WWW.LRML.ORG |
NEWS |
|
Metford Trophy 2004Bisley, Surrey, UK: 6/7 August 2004 |
Results | |
|
The Long Range Rifles Branch of the Muzzle Loaders Association of Great Britain (MLAGB) specialise in, well … long range shooting. Events are held at distances usually not less than 600 yards, with perhaps the ultimate challenge for today's long range enthusiast being the Branch's Metford Trophy. The competition comprises 15 shots at each distance, 1000, 1100 and 1200 yards, with the trophy being awarded to the aggregate winner. The 2004 competition was held at Bisley on 6/7 August; the 1000 yard stage being shot on the Friday afternoon, and the 1100 and 1200 yard stages on Saturday morning and afternoon respectively. The Long Range Rifles hosted a number of guests, giving the event an international flavour. Our American member, Joe Hepsworth, attended with two other US visitors, Mike Pifer and Al Schings, while our Italian member (currently residing in France) Laurent Smaniotto attended with two French riflemen, Guy Delamarche and Jean-Pierre Pinot. Laurent also brought his wife, daughter, niece and nephew; a real family outing! Our final guest was John Jackman, Chairman of the NRA, who was assisted by MLAGB President Peter Jacques. |
Al
Schings and Joe Hepsworth |
|
|
The
clutter of the |
While Bisley is a glorious place to be in fine weather, the riflemen would no doubt have preferred temperatures a few degrees lower than those they experienced. Clear skies greeted them each day, and the whole match took place in almost unbroken sunshine. Atmospheric conditions play a large part in long range shooting. The hot dry weather meant that good control of fouling was essential; the residue quickly baking hard inside the barrel, which if not carefully checked lead to deterioration in accuracy. A glance through the spotting scope revealed a black aiming mark merrily dancing around in the mirage. Wind, which although not strong, was changeable in strength and direction, and the mirage flow was apt to switch direction quicker than the range flags responded. With these conditions scoring was never going to be high, nonetheless there was some creditable shooting at these extreme ranges. |
David
Minshall |
|
Len Jackson spotting from the shade of his umbrella |
The final 'element' to contend with is the butt marking feedback, which can be misleading if markers are not familiar with muzzle loading disciplines and bullet trajectory. The heavy lead projectiles approach the target at a steeper angle than modern centre fire ammunition, and splash in the backstop (set about 30 yards beyond the target line) can give the impression of a low shot to the inexperienced marker. Those on the firing line need to be very wary when listening to such feedback which is usually given when sighting in. Competitors included experienced long range marksmen through to complete novices at the discipline. For the most part all competing were present on the firing point throughout the match. Those not firing helped out spotting the fall of shot to assist shooters getting on-target, filling in competitors score cards, manning radios to the butts or undertaking other range officer duties. |
|
|
Brian Richards
set the lead on Friday at 1,000 yards scoring 41.1, closely followed
by Charles Higginbottom on 40.1 and David Minshall on 37.1. At 1,100
yards on Saturday morning Laurent Smaniotto scored an excellent 47.2,
leaving Mike Hall on 39 and David Minshall on 37 chasing in second and
third places respectively. Things were starting to get close at the
top! After the 1,100 yard stage Laurent Smaniotto was leading with an
aggregate score of 81.2, while Charles Higginbottom and David Minshall
were tying in second place on 74.1, with Mike Hall not far behind on
69. Saturday afternoon's 1,200 yard stage took place in oppressive heat and the match was now becoming quite a test of one's stamina. Laurent Smaniotto was at the forefront again, scoring 41.1 to give him a comfortable win for the stage and the Metford Trophy. David Minshall, who had shot steadily throughout, was second scoring 29 and also took second place in the aggregate. The MLAGB's Newsletter Editor, Kim Minshall, shooting at these extreme ranges for the first time scored 26 at 1,200 yards for third place and a creditable fifth place in the aggregate. Meanwhile Mike Hall and Charles Higginbottom had been battling it out, with the former taking third place in the aggregate by one point. The Branch held its prize giving at their annual dinner in October, during which the splendid trophies for the year's competitions were presented to the winners and appropriate awards made to the lesser mortals in the runners-up places. |
An exhausted Kim Minshall after completing the 1200 yard stage |
|
|
|
Left: Brian Olding takes aim at 1200 yards |
|
|
Right:
Guy Delamarche watches |
||
|
Report by David Minshall |
||
NEWS |
|
TOP |
