The 2018 precision long range target shooting season is well under way for our local East Central District Rifle Association Inc.

The cunning marksmen have devised ways of dodging the extreme weather, this week it was shooting in the cool part of Wednesday avoiding the very hot weather of Saturday.

It seems that it makes no difference to the Violet Town wind as it twists and turns through the Strathbogies and huffs and puffs up and down the gullies and streams.

Our local marksmen are up to the task and the changing conditions have only served as an excuse to hone the skills learnt at the prize shoots over the past year including the very good results toward the end of 2017.

Again the feature of this week’s shoot was the exchange of information as every effort was made to get the best from shooters new or old.

It was also the last shoot that David Black had before departing to New Zealand as a member of the Australian team, we wish him every success and we will keep you informed on his progress.

The ECDRA members also chose to use the shelter available via the club house to shoot over 600 yards, some managed three stages but for comparative reasons we will only use the fist two stages.

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First it is the Target Rifle group with David Black leading out with a brilliant 50.8 and 50.3 and a total of 100.11 and then Peter Daldy with 46.1, 47.4 = 93.5. Brian Houlihan led the F Class Standard B grade with 59.7, 59.4 = 118.11, followed by Rosco Davis with 57.3, 58.4 = 115.7, Robert Irving 56.3, 56.3 = 112.6 and David Wallace 45.2.

In the F class Target Rifle A grade Marty Kelley took first place and he shot the only possible in the F class group 60.8, 55.4 = 115.12 followed by David Wallace with 55.1 and 53.1 = 108.2.

The annual trophies will be hotly contested but, as always, shooting will depend on the weather as there will be no shooting on days of extreme fire danger. The ECDRA executive advise that there is some serious hands-on work required before the Dragon Diesel Challange marks the start of the shooting season.

Above all else a third electronic target has been ordered and it will be installed prior to the Easter Monday Prize shoot. This decision will make the ECDRA Range a three e-target range and should ensure the prize meeting will run to time while allowing the increasing numbers of participants to all “get a shot”.

New shooter Robert Irving not only has taken to the sport but welcomes the warm friendship extended to him. I am sure we will see him on the podium regularly as he continues to improve his shooting skills.

If you too would like to “have a go” at this challenging sport that offers heaps of fun and a fellowship that is world wide check out the program at the ECDRA web site (just type ECDRA into your search engine) and drop into the range as you will be most welcome. If you would like to speak to someone the contact persons are also listed on the website.

– Robert Chaffe