As most locals would know, winter has FINALLY arrived in Goulburn and this morning did not disappoint. It was 0ºC at 8:50am and the mist was hanging heavily on the range. Shooting in these conditions keeps things interesting, and not because of the cold. The mist made the light diffuse and very difficult to look through iron sights. Perhaps it was the weather, perhaps it was work commitments or other factors, but only 2 competitors participated this morning. But that's never a concern at SSAA Goulburn. Some months we have a big field. Others only a few, but we always run the matches. Moreover, as the sun rose and the fog cleared it became a glorious day with almost no breeze and lovely fine weather.
As there was plenty of time, both competitors shot 2 classes. D.P. shot 310 Cadet and 22 Trainer rifle and A.W. shot 310 Cadet and used his 1899 Martini Enfield in 303 British to shoot the matches as well. It should be made completely clear that the ammunition used were drastically reduced loads using Trail Boss powder Hawkesbury River Bullet Co 180gr FPRN cast lead bullets, as per the current range restrictions. Due to this the 303 ballistics where similar and probably inferior to the 310 Cadet.
The first match shot was Match #29: Rapid Fire 25 for Training rifle. This a 10-round match shot offhand in two 45-second, 5-round phases. It was a good warm up for the next match and both competitors found it easy to shoot the 5 rounds in 45 seconds.
The second match was Match #21: Three Range Event for Trainer Rifle. 10 rounds are shot at 25, 50 and 75 metres in the offhand, sitting/kneeling and prone positions respectively. As competitors have 5 minutes at each distance to shoot the 10 rounds it's quite a straight forward match. The biggest struggle was determining drop and compensating for it. The 310 Cadet has sights that are very much on but the extremely slow 303 reduced loads meant it shot low at 25m, was adjusted up and shot mostly on at 50m, but was over adjusted and shot high at 75m.
Overall, todays competition allowed the 2 competitors time to hone their skills and to shoot a different match to those usually shot as it's rare to shoot 25m in a Cadet & Trainer Match. While A.W. took out the highest score with his 310 Cadet this was fairly immaterial as practise and pure enjoyment was the order of the day.
As there was plenty of time, both competitors shot 2 classes. D.P. shot 310 Cadet and 22 Trainer rifle and A.W. shot 310 Cadet and used his 1899 Martini Enfield in 303 British to shoot the matches as well. It should be made completely clear that the ammunition used were drastically reduced loads using Trail Boss powder Hawkesbury River Bullet Co 180gr FPRN cast lead bullets, as per the current range restrictions. Due to this the 303 ballistics where similar and probably inferior to the 310 Cadet.
The first match shot was Match #29: Rapid Fire 25 for Training rifle. This a 10-round match shot offhand in two 45-second, 5-round phases. It was a good warm up for the next match and both competitors found it easy to shoot the 5 rounds in 45 seconds.
The second match was Match #21: Three Range Event for Trainer Rifle. 10 rounds are shot at 25, 50 and 75 metres in the offhand, sitting/kneeling and prone positions respectively. As competitors have 5 minutes at each distance to shoot the 10 rounds it's quite a straight forward match. The biggest struggle was determining drop and compensating for it. The 310 Cadet has sights that are very much on but the extremely slow 303 reduced loads meant it shot low at 25m, was adjusted up and shot mostly on at 50m, but was over adjusted and shot high at 75m.
Overall, todays competition allowed the 2 competitors time to hone their skills and to shoot a different match to those usually shot as it's rare to shoot 25m in a Cadet & Trainer Match. While A.W. took out the highest score with his 310 Cadet this was fairly immaterial as practise and pure enjoyment was the order of the day.
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