Long Range Shooting in New Zealand

Gunslinger PLRS

Gunslinger Hunter Challenge - Motunau, 24 September 2011: Match Report

www.gunslinger.net.nz
© 2011, Gunslinger PLRS Limited, New Zealand.
All rights reserved.

Squad Zulu on the firing line on the mound at 600m. Bill Terry (in orange) is giving instructions, Darryn Haffenden (with clip board) is recording scores, and Tony Stewart (behind spotting scope) is calling the scores. (All photographs this page courtesy of Lake Sinclair)

Introduction

Practice started at 8:30am from 200m, then dropped back to 350m, and finally 600m until 10:30am. After a group photograph, the competition started, with three squads of up to six competitors per squad moving through each of the seven shooting stages. A brief stop for lunch from 12:45 until 1:30 and then the competition continued until about 3:30, with some further practice while scores were compiled.

Match Director: Shane Cossar
Range Officers: Tony Stewart, Darryn Haffenden, Bill Terry and Lake Sinclair

As usual on a Gunslinger shoot there was a wide variety of firearms in use; a couple of Sako TRG 42s and venerable Browning BAR through to some impressive semi-auto’s such as a new DPMS. For this event .308 was the norm for calibre. Various bipods were in use with one semi-auto with a Trijicon ACOG sight, another with a vertical foregrip, and many rifles with suppressors attached.

Unlike most Gunslinger events where only one shooter is active from a firing point, this time up to seven shooters were on a firing line and with most stages operating with shooter one taking a shot, then shooter two, and so on through the line, then back to shooter one for the second shot and so on. That meant some stages were quite quick, but still left about a minute between a specific shooter’s shot.

September 2011 Poster

Course Of Fire

Cowboy: Two shots from prone within 2 minutes onto a playing card on a target board – but they were randomly placed.

Crapgame: Three shots from prone within 3 minutes onto a 3” round.

Thunderbolt: Two shots – first standing onto closest 12” square target, then drop to kneeling for second shot onto furthest 12” square target – fifteen seconds maximum.

Lightfoot: Three shots – three 8” round targets, firing left to right, start standing then drop to any position – twenty five seconds maximum.

Thunderbolt - reversed: Three shots prone starting on furthest 12” square target, then closest 12” square target – fifteen seconds maximum.

Lightfoot - reversed: Three shots prone – three 8” round targets, firing right to left – twenty five seconds maximum.

Blood Work: Four half-sized IPSC targets, one shot on the first three, then two shots on the fourth – but miss and you lost the points up until that shot.

The Rookie: One 28” high auto reset target, and one 42” auto reset target. Two shots on the target of first choice, then two shots on the target of second choice.

Sudden Impact: One Coyote target, five shots.

The Gauntlet: One Deer target. Two rounds from the first firing point, then three shots from the second firing point.

Bill A at Ready on Thunder Bolt.

Prize Board

Prizes awarded were...

Three pouches donated by Bill Terry:

Sharon – the best, if actually only, female shooter present

Phil – coming away unscathed

Simon – the first to break one of the wooden 2”x2” wooden poles

Bill A – winner of the Gunslinger Hunter Challenge – Bolt Action Rifle class, $200

Jayson P – winner of the Gunslinger Hunter Challenge – Semi-Automatic Rifle class, $200

Score Board

Stage	Cb	Cg	TB	TF	TBR	LFR	BW	TR	SI	TG	Total
Range m	80	104	120	120	200	200	334 328 255 241	334	411	618 411
Hunter Challenge
Bill A bolt	5	18	6	1		9	15	12	20	9	95
Simon P semi	5		5		6			8	16	10	50
Bruce H bolt	5	28	6	8		8	14	3		6	78
David P bolt	1	20	5	8	6	4	10	3	25	7	89
Nick P semi	5	28		4	6	9	6	4	11	16	89
Ralph S bolt	5	9		3	6	1		5	10	2	41
Robert bolt	2	27		8		5	15	7		10	74
Danny semi	1	8		3	6	1	5	2	15	3	44
Mark M semi	1	27	1	8	6	9		3	13	2	70
Tim P bolt	5	27	5	8	6	4		2	17	5	79
Tom B semi	5	27	5	8	6	5	5	3	6	2	72
Jayson P semi	5	27		3	6	9	15	15	16	8	104
Phil N semi								1	6	4	11
John bolt		9			5			6	2		22
Arch I bolt		29		3				3	6	13	54
MJ semi		8		5	5	4		3	2		27
Nick						5		12			17
Tim T	1	27		3				8	6	5	50
Sharon bolt	5	18			6			5		1	35
Kerry semi									6	11	17

19 guys and a gal with guns - you know it's going to be fun!

Jayson P on Thunder Bolt Reversed

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.