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The big country and big back stops of Lake Tekapo.  The main firing line shows shooters and spotters firing on metal targets (about mid morning).

Introduction
The Gunslinger Practice Day was held at Lake Tekapo, over 21 and 22 March 2009. Intended as an introduction to Practical Long Range Shooting, and in particular providing practice at examples of PLRS competition stages it provided shooters with options of shooting from 100m out to 1118m.

The course was set-up on the Friday, and included some metal targets kindly brought along by Tony and Stu.

Early morning on the Saturday saw eight shooters, three spectators, and myself (Shane Cossar) standing on Dead Mans Creek in Sawdon Station, Lake Tekapo.  The day dawned calm with light cloud that would clear as the day warmed up.  After introductions, a safety briefing was held and the lie of the land was explained.

The big difference between a competition and this practice day was that time restrictions were relaxed, and for any assistance with range estimation or ballistics, a shooter just had to ask. 

The firing points were placed close together, but still required shooters to pack-up and move emphasising that gear had to be transportable.

For in formation about different competitions check out:
Snipers Hide Cup 2009 at
www.riflesonly.com/comps/index.htm

MGM Ironman 3Gun Match at:
www.mgmtargets.com/ironman/index.php

HAYHA 2007 at:
www.takilta.fi/hayha2007/juttuEN.htm

Course Layout

A firing line had been established aligned with firing points for eight Target Reference Points.

TRP 6 was ten Hunter 1 Polymer Targets at short ranges of between 133m and 219m .

TRP 1 was two single metal targets (25cm x 25cm) at 451m.

TRP 2 was a combination of a double metal target (each 30cm x 30cm) at 761m and two single metal targets at 651m.

TRP 3 was a single Coyote metal target with swing out vitals placed at 615m.  Being painted in natural colours and placed beside some Matagouri this proved to be a challenge to spot, but was one of the most popular of the targets.

TRP 4 was two embedded metal Pepper Popper targets (28” high with 8” round).  These were painted yellow and the first placed at 700m was another challenge to spot amongst the grass.  The second was placed at 857m on a shingle slope and was popular to shoot because of the high colour contrast and the bullet impacts were very visible.  The ability to hammer these targets into the ground enabled them to be placed on very steep slopes where using stands would not have been possible.

TRP 5 was ten Caldwell target stands (2’ x 2’) out at 700m.

TRP 8 was three polymer targets; a Pistol Cube (4”), an All Round Target (6”), and a Long Range Target (8”).

TRP 7 was a bench rest with a target board at 100m.

Another firing point lay at the top of a rocky knoll about 260m further back and 40m higher.  And another firing point lay a further 467m back and 60m higher again, although the high gusty winds that would come up meant there was no point using that FP.

Schedule

By 08:30 everyone had arrived and the safety briefing was held shortly after.

Some shooters took the opportunity to chronograph or sight in and it was 10:30 by the time everyone was ready to proceed.

The first shooting occurred on TRP 5 from 350m on the Caldwell target stands.  Shooters were numbered off from left to right and allocated their own target board.  After firing five rounds all walked forward to ‘score and paste’.  This was repeated with another five rounds at 350m.  Then everyone walked back to the small rise at 560m and fired another five rounds.  Then everyone retired to the main firing line and fired another five rounds at 700m.  As the shooters had lunch Bill and I went forward to record the impacts.

After lunch shooters were paired off with a spotter and each team placed at one of the metal target TRPs (1 – 4).  Each team was given twenty minutes at each TRP, and after 10 minutes were to swap roles.  After twenty minutes all teams rotated to the next shooting stage.  Some shooters had come paired with a spectator acting as spotter, and the role of spotter became invaluable as the wind started to come up.

At around 14:00 it was time to get out the Accuracy International Arctic Warfare Super Magnum.  This is chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum and everyone was keen for a go.  Shooters and competitors took turns with five rounds firing at the Pepper Potter at 857m.  By now the wind was gusting from between 7mph and 13mph from 3 o’clock.  Chris got a first time hit with windage at 1.8 mils left, and another shooter made a hit with windage at 1.2 mils left.  With a gusty wind variance of about half a metre on a target generally 15cm wide it could have been worse. The majority of shots were spot on for elevation and it was encouraging for shooters when they saw how close the impacts were.  One comment on a miss was ‘if that was a deer it would be dead’.  Most agreed the AWSM recoil was lot less than they expected.

By 15:00 it was agreed we’d go up to the knoll about 260m back.  After a short climb a firing line was established and shooters firing at will on targets of choice.  From this point TRP 3 (Coyote) was 875m away, and TRP 4 (furthest Pepper Popper) was 1118m away.  All the shooters offered others the opportunity to fire their rifles, and most gladly took up the chance to try something different.  At about 16:30pm the range was closed.

The majority of shooters and spectators attended an ‘after match’ barbeque hosted by Stephen Hunter at Lake Tekapo Cottages.  Talk ranged from pros and con’s of guns, to current affairs, hunting available in the Lake Tekapo region and the use of 1080.  A general invitation was extended for the remaining shooters to come out to the range on the Sunday morning.

By 08:30 on the Sunday there were four shooters and myself on the firing line.  The weather this time was frosty, calm and clear.  With the sun low in front of us it was decided to stay on the main firing line and after a couple of hours went back up to the knoll.

By about 11:30 we returned to the main firing line where the farmer had arrived with his son.  The shooters extended an invitation to shoot, and an HK SL-8 proved very popular of the polymer targets.  The range was closed for the last time about mid-day.

Rifles

Shooters brought a variety of rifles: a Blaser in .338 (although it was retired with broken scope), a couple of .243s including a Borden Alpine, a Savage 10 in .308, a Sako 75 in .300 Win Mag, a .303 rechambered in .308 and even a .222 (which made a respectable showing).  The shot of the day would have to be Paul with a standing shot with the .308 (aperture sights) at 857m.

Conclusion

Everyone who attended seemed to have a very enjoyable day.  The farmer extended an invitation for us to come back and suggested that next time we also invite other farmers from the area as well..  The shooters indicated they would like to return and the location was fantastic. 
Any readers who may want to be on the invitation list for the next event should email shane_cossar@hotmail.com

Disclaimer:  Shooting is potentially dangerous and damaged equipment can be expensive to fix.  You should confirm all changes to be made to your rifle system and shooting practices with your local gunsmith or gunshop owner.