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Early afternoon on Competition Day. Tony R and Jeremy (foreground) are on the Magnum Force stage, and Tony S and Darryn H (at the bench) are on the Unforgiven and The Eiger Sanction stages. And that's Mount Ruapehu in the distance.

Author: Shane Cossar, Gunslinger PLRS, 4 December 2011.

Introduction

This Gunslinger event was another trial - this time for an event where shooting pairs competed against each other - a combination of a Precision Shooter for long range stages, and a Shooter Support for shorter stages. The emphasis was on the pair working together: for range estimation, and also shot correction.

This was the second North Island event, and held close to Horopito (near Ohakune). For the hunters this site was quite a distraction, as large numbers of deer were roaming close by and sometimes near the targets.

All targets were placed at less than 1000m. The Precision Shooter shot on eight stages (forty rounds) out to 1000m, and the Shooter Support shot on eight stages (forty rounds) out to 600m. There were eight shooting sectors, each with two shooting stages. Each pair had a maximum of of ten minutes to complete both stages, and at each sector they alternated as to who shot first. Consequently if the first shooter was slow, the pressure increased for the second shooter - and there were a few times when pairs didn't complete all shooting within the ten minute total.

Friday 25 November was Practice Day, and the firing points were off to the side of the competition firing points, but many targets were still visible and could be shot. A storm had rolled through a few days prior and the ground was very wet. None-the-less conditions were improving and the day was mostly overcast with a few sunny spells and only light winds.

Saturday 26 November was Competition Day, and the weather continued to improve with generally fine weather and light winds, but sometimes gusting up to 12mph. The shooters were organised into two squads, one self scoring, and the other with a Range Officer.

There were seven shooting pairs, and most shot with bolt-action rifles - there were only two semi-automatic rifles present. And most Precision Shooters were using .338 Lapua Magnum rifles. By the afternoon, there were also half a dozen spectators present.

One of the new stages that has been added is the Black Widows stage - competitors needed to use their reticles (no using LRFs) to range multiple targets. This proved difficult for most, as while many do have mil-dot style reticles, few knew how to use them accurately for manual range estimation. There were five target boards placed along the track and to be ranged (no one could find the fifth), and the sum of the four ranges estimated varied between: 2510.81m (Lyndsay and John), 3171m (Darryn and Tony S), 3740m (David and Simon), and 3094.5m (Brian and Brandon). For the four boards found the PLRF10C ranged the total at 3165m.

www.belmontammunition.co.nz

The Black Widows stage didn't require any shooting, but competitors did need to move around and estimate target ranges using their reticles.

The winners of the Gunslinger Precision Shooter and Supporting Shooter Pair Challenge were Andy F and Alan who took first prize of $600 cash.

Allan was the Precision Shooter using a Sako TRG 42 braked with a 1:10 twist with 300 Sierra Match King bullets and with a Zeiss Diavari 6x24 tactical rifle scope on a 20 moa base.

Andy was the Shooter Support using a standard Tikka T3 6.5x55 pushing 140 Amax bullets and with a 5.5x22x56 Nightforce rifle scope in warne rings. 

The Practice Day firing line, near Horopito.

Score Board

Note: Jeremy shot twice - once a a Precision Shooter, and also as Shooter Support for Tony R.

Darryn H in action on the Eiger Sanction Stage.

Another chronograph bites the dust! - but not by this shooter.

Legal:  In consideration for being permitted to attend this practical long range shooting event, the competitor is agreeing to the following:
The competitor holds a current firearms licence, including any endorsements applicable to the firearm being used.
The competitor expressly assumes the risk of taking part in the match, which includes; instruction in the use of firearms, the discharge of firearms, and the firing of live ammunition.
The competitor agrees to indemnify, hold harmless and defend Gunslinger PLRS Limited, its staff, and the match location owner, from all fault, liabilities, costs, expenses, claims, demands or lawsuits arising out of or connected with the competitors presence at and / or participation in the event; the discharge of firearms by the competitor or other competitors; the competitors presence on or use of the event location.
The competitor understands, and will at all times abide by all event Standard Operating Procedures, Course of Fire and any other rules and procedures stated by the Match Director or Range Officer/s.

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.