Having
a saw-handled grip eans the pistol cannot roll round
in the hand, so the recoil is fairly robust but not

Pic 2

Pic 1

Before every shot, I always drop the measuring

rod down the barrel, as shown in photo 1. This has
‘empty’ marks for both my pistols. I mentioned in a
previous article how easy it is to double load - we
have all done it, but by sticking to this routine, the
problem should not occur.

Next, put the drop-tube down the barrel - see photo

Target Shooter 21
 Pic 3
Pic 4
uncomfortable - or bad enough to induce flinch.
However, you are left in no doubt that it has gone
off!. Conversely, the .36 cal. percussion is at its best
with 12 grains, again with tight patching.
Photo 4 shows the ball being tapped into the
22 Target Shooter
Pic 5
barrel with the mallet. Note that the mallet is faced
with cork to save any damage to the muzzle crown.
With a tight fitting ball, it requires a little bit of force.
Then drive the seated ball down the barrel with the
ramrod - photo 5. This is home-made from brass
rod with a nylon tip on the business end and a draw-
Pic 6
er knob on the other. Primitive, but effective! I don’t
like the idea of using a steel rod in a steel barrel,
especially when it is full of gunpowder! Steel on steel
is not likely to be a good idea at the best of times.
Next, sprinkle a little powder from the flask into the
pan - photo 6. It is best not to overdo the powder and
keep it just clear of the touch hole. Close the frizzen
and set the trigger - photo 7 - take a deep breath
and fire. Photo 8/9 – nothing! Bother - or something
 Pic 7

Pic 8

score and we can go home and clean the thing. The

whole procedure is messy and frustrating, but it is
similar - but look on the bright side, at least you were amazing the degree of accuracy possible from a
not fighting a duel! Were people really that stupid? smooth-bore barrel at 25 metres.
On a bad day my ratio of successes to misfires
is about 4:1 - nothing more frustrating for target
shooting and not conducive to accuracy but rotten
odds for anything more serious. After one of these
‘duds’, I wait one minute to be on the safe side in Pic 9
case of a hangfire and also to regain my composure.
Then, open the frizzen, brush out any powder
residue, clean the touchhole with the pricker,
re-prime, close the frizzen, re-set the trigger and try
again.

Photo 9 - result! Just twelve more shots for a MLAGB

Target Shooter 23
 www.FoxFirearmsUK.com
Tel: 0161 430 8278 or 07941 958464
PUTTING SHOOTING FIRST
For all your F Class, Centerfire and Rimfire Benchrest needs
Harrel Barrel Tuner for
Rimfire Benchrest Rifle

SEB Co-axial
Custom Rest

Cooper TRP-3 Rimfire

Benchrest Rifle
VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE THE VERY BEST VALUE CUSTOM PRECISION RIFLES FOR TR, MATCH,
F-CLASS, AND BENCH-REST— http://www.foxfirearmsuk.com/
WE STOCK HUNTING RIFLES BY COOPER, KIMBER AND PFEIFER AND COMPETITION-WINNING RIFLES
FROM KELBLY AND KEPPELER, AND ARE TRADE AGENTS FOR THE
24 SUPERB BARNARDShooter
Target ACTIONS, AND RECORD-BREAKING TRUE-FLITE AND BARTLEIN BARRELS

By Carl Boswell
A while ago I wrote an article on wind flags and Above - a standard match with a vareity of
their uses within rimfire and air rifle benchrest.
They are equally important in centerfire benchrest flags vary greatly.
as well.
When new shooters come into the sport, they are
naturally concerned with getting the very best rifle
and scope they can afford. Next up is usually a
quality rest and back bag but the wind flag is just
as important yet many shooters never own a set of
flags and rely on someone else to provide them.
Few of us are capable of building our own rifle
but a set of wind flags is a different matter and a
simple flag can be put together by anyone with the
most basic tools and skill. If you want to progress,
please give some serious consideration to having
your own set of flags. And remember, practising
without wind flags is a waste of ammunition!
I have attempted further research on the types of
flags that are available and what is needed to help
you make that vital shot. I found, whilst shooting
a number competitions, that those with and those
without flags do tend to have contrasting scores,
so there is no doubt that using wind flags does
help. This however is going to be down to personal
taste, as I know colleagues who only use ribbons
as indicators, while others use the best they can
get their hands on. The styles and size of these
DIY Wind Flags
windflags
Within these next few articles I would like to offer
some DIY knowledge that may stand you in good
stead in developing your own flags. A colleague
and friend in the USA, Doug Weeter, truly believes
that making your own wind flags will actually teach
you more about what the wind is doing, as you
are designing them specifically for yourself. (His
website can be found at http://www.thewind-
isnotyourfriend.com/ on this website you will
also find the design offered below in imperial
measurements).
I tend to agree with Doug but, with everything DIY
you will need some equipment to make the flags.
Where things become technical it may be worth
finding out if anyone in your club has a lathe,
as some parts will need to be made on such a
machine. I don’t have a lathe so I had my parts
made up for me to save time.
There are a number of types of wind flag available
on the open market, single vane, dual vane, 360
degree, 180 degree, etc. These all attempt to
provide information to the shooter regarding the
Target Shooter 25
 PIC 1 basic windflag

speed and direction/angle the wind is coming from
at various points along the path the bullet will take.
They can be made very simply - like the one I
made 8 years ago. (Pic1)
Chart 1
These were made using a bit of polystyrene card,
cut to shape and aluminium rod for the main shaft
with a model propeller and some plastic rod as the
pivot where it would be held in an aluminium tube

26 Target Shooter
 180 degree windicator,
PIC 2 plan which is larger, is to
be used at 50m. The
dual-vane flags will be
spaced between these,
showing direction and
angle of the wind.
So let’s get to making
– the 360 degree first.
You will need the pieces
outlines in the chart
opposite

All the metals required
should be available
locally but if not, a
search of the internet,
or a well known auction
site, will put you onto
those materials that
you need. Even the
Corroflute (sometimes
called Corex) is
available in small or
large quantities. Do
have a look at the
diagrams included
with this article. (Pic 2)
The whole set of plans
for these and all the
others will be available
on the UKBR22
website at http://www.
benchrest22.org/rim-
that acts as the stand. A ribbon can then be fireBRfaqs.htm
added as a tail to the plastic vane.

All these materials are available at my local

model shop or your local DIY superstore.
This is as basic as you can go - cheap and
cheerful! More information can be found
about this wind flag on the UKBR22 website,
at; http://www.benchrest22.org/FAQs/
windflag.pdf
However, we can do far better than that!

I have opted for having between three and

six flags available to me at any one time, so
I am making up a set of six, three dual-vane,
two 360 degree ‘windicators’ and one 180
degree ‘windicator’. All of these do different
jobs along the 50m or 25 m bullet flight path.
The windicators show the speed of the wind
and, in the case of the 360 degree version, PIC 3 center connector
also the direction of the wind. The latter are
not so easy to read beyond 35 meters, so the
Target Shooter 27
 As stated earlier, making
all these things will
mean having access to a
number of tools or
machinery - or like me
you ask someone to
make them up for you.
I have made parts with
something as simple
as a drill mounted on a
bench acting as a simple
lathe - useful when
forming and polishing
small parts. It depends
on the skill you also have
and how easily making
things like this comes to
you.
Alternatively how about
sharing the effort and do
this as a club.

After you have created

the union joint the rest is
quite easy as it is basi-
cally just assembling the
parts that you have just
made. (Pic 4) The trick
here is to make sure the
red paddle slips over the
main white vain first and
then attached the union
joint. This should be
PIC 4 windflag assembly free to move very easily
and blowing on it should
indicate how easily this
moves. A bit of grease,
silicon spray or even
freeing-up the end
I would cut out cardboard templates of all the nut could allow better
corroflute parts first so you get the shape that you movement of the wind paddle. Once everything
need. These can then be used as templates to is in place and you are happy with your
draw round. Once done, the corroflute can be cut assembly, tighten all set screws that hold the
with a sharp knife. This is then sanded to form. support rods and weight, as you want these set
firmly in place. The only things that should move
With the easiest pieces made, the hardest parts are the red panel, via the union joint and the flag
are the union joint elements which will need to itself when you attach it to the stand. The latter part
be drilled, using a pillar drill or a lathe. These do will be discussed in the next article.
take some time and please follow the diagrams
included in this article for sizes. You have five There you have it. One 360 degree windicator
holes to drill along the length of solid bar. Some (I did not choose the name) ready for action.
pieces are easy cut and could be done with a pillar (Pic 5) The last thing to do is experiment
drill, whilst others that allow the flag to rotate with the weight on the bottom rod, as this will
concentrically will need quite precise machining. indicate the speed of the wind. It will take some
(Pic 3) time to adjust until you are happy with the reading it
provides and that it is precise. I spent an hour or
28 Target Shooter

PIC 5 Homemade 360 degree speed and direction flag,
courtesy of Doug Weeter
two testing mine with an anemometer at the side of
it until I was happy with the settings.
PIC 6 wind flag colours
Even then I will look out for the
character of the wind on specific
days - if it is light or heavy - as each
day brings its own little quirks.
I have limited space in this article
so if there are any questions please
feel free to e-mail me via the
magazine.
One last thing to think about before I
leave you for this first part - do think
about the colours of vinyl or tape you
use for these flags. (Please don’t
use paints as these will flake). It will
be very significant for the next series
of designs, but can be considered
for those described above. White is
very important as the base colour
as it can be picked up visually very
easily. Other colours that seem to
work well are reds and blues. I have
chosen green and orange for the
main wind flags, as this seems to be
used by a number of manufacturers.
Black also seems to work.
Others in the US have done further
experiments, hence I mention
reds and blues (Pic 6). Colour is
something to consider as these flags
have to be easily seen at a distance
between 0 and 50 metres. Reading
what these flags are telling you
without difficulty and quickly is vital
in this game. Next time I will look
at other wind flag designs and the
mountings used between the flags
and the stands they fit on. Until then
good (and straight) shooting.
Target Shooter 29
 Knowing your conditions
Helps to keep your aim true
Weather Meters

Easy to use

Accurate

Wind speeds

Cross Winds

Air Pressure

Humidity

Temperature

Dew Point

Wind Chill

Altitude

Time and Date

Graphical Display

Data Logging


ORDER ONLINE FROM

www.r-p-r.co.uk
Tel: 01590 679755
30 Target Shooter
 Making that first shot count

by Vince Bottomley
Greg Thompson won the GB F Class League in no sighters?”
2008 and, as is tradition, we conducted an interview Now that would really put the cat amongst the
with Greg. These interviews follow a standard pigeons! Most UK shooting competitions allow the
pattern and one of the questions we always ask is competitor a couple of sighting shots – plus we even
“Would you like to see any changes to the F Class have the luxury of ‘blow-off’ shots in major F Class
rules.” Greg’s (tongue in cheek) reply – “What about comps. One shoot that doesn’t have any sighters is
the Diggle Egg Shoot. Without sighters, more than
This Caldwell half the field will fail to hit an A3 size target at 500
meter yards but give a guy sighters and he can shoot the
usefully gives gonads off a gnat!
the At short range – out to say 600 yards, it’s pretty
temperature as difficult to miss the six-foot square panel that is
well as your F Class target but, at 1000 yards, it’s a whole
wind-speed. different ball-game. Through experience, we
There are learn, we record, we amass data both written and
similar meters remembered that we can call on when we lie down
from Kestrel at 1000 yards on a strange range with a significant
which can get wind blowing. To the naked-eye, the target appears
very as a tiny white square - how do we ensure that first
sophisticated. shot hits the target?
For me, if it’s a big competition, it’s a great relief
when the target goes down following my first shot
and sheer bliss when it comes back up with a
spotting-disc in place. It doesn’t matter where the
spotter is – it’s not too difficult to adjust for the next
shot. The main thing is being on target with that
first shot. If you’re not, you will likely throw away
valuable points that you can never recover.
Hopefully, we will have some data from the last
time we shot at 1000 yards. Data? That would be
our scope’s elevation setting and wind ‘zero’ for a

Target Shooter 31
 to use and pretty accurate.
Unfortunately, the Fortunately, you don’t need to drag
screen display your laptop onto the firing-point - you
doesn’t show up in can download ballistic programmes
this pic – you need direct to your i-phone. Alternatively,
to have a look at we can print out our ‘desktop’ data
the website on a sheet of paper. We can even l
aminate it for weather protection –
clumsy though, as we would have
to print several sheets to cover all
possible temperature and wind
variations. Are there better
alternatives?
Let’s have a look at a few aids which
will help both the field and range
shooter to reliably make that first
round hit.

The wind indicator

The simplest wind indicator is the
wind-flag - a familiar site on most
ranges. If you are in the field, then
you must rely on ‘natural’ indicators
– like trees, grass, smoke – anything
in fact which will help you ‘read’
the wind. Problem is - how do we
translate what we see into scope
adjustments?

familiar range that we shoot on regularly. Armed
with this information, we can hopefully make a good
‘stab’ at our scope adjustment to take into account
the prevailing conditions. We need to judge the wind
strength and direction. We also need to consider the
temperature and the elevation of the firing-point.
Example, Diggle is 1000 feet above sea level, Bisley
is perhaps 200 feet. Armed with this information, a
first shot hit should be guaranteed – providing we
can ‘translate’ our data into minutes of angle (MOA)
on our scope’s windage and elevation turrets!
Most of us will have encountered the computer
ballistic program – they are cheap (often free) easy
I’m sure we are all familiar with wind
meters like the Kestrel or Caldwell. Switch on, hold
into the wind and the wind-speed in MPH (or KPH)
appears on the screen. Very useful but it only indicates
the wind-strength at one point. A thousand
yards away it might be doing something quite
different. Combined this with a series of range-flags
however and we can begin to build up a picture of
the wind-conditions down the range. Fine but what
can we do with that information?
Palm-tops
The early ballistic programmes were quite basic and

The Horus will link to a

range-finder, wind-meter and
your PC

32 Target Shooter

The TAS (Tactical
Adjustment Systems)
whiz-wheel
were initially meant to be installed on a desk-top
computer linked to a printer so not much use in the
field but of late, they have become very sophisticated
and can be used with your i-phone, i-pod or palm-top
and allow the shooter to input not only wind strength
and direction but also your bullet’s BC, muzzle
velocity, elevation, temperature and atmospheric
pressure. (See Chris Parkin’s review of an i-pod
ballistic prog. elsewhere in this issue). Armed with
this information, we can come up with a pretty good
guess which should guarantee that first-round hit.
I’ve recently had a play with a few of these devices
and the daddy of them all is the one which
really prompted this article - the Horus ATrag MX
Ballistics calculator. At around $2000 this is the
ultimate ballistic palm-top and is intended for
The actual wheel – you
could have one for
each of your rifles
serious military/professional
use. I doubt that there are
many amateur shooters
willing to spend that amount
but if you must have the best,
or you are a professional user,
the Horus deserves to be on
your shopping list.
It is an incredible device that
can link to your wind-meter,
range-finder and computer
and covers just about every
conceivable ballistic input,
including G1 and G7 BC
values, Coriolis and spin-drift.
When you’ve inputted all the
data for a particular weapon
you can even use it with
your computer to print out a
ballistics range-card, which
could be handed to the
individual marksman. On top of that, it is built like
a tank to stand up to battlefield conditions – unlike
your i-pod!
On a familiar rifle-range, shooting at a known
distance, it was difficult for me to really test the
Horus – it merely confirmed my Brian Litz ballistic
prog. was correct. I really needed to be on an open
range with a steel plate at an extreme but unknown
distance. Under these conditions, I doubt that there
is anything to touch the Horus. I’m grateful to Horus
in allowing me to play with this equipment and I urge
you to have a look at their extensive website at www.
horusvision.com This will tell you far more than I
can. If you are a professional shooter then hopefully,
you already know about Horus, if not, please make it
your duty to find out.
However, for the amateur, an i-pod loaded with a
decent ballistic programme is a good option but we
are still dependant on batteries, wet weather etc. and
this prompted me to opt for one of Dougie Lorimer’s
TAS ‘whiz-wheels’ for my F Class shooting.
This is a non-electrical aid which is every bit as
accurate as the aforementioned i-pod devices
but is specific to one bullet at one muzzle-velocity
and is dedicated to your rifle and ammunition by
chronographing your ammunition at a specific
temperature, altitude and pressure and engraving
this information onto the wheel. The information on
the wheel is exactly what you could obtain from your
ballistic programme and print out onto a sheet of
paper – well, several sheets of paper actually but
the wheel is so much more robust – indestructible
almost and allows you to correct for wind-strength,
Target Shooter 33
 This mechanical wind-indicator is about six-inches in
diameter and made of very tough plastic – robust
and weatherproof
direction, temperature and inclination (though the
latter won’t normally be relevant on a formal
rifle-range).
Its advantage over the i-pod is utter reliability. It is
not affected by immersion in water, sand, extreme
heat or cold, impact-damage or low battery – no
matter what the conditions, the whiz-wheel keeps on
working. Its disadvantage? It is specific to one
ammunition/rifle combination but for say a police
firearms unit using the same rifles and ammunition,
it’s ideal. If you change rifle or ammo. or you want
one for another rifle, then go back to Dougie and he
will make you another disc – they just snap in and
out in seconds. What could be simpler? I’ve used
mine for a few months now and I’m beginning to
learn that, coupled with my Kestrel, I can rely on it
completely. Have a look at the TAS (TacticalAdjustment
Systems) website for more info. www.globalsecurity-
marketing.com
One of the problems of using any of these devices is
the old computer adage – ‘Rubbish in – rubbish out’.
In other words, if the information you input into the
palm-top is not accurate, the information regarding
34 Target Shooter
elevation and windage settings won’t be accurate
either. The Kestrel will give a pretty good indication
of wind-speed but don’t forget temperature. Playing
with these programmes, I was surprised how much a
small change in temperature can affect the elevation
when shooting at extreme ranges, so we must take
temperature into account though it needn’t be to the
nearest degree – though obviously, more accurate
the better.
The other problem is wind direction. I find this very
difficult to estimate. Yes – not too difficult to estimate
the difference between say a 90 degree or 45 degree
wind but who can read it to within ten degrees? The
difference between the wind-drift of a 10mph wind
at 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock is three-feet at 1000 yards
on a 308 bullet – enough to have you off the target!
One of my shooting buddies who has had ‘some
experience’ - and I will say no more than that – of
training military snipers has come up with a very
simple little device that is a great wind-direction
indicator.
Like the whiz-wheel, it’s non-electrical, weather-
proof and easy to carry in your shooting bag (see
The foolproof S&B turret. Even from the pic I can see
The CSSS is similarly
that we are on the upper yellow scale from the ‘light-
foolproof and can be
house’ indicator and our elevation is therefore about
fitted to almost any
36 MOA.
scope. We can see
that we have 25 MOA
wound-on.
Never be a turn out
again

pic) as the spinner just lifts off. It’s made of a very Finally, we can buy any number of these devices but
tough plastic and in normal use it would be difficult don’t forget the device you already have and costs
to damage it. It couldn’t be simpler to use – align nothing – common sense! Make sure you record
the disc with your rifle’s line of sight, look at the your ‘still air’ zeros at all ranges so that you are
segment below the pointer and it tells you what only making minor tweaks to your scope settings
percentage of the wind speed (indicated by your dependant on conditions on the day. Remember
meter) to apply. More importantly, it will immediately the obvious - if the wind is blowing from the right,
indicate any wind changes during your shoot. then you know that if you miss the target, your
Combine this with a Kestrel (preferably one that shot will have gone to the left. Look at your fellow-
reads the temperature as well as wind-speed) and competitors’ targets and see how their sighters
a decent i-pod ballistic programme or the TAS impacted – though of course, you don’t know how
wizz-wheel and we are well on the way to that first much wind they wound-on! Before you even get out
round hit. your whiz-wheel, Kestral or i-pod – make a stab at
reading the wind – the more you do this, the more
Incidentally, the Horus uses the ‘clock-face’ principal you will become familiar with the wind.
for wind-direction inputs so they obviously feel that
this is about as accurate as you are likely to be able Before I close this article, I must tell you of an
to judge. interesting device I received the other day. One of
the problems which occasionally begets even the
Another critical variable is the ballistic coefficient most experienced shooters is that of being a ‘full turn
(BC) of our bullet. We all think we know this – just out’ on the scope’s elevation turret. Many scopes,
look it up on the bullet manufacturer’s website. Not like for example the Nightforce BR have just six
good enough! At what altitude and velocity were MOA to a full turn of the turret. This means you could
the BCs arrived at? You can bet the manufacturers be turning the turret four or five revolutions when
chose the most favourable conditions. If you really applying elevation – and honestly, who hasn’t got it
want to know your bullet’s true BC, I would suggest wrong during the heat of competition? One solution
purchasing a copy of Brian Litz’s excellent book is to buy a Schmidt & Bender – about the only scope
Applied Ballistics for Long Range Shooting. Brian that you can look at and visually tell your elevation
lists the real BC values for most popular match setting.
bullets, arrived at by individual testing and there
are some variations. Not only that, he explains the
folly of using the G1 ballistic coefficient (favoured Alternatively, this little device from AB Tactical called
by the bullet manufacturers) as opposed to the G7 the CSSS – continuous scale sighting system –
figure, which is a much more realistic BC for boat-tail does the same job. It fits over your scope turrets and
match bullets. Included with the book is Brian’s own uses a clever method to display your elevation (and
simple to use ballistic programme on a CD which is windage) settings from zero to - whatever your
also very accurate, especially if you use it with your scope’s maximum. It’s an interesting concept and
bullet’s G7 BC value. The G7 BC values for most one which AB Tactical are continually improving.
popular match bullets are also given in the book. E-mail a.b@ab-tactical.com if you want more details.
(ISBN 978-0-615-27661-8)

Target Shooter 35
36 Target Shooter
 Ballistic FTE: Field Tactical Edition Software
Real-Time Ballistic data for your iPhone or
iPod Touch by Chris Parkin
Whilst planning a recent trip to the WMS steel
challenge in Wales, I started to consider what
equipment to take with me which might help me to
Photograph 1 Trajectory Input
hit the long-range targets over variable terrain types
and distances. Previously, when target-shooting
or hunting, I always used a home computer and
internet-based software such as JBM ballistics to
calculate my trajectory data. This data was always
done when a load had been chosen and prior to
actual use. For target shoots, a range card was
produced and for field use, a small ‘limited data’
set was printed out and stuck inside my rear flip-up
scope cap for quick reference. Was there another
option?
I try to keep things simple with my kit; I always have,
as I hate lugging around unnecessary items. I had
just changed from binoculars and a rangefinder to
a combined Leica unit so when I started to think I
would like a small unit to prepare real-time trajectory
data, I wanted something compact and fairly simple.
I imagined real-time data rather than pre-calculated
data would be an advantage and although my
previous calculations had always got me spot-on
target, I knew that when shooting at different
altitudes in different weather conditions and most
importantly with variable winds and gradients, I
would need help.
I had used similar software for my archery shooting
and it had given me a greater understanding of how
trajectory alters with shots up and downhill - one of
the main challenges of the field-archery discipline I
prefer. This software was palm-computer based and
I looked into this option first, then to a more versatile
modern palm PC. The cost of the hardware and
software looked high for what I thought may become
a novelty with no other use than this task and I gave
Target Shooter 37

Photograph 2 - Head Up Display
up the idea until I learned what ‘Apps’ were.
The iPhone and iPod Touch run software
applications and literally thousands are available
via Apple. They are usually written by independent
companies or even lone programmers and if they
are deemed good enough, can be given a license by
Apple and sold via iTunes.
Well, there were quite a few programs available for
the task and although I would have liked an iPhone,
I picked up a used iPod Touch that would run the
software. After doing a bit of background internet
research and logging into iTunes, I chose a piece
of software called Ballistic: Field Tactical Edition that
seemed to offer what I needed. The program itself
used the JBM ballistic mathematical programming
that I had always found reliable and the price was a
very reasonable £11.99. Was it too good to be true?
It only took a few minutes to download and install
the software on the iPod Touch. It was very intuitive
to use and I was immediately impressed, something
rare for me - so my friends say. I’m not much of an
38 Target Shooter
instruction reader so I just tinkered with the software
and within minutes had data sets installed in it for
three of my rifles. The data output agreed exactly
with my previously verified trajectory information
and, over the course of the next few days, I
continued to tinker with the numerous extra features.
The program required all the usual data to be input,
bullet, calibre, BC, muzzle velocity etc. along with
the desired output data values such as scope clicks
in MOA, Mils or centimetres and the desired unit
for range in either metres or yards. If you wanted
to be more precise and specify more variables, all
atmospheric data, global location and altitude could
be entered along with further rifle specific data such
as scope height and barrel twist rate. I’m not too sure
my shooting skills were going to benefit from Coriolis
effect compensation!
As well as offering full custom specifications for your
load, the program also had a database of a large
number of factory loads for calibres from .22 rimfire
up to African Big Game and even military calibres.
The data held for all specific bullets for handloading
had manufacturers G1 Ballistic Coefficient data
given. Further to this, some of the more popular
match bullets had secondary G7 ballistic coefficients
provided by Brian Litz, a noted US shooter who
works for Berger Bullets and has done extensive
scientific testing to produce further refined data
using long range chronographs and acoustic
sensors to further enhance known BC data.
When using the program there are five main
operational functions all with shortcut keys at the
bottom of the screen. You will have either chosen
a factory load or entered your own custom load
using the ‘Trajectory’ function. This can then be
saved and entered into the ‘Favourites’ section that
is the second function. Within these favourites, all
specific rifle and scope data is integrated into one
file along with other data and notes you may want
to record - such as zeroing range, temperature,
location and the conditions at the time. A subsection
is specifically for reloading data that is very useful
and any of this information can be returned to and
edited at any time.
The ‘Distance’ function, to cut a long story short,
allows you to estimate distance using either a
standard Mil dot or MOA reticle. The input and output
functions can, as usual, be entered and displayed
in either metric or imperial equivalents. A ‘Range
log’ is the next feature which allows you to record
every visit to the range or other shooting opportunity
and record all relevant data including scoring in
competition on a vast array of target formats. This
may be useful in nicer climates but to be honest,

Photograph 3 - Trajectory Comparison Chart
it may be a bit fiddly in the heat of competition –
especially if it’s raining but more about that later.
The last of the five shortcut functions is titlde
‘HUD’ or head up display and is perhaps the most
useful and relevant, certainly for my needs on the day,
giving real time data. Again, any factory or custom
load can be chosen, along with any previously saved
favourites. Once the load is chosen the screen
alters to a minimally clear function display, which
is, as the rest of the program, used exclusively as a
touch screen. This is the area I was most impressed
with.
The display is similar to a fruit machine with three
vertical wheels - Range, Wind Direction and Wind
Speed. The dials are simply and quickly rolled to
the desired settings, e.g. 870 yards, 3 O’clock wind
at 15mph. The screen can also be set for altitude,
pressure, temperature, as well as humidity but I
have left these set as standard for now. Once the
dials have been set, after a couple of seconds the
drop and windage are displayed, both in inches and
MOA although you can of course select whatever
units you prefer.
The functionality and simplicity of the unit is great
and quick to use, but the biggest surprise came
last. The iPod itself has built in sensors that detect
the angle the unit is held at once calibrated. This
angle detection can be turned on or off and can also
be entered manually but is incorporated into the
calculation for extra accuracy. Although we didn’t
take any shots much beyond 10 degrees downhill,
the few MOA that the software compensated for
certainly made the first shot hits more likely and the
feature was a very pleasant surprise. I knew the
software would calculate the angles, but I assumed I
would need to use a separate clinometer.
My overall impressions of the unit were excellent, as
for the £11.99 price tag, well it was amazing value for
money, so what are the ‘pros’ and ‘cons’?
The big ‘pros’ for me are the speed, simplicity and
intuitive functionality. The fact you do not need a
stylus for the screen is great as it means it is a stand
alone item with nothing to lose.
The ‘cons’ as I see them are really just my paranoia.
I still printed range cards to take with me and use
and did so for 80% of the shots. I only used the
iPod for shots where I considered I needed more
data, mainly the downhill targets. This is no criticism
of the device, I just wanted to keep it in a pocket
just in case. I didn’t want to suddenly find I had no
battery when I really needed it, or damage it and, to
be honest, nothing is ever as simple or quick as a
waterproof card attached to the scope mount.
Coming back to using it for target shooting, as far as
I know it is not waterproof.
Do I regret buying the iPod or software? Not at all,
the iPod has many uses that would take weeks to
cover and the software did more than I expected
with accuracy and simplicity that is a delight. I would
certainly recommend it to anyone interested. There
are many more functions than I have listed and, like
any computer software, you can immerse yourself
into it as deeply as you want or need to and no further
if that suits you. If you only want to input 90% of the
data, that is all you need to do for 99% accurate
results. I am not sufficiently knowledgeable or
experienced to use some of the more advanced
functions so I didn’t and did not feel I lost out.
Some of the functions are automatic when used
with the GPS equipped iPhone such as Coriolis
compensation and location. The iPhone will even
use internet data to enter your weather information
for you if you want it to. It is now a constant part of
my range kit and is always handy when you want to
dispel a myth about some new ballistic ‘Holy Grail’
calibre.
Check it out at http://ballistic.zdziarski.com/
Target Shooter 39
 Exclusive to the UK with

Ghost Holsters RRP

£125.00 each

•The Ultimate Ghost Holster

•Ghost Sphere-Retention System

•The Fastest IPSC/IPAS Competition

Holster of its kind

•Locking system disengaged with one

easy movement

•Left or Right hand (please specify)

•Fits Most Semi autos & Revolvers Ghost mag holders

including Taurus LBR (check for
compatibility as some Co2 air guns RRP £24 each
may require fitting) Ghost Competition Belts

•Rigid competition belts in all sizes RRP £45 each

•Multi Positional Magazine Holders
with Quick Release

•Magnetic Magazine Holders also Action Air Shooting

available

•For further information please call or Tel: +44 (0)20 8808 4847
e-mail. Price include VAT
Email: info@actionairshooting.org
•Prices plus P&P
40 Target Shooter Web: www.actionairshooting.org
 PELLET PREPARATION

by Tim Finley
The test pellets - weighed Prix titles in Field Target and
and preped two “ Gathering” titles in Hunter
Field Target shooting were only
subjected to one preparation
process, and that was washing
and re-lubricating with pound a
bottle oil from a discount shop.
I simply did not have the time or
the inclination to spend hours on
pellet prep. When I first started
we had to sort Bisley Magnum
pellets to remove the rouge ones
formed in the manufacturing
process, this did involve visually
inspecting and weighing sample

putting a pellet into a bic pen body

In part one of this article last month I

made a pretty bold statement. I said
that the benefits of spending hours
on pellet preparation may mostly be
in the mind of the shooter. I made this
statement based upon the fact that I
have done minimal pellet prep for my
part since I started serious outdoor
shooting in 1987. In fact the pellets I
used to win a European Championship,
three Showdown finals, two Grand
Target Shooter 41
 of pellets using Accuracy Plus
Prem pellet below the mark
7.4 grain Falcon airgun pellets
in five different guises. Number
one guise was straight out of the
tin with absolutely nothing done
to them. Then two batches which
were washed using the system
I have always used, a plastic
tub, metal sieve and a dash of
washing up liquid in warm
water. One of the washed
batches would be re-lubricated
with oil from the pound shop
and one with Napier “Power”
lube. The last two batches of
pellets were cleaned using an
Ultrasonic cleaner, which I use
for cleaning my brass cases
when home loading for my

pellet on the MARK

pellets form each tin. I moved
onto Crosman Premiers and
found them very good out of
the box so the only preparation
process they got from then on
was a quick wash and re-lube
.I saw other shooters spending
hours weighing each pellet and
buying expensive lubricants and
I was still beating them, so why
should I bother getting onto the
pellet prep band wagon? When
I started getting into full-bore
shooting in a big way it soon
became very clear that the only
way to win was to spend hours
on bullet preparation. Careful
and precise home loading of
ammunition is the key to that
game. It got me thinking that
maybe it’s the key to outdoor airgun shooting to?
full-bore rifle. In two separate lots the Ultrasonically
On writing last months article which was just going
cleaned pellets would then each be re-lubricated the
to describe the various methods of pellet preparation
same as the previous standard washed pellets, one
I decided to go the extra mile and to actually do
in re-lubed with Napier and one in cheap re-cycled
some range testing, as I stated last month I would be
light oil. I did notice the ultrasonically cleaned pellets
testing two types of cleaning process as well as two
had quite a lot of damaged skirts, this entirely due
types of lubricant, the cheapo one I have used for
me placing the pellets directly in the bottom of the
many, many years and a purpose made pellet lube
machine. I did try it with the pellets in the cleaning
from Napier. I personally think its name it wrong,
tray but it did not appear to be working at all when
calling it “Power” lube may cater to the run of the mill
I did that. The test rifle was my Steyr LG-110 Field
plinker or would be airgun hunter but I feel it gives
Target rifle fitted with a Schmidt and Bender FT
the wrong impression of the product. It purports to
scope. I chose 45 yards as a distance to test at as
increase accuracy and I know a lot of good shooters
that is my zero range, any shorter and it would be
who say it does, many of whom I have the greatest
difficult to see any difference in group sizes and any
of respect for. But I had never carried out a detailed
longer you have the problem of wind affecting the
test of the red liquid for myself, as mentioned last
results unfairly, I originally wanted to use 50yards but
month I would be testing the washing and lubricating
it was too windy on the test day. I have always tested

42 Target Shooter
watch out for damaged skirts ultrasonically cleaned and
then oiled. I knew the Napier
lube would be more difficult to
remove from the barrel so I would
shoot the two different batches of
Napier pellets last, one from the
standard clean and one which
had been ultrasonically cleaned.
It was fairly easy to see with the
naked eye that the groups shot
with the pellets straight out of
the tin were worse than the four
shot with the cleaned and lubed
pellets.
I measured each five shot group
center to center and divided the
spread gained on each group by
the number of groups shot. The
results were very clear cut.

pellets from the classic FT sitting position rather than

AVERAGE FIVE SHOT GROUP SIZES CtoC AT 45
bench resting, I’ve shot a 42mm group at 100 yards
YARDS
with my LG-110 in that position so I know it works. I
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE TIN 31mm
had the three test cards with multiple 10mm orange STANDARD WASH LUBED WITH OIL 26.4mm
aiming spots at 45 yards along with a wind meter STANDARD WASH LUBED WITH NAPIER 24.4mm
positioned so I could see it in the bottom of the scope. ULTRASONIC CLEAN LUBED WITH OIL 36.5mm
I wanted to keep wind out of the experiment as much ULTRASONIC CLEAN LUBED WITH NAPIER 25.9mm

TestTargets

as possible and by keeping an eye on the meter I The smallest three shot group shot was 2.9mm
could see the conditions change second by second center to center with the standard wash and Napier
over the course of testing the pellets. I had also
worked out I would need to clean the barrel out
in between tests to ensure the test would be a
true test of the lubes. I cleaned the barrel out with
three VFG discofelt pellets and a few Crosman
Premiers straight out of the box. Then I shot
groups with the Accuracy Plus pellets straight
out of the tin, I had to take four clicks off the top
turret of the Schmidt and Bender compared to
my usual 7.9grain pellets. The Accuracy Plus
pellets are 7.3grain’s in weight and fly flatter due
to their lighter weight. After shooting a few groups
with the pellets out of the tin I then cleaned the
barrel again and used the pellets which had my
own light oil on them, one batch that had been After preping pellets do not sotre them in a
washed as I always have and the other was pocket

Target Shooter 43
 Neck pouches protect pellets
lube. I put the poor 36.5mm group with
the ultrasonically cleaned and oiled pellets
down to the damage on some of the skirts
caused by the harsher cleaning process.
Overall the five shot groups were bigger than
I expected but there was a touch of wind
now and again which could be seen by the
groups being strung out horizontally, apart
from the two Ultrasonically cleaned batches
which also had some shots dropped low out
of the main group, which as I mentioned
before was more than likely down to the
damage on some of the skirts. My decision
on the day to switch to 45 and not test at 50
yards as I originally planned was born out by
the useable results.
It is quite obvious that shooting washed and
re-lubricated pellets gives smaller group
sizes than shooting pellets straight out of
the tin. The Napier lube also looks to give
better performance than my cheapo oil
These are a very good idea
44 Target Shooter
system. I still won many, many
major titles with the pound shop
oil but it has made me think
about switching to Napier lube
completely.
Once you have treated your
pellets think about how you are
going to store them, given all the
time and effort you put in to the
cleaning and re-lubing process
do not then dump then back
into a tin or carry them around
in a fluff lined pocket when you
are shooting. The pellets I have
used for years are in a foam lined
cardboard box anyway so I have
no problems with storage. When
at a shoot I decant 60 or so
pellets at a time into a cloth zip
Only one of these is kind to pellets
shut neck pouch. These have
a plastic lining and are lovingly
made by my mother. There
are leather ones on the market
which are popular. The only
other thing to mention which is
important with re-lubrication is
not to over lubricate. Too much
lubricant and it will adversely
affect the group sizes.
As mentioned last month
weighing pellets has long been a
techniques used by Field Target
shooters. I decided to test if
it had any affect on my own
Crosman Premier pellets. I was
somewhat shocked by the
variation in the weights of my
prized pellets. I have always just
 napier 2010 cat_airgun ad:Layout 1 8/4/10 15:33 Page 1

washed, re-lubed and shot them up until now. They

are supposed to be all 7.9 grains in a box of 1250 and
when I started the weighing process it seemed there
were three distinct weights. 7.7, 7.9 and 8.0 grains.
The majority were indeed 7.9, with the 8.0 grain the
next biggest group with the 7.7 grain much smaller.
One shock was finding a single 7.6 grain pellet, a
full 0.3 grains lighter than the advertised weight of
the pellets. I tested each of the three weight groups
of pellets at 45 yards by aiming on a line drawn NEW
2010
horizontally on the test cards. I then measured the
difference from the line was aiming at and averaged
the results. I used my Steyr LG-110 and Schmidt and
Bender Field Target scope combination again with it
left on my normal 45 yard dial scope setting with 7.9
CATALOGUE
AVAILABLE NOW!
grain Crosman Premier pellets. I also took the single
7.6 grain pellet along to the range too. The results CALL
were:-
01235 812993
FOR YOURS
7.7grain 2.57mm below the line
7.9grain 6.67mm below the line
TODAY
8.0grain 10.28mm below the line
FEATURING OUR ALL NEW PELLET
The single 7.6 grain pellet was 4.5mm above the line
Here again I saw for myself that the results were
startling and very conclusive. I have shot the same
pellets for over ten years and only now seen the real
reason for the odd flyers, pellets landing not were
I expected tem to. I merely put these off shots and
misses in the heat of competition down to me. I
see now they probably were down to not weighing
my pellets. I am going to look for some scales to
measure to two decimal places but if these are
too expensive then it is still worth weighing to one
decimal place as I proved in this test, the scales I OUR BEST
used were MTM mini digital powder scales which EVER HUNTING
are easy to use small and less than thirty quid so PELLET
are great value for money for the airgunner. To be
correct I should have washed the pellets before I
weighed them to ensure there were no stray flecks
of pellets from the manufacturing process still stuck
on them but I did not want to have any re-lubing to
affect the results of the weighing experiment. The Ultima Power
You are never too old to learn and I learnt that I Hunter UPH
should have been weighing my pellets years ago. Is simply the best performing airgun
The big question for me is would I have won even pellet of its type, it is designed to give
more trophies and titles if I had been weighing every consistent results in all std powered air
pellet and grading them by weight? I tested and rifles, both PCP and Springers.
re-tested pellets and rifles back when I started using
the Crosman Premiers. I must have been happy Every tin is pre treated with exactly the correct dose of Napier Power Pellet Lube,
with the results and not to harp on but I did win a lot and they can be used straight from the tin.
without weighing pellets. Making the time to test No need to sort or grade them, we have already done that for you.
pellets and what and how to prepare them is one Expect improved accuracy, and consistency, it is likely that an increase in muzzle
velocity will also be achieved. We recommend that UK airguns are
thing I have not had time to do in the past ten years,
chronographed occasionally to comply with UK power legislation.
I see now that I should have, in a big way. One thing Available in .22 cal 5.5 with a nominal weight of 14.5 Grains
I do know is that I will be weighing my pellets after I
have washed them, then I may give the Napier lube Get the latest news at
a try too.
www.napieruk.com
Target Shooter 45
46 Target Shooter
The WMS Steel Challenge

by Chris Parkin
Above - Dave and Tom testing zero
The WMS steel challenge is a project run by taking 6.5x55’s, 308’s, 270’s and 300WM so
Andrew Venables in Wales to help instruct, train wouldn’t be pushing too hard compared to 338’s
and practice for all manner of shooting challenges and such.
in both the professional and recreational shooting
communities. Andrew has built a large facility I went to Wales on the Friday night of April 9th
amongst a very rural farming community in West with the television weather forecasters predicting
Wales of around 5000 acres of shootable terrain the first good weather of the year; I packed
surrounded by nearly 20,000 acres of uninhabited heavy waterproofs and thermals. We met at the
land. Bluebell Inn, a pub with B&B accommodation
recommended by Andrew as being both close to
THE PLANNING his home and the venue. When Chris and I arrived
Andrew set up the steel challenge for those at the pub, most of our party were already there
wanting to learn, test and improve their shooting enjoying a drink with Andrew and discussing what
skills, from military and police marksmen to they specifically wanted to do the following day to
sporting shooters either wanting to hone their improve their shooting ability.
skills or perhaps raise their game a notch for a
once in a lifetime trip to Africa or other worldwide Frank and Dave were both very experienced
destination. My own description of the challenge hunters who had shot all over the world but
and facilities of the venue cannot help but be rarely at any range further than normal hunting
steered by what my friends and I wanted to distances. Chris and myself were occasional
experience on our visit. The full scope of what is hunters who had more experience of shooting
available is so extensive it would be impossible longer ranges at target events although still in
to experience in a day with around 60 large fixed just a recreational manner. The following morning
targets and 50 more that can be moved around. At another Dave and his son Tom would be joining
the end of our day Andrew said we had covered us; they were also predominantly hunters up to
approximately 20% of the targets available. We that point in time. We were all keen to learn more
all felt we had had a great time and learned a and the specific overall aim for our day was for
lot, it was very clear that more visits were going the hunters to learn to estimate wind and how to
to be on the cards. The targets will withstand all dial-in scopes for more accurate long range
centrefires in normal civilian use and we were shooting at targets. Chris and I wanted to stretch
Target Shooter 47

the maximum ranges at which we had shot
and specifically learn more about shooting up
and downhill as well as the ever present wind
estimation.
Andrew met us in the car park at 8:15 the
following morning the weather was very still
with bright sunshine, no rain and moderate
temperatures. A good start.
We drove in convoy about 3 miles from the
B&B, turning off the main road onto a very well
maintained gravel road up into the hilly terrain
surrounding the valley. Apparently as well as
being a shooting venue, serious rally drivers
are able to hire the land for the day and test
out their skills and cars - a few of which we saw
throughout the day in the distance. The rooster
tails of dust they raised always proved to be a good
wind indicator!
We came to a large flat, graveled area after a
couple of miles and after sorting out all our kit,
we assembled with Andrew and his assistant
John for the all important safety briefing. As this
venue is not a formal gallery range, it has its own
unique safety and gun handling regimes as well as
general procedures to adhere to. It is nothing out
of the norm and involves common sense - no
different to any normal trip into the outdoors for
shooting sports.
48 Target Shooter
Set up ready to go at 350 yards
THE SHOOTING
After the briefing, the first stage of the day was for
everyone to have a quick test of zero on any rifles
they intended to shoot that day and check all was
in order. After a long trip it is always reassuring to
test zero in controlled conditions. The night before
Andrew had asked us about the rifles we intended
to use and more importantly about our scopes,
whether we had target turrets, whether we knew
our own ballistics or not, our click values in either
MOA, inches, mils or cm. After zeroing, those of
us who needed it were then given a ‘dab’ of Tippex
on their scope to mark zero, if they did not have
turrets that could be reset.
The first stop was a flat-topped gravel mound
overlooking a shallow valley with three sets
of steel targets at the other side. The targets
were ranged from 350 to 600 yards and were of
various forms, Fig.11, plates, boar, deer and
rabbits, all accurately represented and in correct
proportion. The targets had been placed in cutouts
in the banked earth to provide solid footing and
also to allow these cutouts to be back filled with
sand to allow for easy shot-splash placement.
We were told the distances although most of us
were equipped with rangefinders. Those that
knew their data quickly dialed in corrections and
were ready to go. Those that did not were quickly
 The 600 yard targets are just visible
helped by Andrew or the rest of us. 350 yards to
start is a long shot for a sporting shooter but not
so much for a target shooter. We were advised
the best strategy was to pair up and one work as
spotter as the other shot and vice versa.
At the start of the day, we were all shooting
slowly, getting used to working together and
taking advantage of six extra pairs of eyes to spot
the splash in the sand if the round was off target.
At 350 yards the rifle had not settled from its recoil
enough to allow the shooter to spot his own shot
but the rest of us were able to quickly give them
a ‘call’. The smaller targets could easily be seen
to fall over with an audible ‘clank’; the larger ones
responded to a hit with a very solid ‘bong’ which
could be heard even through our hear-muffs.
Prior to the shoot, Andrew had freshly painted the
targets ‘ice white’ and each hit left a large grey
spot. The larger game animals all had a yellow
kill zone for a realistic shot-placement challenge.
There is no point practicing this kind of shot to just
hit the animal anywhere.
So far we have not mentioned the wind. Any
long-range shooter will know that the wind is
probably the biggest single factor in accurately
hitting the target but at 350 yards, the drift was
Target Shooter 49

minimal, although the wind was running in a 3
o’clock direction, it was very light. As we moved
out another hundred yards onto a turkey target,
the wind came into play more and we did start
having to aim-off more and this is where the
spotters really came in. Andrew had suggested
shooting one shot, have the spotter call it, using
language such as “Half a target left, good
elevation.” This enabled us to start hitting more
accurately with a quick second shot. This carried
on until we had hit everything, knocked it over or
heated up our barrels to an uncomfortable level!
THE FIRST CHALLENGE
We were told to imagine having traveled to a far off
land where we had paid untold amounts of money
for a once in a lifetime shot. Here was our once in
a lifetime opportunity to bag a trophy animal and
there it was, 600 yards away. We were told we
all had 1 shot and were given a minute to set up
for the distance and estimate for the wind which
had now picked up a little and was blowing from
around 4 o’clock. Shooter number 6 would go first;
the rest of us would spot. Shooter number 6 was
getting ready to shoot and then to trick us, Andrew
said “NO, shooter number 2 GO!”.
Shooter number 2 then shot, scored a kill-zone hit
and then the rest shot in turn with varying success.
We were starting to pick up the challenge that this
day was all about.
50 Target Shooter
Tom and Dave overlooking the water
After some more paired shooter/spotter action
and all the targets hit, we decided to have a break
and a quick discussion to plan the rest of the
morning. Two opted to stay at this set of targets
and work on trajectory data, which needed a bit
of a tweak. The rest of us would go back across
to the zeroing range to try some shots from
sitting positions, standing with sticks and standing
unsupported shots. We shot at 10 inch plates set
up at between 100 and 200 yards. Andrew was
able to offer us some helpful tips on technique,
especially regarding the unsupported shots. Up
to now, all of the shooting had been prone so it
was good to try something new and challenging
in a safe environment. Standing shots from sticks
were well known to us all from DSC tests but only
at 100 yards so it was good to try them further out.
For the second quick test of the day we were told
to pick up our guns and one round of ammo and
follow Andrew. He walked to a spot overlooking
shrub-covered ground extending as far as the eye
could see and told us that there was a rusty red
coloured deer within reasonable shooting range
in front of us, get down, find it, shoot it. The deer
was tricky to locate with no binos at this point but
we all found it and everyone shot although only
two scored hits. This surprised me a little and
reminded me why every shooter should consider
what he (or she) feels to be a ‘reasonable’ range.
It was at 285 yards and even though we did
 The two Chris’s at the 1100 yard point. The brown
oval on the far hill just above our heads in the cen-
range-find it, four of us still missed. It just goes
to show that on a day when this should be an
easy shot, with no wind, no pressure and the
trajectory of our rifle fresh to mind, the smallest
error in shooting is amplified by range.
So far, everything had been done in a 180-degree
arc, from shooting positions within 100 yards of
the main facility and car park so, after a break for
something to eat, we loaded up the vehicles and
made our way out to another section of the shoot
to try some shots downhill.
Anyone familiar with deer stalking in Scotland
will know the scenario of shooting downhill with
what is usually a compromised position and
needing to start thinking about trajectory, with the
effective shot-distance reduced to compensate for
the slope. Unlike in my field archery days where
everything had to be estimated, distance, slope
and wind, this time I cheated! I was using an iPod
touch with a clinometer that gave me a handy
readout of angle. I had bought the iPod to run
ballistics data realtime for this very scenario but
up until it arrived and I started to play with it, I
didn’t realize it also had a built in gyroscope that
could run the clinometer. I questioned its ultimate
accuracy but was pretty damn sure it was better
than my brain and tests with normal leveling
equipment proved to me it was very accurate.
tre is the target sand trap
The shot was at a group of steel plates ranging
in size from 10 to 20 inches, the range was
461 yards, the incline 10 degrees down and I
estimated wind was fairly steady from left to right
at 2 or 3mph. The plates were in front of a large
pond so the bullets really did splash when you
missed.
The data was good and although it took a couple
of shots from the group to find their exact
windage we were soon moving from the 20 inch
plate to the 10 inch. After we had a good idea
of the windage needed - as the slight wind ebbed
and flowed - we moved onto shooting some
slightly closer but steeper reactive targets. Two
and four-pint milk cartons are always fun as they
explode violently when hit and Andrew had laid out
so many of these out we could pick and choose
what we shot - again as pairs, shooter and spotter.
The next challenge was shooting from the same
location but in a perpendicular direction, again
altering the wind direction.
As we were shooting in valleys all day, the wind
in general blew in one direction but, the currents
of air the ‘general’ wind created, blew in totally
different directions according to the terrain. The
targets this time were a pair of Fig. 11s again at
450 yards, perhaps 5 degrees downhill of us. The
fig.11s were arranged close to each other and
Target Shooter 51
 care had to be taken not to hit the wrong target.
Obviously these targets are specifically created
for the Police and Military marksmen who train
at this facility. All other factors aside they are just
targets and it is an incredible challenge to hit one
of these. The intended hit-zone was about the size
of an apple and when the target is hit, we were told
a large yellow plate would rise up from behind to
signal it. Again only one person actually got it but
all the hits point were in the close vicinity. To be
fair, the wind at this point had been learned and
adjusted for but a 3”x2” hole at 450 yards is still a
very testing shot in terms of aiming and shooting.
Now, back to the vehicles and off to another part of
the site where we shot solidly mounted fig.11s at
800 yards in pairs. By this time, four of us had now
realised this was our limit as we had either run
out of elevation, mil-dots or confidence to hit these
targets at this distance. Again, hits were both
spotted and heard - it was taking several seconds
now for the ‘bong’ to return, a clear indicator of the
long range
Frank, Tom and the two Dave’s decided to go
back to the central zeroing areas and continue
to work on some of the more standard hunting
ranges and test whether their scope ‘return to zero’
was all that was promised. Chris and I went with
Andrew and drove back to the 1100 yard
firing-point using the same targets we had just
engaged at 800 yareds. I knew my scope would
get me out to 1200 yards and with 20 MOA on
the reticle, I could stretch it out to a maximum of
1500 which was the limit of the supersonic flight of
my 300 Win Mag’s 208 grain bullet anyway. Chris
was shooting a 6.5 x 55 and knew this was going
to be about his limit as he was out of elevation.
His bullet though would still be well supersonic
and, as the day was getting late, this was going
to be our last setup of the day. Hit or miss, there
was no point going home without trying the long
shots and as the weather today was probably as
good as anyone would ever get, it seemed an
opportunity not worth missing.
This shooting point was a flat grassy area and
since these were going to be really hard shots to
connect with, I was glad of what I have always
considered to be my favourite shooting style,
prone on the grass. Andrew had set up a

•
WMS
Practice days and rifle shooting events for individuals,
gun clubs and professional clients
• Corporate days and events for companies
• Rifle, ammunition and product testing for manufacturers
• Product launches for manufacturers and importers
• Specific training courses such as Mountain Rifle, African
Rifle and Driven Big Game for individuals and groups who
want to properly prepare for hunting trips
• Practice and training facilities for Military, Police and
security companies

n?
Do you or your club want a truly fresh, challenge venue for pratice tuition competitio
Individuals and groups for practice, instruction, testing and FUN!
www.wms-firearmstraining.org
or call Andrew Venables on 07767 365804 / 01686 440782
52 Target or email on
Shooter andrewvenables@aol.com
spotting-scope behind us as it was getting hard
to see the fall of shot with binoculars. Chris and
I both had 32 power on our scopes, so we could
still spot for each other. I was pretty excited to be
honest because I have always loved to push
myself and even though we had both shot 1000
yard F Class several times, I have always enjoyed
field shooting more, with nothing but a rifle, scope
and ammo. I was going to shoot first and dialled
in my elevation, Andrew gave a call on the wind
and mirage and even though I had never had this
type of spotting advice before, it must have clicked
something in my head because I squeezed the
trigger and controlled my breathing more carefully
than I think ever before………….BANG……300
Win Mag does tend to be a little lively when it goes
off but the gun settled back near to the target in
time for the bullet to arrive. I didn’t see the hit but
Andrew did. Then the ‘bong’ arrived back to us,
I had hit the fig.11! I’ll forgive Andrew for what
he called me because I felt lucky too but three
of the next five shots connected as well. Chris
then had a go and connected with the target with
a few shots but felt it was a bit ‘hit and miss’ as he
had run out of elevation. For my next few shots I
dialled-in the distances I had previously aimed-off
– a half MOA off the elevation and four minutes left
windage which is very little for 1100 yards and
shows just how lucky we were with the wind.
Andrew then shifted me onto a 10 inch plate
hanging on chains next to the fig.11, he had
challenged me to hit it within three shots and then
to move onto a life size head-on fox. I got very
close to them both but the little left to right wind
changes were hard to spot and at that distance
missing by inches is still pleasing to me on targets
that small. Maybe next time I will use a rear bag.
We all agreed it had been a great day, well worth
the money. I will definitely be going back as soon
as possible and this time maybe go a little further
back? I’m told a mile is no problem and 2200 yards
is possible although the wind can make it a waste
of ammo. I’d certainly like to try 1500 yards but I’ll
bet the weather won’t be as kind next time.
If you fancy a visit - and I would certainly
recommend it – Andrew’s contact details are listed
below:
Andrew Venables
6 Tanygroes, Llangurig, Llanidloes, Powys, SY18
6SQ
Tel: 01686 440782 Mob: 07767 365804
Web site: www.wms-firearmstraining.org
Target Shooter 53
HANDLOADING ‘OLD FAITHFUL’ THE .308 WINCHESTER - 8

By Laurie Holland
Above - A drawing of the G7 Reference Standard bullet with dimensions in calibres. It has a
‘form factor’ or i7 value of 1.000 (courtesy of Bryan Litz).
I’ve attempted to classify the ballistic efficiency of
the match bullets available in the UK. Most people
do this using BCs, but remember the ‘weight issue’
as half of this measure is derived from Sectional
Density which is entirely weight driven. There
is therefore little benefit in comparing a 155gn
bullet’s BC directly to a 210-grainer’s. Instead, I
chose the ‘form factor’ (i7) value that Bryan Litz
applies to each bullet (Table 1). It compares the
efficiency of the projectile’s shape in terms of the
drag it produces in flight against that of the G7
reference standard design. A value of 1.000
exactly matches the reference standard – and
there is one such – anything with a lower value
produces less drag; anything higher produces
more. I graded designs as Low, Medium and
High [drag], which conveniently fits short and
long-range classifications, well mostly. Setting
boundaries between classifications was trickier,
eventually going for 1.020 and 1.095, the former to
include the justly popular new 155gn Sierra Palma
MK (#2156) with an i7 value of 1.018 within the
‘Low’ group; the latter to move the 168gn Berger
BT and 180gn Sierra MK into the ‘High’ category.
I’ll stress these definitions are mine and lack
scientific basis. There is a caveat in using this
metric – we saw in April that two bullets with one
i7 value but different weights do not perform
identically in the wind, the advantage going
decisively to the heavier model even at
comparable MVs.
Left - The 210gn Sierra MatchKing’s 1,000yd
performance gives it an i7 value of 1.000
matching the reference standard, although it
is not an identical shape
54 Target Shooter
 Left - The lowest and highest i7 values (that
is, lowest and highest drag factors) of the
0.308” match bullets on sale in the UK go to
the 208gn Hornady A-Max (left) at 0.967 and
the 167gn Lapua Scenar on the right at 1.163,
although the latter is no worse than a clutch
of similar 168gn bullets.
We have a range of i7 values from 0.967 to 1.163,
so how do we calibrate this metric? I looked at
how much difference 0.035 makes to wind-drift
performance taking three Berger models that have
a 10gn weight range and whose i7 values bracket
the 1.000 norm – the 185gn Target BT long-Range
(0.972); identical design 175gn equivalent on
0.999; 175gn VLD at 1.035. Table 2 lists their
retained velocities and wind drift values at 1,000yd
at comparable MVs based on a 155 at 3,000 fps
(3,098 ft/lb ME). To remove the weight bias and
provide an example with a full 0.035 difference
from the central 0.999 value, I conjured up a
hypothetical 175gn Super-High BC model whose
i7 is 0.964, this giving a G7 BC of 0.274. Noting
that this i7 is better than that of any 0.308”
bullet actually available, it wouldn’t be feasible
to get such a low-drag shape from any practical
lead-core 175gn model. What the results tell us
is that a 0.035 step change increases or reduces
the ‘standard’ 10 mph wind drift at 1,000yd by
four and a half inches for 175s at this MV, and the
simulated misread wind change by just over a
half-inch. Let’s run the figures for two similar weight
bullets at opposite ends of the ‘Low’ category
rankings in Table 1, the 208gn Hornady A-Max and
210gn Sierra MK. Their i7 values are also helpfully

‘Ballistics stars’ in respect of having low i7 values and/or known to perform well at long ranges.
Left to right: 155gn Lapua Scenar, 155.5gn Berger BT FULLBORE, 155gn new Sierra Palma

MK (#2156), 185gn Berger Target BT Long-Range, 190gn Sierra MK, 200gn Sierra MK, 210gn
Berger Target BT Long-Range, 210gn Sierra MK (a VLD design), 208gn Hornady A-Max (a VLD
design).

Target Shooter 55
 Left - The differences
in i7 values will pro-
duce relatively little
difference in external
ballistics performance
on the range between
the 155gn old Sierra
Palma MK (#2155)
and the top of the line
155.5gn Berger paired
on the left. The same
stricture applies to the
210gn Sierra MK and
Hornady A-Max paired
on the right. However,
the performance
difference between
the ‘old’ 155gn Sierra
and 208gn A-Max will
be very large thanks
to the Hornady’s
combination of
increased weight
and improved ‘form
factor’ or aerodynamic
efficiency.
10 mph crosswind and
0.4” for the misread
wind change at 1,000yd
in favour of the A-Max.
Terminal MVs are 1,390
fps for the Hornady and
1,355 fps for the Sierra.
close to my chosen variation with 0.033 between Both performance
them, but we now get a smaller performance differences could easily be outweighed by individual
difference – only 3.2” reduction in wind drift in the bullet model performance (group-size and MVs)
within a barrel, so we can see that for
any particular bullet weight, you need
a very large change in the i7 value to
make a really significant performance
improvement in competition.
However, as we’ve already seen, a
Left - ‘Old Hands’. Left to right: the
173gn US military M1 long-range
FMJBT that gave the Browning
M1919 machine-gun a sustained
fire range of 5,900yd; the 185gn
Lapua D46 that also started life as a
machine-gun bullet; 190 and 200gn
Sierra MKs. Note the similarity
in shape (‘form’) of the two Sierras
and the 1920s vintage M1 design.
All of these bullets cope very well
with transonic velocities making
the three match designs excellent
long-range choices for .308
Winchester.

56 Target Shooter
 Above - Seven higher-drag models that should be restricted to shorter range matches. Left to
right: 155gn ‘old’ Sierra Palma MK (#2155), 167gn Lapua Scenar; 168gn Hornady Match, 168gn
Sierra MK, 175gn Sierra MK, 180gn Sierra MK, and 185gn Lapua Scenar. Some will perform out to
1,000yd but have trouble staying supersonic.
bullet that is both heavy and efficient shape-wise, significantly better, the aerodynamic efficiency of
performs much better in the wind than a lightweight equivalent weight VLDs? The new long-nose Sierra
/ high-i7 model. 155gn Palma MK must also be described as an
outstanding design given its proven long-range
Analysis performance and reputation for ‘easy tuning’ in
Before making any judgements, I’ll mention bullet handloads. Finally, I must add the 155gn Scenar
type – that is, tangent or secant ogive. I’ve shown to this elite list despite its secant ogive. Secant v
the secant (VLD or VLD-type) bullets in red in Table tangent issues aside, every bullet in this column is
1 and we see that a majority of the top performing a very efficient design, and choice will be mostly
half of the list (208gn A-Max to 190gn Sierra MK) dictated by matching the bullet weight to the shooting
fall into this category. VLDs are not to everybody’s application, personal preference, and other factors
taste because of the difficulties encountered in that might include availability and price – the Lapua
getting them to group well, in particular finding a aside, most are recent introductions and generally
COAL that suits the barrel throating. The usual command premium prices.
practice of seating them well into the rifling lands
when the cartridge is chambered can lead to At the other end of the efficiency range, we have ten
problems if a live cartridge has to be unloaded, the short-range designs in the right-hand column, seven
bullet sometimes sticking in the barrel and being of which have short and steeply angled boat-tails,
pulled from the case. Some will be surprised that not a coincidence. (Incidentally, mentioning such
I’ve shown the 155gn Lapua Scenar in this group, rear ends, I need to make a correction to last month’s
but its specification fits the VLD profile, with a 10.7- issue Table 1 data – the 208gn Hornady A-Max does
calibres radius secant nose. Perhaps because it has not have a short steep-angle boat-tail and is a true
a shorter nose than many VLDs (Bergers running at long-range bullet in every respect.) I wondered
around 14-calibres radius), it doesn’t seem as fussy about the two Lapua Scenar models in this (‘Low’)
as some, and is more likely to accept a small jump group given the 155gn Scenar’s efficiency, and can
into the rifling. only assume the designer’s brief was very different
for this pair, perhaps to match the performance
Looking at the bullets, I regard the five non-VLD and appeal of equivalent Sierra MatchKings, able
models in black type as the outstanding designs in to shoot (group) well in most barrels and give top
the ‘Low’ group, especially Berger’s 185gn Target BT shorter range precision. Both have tangent-ogive
Long-Range and the 155.5gn Berger FULLBORE. front ends at just over 6-calibres radius which is
Who would have thought a few years back that very short for this class of match bullet. Subject
tangent ogive models would match, never mind to the usual caveats about bullets matching barrel

Target Shooter 57
 If you have a 1-14” rifling twist barrel or shoot under Target / Fullbore / Palma Rifle
regulations, these are the bullets for you. Left to right: ‘old’ Sierra MK (#2155) used in the
current NRA issued ammunition and a good performer at all ranges but now overtaken in
external ballistics performance by the trio to its right; 155gn Lapua Scenar; 155.5gn
Berger Target BT FULLBORE; 155gn ‘new’ Sierra Palma MK (#2156).
characteristics, I would expect all of the bullets in this 1920s Frankford Arsenal research that saw the US
section to be excellent short-range performers and develop the 173gn M1 long-range .30-06 cartridge
many are available at lower prices than those in the for the same purpose. Long-range sustained MG
‘Low’ classification. fire needs bullets to minimise the effects of going
transonic, then subsonic, and that’s what these
Looking at the ‘Medium’ group, we have a trio of bullets do. Nevertheless, it’s really desirable to stay
Berger VLDs whose performance has been eclipsed as far above the speed of sound as possible in any
by the company’s newer 155.5, 175 and 185gn BT precision discipline.
Long-Range tangent models, followed by seven
venerable designs, all Sierras bar the Lapua D46. Transonic
They might seem inferior to new low i7 / high-BC The speed of sound in standard environmental
designs, but some are very solid long-range conditions (59°F / 29.92in Hg pressure) is 1,122
performers. MR (Match Rifle, a 1,000yd plus fps and ballisticians have long known that passing
discipline restricted to the .308W) shooters tell me through or even approaching it causes stability
that 190-220gn Sierra MKs perform superbly in the problems thanks to rapid changes in the shape
trans-sonic zone just above the speed of sound, and amplitude of shock waves in the air around the
where higher-BC longer nose designs may see projectile. Effects are not restricted to a few fps
problems. The Lapua D46’s ancestor was a bullet either side of 1,122 fps as there is a transonic zone
designed for 7.62X54R calibre machine-guns in the from around 1.3 Mach (1,460 fps) down to 0.85 Mach
post WW1 period when military doctrine promoted ultra (950 fps). Let’s look at going subsonic, noting it’s
long-range massed MG fire dropping a rain of plunging not an issue with any bullet for shorter range
bullets onto targets up to 5,000 metres away. The shooters. For long-range competitors, it really has
older Sierras likely build on Col. Townsend Whelen’s to be guarded against as the bullet might behave
58 Target Shooter
Round 1 of the 2010 GB F-Class league series kicks off at Diggle at 500yd and conditions
were initially so calm that the 167gn Scenar would have sufficed. It didn’t last long – high
velocities and efficient bullets soon proved essential with F/TR competitors scoring ones
and twos.
unpredictably, become overly sensitive to minor wind
changes, and in extreme cases, unstable. So, the
High i7 bullets in Table 1’s right-hand column should
not be used even in 30” barrel rifles. The 155gn
cartridges used in TR / FR / Palma competition
are OK keeping bullets supersonic at 1,000yd by a
small but sufficient margin (but only in appropriate
rifles). F/TR shooters with long barrel rifles likewise
don’t have a problem, particularly if they adopt the
heavier and higher-BC bullet models. It is however a
potential issue for short-barrel rifle owners shooting
at long ranges and struggling to get enough MV, so
careful bullet choice pays dividends. Let’s look at the
1,000yd retained velocities of two bullets at either
end of the i7 rankings at short-barrel MVs. The ‘old’
155gn Sierra MK at 2,800 fps is down to a subsonic
1,067 fps, while the 185gn Berger BT Long-Range
at an equivalent 2,563 fps MV remains comfortably
supersonic at 1,228 fps. At another extreme, the
GB MR team campaigned in Australia last winter
(local summer) and participated in a 1,500yd shoot
at Coonabarrabran in New South Wales. Team
members who tried the 210gn Sierra MK at 2,750
fps MV found it remained supersonic throughout in
the ambient conditions (1,700ft ASL and presumably
with rather higher temperatures than usually seen at
Bisley)!
Moving onto transonic flight, this is potentially bad
news for.308W long-range shooters as it’s difficult
to see how bullets won’t drop below 1,460 fps, the
168gn Federal GM Match doing so just beyond
600yd, the M118LR (175gn SMK / 2,580 fps) at
700. There are two ‘get out of jail cards’ – severe
turbulence that causes dispersion on the target
probably only lies 10% either side of the speed of
sound (1,010-1,230 fps) giving us more latitude;
some bullets are known to be more resistant to
its effects than others. MR shooters know about
dealing with transonic flight, and have a simple rule
– heavy and fast. No 155s here! The new breed of
208-210gn high-BC bullets stay above the problem
velocities in most conditions even at 1,200yd (the
normal maximum MR range in the UK), the 210gn
SMK at 2,750 fps MV sailing along at 1,273 fps under
standard conditions. However, an old MR favourite,
the much lower BC 190gn SMK at 2,860 fps is barely
supersonic at 1,200yd having dropped to 1,147
fps. Nevertheless, it and its 200 and 220gn siblings
are proven performers at this range despite their
relatively high i7 / low BC values and around half
our MR shooters still use them in preference to the
apparently more efficient VLDs. There have
been suggestions that the 210gn VLDs and other
extended nose designs do not cope with transonic
velocities as well as SMKs, but the top places in
the 1,500yd Coonabarrabran match went to Sierra
and Berger 210gn VLD users. This probably seems
irrelevant to TR and F/TR shooters as that 200yd
1,000-1,200yd gap is an enormous gulf in terms of
.308W ballistics, but performance in the transonic
zone is a vital issue to many 800-1,000yd users of
Target Shooter 59
 Looking down the scenic if difficult Blair Atholl range from the 1,000yd firing point. F/TR
competitors need every bit of ballistic advantage they can garner through bullet choice at this
distance, but especially here when the wind comes up Glen Tilt from one o’ clock.

the cartridge, especially those with shorter barrel
rifles or shooting in disciplines restricted to 155gn
bullets. For instance, tactical and sniper rifle
specialists report that M118LR performance and that
of comparable handloads using the 175gn SMK ‘falls
off a cliff just the other side of 800 metres’ (900yd).
Conclusions
Before trying to sum up what lessons we can draw
0.308” Bullet Form Factor (i7) Values
Low  Medium
Hornady 208gn A‐Max (0.967) Berger 175gn VLD (1.035)
from all this, there is a final issue to consider –
rifling twist rates – it’s no good setting your heart
on shooting a 210gn VLD from a 1-13”twist TR rifle,
I’m afraid. Table 3 shows rates and the bullets they
stabilise. (This is a subject I’ll touch on when I get
onto range results as I tried various ‘unsuitably
heavy’ bullets in a 1-13.5” twist Bartlein barrel on my
F/TR tube gun with interesting results last year.) So
what lessons can we learn from this study of .308
Table 1
0.3080” Bullet Form
High
Berger 168gn BT (1.096)
Factor (i7) Values

Berger 185gn BT L‐R (0.972) Berger 155gn VLD (1.039) *Sierra 180gn MK (1.099) Notes

Berger 210gn VLD (0.979)
Berger 190gn VLD (0.982)
Berger 155.5gn BT FB (0.988)
Berger 210gn BT L‐R (0.988)
Lapua 155gn Scenar (0.988)
Berger 185gn VLD (0.993)
Berger 175gn BT L‐R (0.999)
Sierra 210gn MK (1.000)
New Sierra 155gn MK (1.018)
* = Bullets with short, sharply angled boat‐tail sections
Berger 210gn VLD (0.979) Models shown in red are VLD or VLD‐type (aggressive secant‐form ogive)
Berger 168gn VLD (1.047)
Sierra 200gn MK (1.058)
Sierra 190gn MK (1.061)
Sierra 220gn MK (1.068)
Lapua 185gn D46 FMJBT (1.081)
Sierra 175gn MK (1.084)
Old Sierra 155gn MK (1.092)
Sierra 240gn MK (1.092)
*Hornady 155gn A‐Max (1.100)
*Hornady 168gn A‐Max (1.101)
*Hornady 178gn A‐Max (1.118)
Lapua 185gn Scenar (1.130)
*Hornady 168gn Match (1.143)
*Nosler 168gn CC (1.159)
*Sierra 168gn MK (1.161)
Lapua 167gn Scenar (1.163)
Values compare the
efficiency of the bullet’s
shape (‘form’) to the
G7 reference standard
form which has a value
of 1.000. Lower values
produce less drag and
higher BCs (subject to
bullet weight); higher
values more drag and
lower BCs.
Source: Bryan Litz’s
long-range ballistics
tests as reported in his
book Applied Ballistics
for Long Range
Shooting.

60 Target Shooter
Effects of a Shift in Form Factor Value of ~0.035 on 1,000 yd Ballistics Performance 
Bullet i7 MV ME  V1,000 D1,000 (1) D1,000 (2)
Berger 175gn VLD 1.035 2,823 3,098 1,282 90.6” 11.8”
Berger 175gn BT Long‐Range 0.999 2,823 3,098 1,326 86.1” 11.2”
Berger 185gn BT Long‐Range 0.972 2,746 3,098 1,371 80.0” 10.4”

[Hypothetical 175gn Super‐BC 0.964 2,823 3,098 1,370 81.6” 10.6”]

Table 2

Note – the extra 10gn weight of the 185gn BT Long‐Range model produces a slightly greater improvement in wind‐reduction performance 
than would be obtained from a 175gn bullet with the same i7 value of 0.972.
Win match bullets? First, forget external ballistics be a drift to heavier designs. Finally, I’d say look at
performance at short (up to 300yd) ranges, instead those old favourites, the 190gn, 200gn, and 220gn
choose bullets that are easy to fine tune for the Sierra MKs that obviously perform much better
smallest possible group size. This approach is at long ranges than their BCs might suggest, and
sometimes advocated for 500 and 600yd shooting, stabilise in slower twist barrels than you might have
but whether it applies depends on other factors – thought. Of course, if you have a 1-14” twist barrel
range conditions (‘difficult winds’); target ring sizes; rifle or are a TR, Fullbore or Palma competitor,
degree of competition. For instance, Les Holgate’s bullet weight choice has already been made for you –
report on Round 1 of the GB F-Class Assoc league ‘less than 156gn’. The choice here is simpler, but still
shoots in last month’s issue mentions 2s and even three way for long-range competitions – the 155gn
1s being scored at 600yd – a modest velocity 168 Lapua Scenar, new Sierra Palma MK (#2156), or the
or 175gn SMK load wasn’t going to cut the mustard 155.5gn Berger FULLBORE. At short ranges, almost
in this particular 500/600yd competition, no matter any 155 is viable, and the original Palma MatchKing
how well it grouped! Beyond 600yd, there is no (#2155) remains an excellent choice.

Table 3 ‐ Rifling Twist Rate and Bullet Compatibility

1‐10”: All bullets listed in Table 1, but may not give optimum precision with light bullets.
1‐11”: All bullets listed in Table 1, except possibly the 208gn Hornady A‐Max and 240gn SMK which 
are marginal. This twist rate may not give optimum precision with light bullets.
1‐12”: All bullets bar the following: 208g A‐Max; Berger 210gn VLD and BT Long‐Range; Sierra 210gn, 
220gn and 240gn MKs.
1‐13”: All bullets in Table 1 except  the following: those listed above as unsuitable for 1‐12” twist 
plus Berger 185gn VLD and Target BT Long‐Range (the latter works in some 1‐13” barrels) and 190gn 
VLD models; Sierra 190gn and 200gn MKs.

1‐14”: suitable only for 155s and shorter 168gn bullets including the Sierra MK version. The new 
generation longer 155s (Scenar, 155.5gn Berger, SMK #2156) will possibly perform better at long 
ranges in 1‐13” twist barrels, although it should be noted F/TR world champion Russell Simmonds 
used the Sierra #2156 in a 1‐14” twist rate barrel without harming his scores in 2009.
issue – you need precision (small groups), good
elevation consistency (small MV spreads), and low
i7 / high BC bullets at good MVs. Whether that’s the
best of the 155s at very high MVs, the new 175, 185
and 210gn tangent-ogive Long-Range models, or
the out and out long-range heavyweights, the 208
and 210gn VLDs remains to be seen. I suspect all
three will have successful adherents, but there will
Target Shooter 61
62 Target Shooter
 Full page adverts, Half
page adverts,
Quarter page adverts
and more.

Contact us today to see

what we can do for you
and make your products
work to their full potential,
in a way that is the future
of magazines and
advertising. With over
readers 10,000 a month, in
the UK and around the

Target Shooter Magazine can offer your

company the kind of advertising that a hard
copy magazine cannot offer. Our readers can,
with a click of the mouse, connect straight to
your website.
An advert with a hard copy magazines can
only say so much about your product. With
cost and limited space, most have to keep it
direct. But with a online magazine the advert Target Shooter Magazine
takes on a whole new way of advertising, as email us at
it can be the front door to your website and
all those other products you have waiting for admin@targetshooter.co.uk
customers
Target Shooter 63
Target Shooter Magazine is a publication of Trinity Digital Publishing Ltd
 Stuff your bag – properly!

by Vince Bottomley
A few years ago, only serious benchrest and the body from Cordura – do not buy this
shooters used a back bag, now F Classers use bag! Cordura can be further lubricated using a
them and even plinkers use a back-bag to get silicone spray. If you do have leather ears, try
the best out of their rifle by eliminating ‘human talcum powder.
error’. As a result, there are many types of bag
available so it’s important to choose the right Firstly, stuff your bag – properly. Benchrest
one. rules state that bags must be filled with a
natural granular material – sand in other words.
What do we want our bag to do for us? We We need a stable bag and the heavier the bag
need a very stable support for the butt of the is, the more stable it will be – in theory. If you
rifle, which we hope will not be disturbed when are just a plinker, you could use a mixture of
the rifle is fired. How do we achieve that? Firstly, sand and lead-shot but if you shoot in benchrest
buy the right bag. If the bag is made of leather, competition, lead-shot is not permitted as a
it should ideally have Cordura ‘ears’ – which bag-filler.
helps the rifle slide smoothly under recoil.
Leather ears can become a problem if they get Sand is a usefully dense substance and the
wet! I have seen one bag where the maker got finer the sand, the heavier it will be - for a given
it totally wrong and made the ears out of leather volume. The finest sand I know is called Zircon
64 Target Shooter
but unfortunately, you won’t find it on any beach the back bag. The other disadvantage of bag-
in the UK, though it is available here. If you can’t squeezing is holding the bag perfectly still whilst
get hold of Zircon, try foundry sand. This is an- you release the shot – not easy, takes a lot of
other very fine sand, used in the metal casting practise. The preferred bags for bag-squeezing
process and if you have a foundry nearby they will have a pliable leather base as they don’t
will probably be happy to give you a shovel-full. need to sit solidly on the bench – you provide
The last option is building sand. You can get a the stability with your hand! If you look at the
half-hundred weight bag from B&Q for a couple picture at the start of this article, only the Bald
of pounds but hold on – this sand will be damp Eagle and Equifix bags would be suitable for
and we need it ‘snuff-dry’ for bag filling. You can bag-squeezing – the others are too rigid.
put it in the microwave or oven or better still, buy
kiln-dried sand – also from B&Q. The joystick rest is now gaining popularity with
F Class shooters as well as benchrest, so again
We have a great variety of bags available today. From the left – two cordura bags from
Equifix Shooting Bags, a Bald Eagle leather bag with Cordura ears, a Cicognani all-
synthetic bag with rigid base, an Edgewood leather and Cordura (probably the best there
is) and finally, a SEB ‘gator bag with off-set ears. In the foreground a suede doughnut bag,
which improves stability if used as a base for your bag

The first job is to fill the ears. Using the funnel, we don’t now have a lot of bag-squeezers in F
pour as much sand into the ears as you can, Open but we do in F/TR, where the shooter has
tackling one ear at a time. Use the wrong only a simple bi-pod. Major adjustments can be
end of the pencil to ram in the sand until you made with the bi-pod but once set up, most will
absolutely can’t get any more in. This takes ‘fine-adjust’ prior to taking the shot by squeezing
several applications, adding a small amount of the back-bag. I’ve found that the Cordura bags
sand and then ramming with the pencil. Now on the left of the picture from Equifix make good
tuck the filler ‘tail’ under the ear and do the F/TR bags. You can stack one on the other if
second one. We may eventually find that we you need to and there is a massive choice of
have too much sand in the ears but it’s easier shapes and heights on offer at modest proces.
to take a little out than put more in, should we Check out www.equifixshootingbags.co.uk
need to.
If you are a bag-squeezer, it makes sense not
Before we tackle the main body of the bag, there to fill your bag too hard, otherwise you will never
is one question I need you to answer – are you squeeze it! Remember this when you are filling
a bag-squeezer? What is a bag-squeezer, you your bag. I’m going to assume you are not
may ask. Well, in the old days, when benchrest bag-squeezing and we’ll fill our bag as hard as
was in its infancy, front rests didn’t have all possible. If we don’t have a hard bag, it can sag
the fancy adjustments that we have today and under the recoil of the rifle – exactly the oppo-
joystick rests were not even a dream. The front site of what we are trying to achieve. Bear in
rest was largely a fixed tri-pod pedestal and mind however that your bag is made of leather,
once set up, all aim adjustments were made by which will stretch, so even if it feels like a brick
squeezing and manipulating the back-bag. Very when newly filled, it will sag and need topping up
few UK benchrest shooters are bag-squeezers occasionally.
but several top American BR shooters still prefer
to bag-squeeze. Many bags these days have a very thick, rigid
base. This allows the bag to sit flat on the top
Does bag-squeezing have any advantage? of a concrete bench without rocking. The older
Before the ‘one touch’ joystick rests, bags generally have a thinner base made of
bag-squeezing was a very quick way to adjust a single piece of leather and as you pack the
the aim – rather than reaching forward and sand into the bag, the base becomes convex.
adjusting the windage screw and the elevation Not good. This means that the bag will not now
screw but now, with the joystick rests, it’s one provide a stable platform off a concrete bench
quick adjustment - easily as quick as squeezing though it may not be too disastrous for F Class

Target Shooter 65
Here’s what you need to fill your bag – sand, small funnel, a pen or pencil for ramming the
sand into the ears and a tablespoon is useful for handling the sand
- off your shooting-mat on a grassy firing-point. encourage the sand to settle and compact. As
you are reaching the stage where the bag is
If you do end up with a convex base, the getting full, bring the pencil into play and ram
solution is to sit it upon one of those doughnuts the sand between fills via the filler tail. At this
– usually made of rubber or better still stage you will be getting about a teaspoonful
suede-leather, filled with sand – see pic. of sand in at a time. Be patient, ram that sand,
Obviously rubber can be bouncy and this is keep slapping it, get it so full it feels like a brick
exactly what we are trying to avoid so, if you – unless you are a bag-squeezer of course!
are going to buy a doughnut – get a leather
one. You will need to fill it with sand but it’s not Once it’s absolutely full, tuck-in the filler-tail.
essential to pack it drum-tight. You might have to carefully use the blade of a
screwdriver to do this. Now, have a look at the
It might be tempting to sit your bag on a pile of ears. Are they too full? They need to mould
wooden blocks or what have you and I have seen slightly to the shape of your butt-stock and
some horrendous rear bag supports amongst should not lift the butt as you track the rifle
the F Class fraternity. In benchrest competition, back and forth. Look through the scope – if the
there are restrictions on such contraptions. In crosshairs keep dropping on your target as you
all fairness to the F Class guys, they are often ‘track’ the rifle, the ears are too full.
faced with steeply sloping uneven firing-points
and I have occasionally needed to resort to The proof of the pudding is of course in the
drastic methods to obtain a stable shooting shooting. Set up your rifle and see how it ‘runs’
platform. in the bags. Beat the top of the butt-stock with
your fist to settle it in the ears and run the
Fill the main body of your bag with sand as rifle back and forth in a sawing motion. Set your
we did with the ears – slapping the bag to crosshairs on the target and run the rifle back

66 Target Shooter
 Note the stitching between the ears – single row on the left, three rows on the right – for
wider stocks. Buy the right bag for your stock.
and forth some more and keep checking for
return to point of aim – we are looking for a
set-up where, after the rifle is fired and you push
it back against the fore-end stop, the crosshairs
are somewhere near your point of aim.
If you are using a front pedestal rest – what
about the front-bag? Firstly, there is no
requirement to use Zircon – the bag is fixed to
a heavy rest. Secondly, fill as above but don’t
overfill it. You should be able to push your finger
into the bag about an eighth of an inch. Don’t
get it too solid. Use a small spirit-level to ensure
the front bag is level before you mount the rifle.
Do up the side screws to encourage the sides
of the bag to grip the stock – but not too tight.
The rifle must be allowed to recoil freely. Look
through your scope whilst gently attempting to
move the fore-end from side to side – as long
as the crosshairs don’t move, the grip is tight
enough.
A perfect set-up is essential to get the best out
of your rifle. If you shoot benchrest, try to avoid
touching the rifle – except with your trigger-
finger. Do not wrap your hand around the stock
or hold onto the fore-end. Free-recoil is usually
the best way to shoot but this becomes more
difficult with larger calibres we use in 1000 yard
benchrest or F Class.
Some shooters initially don’t take to shooting
benchrest-style but please, persevere, it is
the most accurate way to shoot. Not only do
benchresters achieve outstanding accuracy but
look at the F Class guys with their five-inch V
bull at 1000 yards. Even in perfect conditions,
such accuracy can only be achieved with a
faultless set-up.
Check out www.foxfirearmsuk.com for SEB
products, for Cicognani, go to www.varide-
cicognani.com Bald Eagle and Protector
bags are available from www.sinclairintl.com
and see www.edgebag.com for Edgewood
products.
Target Shooter 67
 Don’t settle
for less
Competitively
priced with
Over 30 different
Gunsafes in our unrivalled quality
standard range
- we have 3 year on-site
models to suit
all requirements
warranty*
Free Napier VP90
corrosion inhibitor

British made
since 1982

Call 020 8254 6812

for brochures and
your local stockist
Email info@brattonsound.co.uk
www.brattonsound.co.uk
68 *Terms and conditions
Target apply - see
Shooter
website for details. AVAILABLE FROM GUNSHOPS
The Lazy Man’s (Auto Reset) Knockdown
Target
How many times when you are practicing down
range on various knock-down targets someone else
knocks down your target just as you are taking aim?
How many times would you like to reset a target but
the pulling-cord is manned by some one else and
he is too lazy to re-set the target? How many times
you pull the cord and it breaks?
Definitely not a big issue but I reckon every shooter
will smile when they read that introduction. One
shooter in our club (Malta Allied Airgunners Club)
decided to do something about it – by building his
own automated knock-down target. Of course, by
today’s micro-electronic standards it’s not the latest
in high-tech but it’s worth a mention and a closer
look in appreciation of our shooter’s dedication
towards his favorite hobby.
Lazymans Auto Reset Target - All the mechanisim is well
protected.
The creator is one Nazzareno Scorfna, a long time
air rifle enthusiast. Nazzareno is also a founder
member of our shooting club and he is always
keen to help the club in any way and is a dedicated
committee member in the MAAC Airgun Section.
Nazzareno is also a keen FT shooter and had his
wish come true in 2009 when he participated in the
WFTF Worlds in South Africa. Nazzareno is a proud
Wierauch owner and all his air rifles except one are
HW products and he will never change them for any
other brand. His full time job as an auto electrician
helped him to apply his skills in this project.
Nazzareno is his real name but is known as Renie
by all his friends and he always had a fixation in
his mind to have a full-size knock-down target that
will automatically reset after being hit. He is always
busy with targets. He builds
targets for air pistol and targets
for air rifles, usually with some
kind of innovation. He likes and
tries to make life easier for all
except himself. However it’s
Renie’s passion to make
something work and to help all
members old and new feel at
home.
For his automatic re-set target,
Renie tells us that all is needed
was a standard knockdown
target, a micro-switch, a bicycle
brake cable, a 12V solenoid
from a scrapped diesel engine,
two relays and the timer used on
diesel engines and a 12V
Target Shooter 69
 Nazzareno the man behind this project.
battery. According to Renie’s own words you can
easily purchase these items or even get them for
free since these are easily available from a scrap
yard.
Rene decided to construct his own knock-down
from scrap metal. The cable, timer, solenoid,
covering and even the knock-down all came from
a scrap yard. Rene’s contribution to recycling!
He only bought the relays and the micro switch
because he tells us that these items are the most
critical parts and its better to get them new. He did
not find any great difficulties in constructing the
target and the set-up but he encountered a problem
of how to reverse the timer function. He wanted to
make the timer function work in the opposite way to
how it works on the diesel engines.
Rene explains to me that timer in a diesel engine
works in the following way. When the ignition is
switched on, the timer supplies current for a set
number of seconds on the heater-plugs and then
automatically breaks the circuit. He wanted the
timer to work the other way around. When the
knock-down kill-zone is hit, the face-plate will fall
and in turn will activate the micro-switch. This
action will supply current and trigger the timer to
initiate a countdown before the current is applied to the
solenoid. The solenoid will then starts to pull the
link by means of a pull-cable which will in turn pull
to re-set the knock-down. Once the knock-down
re-sets and locks the face-plate, the micro switch is
released and this will cut the current supply to the
solenoid making it free so that the target is ready for
70 Target Shooter
the next shot.
Rene tells me that before he decided to introduce
the electric circuit he tried various attempts to make
a fully mechanical auto re-set target. In fact he
managed to do it but the problem is that the target
auto re-sets at once and does not allow an observer
such as a lane marshal to notice this, if he is not
directly observing the target. Rene wants things
done in a fair way so he wants the target down and
to stay down for a few seconds then auto re-set
itself.
His problem was how to conceal the electrical
circuit and make it less noticeable. He also wanted
to protect certain components from any accidental
shots so he decided to fit and protect all the
components into a metal base and double protect
the critical components. I reckon the construction
is strong enough to stop a 9mm round – that’s safe
enough for Renie!
Well Rene’s project is now complete but I bet he
comes up with more refinements to his creation –
don’t ask me what but he will certainly share it with
us once he completes it. One thing I am certain of
- we will see more of these units in the future on our
range.
It’s Renie’s wish to share his little project and
he happy to help others who want to build this
system for their own use. He is not seeking patents
or profit, it’s just fun for him but although he likes to
share with each and every shooter he would not like
Rear View showing the neat arrangment

anyone to take commercial advantage of this. If operation of this target can also now be seen on
anyone is interested for personal use or commercial You tube by following this link http://www.youtube.
application and would like to contact Renie, please com/watch?v=AHZ-2Fdv9vg .
do so and email him on scorpion303@onvol.net .

The shooters at the range like to use it especially This article is just my way, as Club Chairman,
for standing shots. When Renie understood this he to give my little contribution to Renie and his
immediately painted it red with a yellow hit zone lazy-man’s knock-down targe
to please his fellow shooters’ request. The full

Testing by club members

Target Shooter 71
72 Target Shooter
Classifieds • Classifieds •

2010_ELY_08 Adverts Sporting Rifle outlines.indd 1 16/4/10 11:01:2

DRULOV .22 LBR Target Pistol

Accurate, Affordable, Available -what more do you want ?

ALFA - Affordable
alternative .22LR & 357 LBR Carbine
Now available in .22LR

ALFA Co2 Target Pistols now in stock

Merseyside Amoury *Alfa Revolver Scope Bases now in

PO Box 357 Liverpool L18 1PJ stock . H.K.S. Speedloaders for Alfa
and Taurus Revolvers .
T: 07717 222533
or 07702 277791
Target Shooter Distributers 73
for Case Knives
Smith & Wesson Knives &
E: TJG@armoury357.freeserve.co.uk Flashlights
 This Smallbore Business
The Natural Aiming Point of the position.
As an ongoing system of progress concerning
setting up the position for prone shooting, the NAP
is the next point of concern for any shooter, both
new chum and expert.
Let me state right now, that once the initial position
is finalised, the real detail starts in getting the rifle to
point at the target.
Every position, be it that of a brand new shooter or
a world champion has a Natural Aiming Point (NAP)
encased within.
The trick with this, is to get the rifle aligned exactly
with the target, without any extraneous force
applied to bring the rifle on aim by use of muscles.
I have already explained the correct use of the sling,
which primarily is an aid to hold the rifle still, and
the sources of the many problems that can develop
until the sling is set to favour each position.
Within the forward geometry, using the sling
correctly, largely influences the control of the NAP,
but the primary control is entirely the placement of
the body on the firing point for prone shooting. Also
connected within this is breathing control, and the
evolution of the position round the fulcrum point of
the left elbow. (RH shooter).
The forward elbow becomes the single most
important placement factor in a successful
position, and the shooter will soon learn to leave it
firmly stuck in place!
You see, the control of the left, and right “point” of
the rifle is dictated by the body movement around
that fulcrum point of the forward elbow.
74 Target Shooter
By Don Brook
I have explained also the importance of the left
side of the position (straight line from the forward
hand, directly through the forward elbow, shoulder,
hip, knee, and the foot) and it is this positioning on
the firing point that enables the shooter to gain the
correct left and right natural aiming point.
If the shooter will follow along with me as I write this,
and assume a position that you have developed that
is comfortable, and hopefully points somewhere in
close proximity to the target, I would like you now
to place the rifle up into your position and drop
your eye behind the back sight on the cheek piece,
getting ready to aim the rifle.
Now, just breathe in and out steadily and close your
eyes. Continue breathing as you relax the forward
position with emphasis on the arms, and shoulders,
for about three or four breaths, then open your eyes
behind the sights to aim the rifle.
There are TWO highly important areas to look at
now!
“A”… Is the rifle pointing either left or right of the
target?
“B”…. Is your aiming eye dead centre in the back
peep of the rear sight? looking directly through the
peep?
In relation to “A” above, where the rifle is pointing
either left or right of the aiming mark, is the
LATERAL Natural Aiming Point of the position. If
this does not coincide with the aiming mark through
the sights, you need to alter the body position
around the fulcrum of the forward elbow. Do NOT
 Have a look at the position fault here, where the eye is well under the peep centre. (See
text) This is a simple cheek piece adjustment requirement but is so often seen!
move the elbow position under any circumstances.
The whole of the position geometry is dictated by
the standard position of the forward elbow in both
planes, as I will explain.
Say for instance the rifle is aiming left of the aiming
mark. To bring the rifle to the right, to coincide with
the aiming mark, you just simply move the hips to
the left. This allows the position to move the rifle
further to the right, and once more under the eyes
shut, relaxed breathing sequence the lateral “point”
is searched and found.
It is important, that the finest increment is observed,
particularly when searching for that elusive fine
piece of positioning as your skills develop. Even
the slightest amount off the centre aim in the
foresight is not acceptable under the attention
to detail requirement I have continued with in my
writings.
Conversely, if the rifle is aiming to the right of the
aiming mark, then you move your hips to the right
around the fulcrum of that forward elbow until the
NAP is found without any form of muscle influence
in BOTH planes…..
Shooters reading this, I must state that these
examples are mandatory if you want to get
anywhere with this fascinating sport. You simply
HAVE to do this as you develop your shooting skills.
Now, concerning “B” above, “Is the eye looking
directly through the sights?”
If you study the photograph #1 you will see a
classic case of the eye under the peep axis within
the position.
The aiming eye is well under the peep axis as an
illustration, and is largely at fault with the elevation
of an adjustable cheek piece on the rifle.
The remedy is quite simple here, as the cheek
piece can be adjusted up wards to gain the peep
axis (See photo #2)
However, if the shooter persists with the first photo
adjustment, it will be seen that the shooter has to
lift the head upwards from the cheek piece to gain
eye centre through the peep. This means that the
cheek piece pressure on the rifle varies, (in some
cases considerably) so losing control of the facial
position and the recoil factors on shot release.
The variations encased within this fault can lead to
excessive group size on the target, and totally
unexplained shots in the scoring rings for an
otherwise quite well aimed shot.
If your small bore rifle does not have an adjustable
cheek piece, then you need to make sure that
adjustments are made to enable peep centering on
aim. I have seen all sorts of ingenious methods
to achieve this factor, from carving the shape of
the cheek piece woodwork itself (my own early
Target Shooter 75
 This photo shows the correct cheek piece height, which as you can see, allows the eye to
be centered in the peep. This is crucial to correct cheek piece pressure. (See text)
Anschutz rifles were all altered in some way, as I
never fired a stock standard rifle stock in my life.) or
in some cases a cheek piece built up with builders
epoxy “Bog” that enabled the shooter to gain peep
centre without varying the cheek piece pressure on
the rifle.
The obvious cure all for a stock like this is to have
a stock maker build an adjustable cheek piece for
you, you will be surprised at the benefits. It is not
rocket science, and a good stock maker can do this
easily.
“Rifle Fit” will be discussed further down the track
in future articles, and I have seen, in my travels
around the rifle matches in the world, some pretty
ingenious devices to gain rifle fitting. There was
even one instance of a prominent shooter from
Finland with a 12mm Dowel (Approx the same
size as a “Dolly” clothes peg) employed as a
cheekpiece!
It should also be noted that modern target rifles
are fully adjustable, and this was no accident of
development, believe me!
This will be the first article devoted to natural aiming
point, and it must be accepted that every position,
no matter how standardised, or radical it may be,
76 Target Shooter
needs to have the aiming point found pretty quickly.
The second series of the Natural Aiming Point
selection devoted to elevation control by position
and breathing will be promoted next issue.
These days, with electronic targets, single aiming
mark target machines, and the finales systems in p
lace, at least you only have one aiming mark
presented to you.
Spare a thought for those clubs all over the world,
that still use multi aiming mark targets, such as
the 50m five bull target in Australian clubs that
present this set of problems to each 20 shot string
five times!
From what I know about shot release orientation,
this is probably one of the major causes of
diminished skills levels in all forms of prone
shooting, let alone the demands applied for three
position shooters!
I do know, that when I first ventured out of
Australia to international competition, I am quite
sure the increase in my personal standard came
from single aiming mark targets in front of me. So
much less I had to bother about!
Another little gem for you all…. “If you hit it in the
middle, it does not matter where the lines are, does
it? Brooksie.
INTERSHOOT
IN STOCK AT BEST PRICES!!

Anschutz Precise Stocks

Gemini Buttplates
SCATT Systems

If you see a cheaper price

on ANYTHING we will try and
match or beat it!!

PROUD SPONSORS OF THE BISLEY JUNIOR INTERNATIONAL

Supplying the latest and best equipment from the worlds top manufacturers
Regular special offers, demo equipment and package deals

### NOW SUPPLYING LILJA BARRELS AS USED IN BLEIKER RIFLES!! ###

www.intershoot.co.uk

To introduce our selves we are the United Kingdom Association of

Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest Shooting. By that we mean "True
Benchrest Shooting". The Association is recognised by rimfire
shooters across in the UK, with partners across Europe and the rest of
the world, as the presentative body that promotes rimfire and air rifle
benchrest across this country and with other partners in European and
World events.
Visit our website for news about national and international
competitions that all can ‘have a go at’. From novice to champion
shooter, everyone is welcome
www.benchrest22.org

Target Shooter 77
 Profile on Matt Milson
Matt has been involved in shooting now for
just three years, having come to the sport via
Tetrathlon. Prior to taking up shooting as a stand
alone event, Matt competed regularly in the
Tetrathlon for the pony club, and for those who
get confused as to which disciplines the Tetrathlon
includes - it is, running, swimming and horse riding
as well of course as air pistol shooting. When he
was fifteen the coach at the local rifle club where
Matt’s shooting training took place asked if he had
considered small-bore shooting. Matt’s response
78 Target Shooter
By Hayley Platts
to coach Richard was to return to the club the
following week and have a go. Quite a nifty move
converting a pistol shooter to rifle! That was three
years ago and his interest has gained momentum
along with his skills and success . Now aged
eighteen Matt saw his move to small-bore
shooting as a step up from air rifle and air pistol
which he had thoroughly enjoyed but felt this new
discipline represented a new challenge and a way
of furthering and building on the skills he already
had. Currently Matt is concentrating on .22 prone
with his small-bore rifle but this may inevitably
lead to learning the new skills required to become
a three positional shooter.
The Place to
Matt is starting to emerge as a young shooting
talent and has for the past two years attended
Shop at Bisley
the Yorkshire Regional training squad as well as
being as competitive as possible shooting in
national events at Bisley, and travelling to Scotland
The NSRA,
and the Isle of Man to help broaden his knowledge
of good and demanding ranges in the UK. It
Lord Roberts Centre
always amazes me how we have a good number Now in stock ~ the popular
of outdoor ranges dotted around the UK which Morini CM84E ISSF ‘Longarm’ Free Pistol
go unnoticed by the general public and non local
shooters unless you are heading there! but
once you arrive at these little clubs to compete
there is a community feel often in the middle of
nowhere complete with secure clubhouse and cosy Price: ~ £1210.00
environment to mull over those shots that got FAC Required
away! GEHMANN Shooting
Products Main Retail
So far Matt cites clinching the Scottish Junior Stockists.
Championship last year in Scotland as his best
achievement, although he is also very proud
to have represented the England Juniors also
in 2009 at Bisley and bring home a gold in the
annual match versus Scotland and Wales. With
regard to his future in the shooting Matt says that
he wants to continue to learn and also to compete
to the best of his ability, and most importantly still
enjoy it.
A wide range of pistols and rifles available,
Matt has plenty on his plate academically wise as Anschütz, Walther, Morini, BSA, Air Arms,
he is in the throes of completing his A Levels at Webley Limited, Steyr, Feinwerkbau.
College where he has undertaken Maths, Physics Accessories from leading manufacturers Centra,
and Business Studies. Good luck with those and Gehmann, HPS, VFG, Walther; AHG, Knobloch,
also congratulations to Matt for recently gaining Champion, Opticron, Hawke, BSA and many more.
his Private Pilots License for Helicopters, Shooting Mats from Evans and HPS.
something which he tells me is what he hopes Gun Safes from Bratton Sound.
Ammunition from Eley, RWS, HPS Target Master,
will turn out to be a career for him in the future.
SK, Lapua - including Air Gun Ammunition
Just thinking about those academic skills and his Optics from Tasco, BSA, Hawke, MTC, AGS.
aptitude for learning to fly, I wonder if those Clothing from Kurt Thune, Realtree, Holme,
analytical skills help Matt consider his shots and Anschütz, Gehmann, AKAH.
the mathematical decisions on wind speed and We stock guns and Accessories for Field Target
direction etc - quite an interesting topic to mull and Hunter Field Target Disciplines
over, it often intrigues me to discover what skills With many more items too numerous to mention so
and talents people bring to the range from their come browse and ask if you don’t see what you
non shooting lives and how that helps or hinders want. You’ll get a warm welcome, the best
them in learning to shoot and compete. objective advice, the right product at the right price
with a comprehensive after sales service.
Further information from our website
Anyhow to sum up, I hope Matt turns out to be
www.nsra.co.uk
high flyer with his shooting career as well as Shop Tel: 01483 485511
turning his hobby into a career choice and wish Shop Fax: 01483 488817
him well in combining both of these talents over E-mail: sales@nsra.co.uk
the next few years.

Target Shooter 79
 By Gwyn Roberts
Instead of more coaching tips or looking at different
types of equipment etc I thought I’d take a look
this month at our sport as a whole to see what has
happened, what is currently happening and what we
need to plan for and implement in the future to help
ensure the growth and development of Gallery Rifle
& Pistol (GR&P). I have the feeling this is going to
be a bit like poking a stick into a hornet’s nest but
it seems that there is a great deal of talking on the
ranges, but very little communication getting outside
of it so I’ll start the ball rolling and just hope that it
doesn’t turn into a ten pin bowling match.
Starting at the beginning in 1997, many of us wanted
to carry on shooting the type of action events that
we used to shoot with our pistols and the only types
of firearms that were available at the time were the
10/22’s and lever action rifles. Many of us up until
this time were members of the National Pistol
Good healthy competition
80 Target Shooter
Association (NPA) which was the governing body
for pistol shooting and the British Fifteen Hundred
and Action Pistol Association (BFAPA). It was their
job to run pretty much every 1500 or action pistol /
revolver match that was either at Bisley or anywhere
else around the country and a very good job they
did of it too at the time! Unfortunately for us, when
GR&P shooting started to take off so did the NPA and
this left us all with no governing body or any formal
structure to carry on with into the future. Thankfully
though, a few of the stalwarts from within our
shooting community managed to keep our sport alive
and set about rebuilding what we had left, which
wasn’t much when you think of it. Quite a few people
just gave up at this point as they either didn’t want
to shoot rifles, or found that they couldn’t perform
at the level they were previously at shooting their
pistols but the rest of us were determined to see
what we could make of it. It did take quite a while
 being waved around in front
of their eyes for lots of new
members, were they were
trying to help safeguard TR,
or was it because they were
simply trying to help out
fellow shooters within the
sport? Quite frankly none
of us really cared because
it meant that we could still
carry on with our shooting
instead of having to take up
fishing or something else
instead! This partnership
gave GR&P the credibility
that it needed as a
recognised NRA discipline
which would ensure that
it was fully accepted by
both the Home Office and
Our sport needs more Juniors & under 21’s A.C.P.O so that we could
carry on shooting with our
old competitions albeit with
to achieve but the National Rifle Association (NRA) our new types of firearms.
was eventually persuaded to help us out and took the
discipline of GR&P under its wing. For some shooters Present:
it was like “turning to the dark side” with them having Turning our attention then to our National Governing
to fall under the NRA’s banner, but then looking at it Body for GR&P, the first question you would
from their point of view, why should they have taken probably ask is are they actually doing a good job of
us on board anyway? Was it because £ signs were it? I think the NRA’s immediate response would be

RO’s & CRO’s wanted, apply everywhere

Target Shooter 81
 place. This should be good news for every type
of shooter and the appointment or replacement of
some staff, along with the accountability measures
being put into place is certainly encouraging. Outside
expertise, help and advice in some areas and
disciplines is also being utilized along with the
setting up of additional committees and working
groups which is all helping to take a very positive
step forward in the right direction.

Other questions that often pop up during

conversation regarding the NRA / NSC is what have
they ever done for us, what’s in it for me, or why
is everything so expensive? The first answer would
have to be they have helped us get to where we
are now, with around 600 competitors entering the
Phoenix and many international GR&P Teams to
compete against both at home and abroad so they
have obviously helped accomplish many things.
There will hopefully be other countries joining us in
the near future but I think this is best read as work
in progress for the time being. Reading the NRA list
of benefits, the second question could be answered
with not a lot really to be honest if it isn’t your
primary club as I think most of these benefits are
covered by your own club affiliation. Not being a
member though means that you will not be able
to represent GB as a member of the GR&P Team,
RO’s & CRO’s wanted, apply everywhere you cannot vote at the AGM which could be the
difference between someone who may be
blinkered or someone who is open in their views
is your home club or range being run perfectly, and
being elected into positions within the NRA, so this
if not, why not? I think it’s fair to say that there are
is certainly something for you to think about. I agree
very few, if any clubs or associations that are run
that certain things are considered expensive and
as well as they could be (or even any where near
amongst these are entry costs in general, as well as
in some circumstances I can think of) but I think the
the difference between those costs charged at the
potential is there if the right decisions are made in
GR&P events and the same matches shot at some
the future! Maybe I’m being unfair, or just plain wrong
of the other meetings at Bisley, but this will hopefully
but there has always seemed to be a bit of a “us
be addressed in the future. On the plus side there
and them” thing going on with some of the people
is of course now a 20% reduction in entry costs for
who shoot at Bisley and this thought also extends to
the Phoenix if you enter 12 or more events, and this
some of the people that have been within the NRA /
is definitely a bonus for those people who actually
NSC over the years. It’s always struck me as being a
make a weekend of it, as opposed to those who only
retirement home for ex Brigadiers and the like who
turn up for a morning or afternoon of shooting so an
have found that they have way too much spare
effort is definitely being made on this point. If you
time on their hands so they thought they would
are not bothered about receiving yet another medal
join the “old boys” club just for something to do.
you can of course opt for a £5 gift voucher instead
Unfortunately this has proved to be the case on more
which means you could end up shooting the shorts
than one occasion over the years as there has been
matches for half price and still get the recognition, as
a number of individuals on the camp who have been
well as a qualifying score so again it’s another step
allowed to reign freely for far too long, with little, if any
in the right direction.
accountability to anyone else for either their actions
or the decisions that they have made. Selfishness
Future:
or simple incompetence over the years by a handful
As well as asking what the NRA / NSC are doing
of people has probably been the main reason for
for GR&P shooting, we should also ask ourselves
the slow development of Bisley as the centre of
the same questions as well as the clubs and ranges
excellence for the whole of the shooting sports, but
that we regularly attend. Does your club or range
thankfully the process of change is already taking
encourage other clubs to attend for either an

82 Target Shooter
informal get together or a full blown inter club / open
competition, and if not, why not? Surely this is the
best way to get more people actively involved in
all of the disciplines and it will also help educate
everyone involved in aspects from safety to the
fun factor, and this is what it’s all about surely? On
one hand there are many clubs dotted around the
country with some fantastic facilities but they
are “closed” to outsiders or any form of change,
whereas others have very enthusiastic and
experienced members but have poor facilities
meaning that they have either little or no opportunity
to pass on their expertise and knowledge to others.
Either way, both scenarios are detrimental to the
future of our sport and unless things can change
pretty soon, the future of all forms of shooting is
looking pretty bleak! I’ve mentioned this many times
before, but if we could all just get one more person
from our club to travel to Bisley (or any another open
shoot) then the Phoenix would instantly have well
over a 1,100 entrants, and this would be a huge boost
and get us back up to somewhere near the numbers
we used to get at the old Anno Domini meetings. As
well as having access to good facilities we also need
to make sure that help and advice is readily available
to those that need it regarding every aspect of GR&P
shooting and this will be available to both individuals
Your ultimate goal perhaps
as well as clubs in the not too distant future.
As well as attracting more shooters and competitors
into GR&P we also need to increase the number
of competent R.O and C.R.O’s to ensure that we
can carry on providing good quality and above all
else, safe matches and this again is proving to be
somewhat of an uphill struggle. There are always
people who are willing to take all they can from a
sport but there are far less who are prepared to give
anything back in return, and this is another issue that
needs to be addressed in the future. If you are not
willing to help out in some small way at an event
then I don’t really see why anyone else should be
prepared to help you on the day either. It’s not the
end of the world to turn up earlier to help score
targets, paint steel or help with R.O duties so give
this some thought if it applies to you. If we had a lot
more R.O’s available to us it would mean that the
duties could be shared throughout the day or
weekend and this would make it much fairer on the
current people who do it as it would give them a lot
more time to shoot their own matches in (or even
take part in some circumstances).
Running an association the size of the NRA cannot
be done by just a handful of people and it requires
a huge number of volunteers to
work together in many different
areas. There’s a small minority
who view those sitting on the
various committees or being
responsible for certain positions
as being on some sort of power
trip, or simply wanting to be in
charge of everyone else but in
most cases, this is very far from
the truth. If you actually saw the
amount of paperwork involved,
the number of meetings that have
to be attended (and the distance
involved to actually get to them)
along with the size of the reports
that have to be written etc, etc
then these individuals would
certainly change their opinions
of those who help run our sport.
These people put in a tremendous
amount of their (unpaid) time,
effort and commitment into
helping our sport develop and
grow and it is up to all of us to
help them in any way we can. It
takes far more than someone who
is on an ego trip to run our sport,
where much has been promised
in the past only for very little to be
actually delivered but I think the
Target Shooter 83
key people that we currently have in place within
the GR&P framework (both GR&P and NRA/NSC)
are doing a huge amount of good work for us, the
majority of which usually goes totally unnoticed but
it is certainly being done. The main tasks that the
GR&P Committee members are working on at the
moment is writing and putting together the various
manuals for Skills, Training, Coaching, R.O’s and
Club / Regional Development. This is a huge task
to achieve but it is already under way and although
it will take time to complete, the end results will
benefit everyone from probationary members to
national standard shooters and they will help us to
take our sport up to the next level. You will notice
that new rules have been introduced regarding the
classification / type of firearms that can be used in
GR&P events and this will help to ensure a fairer and
more level playing field as new types of firearms are
becoming available on the market. It is also
opening up our sport to people who shoot with the
older types of rifle that use the standard iron sights
etc and this can only be good for GR&P. It has
involved a lot more work for the stats crew but there
are now individual classifications for the different
calibers in the individual shorts events, and again
this is to ensure that every shooter gets as fair a deal
as is possible.
I think at the end of the day a lack of communication
probably creates more problems or distrust
within the shooting sports (or any other sport for that
matter) than any other specific point and this is what
we need to address, now! The NRA / NSC already
send out regular e-mails and the GR&P’s galleryr-
ifle.com website has pretty much everything else
covered but they can both be improved on. There
are obviously many people out there who are
satisfied with the way that our sport is being run and
developed, and there are also a few who aren’t.
There must be lots of people out there with some
good ideas about what can be done to improve
areas or points within Gallery Rifle, but it’s not of
much use if you don’t put your ideas forwards to
anyone. In order for us to progress we must
communicate, so please get in touch either with the
NRA / NSC or the GR&P committee at gallery@nra.
org.uk so that we can all help each other.

Rude Fat Dog

Custom Firearms
RFD 621 Devon & Cornwall
Section 5
We are the ONLY dedicated company who can supply the products and
technical expertise to help you become more competitive in your
Gallery Rifle competitions

Introducing the Target-Hunter barrel from KID. This high accuracy .920”
solid Stainless Steel ‘Bull’ barrel is available in 12.5”, 14” and 16”
versions. The barrel is threaded ½”x 28 and is supplied with a stainless
steel thread protector. We can supply moderators to suit.
www.rudefatdog.com
84 Tel: Shooter
Target +44(0)1271 865865 Fax: +44(0)1271 865830
LICHFIELD TARGET SHOOTING CLUB
Club Feature
The Lichfield Target Shooting Club was formed as
Weeford Airgun Club in 1976 and, soon after, moved to
premises at Lichfield Cricket Club, changing the name
in the process to Lichfield Airgun Club. For the most
part, certainly over 15 years, the Cricket Club was the
shooting club’s base although there were brief spells
where the club met at the Officer’s Club, Swinfen Hall,
in the grounds of the prison, and another period of
time at the Old Schoolhouse in the nearby hamlet of
Fradley. However with the demise of the Cricket
pitch and it’s club house to make way for a housing
development, necessitated another move and the
Lichfield group of shooters now rent the Scout
Hut at Hopwas where they have been located for
approximately 3 years.
The name was changed to the Lichfield Target
Shooting Club in 1988 to reflect some of the changes in
club activities, and at the same time the demographic
of the membership was changing with members not
only from the city itself but the local outlying areas as
well.
The club is always happy to welcome newcomers
to the sport of air rifle and air pistol shooting as well
as established shooters to the club. If you are new
to the sport the club in the first instance has good
honest equipment to get you started as well as some
very patient and knowledgeable members who are
only too happy to see newcomers improve and thrive
in the sport.
Primarily Lichfield was always a club for 6 yard
shooting (target and bell) as it did not have the
necessary room size available to extend the range
to shoot 10 metres. All the more extraordinary then
to think that it was Lichfield Target Shooting Club
who resurrected the Staffordshire Open 10 metre
Championships - a national 10 metre event which in
the first few years was held in the big Sports Hall of the
Friary Grange Sports Centre in Lichfield.
Members pulled together to organise the meeting
as well as compete in it themselves, and with the
combination of a new venue for shooters to travel
to and compete at, and the wonderful array of local
crystal prizes, the ‘Staffs’ became a hugely supported
and well loved annual event, which eventually was
held at the Aldersley national range, Wolverhampton
due to astronomical room hire rates at the Sports
Centre. In it’s heyday the event attracted international
shooters from as far afield as New Zealand and
comprised of 2 days of double 60 shot competitions plus
a qualifier and Olympic Final on the Saturday night, with
Staffordshire confined champions being crowned in
conjuction with the main shooting events.
At this point I must declare my non-neutral status as
far as Lichfield is concerned as it was the club where I
learned my shooting trade so to speak, and benefited
enormously from the experienced and enthusiastic
hard core bunch of members who were there back in
the 80’s. A small group of us travelled most weekends
to events all over the UK, saw how competitions were
run, what scores you needed to win and generally learn
how to shoot in competitions. I think I learnt to do 10
metre shooting at some of these competitions having
no access to a range with 10 metres at the time! Many
of these people have become lifelong friends and I still
shoot shoulder to shoulder with them most weeks.
Anyone in the locality looking for a small friendly
club should contact Ken Beddows on 01543 253734.
The club meets on Tuesday nights from 8.00pm until
10.00pm on 10 metre target changers.
Target Shooter 85
 VINCE’S REGULAR COLUMN WHEREBY
ACCURACY NUTS CAN KEEP UP TO
DATE WITH THE ACTIVITIES OF THE UKBRA

Competitions of five,5-shot groups)

Our second 100 yard benchrest competition of the
year was rather poorly supported but nonetheless
competition was as keen as ever and, for once,
conditions were quite good.
At 100 yards, we had our new moving-backer up
and running and we thank Jack Searle for all the
work he has put in to get the system built and
installed. The moving-backer records the number
of shots fired in a group as this can be very difficult
for the scorer to determine when group sizes get
down to the one-tenth of an inch region. Yes, the
backer is there to prevent cheating but it’s not
impossible for shooters to genuinely lose count of
their shots when ‘running’ a quick group – it’s not
unknown for six shots to be fired!
Ian Dixon continued his run of form – almost
agging in the ‘ones’ – to take another comfortable
win but in spite of three groups in the ‘ones’ from
Ian, it was Eddy Robinson who took the small-
group award with a stunning 0.131 incher. In
Factory Sporter we had only two shooters and
Darrel Evans cruised to another win and small-
group award.
Results:
Heavy Varmint small group of the day with a four-incher. In
1st Ian Dixon 6PPC Walker BAT 0.2078in. (av
2nd Phil Sammons 6PPC Stolle 0.2849
3rd Bruce Lenton 6PPC Stolle 0.3167
Small group
Eddy Robinson 6PPC Stolle 0.131
Factory Sporter
1st Darrel Evans 6PPC Sako 0.6055
2nd Andy Woolley 6PPC Sako 0.7167
Small group Darrel Evans 0.305
For Sunday’s 1000 yard shoot we had another good
day, if a little breezy. Amongst the entry we had three
F Class shooters wanting to try out their 308 F/TR
rifles and loads before the Blair Atholl F Class
League shoot the following weekend. Laurie
Holland was amongst the three and he managed
to shoot a stunning five-inch group and agging just
over ten-inches for his four, 5-shot groups. This
was an excellent performance and gave Laurie
third place overall – except of course his rifle was
over-weight for the Light Gun Class! For the
record, Laurie finished fourth at Blair Atholl.
Mal Roberts took the overall win with his Mike
Bryant smithed BAT and Phil Sammons shot
Factory class, current Champion Ian Kellet could

This is septuagenarian Eddy Robinson. He shot smallest group at 100 yards on Saturday
with his 6PPC Stolle. Here he is at 1000 yards with his 7mmWSM BAT

86 Target Shooter
Toni Young with her 308 Remington
do no better than third and an on-form Toni Young
took a great win with her absolutely standard 308
Remington and also scooped the small-group
award.
Results:
Light Gun enough for two rifles but postage and packing takes
1st Mal Roberts 6.5-284 BAT 8.607
in. (av. Of four 5-shot groups)
2nd Phil Sammons 6.5-284 PRS Stolle 9.135
3rd Les Holgate 6.5x55 RPA 10.656
Small group Phil Sammons 4.438 inches
Factory
1st Toni Young 308 Remington 13.013
2nd Andy Carter 308 Sako TRG 15.075
3rd Ian Kellett 6.5-284 Savage 17.6
Small group Toni Young 9.886 inches
New Stuff
Got an e-mail the other day asking where I got
my stock tape from. If you are not familiar, stock
tape is a self-adhesive Teflon tape and is used by
benchresters to reduce the friction between
bags and rifle. We usually stick a piece on the
underside of the fore-end and the underside of the
butt to help it slide between the ears of the rear
bag. The rifle must recoil freely without ‘stiction’ if
‘shot to shot’ consistency is to be maintained. If
you are shooting a rested rifle and not using stock
tape, you could be missing a ‘trick’.
I get my stock tape from Russ Hayden www.
shooters-supply.com in America. Not very
convenient as the postage costs as much as the
tape! For around a tenner you get four squares -
its toll and my credit card was debited $28.00!
Applying stock tape it is easy – just peel-off the
backing and stick it on your stock. Be warned
though – it is very, very sticky and, if you get it
wrong, there’s no second chance – believe me,
this stuff is sticky!
Anyway, back to our reader’s e-mail. Clearly not
happy with the American connection, he surfed the
net and managed to locate a UK supplier.
Obviously, this tape is not made specially for
benchrest shooters – it must have another
application, however, Jon has sent me a sample
and I can confirm that it is identical to the Russ
Hayden tape.
So, Jon at jon@hammie.co.uk is the guy to
contact if you would like some tape. The tape
comes on a five-inch wide roll and he will sell you
two five-inch squares for £7.95 or four squares
for £10.95, p&p included. Contact Jon (mob.
07717277314) for further details but please note,
he will be away until June 9th.
Target Shooter 87
 In association with

My name is Scott Grayson, I’m sixteen years old With winning in mind - Scott is on a winning
and I shoot for Buxted Rifle Club which I have streak
been a member for the last four years and have
very much enjoyed my time there. I handled an
air rifle for the first time four years ago and I’ve
never looked back since. My Dad, Alan, bought
my brother his first air rifle, an s200 in a GnB
stock and this is when he and my brother first
started shooting at Buxted Rifle Club and I followed
shortly afterwards.

After some lessons in the ways of shooting from

Gary Morisson, my brother and I started shooting
Hunter Field Target. This is where I first met Garry
Kingaby who has been a loyal shooting partner
and, shooting alongside him, I have won the
following in HTF and benchrest:

• Southern Hunters Junior Championship

2008-2009
• Third in the World HFT 2009
Members of the UK team Above - Scott Grayson,
• Second in the Sussex Open
one of our juniors Below - Colin Rose
• First Junior Hunter Class - Nationals 2009
• First Junior Unlimited Class - Nationals
2009

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Garry

Kingaby for the amount of time and effort he put
Happy times at one of Scotts many competitions,
with the rest of his team and Dad Alan
into my shooting to get me where
I am today. Alongside my success,
also came the success of my brother
who, with the help of his mentor Gary
Morrison, has won the following in his
three years of shooting:

• Sussex Interclub Junior Champion

2008-2009, 2009-2010
• Seventh in the World HTF 2009
• Third in the World 2010
• Sussex Open First Junior

HTF became a major part of my

family’s life and was great fun with a
lot of competition between me and my
brother which was put to the test at the
Sussex Open where it went down to
88 Target Shooter
the wire in a nail-biting standing shoot-off which
ended with the satisfactory victory being claimed
by Craig, leaving me a proud second.
Throughout mine and my brother’s HTF seasons,
I was injury-stricken due to a knee problem
which has now been resolved after twice being in
surgery. Through the periods of time where I
was unable to shoot I could hardly bare watching
my brother going on to succeed around the country,
winning the 5th Round of the UK HFT in
Basingstoke. I felt that I needed to find another
type of shooting and soon found benchrest thanks
to my Dad and Garry Kingaby, who asked me if
I’d like to become part of the benchrest team at
my Club, which I graciously accepted and soon
found myself in a completely different shooting
discipline.
I started shooting benchrest with my Dad and
Garry without any real success but I went through
the first months improving, learning and above all,
having fun. In August, the benchrest competitors
from my club all headed up to Bristol for the
Nationals with great expectations. The experience
of taking part in the Nationals was brilliant and I
learned a lot from it, along with the laughs which
kept our competition stress- free and enjoyable
throughout. Our team all stayed in the same hotel
and the atmosphere was buzzing with the
ongoing excitement of shooting along with the
happy feeling that surrounded all the men from
the Club who are all friends and gave the place a
hearty feel. During my stay in Bristol, l I had some
fantastic times with the guys from the club as we
had a relaxed, happy time which took the stress of
shooting off us and helped us to achieve a high
standard, with Garry Kingaby and myself finishing
in the top three in the air rifle competitions.
Benchrest shooting has now become a family
sport with my Mother and Sister, who shot their
first season this year winning four Gold medals
between them. It’s a massive switch from HFT to
benchrest so my Dad put me in contact with Gary
Cane of Techwood Design Ltd who designed and
built a stock for Dad’s Air Arms MPR. The stock
itself has the characteristics of both a HTF and a
benchrest stock; it is a beautiful stock and at the
moment he is making me a .22 rimfire ready for
me to use in the Europeans in the Czech Republic
and if the end product is anything like my Dad’s, I
will be exceedingly happy with it.
Finally, I would like to say a big thanks to Garry
Kingaby for allowing me to use his rimfire rifle.
I have learnt an awful lot from him and, as I am
a new member of Novio Magnum Pistol Club in
Chichester, I hope to continue learning new skills
there.
Scott on his way upwards in the air rifle
benchrest leagues
Target Shooter 89
 The Long View
News from the GB
F-Class Association
by Les Holgate

Although the Blair Atholl shoot was the first long
range competition of the F Class League this
year, it was actually the second League shoot
– the first one being held at Diggle in April over
500 and 600 yards. If you have never been
to Blair Atholl you should go because this is
the most picturesque range in the country –
possibly the world and also one of the hardest
to shoot on.
Similar to Diggle in layout, it is on the side of a
valley with flags mainly positioned down the left
hand side of the range (although the flags can
be so confusing and misleading, they may as
well be behind you!).
place, the paths and the roads in Glen Tilt have
to be closed to walkers for safety reasons).
The competition was set to commence at 10am,
so the blow-offs and sighting-in session would
be immediately before this and would not be
squadded, so competitors just found a space to
shoot and got a rough zero.
When the shoot commenced it was four details
with 12 shooters to a detail. With the entry split
19/29 in favour of the Open Class shooters it
meant two full details of Open class, one full
detail of F/TR shooters and one mixed detail.

Normally there would be a practice/zeroing The other point to mention is that Blair have
session on the Friday but with long-range electronic targets and everyone is happy about
days limited at Blair Atholl this would now be not having to do butt duty! If you haven’t shot
Saturday morning, May 8th. (The main reason on these targets, they are great but you do
for this is that when the long-range shoots take find that you are shooting much quicker so you
What a great place to shoot – note the monitor for the electronic targets – targets can be
seen just above the monitor

90 Target Shooter
World F Class Champion Gary Costello (check shirt) gives first-timer Paul Harper a few tips

sometimes have to force yourself to slow down. in the baronial dining room, washed down with
They also show your score to one decimal place some good wine and chat.
so you can see exactly how far you are from
the line. Looks great if you get a 5.9 but soul-For Sunday, the weather seemed to be
destroying when 3.9 is indicated! promising more of the same but not quite as
sunny. The other downside was the wind - it
When the first 2/15 shoot got underway, the was going to be even more testing. Behind the
fish-tailing wind was confusing many shooters raised firing-point it seemed to be fairly calm
and Open scores were in the mid sixties when but as soon as you got on top of the point, that
they would normally be in the seventies with wasn’t the case. The wind was strong and when
F/TR not far behind. This was a pattern that it did change it really caught us out with many
continued for the rest of the day with most competitors wondering how they could have
struggling to come to terms with the big wind missed the 3 or 4 minute wind changes - with
changes. However, it shows how far F/TR has some missing the target completely.
come in that several shooters would have faired
quite well in the Open Class. By the end of the With John Campbell holding a slender lead
day John Campbell was leading in Open Class overnight, could anyone catch him or maybe
and Ian Dixon was ahead in F/TR but most of he would ‘dollop’. Even though there was some
us had to be content with the sun tan we had excellent shooting - the highest score of the day
gained from the glorious weather! being a stunning 74 from Danny Brough – with
some competitors at last getting to grips with the
For the Saturday evening, match organiser Des wind, nobody could match John’s consistency
Parr had arranged a Shoot Dinner in the Atholl and he took the overall win.
Arms Hotel, which was also the venue that
most competitors were staying in. Most of the F/TR looked like it would be closer, with Ian
shooters attended and enjoyed a great meal Dixon’s lead slipping from 5 points overnight to

Target Shooter 91
Both winners – Ian Dixon in the fore-ground with that home-made stock and bi-pod and
John Campbell in the background. John builds his own rifles, this one a Stolle in 7mm WSM
only 2 points ahead after the first Sunday relay.
Ian has a long history of ‘dolloping’ and could
write a book on it but when the last F/TR shot
had gone down the range not only had he not
dolloped but he had actually turned his two shot
lead into a 9 shot lead - superb shooting.

For the record Ian had also won three of the five
matches so you could say he had dominated the
weekend for F/TR. For those of you wondering
what equipment this top F/TR shooter uses, he
has made his own stock and bi-pod, a Barnard
action fitted with a 34 inch barrel shooting 185
grain bullets - all gunsmithing work by Walker
Custom Rifles. It may not be the prettiest gun
but ‘beauty is in the eyes of the beholder’ and
his scores prove that it shoots and also proves
that it isn’t just about how much you can spend.

So, with the shoot over, all that was left was
the prize-giving and another surprise - the GB
F Class Association has now invested in some
solid silver salvers at a cost of £1000 each!
So at last, F Class shooters can have some
high-quality trophies of their own.

If you are not already shooting in the F Class

League but like the idea of what we do, why not
get your entry in for Round 3 at Diggle Ranges
12/13th June. More information on the F Class
website at www.f-class.org.uk

92 Target Shooter
 A regular column whereby Ken Hall keeps us up to date
with black powder cartridge rifle shooting in the UK.

THE ANNUAL QUIGLEY SHOOTING Dennis Richardson with his Browning High
ASSOCIATION TIGHTGROUP SHOOT. Wall

Saturday 15th May and the annual QSA

Tightgroup competition got under way with
a reduced field, mainly due to holidays
and a few members competing in the long
range events run simultaneously in Bisley.
Run on the lines of UK Benchrest style
competition the format generally followed
that of Benchrest, but with some minor
allowances due to the unique nature of
these 19th Century long guns. Each firer
was to fire four separate groups of five
rounds at 100yds on a standard 25yd pistol
target, a time limit of 10 minutes per group
was allowed, which gave time to wipe the
bore between shots. The resulting group
sizes recorded were then added together and divided by 4, to give an average group size.

As per Benchrest rules, firers

were allowed to rest the rifles
front and back, although not
used to this position, some soon
got the hang of it and some very
reasonable groups began to
appear. However, as it turned out,
almost everyone shot at least one
group larger than we would have
liked, due to the odd flier.

It soon became apparent that a

John Noble used the only original rifle .43 Egyptian
Battle Royal for smallest group
was brewing, with several groups
below 2 inches. It finally came
down to last year’s winner Richard
Healey to just beat his son Jake,
who incidentally shoots benchrest
rimfire and is to compete
in the European and World

Target Shooter 93
 Ken Jones and Gary Lee ue to strive towards achieving smaller groups at
this distance; otherwise decent scores at longer
ranges will continue to elude us.

RESULTS.

Competitor Best Group Average

Richard Healey 1.25in 1.72in

Young Jake Healey swabs the bore between

shots

Winner Richard Healey and organiser

Ken Hall

Dave Bownass 1.72in 2.53in

Dennis Richardson 1.74in 2.60in
Dave Malpas 2.04in 3.06in
Ken Jones 2.08in 3.75in
Doug Herod 3.5in 3.86in
Ken Hall 3.05in 4.25in
John Noble 4.14in 6.49in
Jake Healey 1.30in Didn’t finish
Gary Lee 1.67in Didn’t finish

Khall6548@aol.com

Richard and Jake’s winning groups

championships later this year.

Jake’s smallest group, at 1.30 in

looked a sure winner until Richard
achieved a magnificent group at
1.25 inches centre to centre, this
with lead bullets sized to 0.459in.

Overall, the results were

encouraging and show that
firers are getting to grips with the
“Dark Stuff”. Thanks to everyone
who entered, we should contin-

94 Target Shooter
 Dave Coleman gets his own back. Smoke that is.

THE QUIGLEY SHOOTING ASSOCIATION.

MAY QUIGLEY COMPETITION.

Saturday 8th May and still no improvement in the
weather (OK, so the snow has melted!) once again it
turned out to be more akin to November, with a fierce
and bitterly cold wind.
Stage 1 at 400 yds as usual, consisted of two
sighters and fifteen shots to score at the Quigley
bucket at 400 yds. As we broke for lunch Richard
Healey was leading with a creditable 63 points being
chased by Dave Coleman and Gary Allsopp with 55
and 51 points respectively. After lunch, stage 2 was
the buffalo silhouette at 600 yds and top scorer on
this stage was Richard again, with 40 points followed What a beautiful setting for a range
by Dave Simmons, Ian Hull and Dave Malpas with
36 points each.

The final scores were as follows.

Pos. Shooter. Score.
1. Richard Healey Sharps 45/90 103
2. Dave Malpas Sharps 45/70 83
3. Gary Allsopp Remington 45/90 80

Jake and Gary peer through the smoke

Winner and Runner-up Richard Healey

and Dave Malpas

Target Shooter 95
 Gallery Rifle & Pistol News
The season is off to a good start with the
Mattersey Ten, Basildon 1500, the Western
Winner 1500 at Bristol, Joint Services PC in
Scotland and the Spring Action Weekend.
Record numbers at the National Shooting
Centre for the last, which currently looks like
being the case for the Phoenix Meeting too. The
sport is alive and well and new faces are joining
the competition circuit at every meeting.
This month you have the Derby 1500. This
is a popular and well attended meeting with
competitors from beginners to national team
members attending. An excellent place to try
your first open competition in a friendly and
relaxed atmosphere.
Some of you will have seen the new Disruptive
Pattern targets at the NSC and elsewhere. Don’t
worry if you still have stocks of the old ones
left as the scoring rings are the same, with the
exception of the new X ring on the DP1, keep
using them as the scores are just as valid. (It
may be a good idea to make up a transparent
overlay to match the X ring on the DP1 so you
can produce scores that can be compared with
others nationally.)
The Phoenix Meeting at the end of May was
the first outing for the national teams and the
results will be out by now. The Great Britain GR
Team, lead by this year’s Captain Ash Dagger,
will be off to Ireland next month and the England
Scotland and Wales Teams will also be meeting
around the country for more matches. If you
want to know more about the teams get in touch
using the contact details below.
Finally, if you want to use the same range
officer reference cards and scorecards as used at
Bisley and elsewhere, the new editions are
available for download from the website. Useful
if you have prospective new competitors in your
club and they want to know what to expect when
96 Target Shooter
they turn up at an open meeting.
DATES FOR 2010
June 26-27 Derby 1500 Derby
July 10-11 Fermoy International GR
Ireland
July10-24 The Imperial Meeting NSC
Bisley
July 18 Mattersey Steel Shoot
Mattersey
July 24-25 Frome Three Gun Shield
Dorset
August 7-8 Stourport 1500 and Shorts
Stourport
August 28-29 Gallery Rifle National
Championships NSC
Bisley
September 19 Mattersey Bianchi and
Shorts Mattersey
October 17 Shield Steel Challenge
GR&P Dorset
October 23-24 The Trafalgar Meeting
NSC Bisley
October 30-30 Autumn Action Weekend
NSC Bisley
November 12-14 Leitmar International GR
Germany
December 30 Shield Christmas Shoot
Dorset
(Either contact the organisers direct or go to
www.galleryrifle.com for entry forms.)
GR&P = Gallery Rifle Centre Fire (GRCF),
Gallery Rifle Small Bore (GRSB), Long Barrelled
Pistol (LBP) and Long Barrelled Revolver (LBR)
Please go to the Gallery Rifle website www.gal-
leryrifle.com for more news and information
or contact gallery@nra.org.uk or chris@gal-
leryrifle.com.
UKPSA Contingent attend the SK Bayern
Cup Level III Shotgun Match in Germany
nourished with bacon butties, the contingent
arrived in the quaint German town of
Phillipsburg, north of Karlsruhe late
in the afternoon and settled in the
friendly Phillipsburger Hof hotel in
the centre of town.

The Phillipsburg ranges are an

elegant model of German standards
and efficiency. Built by the German
Army and now in civilian hands,
the open air ranges are split
between several long rifle ranges and
umpteen smaller pistol / shotgun
ranges. They cover a large area on
the outskirts of the town with ample
Squad Photo with IROA Official Keith Marshall
parking and communal eating
areas.
Friday 7th May dawned clear and bright. Stepping into the cavernous pistol range
Across the UK, while most decent folks were complex for the first time, you begin to
probably still in bed, a fourteen-strong band appreciate the design. It feels like a covered
of UKPSA practical shotgun shooters jammed indoor range but is, in actual fact, largely open
ammunition, guns, and a hastily packed bag of to the elements through a series of heavy roof
clothes into a convoy of cars and headed for the baffles designed to ensure that a round cannot
Folkestone Eurotunnel terminal. leave the range. On the larger ranges, in this
labyrinth, the sun can stream though creating
Their destination was Phillipsburg in Germany, a bright, airy shooting environment that is a
a six hour drive away once on French soil. pleasure to use. If it rains, it has an almost
The reason was the SK Bayern Cup Level III surreal quality as you watch it lightly damp
Shotgun Match with a planned attendance down the sand floor from the comfortable and
of around 200 international
shooters.

It promised to be a long three

days. Travel all Friday, shoot
the match on Saturday, travel
back on the Sunday. A long
way for a single competition
perhaps, but the British
spirits were high and keen
to shoot against some of the
best shots in Europe. New
match shirts were created
and produced by a couple of
the members to give a strong
identity to the UKPSA’s Mick Flatley shooting 50m slug with
presence . Coffee fuelled and his Benelli M2

Target Shooter 97
 One of the UK Squads working out Team tactics for Stage 4
dry covered spaces at the back of the range as
you wait for your turn to shoot.
If Carlsberg designed shooting ranges... I rest
my case!
Unlike us, the German civilians still have the
luxury of being able to responsibly own and
shoot semi-auto centre-fire rifles and pistols.
Like us, they can also own high capacity
shotguns but only if the magazine is limited to
10 rounds maximum. This rather limits their
Open and Modified divisions but is fine for both
Standard Manual (pump) division and the more
popular Standard Auto division.
The German hosts were as welcoming as
always. Over the years strong friendships have
developed and it is always a distinct pleasure
to renew old acquaintances and develop new
ones. Shooters are much akin to bikers in that
way.
The match kicked off early on the Saturday
morning. Those shooters who have
experienced justification issues in the UK with
their slug ammunition allowances would be
well advised to take the match round counts
along to their next FEO meeting: Solid Slug 72,
Birdshot 84, Buckshot 32… almost as much
98 Target Shooter
slug as birdshot!
High slug counts aren’t unusual in Europe and,
by the time you have had to top-up for misses,
perhaps put a dozen or two through for zeroing,
and a possible stage reshoot, most would take
a minimum of 150 Slug (six boxes) with them.
George Granycome, the new Regional Director
of the UKPSA, attended the match along with
fellow senior shooter Graham Hill – the “Grumpy
Pumper” as he’s known. George has attended
and RO’d many UKPSA shotgun matches and
you’d be hard pressed to miss him, standing
at almost six and half foot tall, with a wry grin
and a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. Both are
pump shooters with ex-Royal Navy man George
preferring to use his beautiful, wooden-
furnitured, Winchester 1200 while Graham uses
his more contemporary Benelli SuperNova with
natural plastic furniture.
George commented on the slug shooting,
in particular a 50m slug stage that really
separated the good from the ugly: “Oh British
Shooters; we are not used to long range
poppers – two stages with those beasties at
50 metres; we are not used to 32 round slug
stages, where, if you had to top up on the four
poppers at 50 metres, and then some more

on the hanging clays, you very quickly ran
out of ammo. I did not feel really comfortable
with even 9 in the gun and 42 on the belt after
watching the first shooters in my squad.”
George and Graham have traveled around for
years on the competition circuit and often squad
together and their good natured bantering
can always be heard over the noise of their
shotguns. George quipped: “The competition
itself was a blast! There were ten stages in
all and most were difficult – in fact there was
nothing that could be called easy. Several
people lost the plot on the 32 target birdshot
stage which boasted moving clay targets
triggered by the shooter breaking an Infra Red
beam, and indeed one old gentleman became
so confused and forgetful that he had to be led
off the stage by the competition nurse. On the
next stage his friend Graham did likewise.” As
always, George’s face breaks into a grin as he
relates a myriad of tales about the trip.
Entering a match in European countries sounds
daunting, but is actually much more simple than
you would think. Being a member of the UKPSA
and having successfully completed the two-day
safety course means that the shooter can take
part in an IPSC match anywhere in the world.
Apart from your firearms licence, you also need
a European Firearms Pass (EFP) which is
Alison Hatchard enjoying some pistol
shooting after the match
currently free from your local firearms office. It
lists the firearms you hold on your FAC that you
would like to use abroad – so it doesn’t have to
name all the ones on your FAC – just the guns
you intend to take out of the UK.
You also need a match invitation that you
may need to show at any customs or border
crossing, and certainly if you happen to be
stopped by the police in any of the European
countries you are passing through or staying in.
it all used to be done with paperwork and post.
Increasingly though, technology is making its
inevitable impact. Registering for this match
was all done online. George explains: “The
organization of the match was superb. They
used the Match Organisation System (MOS),
an online subscription service” [ See it at http://
www.ipsc-dvc.org].
He continued, “Shooters have to find some way
of getting their entry money to the organisers,
but everything else is taken care of online. The
shooter puts in his details, division, gun etc, and
selects a squad. Just before the competition the
organisers print off all the information so that on
each stage the RO has an envelope with the
score sheets for the squad, all in the correct
shooting order. It is brilliant. It takes care of
almost all the paperwork. “
Target Shooter 99
 Neil Smith with his Benelli M2 taking careful aim at a distant clay target

After the intensity of the competition, the UK Jim Starley came 12th in Standard Auto
shooters were able to relax with some pistol Relative newcomer to PSG, Mick Flatley shot
shooting courtesy of the German hosts who are his way to a superb 14th position.
always ready to make us Brits feel just a little Mike Scarlett came second in Open (Senior)
jealous of their STI’s and Glock 17’s. This was class.
followed by a post match barbecue at the range Neil Smith chose to shoot pump and shot a
with all beer and food included in the entry fee. fantastic 7th Place in Standard Manual (just
Can’t end the day better than that. a shade behind the current European pump
champion)
When the results came out, the Brits had
managed some respectable scores: Winners were:
Dirk Frey (GERMANY) from Team Brenneke
won 1st place in OPEN
Division
Branislav Raketic (SERBIA)
won 1st place in Standard
Auto
Paulo Zambai (ITALY) won
1st place in Standard Manual
(Pump)
As always, the UKPSA
contingent would like to
thank their German hosts
and organisers and aim
to see many of them
again at the British Open
Championships Level III
Jim Starley shot an excellent match with his Winchester SX3 PSG match this year in
Carlisle.
100 Target Shooter
 News
Next month we continue with reviews and bringing you updates on what is happening in the
target shooting world. Hopefully by them the porr weather we are having will have gone and people
can come out of hibernation - starting to prepare and shoot in the spring weather. Until then, good
shooting and keep warm.
customer.services@targetshooter.co.uk
Happy reading and we hope you enjoy the magazine. The team at Target Shooter.
If you have any letters or news that you would like to air on a national basis then please contact us
at the magazine. This could be for those budding writers out there that would like to submit a full
article on specific firearms, competitions, shooting sports, etc.
The aim of the magazine is to include you the shooters in the United Kingdom and further afield.
So having a regular letters page or even a question and answer section would be really useful for
a lot of people out there. Let us know what you think!?
We would also like to have a gun of the month section - so send us your pic and spec and we’ll
include it in ‘gun of the month’.
Any news that your club or association thinks is worth viewing can also be sent in for selection.
What we would like is to get a letters page started with your views, news and perceptions about
all all the aspects of target shooting. So lets see those letters coming in and we will read your
thoughts in these pages.

Advertisers Index
Action Air Shooting 40 Napier 45
AIM Field Sports 20 NSRA 79
Benchrest Directory 24 Phoenix League 23
Bratton Sound Gunsafes 68 Portsmouth Gun Centre Ltd 9
Bulzeye Pro 72 Richard Paul Russell Ltd 30
Dolphin Gun Company 11 Roedale Precision 46
Eley LTD 73 Rude Fat Dog 84
Fox Firearms 16,24 & Website Shooting Bags 36
G T Shooting 9 South Yorkshire Gun Supplies 62
Green Leopard 11 Tim Hannam 14
Indelfa industrial electronics 73 UKBR22 - Rimfire and Air Rifle Benchrest 77
Intershoot 77 Viking Arms LTD 2
Low Mill Range 24 & Website Westlake Engineering 16
March Scopes UK 53 WMS Steel Challenge 52
Merseyside Armoury 73 Zeiss Optics 3

Target Shooter 101

Next time in.....

The July issue will be out as normal on the 1st of the month. Lots of follow up articles, new
reviews, news and as ever packed with the articles you want to read.
All the latest information at your fingertips

July 2010 Issue

On Test Reviews
Regular
Columns

Features ...and lots more

102 See you then.......................................
Target Shooter