McAuliffe Shield 2018 Pennant Season

Queens Prize

Local Mountain Marksmen David Wallace wins the Victorian Queen”s prize for F Class Standard B grade.

David Wallace receiving the winners trophy for the Queen’s Prize in F class Standard B Grade. This trophy will stand along side the trophies for David’s first place in the David Syme  and the The Perc Pavey Grand Champion plus numerous medals for individual range prizes. No wonder there are big smiles all around.

David Wallace, one of the five man contingent of from the East Central District Rifle Association that took on the challenge of the Victorian Queen’s prize shoot for 2018 was completed last Sunday on the Wellsford range at Bendigo. David won the Queen’s Prize for F Class Standard B grade.

The three day shoot was held under almost ideal conditions with the usual Bendigo weather that pushes and pulls the projectiles requiring the shooters to apply intense concentration to keep their shots in the maximum scoring zone. David said that as this was his first Queen’s prize he vacuumed up every bit of knowledge he could find to try and get an edge on his opponents. The Queens prize really is a marathon event shooting in as many different weather conditions and ranges that is possible. It is not just one good range that wins the prize although a bad one may lose it. You need to keep focused and be consistent. This really became an issue as his main rivals were to shoot before him at the last range, David was in third place going into the last 1000 yards!

David decided that this was the time to use all that information he had collected and his first shots were spot on as he very carefully adjusted to the weather changes shown by the mirage. Head down and David finished with a 58 to finish with a total score of 457.24. The wait was on for the final score to be tallied and double checked and yes, it was correct David Wallace was the Victorian Queen’s prize winner for 2018 in F class Standard B Grade! David was afforded a place alongside all the class winners as the Target Rifle Class Queen’s Prize winner was Chaired to the presentation area accompanied by bagpipes brought to the occasion by a piper in full dress as is the tradition dating back to 1881 and the Queens Military Musketeers.

In the back ground the rest of the ECDRA representatives had big smiles as Marty Kelly had taken third place In the Queens F class Target Rifle with 463.30 and Graeme Kerr with 459.33 in fourth place. Terry Gee in the F Class Open Class took 8th place with 464.30. Terry’s place is quite special as he was forced to give up shooting for the past two years due to a very serious back injury. Terry has only been back shooting for the past two months, a fantastic effort.

The Queen’s prize is one that is held in very High esteem as it marks the pinnacle of success as a precision target rifle shooter. As a run up to the Queen’s prize is the David Syme known simply as the Syme and many country and interstate shooters use this shoot both as a warm up for the Queen's and a chance to renew old friendships. This social side of the sport is regarded by many as the best part yet the competition in the Syme is just as intense because it then allows the Queen's prize shooters to be in the running for the Perc Pavey Grand Championship.

The Pavey involves 140 precision shots over five days shot over distances from 500 to 1000 yards and is a prize that is very hotly contested as Perc Pavey is a name that has been coincident with top shooting for almost a century.
How did our ECDRA shooters fair? To say the least they put on a brilliant performance in the Syme with David Wallace First in F Class Standard B grade, with a score of 333.20 , Graeme Kerr First in F class Target Rifle with a score of 350.20, Marty Kelly Third in F Class Target Rifle with a score of 339.22 and Terry Gee eighth in F Class Open with a score of 344.13. With these results the Pavey winners are no secret. In F class Standard B grade David Wallace first place with 790.44. In F class Target Rifle First Graeme Kerr with 809.53 and second place filled by Marty Kelly with 809.52. In F class Open Terry Gee in 6th place with 808.43. Bob Irving was only able to compete for a couple of days of the Queen’s “for the experience” as he is a new shooter.

It is fantastic that of the ECDRA shooters Graeme Kerr is the only one with extensive experience the others have been outstanding students of the sport. The ECDRA’s electronic target system has ensured that new shooters get the full benefit of the experience of others and Graeme Kerr gives the target system significant credit for the performance of the ECDRA contingent. What a week in shooting, but it is back to business next Saturday with the first round of the short range 500 and 600 yard pennants the Parker Cup for off rifle competition and the McAuliffe Shield for the handicap competition.

New shooters are always welcome but it is a good idea to contact the secretary as just like in football home and away matches are held, as well as fitting in other Clubs competitions.

Wangaratta OPM and Ovens and Murray DRA OPM

Easter is a busy time for the Wangaratta Rifle Club at the Glenrowan range, where the Ovens and Murray DRA prize shoot (Saturday)  and the Wangaratta Prize shoot (Sunday) are contested.

Four shooters from the East Central District Rifle Association contested The Ovens and Murray DRA Prize shoot  on the Saturday and between them managed a first and second.  David Wallace won the F Class B grade  with a score of 203.14 while Mart Kelly came second in F Class Target Rifle with 203.18.  The highlight for our local shooters was their consistency with Graeme Kerr 5th in F Class A grade and a score of 204.16 and Robert Irving and Brian Houlihan not that far behind them. Note that our shooters were within one point of each other although they were in different classes. Robert Irving’s 8th place in his first open prize shoot is an outstanding effort as the conditions were far from easy

The consistency continued on Sunday with Marty Kelly and Graeme Kerr with only one point separating them; Marty 175.10 and third place in F Class Target Rifle and Graeme 174.10 in F class A grade and fourth place.  In the grand aggregate only 0.2 points separated Marty 378.28 and Graeme 378.26 what a fantastic effort with Marty finishing 3rd in F Class Target Rifle and Graeme 4th in F class  A grade.

The Wangaratta Prize shoot, on Sunday, is contested over 300, 500 and 600 metres the results for our ECDRA shooters were Marty Kelly 60.3,57.4,58.3 = 175.10 taking third place in F/TR and Graeme Kerr 58.4, 58.3, 58.3 =174.10 taking fourth place.

The David Syme

Four members from the East Central District Rifle Association headed to Bendigo for the David Syme Competition.

The competition is held over two days and involves shooting six ranges. The competition is one of the oldest if not the oldest contested competitions still running. In 1867 an Australian Rifle team was invited to England to contest the British Championships. This was the first international sport ever played by Australia the event still continues to this day and Australians travel to Bisley England to compete every year.

The competition was so successful that other invitations followed one of those was for a Victorian team in 1897 to contest the Kolapore, a teams match contested by countries that belonged to the British Empire. The trophy is a pair of cups presented by His Highness, the late, Rajah of Kolapore in 1871. A generous donation of two thousand pounds ($4,000) the entire cost of the trip, was made by Mr David Syme.  The Victorians went to Great Britain and rewarded the faith of David Syme by winning the trophy and bringing it back to Victoria.

To honour the generous donation made by Mr David Syme a special resolution of the VRA unanimously commended him and awarded him a citation. In recognition of this generous donation the two day lead up event to the Victorian Queens is, to this day, called the Syme.

Marty Kelly left, Graeme Kerr centre, David Wallace right

Enough of the history how did our shooters do in this marathon event? As you can see in the picture above they are all pretty happy. The reason for such a marathon event is to test the shooters skills in all types of weather that may occur and at different distances from 500 yrds to 1000 yrds from one end of the range to another. So I wont bore you with the scores for each range however the final placings were. In F STD B, David Wallace First Place, In F/TR Graeme Kerr First Place and Marty Kelly also in F/TR Third Place. Terry Gee also shot extremely well considering he had only shot his rifle a few times in the past few weeks after not being able to shoot due to back injury.

Complete Set of Hexta Electronic Targets

Rosedale OPM Results

Friday March 16 the East Central District Rifle Association became an all electronic range with the delivery of No2 electronic target. That completes the set of three targets as No 1 and 3 were already in place. Ted, from Hex Systems, delivered the No2 Target and assisted with both placement in the Target pit and double checked the electronics and computers to ensure the latest firmware and the current software versions were in place and working.

Thanks to Rosco, David and Graeme who led the ECDRA team facilitating the installation of the Target, the box like structure is 2m square and weighs about 70kg so the move into the target pit was no mean feat. What a fantastic achievement as the the complete electronic system will ensure all shoots can be run at maximum efficiency.  

Competition shoots will take less time, no more shooting in fading light (we hope) and on club days more time to assist shooters get the most fun out of their sport.

Speaking of fun, Marty Kelly led a group including new shooters Brian Houlihan and Robert Irving to the Rosedale two day prize shoot, Rosedale was one area of the State that was not subject to a total fire ban. Day one was a great day out for Marty as he started with 60.6 at 500 yards winning the stage for F Target Rifle and then taking the day by 0.3 points with 170.10 points. Brain Houlihan won the 600 yard stage in F Standard B grade with 55.5 and not to be left out Robert Irving in F Standard B grade at 700 took the stage with 51.2 and second place for the day with 154.5.

Not a bad opening for the first open prize shoot for 2018. Day two dawned with the forecast of destructive northerly winds and the promise that the shoot would still go ahead even though the shoot was over 800, 900 and 1000 yards. The ECDRA shooters were off to a great start again with Marty winning 800 for F Target Rifle with 59.4 and Robert Irving winning 800 for F standard B grade with 57.1. The wind (as we all experienced across the state) picked up and buffeted the range with Marty saying judging the wind became the realm of very experienced shooters. In the end the wind became too much and the 1000 yrd range was cancelled.

As the scores were tallied at the end of day two Marty Kelly in F class Target Rifle came second overall with a grand total of 274.16 out of 300.50. Robert Irving in F class B grade taking second place on day two with 98.1 and second in the grand aggregate with 257.6. Brian Houlihan came fourth overall in F Standard B grade with 240.4. An excellent start considering the difficult conditions, limited experience in reading extreme winds and shooting over the longer ranges of 700, 800 and 900 yards

An outstanding performance for our small club shooting in open competition (no help with reading the wind and keeping the shooter in the middle of the target). Both Brian and Robert have been shooting for less than 18 months!

Back on the ECDRA home range it is only two weeks before the annual prize shoot with the Dragon Diesel Challenge and the pennant season following. It is a busy time yet there is time for new shooters to come and join the fun and the challenge of long range shooting. Discussion with landholders over the weekend revealed that vermin like foxes are becoming harder to shoot with some landholders taking foxes at 140m. Such fatal and safe shots are only possible with well tuned firearms in the hands of people capable of precision shots. If this describes your sort of vermin shooting you would be most welcome to come along to the ECDRA range and learn how to make those difficult shots safely and accurately.

Australian Deer Association VS ECDRA

Dragon Diesel Challenge "comes home"

Saturday April 7 was the day the East Central District Rifle Association and fellow "target shooters" were looking forward to for some time, the Autumn Dragon Diesel Challenge.  There was a determination to win back the perpetual team trophy from the Australian Deer Association Upper Goulburn Branch “hunters".  Needless to say the hunters were of an equally strong determination to keep the team trophy.

The day was perfect in every way even that Violet Town wind was just a zephyr and very kind to the shooters. The challenge is designed to test marksman ship across the board cross section of shooting disciplines  beginning with the “Billy Sing” 5 shots from a cold barrel over 300 yards from the prone position. The “stalker” being 5 shots from a hunting position over 240 yards again no sighters then finally the “houndsman” five shots standing at 100 yards in the “off hand” position, no sighters.  

The scores from the “stalker” and “Houdsman” count for the Dragon Diesel team challenge where the average score of the contestants decide the result and the “Target Shooters” team finished with an average score of 29.2 and the “Hunters” an average score of 27.7 giving the “Target Shooters” the trophy by 1.5 points!

One feature of the Dragon Diesel Challenge is the way the participants have improved their shooting skills where everyone now expects a good score with a cold barrel, the shot for the hunter that is vital for the humane dispatch of the hunted be it game or vermin. Winners of the individual competitions were:  The Billy Sing ‘field Class’ won by David Wallace (ECDRA) 28.1,  Billy Sing ‘precision rifle’ Graeme Kerr (ECDRA) 29.2.  The stalker, David Wallace (ECDRA) 23 out of 25 second Peter Daldy (Target shooter) 22.  Dragon Diesel Challenge individual Peter Daldy (Target shooter) 20 and second  David Wallace (ECDRA) 16.  Gnarly Old War horse (SMLE 303) Wally Dergacz ‘hunter’.   Houndsman and Dragon Diesel Ladies Challenge, Courtney Britland (hunter) 21, second Rod Jones (hunter) 20. Junior Dragon Diesel Challenge individual was won by Abby Jones (hunter) with a very fine 20 In the Houndsman ‘off hand’ 100 yard event.

The day was voted as a great success by everyone and the exchange of recipes for game dishes again filled much of the conversation over the tea breaks and lunch, as the real secret is in the way the food is prepared.  We can be assured of this continuing at the next Dragon Diesel Challenge, the exchange of  game sausages and salami was a real hit and we can but wait to see if they match the improvement in marksmanship.   Just another reason why the Dragon Diesel is now a firm fixture on the shooting calendar, many thanks to the ECDRA hosts and the 240 volt power supply was very much appreciated by those looking for a cuppa throughout the day.  Thanks to our major sponsor Dragon Diesel who ensure this event continues.  Too much fun to miss, the next challenge is in late Spring.

Perfect Conditions, Perfect Training and Perfect Scores Follow

The dedication of training twice a week over the hot summer months while most clubs take a break has finally delivered results, and now the full cohort of the newer shooters have achieved perfect “60” scores. During the week, Dr Robert Irving (Bob is in his first 3 months of full bore competitive shooting) achieved his first “60” with 6 centres. The 60 is a perfect score and a centre is the very middle of the target used to tie-break perfect scores. On the 500 yards (457 metres) target, a “centre” is a mere 65 mm in diameter - visualise a soft drink can base, they are 66 mm in diameter!

The shooting sports are dominated worldwide by current members of the British Commonwealth, and former members the United States of America, South Africa, and the Republic of Ireland. The old measure of yards still hold sway in shooting.

Photo. Long standing ECDRA member Geoff James performs some final bench testing over the  electronic targets, in order to extract peak performance from his new rifle barrel fitted this last week. The old barrel became progressively suspect over the last few shoots, and examination with a microscopic borescope revealed some small chipping on the rifling lands which affected accuracy. Geoff is now back on track to return to State level performance, since the equipment problem has been diagnosed and rectified.

On Saturday the Perfect Possible trend was repeated, with ECDRA's other new member Brian Houlihan recording a magic “60”, along with an impressive 6 centres. Not to be outdone, Neal Hambridge put down his first “60” as well, also with 6 centres, using his superb new 6.5 mm Lapua rifle. Neal went one better, placing all his shots within a vertical spread of 57 mm, indicative of the precision of his equipment, ammunition and technique.

It seems this rush of perfect scores has inspired the longer standing members to also lift their game, and on Saturday David Wallace achieved his goal of a full day of shooting without a single dropped point. Each range a “60”, with 5 centres, then 4 and then another 4 centres for a top score for the day of a perfect 180 with 13 centres.

Club Captain Marty Kelly, who also is shooting brilliantly with a new barrel and improved ammunition, achieved a runner-up score for the day of 179 with 20 centres. Marty made the remark that long standing ECDRA members are extremely proud that hard earned knowledge has been passed over successfully to the newer shooters, making ECDRA a true champion team, and not simply a team of champions.