Saturday afternoon presented shooters with essentially ideal conditions, complicated only by an inconsistent or ‘tricky’ mirage at the target line, for a Double 600m Target Rifle Shoot.

In summary, the Full-bore Target Rifle (.308 cal., peep-sight, manually-supported) win was taken by Neil Attwood with a commendable 102 points (out of a possible 105) and a very impressive 11 centre-bulls (more than 50% of his counting shots), over Mal McKellar 2nd on a disappointing 100/5 and Ric Mischlewski 3rd one point behind on 99/3. Norbert Schmidt, still bedding in his new barrel, enjoyed an up-and-down ‘pull’ in the F-Class Standard Target Rifle (.308 cal., telescoped and bipod-supported) category, closing with just 101 points (out of a possible 126) and 3 super-centre bullseyes.

The competition was again very close, with a three-person count-off required to resolve the 2nd Match, and the inconsistent mirage complicating sighting and causing some consternation amongst shooters with seemingly inexplicable wayward shots.

Neil Attwood’s steady hold and improving technique saw him defy the difficulties of the mirage, taking the 1st Match for Full-bore Target Rifle by two points with 49 (of a ‘possible’ 50) and 5 centre-bulls, over a frustrated Mal McKellar on 47/1, and Ric Mischlewski 3rd with a 46/2. Norbert Schmidt, shooting his first full match with his new barrel, could not find any consistency and closed with just 47 points (of a possible 60 for F-Class Standard Target Rifle) and 1 super-centre bullseye.

In the 2nd Match the mirage was still up to its tricks, and the three front-runners Attwood, McKellar and Mischlewski tied on points with 53 each (of a possible 55 this second match) necessitating a count-off which was won, again, by Neil Attwood with 6 centre-bulls over McKellar 2nd with 4 centre-bulls and Mischlewski 3rd with just 1 centre-bull. Norbert Schmidt’s second match for F-Class Standard saw him lift his percentage marginally as his new barrel started to come alive, and he closed with 54 points (of a possible 66) and 2 super-centre bullseyes.

The Club meets every Saturday at 1:00pm at the Mossman & District Rifle Club Range mid-way between Port and Mossman, and visiting shooters and observers are always welcome. Our thanks to Jedd Kemp for some excellent marking.