I enjoyed a weekend of fine weather competing in an open black powder shoot at Thorpe Cloud Rifle Range, Derbyshire, 20-22 June. The competitions run by Nottinghamshire Rifle Association (Black Powder Section) were for muzzle loading rifle and comprised:
- patched ball rifle at 200 yards with shooting from a rest standing and off hand
- aggregate for free rifle fired at 400, 300 and 200 yards prone
- aggregate for .577 Enfield rifle fired at 200, 300 and 400 yards prone unsupported (no slings)
The Enfield competition is interestingly fired on a reproduction of the target type used at the first Notts RA meeting in 1861, and has a square ‘aiming mark’ – the same target is used at all distances (see picture below).
This is a friendly and social event with good natured rivalry, especially amongst the local shooters who are competing for one of their trophies in an event run concurrently with the Enfield match.
Saturday evening all met for a fine meal and presentation of the prizes from the first two days shooting.
As always, a relaxed and enjoyable weekend and one for next year’s diary.
The picturesque Thorpe Cloud Rifle Range, Derbyshire,
with the 1861 pattern square targets used for the Enfield rifle match
