A good number of shooters turned out on the Castlemaine Rifle Range to contest the first stage of the club’s 2023 to 2024 championship on Saturday.
Shooting was over the shorter distances of 300, 500 and 600 yards with seven scoring shots at each range for a total from 21 scoring shots. Conditions were fairly pleasant with only a light southeast breeze that increased in strength at times causing shooters to lose points.
At 300 yards in Target Rifle, Chris Jolme scored 3402 to lead Richard Ruddick with 33.1. In F Class, Greg Brown shot 40.2 followed by James Dolphin and Darren Ward both on 37.0. In F Open, Tony Skinner shot well scoring 42.4 with Jamie Griffin next with 40.2.
The next round was from the 500-yard mound. In Target Rifle, Richard Ruddick shot a ‘possible’ being 35.1 with with Chris Jolme scoring 31.1. Greg Brown shot 41.1 in F Class followed by Darren Trevena with 38.2 in F Open. The best score was 40.2 from Tony Skinner followed by Malcolm Laurence with 37.1.
The final range was 600 yards. Chris Jolme scored 30.1 to lead Richard Ruddick on 30.0 in Target Rifle. In F Class, Greg Brown and Darren Trevena both scored 97.1 followed by Toula Ward with 36.6. The best score in F Open was 40.4 again from Tony Skinner with Dan McColl next with 39.2.
Final results saw Richard Ruddick win Target Rifle with 98.2 from Chris Jolme with 95.4. Chris won the handicap from Richard. Greg Brown won F Class with 118.4 from Darren Trevena with 111.4. Darren Ward won the handicap from Toula Ward. Tony Skinner was the winner in F Open scoring 122.10 with Jamie next with 113.2. Jamie won the handicap from Phil Smith.
There are another seven rounds of the championship to determine the club champions in each grade. Round two is scheduled for August 6 to be shot over 500 and 600 yards.
This Saturday is the club’s Annual General Meeting at 7.30pm.
For more on this sport of big bore rifle shooting call the captain on 5474 2552 or see Max at Castlemaine Fresh.