Rosco Davis, setting himself into a safe and comfortable position, before his shoot.

The East Central District Rifle Association Inc shoot this week was conducted under good conditions, on the Violet Town Range before the day got too hot. I say good conditions because the light was clear and the wind was gentle, however you never know on the Violet Town Range as the wind can trick shoots so easily.

Why top scores all around? Well it started with the Australian Team member David Black, who was visiting the range prior to joining the team in New Zealand, shot 150.28 only 0.2 points off a perfect score, these 0.2 points were lost on the first of three stages shot over 500yds. As if this level of precision shooting was not enough on his second stage his ten scoring shots were contained within area 1/4 the size of the bulls eye so not only did he shoot a perfect score in Target rifle 50.10 out of 50.10 he also shot the equivalent of 60.10 in F Class a very uncommon sight. We wish David and his fellow Australian team members all the very best as they compete in New Zealand.

Marty Kelly shooting F Target Rifle shot 58.05 and then on the final stage 60.07 just 0.3 off a perfect score closely followed by Rosco Davis with 60.06, Rosco shot F standard and yet again was just 0.4 points off the perfect score. It was Richard Godden, F Standard, who really shone out on the day both for his highest score ever of 59.05 and his very tight group, despite being caught by the wind with his 4th shot. It was so good to see Richard’s hard work with his shooting technique paying off at last, well done Richard.

New member Robert Irving shot 167.08 being three stages in F Standard 56.02, 56.03 and 55.03 a very consistent shoot combined with very tight groups. Graeme Kerr two stages in F Standard 59.07, 58.05 = 117.12, Geoff James two stages F Standard 57.04, 58.03 = 115.07 Brian Houlihan two stages F Standard 58.04, 54.01 = 112.05. Norm Linehan three stages F Open 55.03, 56.03, 57.04 = 168.10.

To say the least “What a day out” some excellent shooting again despite the influence of that Violet Town wind. The results speak for themselves, the ECDRA team is in formidable form and the sharing of experience has flowed through the club members so that everyone’s day on the range is full of fun. The conversation in the club house has been cut short as members seek to get home before the heat of the day but time is found to not only keep up with the social aspects of the club but time to share tips on making better use of their gear and fine tuning things like reading the wind and preparing ammunition for competition.

Please keep your eyes on the website for news of shoots and other activities, just put “ECDRA” in your search engine and new shooters are most welcome.

– Robert Chaffe