Perfect winter weather at Dairyville for the George Joannidis Field Rifle Shoot, though last night’s rain ensured muddy knees and backsides for everyone. We started with some practice in the different shooting positions of kneeling, sitting and standing, then into the competition.  There were 5 serials of 10 scoring shots, being 50 metres deliberate, 50m rapid (10 shots in 60 seconds), 25m kneeling or sitting, 15m standing deliberate, and 15m standing rapid.

There were some very good scores, and everyone improved on their previous effort.  The average score in May was 347, the average today was 383:

Liv B 451/500, Daniel B 440, Ben G 436, Darren S 424, Josh B 406, Alan N 398, Alan C 388, Tracey B 346, Col F 344, Alex C 341, Peter J 318, and Dave S 310.

The most improved was Alex, who went from 280 in May to 341 today.  Well done!

Our next shoot is Saturday 10^th August at Macksville, with the Gleniffer Shield (off the elbows) and the R O Davie light rimfire.

Another shoot at the lovely Macksville range, this time contesting the R O Davie light rimfire event.  Pat L was the clear winner on 475/500, followed by Bill Y 468 (improved from 440 last time), Dave S 466 (an even bigger improvement from 399!), Sandy C 464, Osha J 460, narrowly beating her dad Peter J on 455.

We also shot round 2 of the Handicap shoot, though with only 3 entrants.  Handicaps are calculated by multiplying the average of the latest scores by 0.93 (like golf) and subtracting from 500, so each shooter has a fairly equal chance of winning.

Sandy C scooped the pool with 521, followed by Bill Y on 501 and Osha J on 497.

It’s really pleasing to see Club members improving their basic marksmanship skills on the range, as this forms the basis of all shooting and hunting disciplines.

Our next range day is Sunday 28^th July at the Coffs Harbour Dairyville range.  At midday we will be having a short Special General Meeting to review the revised Treasurer’s Report from 2023, followed by the ever popular Field Rifle shoot, then centrefire practice.

Saturday 8^th June

Glorious early winter weather at the Macksville range with no wind, perfect for shooting the Gleniffer Shield which is any rimfire rifle shot “off the elbows” with no front or rear support, with 50 scoring shots at 50m:

Derek B 442/500, Ben G and Darren tied for second on 429, Alan C 401, Teon J 387 narrowly beating his Mum Vanessa on 383, Sandy C 379, Tony H 338 and new member John T on 278.

This was followed by the re-introduced Handicap Shoot.  Handicaps are calculated similar to golf, being 500 minus the average of your last 8 shoots, multiplied by 0.93.

Best was Tony H off a somewhat dubious handicap of 30 to score 510, followed by Alan C (16) for 501, Ben G (10) 500, Darren S (28) 498, Teon J (49) 496, Vanessa S (65) 495, Sandy C (69) 495, with Derek B bringing up the rear on 493 off a handicap of 9.

The standard of marksmanship in the Club has really improved greatly over the last 12 months, especially with natural positioning, correct sight pictures, and trigger control.

Our next shoot is back at Macksville on Saturday 13^th July, with the second round of the R O Davie light rimfire and another Handicap shoot.

After some revision on scope adjustments and zeroing, we got down to business with Round 2 of the Ole Smokey rimfire benchrest at 50 metres.

Best on the day was Ben G with 493/500 using outward scoring.  If using the previous inward scoring system this would have been a perfect 500/500, an excellent result.

This was closely followed by Olivia B with 489, Alan C 488, Tony H 468, Bill Y 458, and Peter J 457.

The next shoot was part of our Collector’s meeting, being a grouping practice at 50m for rimfire training rifles, or 100 yards for military centrefire rifles.

Using a WW Greener-converted Martini Henry with iron sights at 50m, Ben G shot a group of 27.9mm, narrowly beating Alan C’s group of 28.4mm.  Alan might not lend his rifle to Ben after this.  3^rd was Derek B with a group of 29.4mm using a Lithgow No2 MkIV trainer.

At 100 yards Ben G shot another good group of 85mm with an Enfield No4 .303 fitted with a Parker Hale 5C sight.  2^nd was Derek B with 90mm from a 1943 Lithgow SMLE, then Alan C 110mm and Alan N 154mm using his trusty 1942 Lithgow.

Tony H shot a remarkable 18mm group at 100m, using a modern Lithgow LA102 (but therefore disqualified, being not a military rifle).  Just shows how far firearm technology has come.

Our next shoot is at Macksville on Saturday 8^th June starting at 10:00am, with the Gleniffer Shield (rimfire off the elbows) and the first round of the much-vaunted Handicap Shoot.  Each firer will shoot off a handicap, based on their results for previous Ole Smokey matches.

Sunday 5^th May 2024

A hardy band of souls braved the rain and mud at Dairyville to shoot the first round of the George Joannidis Field Rifle match.  The match consists of 50 scoring shots at 2 ranges:  at 50m it was 10 shots from the bench using a front rest only, followed by 10 rapid shots in 1 minute.  Then at 25m there are 10 shots kneeling or sitting, 10 shots standing unsupported, then 10 shots standing rapid.  It really highlights the value of a steady rest when shooting!

Scores were:  Derek B 405/500, Alan C 385, Ben G. 383, Teon 355 (beat both his parents), Vanessa 350, Peter J 318, Kevin S 300, Alex (Sandy) C 280.

The next shoot is on Sunday 26^th May at Dairyville, with round 2 of the Old Smokey Shield followed by the Military Rifle Shoot.  This is also our Collector’s Meeting, so bring along your old interesting rifles or militaria to show others.

BELLINGEN BRANCH SSAA Inc NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Date:  Wednesday 10^th April 2024

Time:  7:00pm start

Location:  Mylestom Community Hall, River St, Mylestom.

Agenda and previous Minutes: sent by email to members

Folks, it’s that time of year again.  We’re required by the Department of Fair Trading to hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) before 1^st July, to present the Branch financial report to members and to elect office bearers for 2024.

It’s also your opportunity to contribute to the running of the Branch, not only by turning up to the meeting, but by having your say in how the Branch is run.

Attending the AGM and signing the Attendance Book is also regarded as a Club attendance for reporting purposes (and no range fees – who doesn’t like a freebie?).

If you can’t make it to the AGM, please let the Secretary know on SSAABellingen@gmail.com and your apology will be recorded.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Today we shot the Ole Smokey Benchrest, and the centrefire groupings:

Ole Smokey – 50 shots off the bench, any rimfire rifle.  Olivia B 490/500, Derek B 485, Ben G 485, Lainey B 483, Alan C 478, Bruno K 464, Pennie L 442.  These are good scores, considering we are now using outward scoring (ie a shot touching the 10-ring is scored outwards as a 9).

Centrefire 100 yards – smallest 3-shot group.  Bruno K 15.4mm, Lainey B 19.1mm, Olivia B 26.4mm, Alan C 42.3mm.

Centrefire 200 yards – Alan C 18.8mm (an outstanding group, equivalent to 0.37 MOA), Bruno K 32.6mm (0.64 MOA), Lainey B 60.5mm, Olivia 65.9mm

Congratulations also to young Tuvia for completing the training for his Junior’s Permit, with a perfect score.

Our next shoot is SATURDAY 13^th April at Macksville SSAA range from 10am, with the Handicap Shoot round 1 and the RO Davie Light Rimfire round 2.  Rimfire only, no centrefires. Don’t forget the Bellingen Branch SSAA Annual General Meeting is on Wednesday 10^th April at 7pm, at the Mylestom Community Hall (this also counts as a Club attendance, by the way).

Sunday 4^th February 2024

Like last year, before each shoot we’ll be conducting some coaching, teaching and practice before each competition.  For the first Club shoot of the year we started with some theory on the Principles of Marksmanship.  It was also great to see three new shooters completing their Safe Shooting Course, and another trying out the sport on a P650 permit.

This year, we will be doing OUTWARDS scoring on the targets.  That is, to score a 10, the shot needs to be fully within the ‘10’ ring and not touching it.  A shot touching the 10 ring will be scored as a 9.  Previously the scoring had been ‘inwards’, where any shot touching the ‘10’ ring would be scored a 10, but folks are starting to get such good scores that we need a way to separate them!

Today’s results:

R O Davies light rimfire, using a rifle with a sporter or mid-weight barrel and a telescopic sight at 6x magnification.  Ben G 488/500, Olivia 483, Alan C 472, Tony 465, Alan N 456, Bill Y 440, Dave S 399.

Ladies’ Competition:  Olivia 484/500.

Junior Shield:  any rimfire rifle from a benchrest.  Nil entrants today.

Our next Shoot is on Sunday 10th March at Dairyville, coaching from 12.00pm to 12.30pm in Grouping and Fault Correction, then the Ole Smokie Shield and Centrefire 100m and 200m.

The range program for 2024 is now available on the website. This year we’ve included a Handicap Shoot, with your handicap being calculated on your last few scores in the Ole Smokey Benchrest. Also, we’re no longer charging the extra $2 in range fees for the Club. Looking forward to another good year with Club.

Sunday 10 December 2023

The 2023 Christmas BBQ and presentation of trophies was held on Sunday 10 December, with 28 of the Club faithful.  Here are the results:

Ole Smokey Benchrest

1^st (equal)  Lainey B, 1^st (equal) Ian J, 3^rd  Pat L

Most Improved:  Alan N

R O Davie Light Rimfire

1^st  Olivia B, 2^nd  Teon J, 3^rd (equal)  Pat L, 3^rd (equal) Ian J

Junior Shield

1^st (equal)  Lainey B, 1^st (equal) Paddy B, 3^rd  Alex D

Ladies’ Competition

1^st  Olivia B, 2^nd  Lainey B, 3^rd  Kerry J

George Joannidis Field Rifle

1^st  Darren S, 2^nd  Derek B, 3^rd  Ben G

Gleniffer Shield

1^st  Derek B, 2^nd  Alan C, 3^rd  Ian J

Centrefire 100m

1^st  Derek B, 2^nd  Lainey B, 3^rd  Julian K

Centrefire 200m

1^st  Bruno K, 2^nd  Olivia B, 3^rd  Derek B

Military Rifle

1^st  Alan C, 2^nd  Derek B, 3^rd  Lainey B

That concludes the shooting calendar for 2023.  We’ll publish the 2024 program on this website when dates are confirmed.