Last night, many of the team were feeling the fatigue of the day’s shooting – comparable to about three hot Bisley days on the trot. As a result, dinner plans were somewhat simple, with many opting for delivered pizza. After yesterday’s blistering heat, today dawned at a comfortable 60 Deg. F which rose to a high of 80 Deg. F aided by the westerly breeze which influenced much of the day, shooters were generally much happier!
This morning we learned two things; first that despite the day being hotter, a square left breeze creates a cooler range, and secondly that pizzas here are so large, you can fill the foot-well of the Captain’s vehicle with your leftovers, thus supplying yourself with lunch.
While yesterday’s shooting had not distinguished between categories of firers, today the Andrus trophy was for our Palma rifles, the Porter cup for NRA service rifles and the Leech cup for any rifle with metallic sights (this last category is distinct from our Palma rifle as any calibre and bullet can be used). As per yesterday it was to be unlimited sighters and 20 to count at 1000yds. With a gentle westerly wind varying between 3 and 5 minutes it was going to be a high scoring morning with little room for error. The first detail was challenging on account of the gloomy morning sight picture and a fluttery left wind, but as the light improved through the remaining details, the wind strength gradually increased. Despite the challenge, some notable scores were achieved and in the fourth detail, David Calvert made the highest score of his detail (in our discipline), 199.11. Other strong scores were shot in other disciplines, indeed our vice captain was extremely impressed by the quality of shooting made by the US Army and Marine Corps who were using service weapons. David Luckman found his stride on detail three with the highest score of the morning across all shooters, a punchy 200.15, giving us two Brits in the shoot off this evening.
The afternoon saw teams of four competing in the Roumanian Trophy. Team members were also required to complete pit duty for this match. After another ‘no lunch break’ lunch, we quickly organised ourselves for the Roumanian Trophy again at 1000 yds with two non-convertible sighters and 20 to count. This was for club teams of four firers and GB were represented under the banner of various BCRC teams. With a rapidly changing wind often gusting up to 11 minutes, giving the shooters at times varying degrees of buffet it proved to be challenging. Waiting was the order of the day but high scores were possible, amply proved by sleep deprived Tom Rylands who shot a maximum possible 200 ex 200.
The scores (courtesy of an extremely efficient and fast stats team at the NRA who post results within moments of cards being handed in – many thanks) were as below. Scores out of a possible 800 points show a great result for Emil’s USAMU team who we only imagine were using a prototype laser guided ordinance. More likely though, Emil’s coaching was the laser guidance and his team ran slick drills. Well done.
USAMU Praslick – 794.44
Orsa Gold – 787.34
Southeast Rifle Club Blue – 782.26
BCRC Yellow – 781.25
BCRC Red – 775.21
BCRC White – 774.30
Southeast Rifle Club Gray – 774.30
NSSC 2 – 770.28
BCRC Green – 768.21
BCRC Blue – 765.21
(Further scores see NRA (USA) webpage)
A welcome visitor on the firing line was our very own Zoe the physio who came along to provide moral support but found herself roped in as register keeper and plotter under the expert eye of ‘Anton the Armourer’. With the team match finished it was time for the tie shoot for the Andrus. With each shooter needing a target puller Captain Jane, Steve and Zoe boarded the trolley to the pits. This was part two of Zoe’s ‘learning about shooting’.
Once in the Pits, Jane and Steve were fortunate to be marking Lucky’s target while Zoe was helping under the watchful care of one of the Young Eagles. Both those in the pits and those behind the firing line were holding their breath as both Lucky and David Calvert started the tie shoot. Calvert shot three non-convertible Xs for sighters but then he (and other shooters including Lucky) were suddenly caught by a gust on their first to count for a scoring 8.
Dear readers: No need to worry as Lucky then proceeded to keep all shots in the bull to finish with a 98.5 to win the day. Well done David!!
