SWEFTA Benchrest – July Results

Dartmoor.

Dartmoor benchrest – Round 5

The outcome of every benchrest match at Dartmoor is largely determined by the wind – and our ability to understand what it is doing on that particular day. The flags, the leaves on the trees, the sound of the wind, these indicators dictate where to aim off, and how far.  But today was different, there was certainly wind present, but it was not strong enough to activate the flags or the propellers. The tail ribbons were occasionally stirring enough to suggest some change in direction, but not definitively.So today it was faultless technique, together with the inherent accuracy of the rifle and pellet, which mainly dictated the results. These essential elements are usually negated to some extent by Dartmoor’s typically chaotic wind conditions, but today, absolute precision was what really mattered.Ten of the fourteen competitors recorded scores of between 730 and 740. Had the shoot been conducted in more typically breezy Dartmoor conditions, these scores would have ranged from ‘very good’ to ‘brilliant’. But today they became merely ‘acceptable’. And this was entirely the fault of Rob Meatyard. He made the rest of us look like complete beginners, with an incredible display of consistent marksmanship. His first card was a 250, and to prove that this was no flash in the pan he followed it with a pair of 249’s – thereby establishing new club record of 748:33x, one that is unlikely to be beaten.Gary’s very respectable 740:26x earned him second place despite an unsettling start. His first three sighters didn’t even register on the card – the reason soon became clear, he had inserted the breech safety flag through the barrel sleeve perforations at the muzzle of his TM1000, and then forgotten to remove it.Mike Smith had been busy in his workshop, the usual Ataman had been temporarily set aside and his HFT 500 – now heavily modified, was given an outing. The rifle is barely recognisable as a 500, it sits in a new aluminium BR stock, the cylinder has been drastically shortened and a regulator installed. The hammer and spring have been altered, resulting in a greatly reduced load on the trigger sears and a much lighter release. 

With reference to benchrest shooting equipment, I came across a wonderful quote on one of the forums – “Buy all the points you can afford and practice for the rest”.

Paul. S.

West Devon.

Another good days benchrest yesterday, managed to pull off a win with the FTP using Qys streamlined 8.4 straight from the tin.

Conditions were about as good as it gets here at West Devon Airgun club and the FTP was like a laser! First card 247, second card we had a bit of a wobble and as you will see from the picture the pellet actually hit the diagram side on so I think I must have loaded it the wrong way around! DOH . Still managed a 239, card three it was back on track with a 246 12x probably could have been better if I learn to be more patient .

Always a good session when we have the BR comps with plenty of banter making it a great morning.

Great to see Sue improving at every shoot but like me probably needs to slow down and be a little more patient.

Then there is Alistair also getting better and I think hooked, so look out next month the competition just gets better and better.!!

Nigel.