1  

ON TARGET  

1

If any BRAA members are interested, the NSW BPCR Silhouette State Titles are on the weekend of 15-16th August at Rankins Springs.

Full details are in the latest Shooters Journal in the competitions section.

I (Dan) can be reached by E-mail while I’m away if anyone wants more information. I am not running this event, but I should be able to answer any questions you fellows may have.

It should be a good weekend with the two BPCR matches and the Small-bore match as well.

The Small-bore match is shot on half-size targets at 50,100,150 and 200m. You can use pretty much any single shot .22 that has an exposed hammer, (Low-walls, Stevens, Remington rolling block, etc. ) or your Buffalo rifle with an insert/converter ( Crosnoe , Shaver)

The exception being that Martini .22’s are also allowed but not the BSA International.

Sights must be original irons or other types of the period. That means you can have aftermarket tang sights, similar to BRAA rules…….Regards Daniel (Taps)

1. Browning, model #53 Deluxe. Limited edition 32/20 (32WCF) lever action rifle. Very good/excellent. $950 ono. (with 150 cases and Lee dies) 2. Shiloh, model #74 Saddle Rifle. 50/ 70 Govt. 28" standard octagonal bbl, semi fancy wood, blade & globe front sight, MVA sight base. Excellent condition. $2800 ono. Transfers through Tamworth Firearms

APERTURE That’s Life So where to begin? It’s a long time since I’ve ‘put pen to paper’ and even with so much to say I can’t even think what to write about first, so let’s just begin where we left off. For a variety of reasons, BRAA Newsletter No 25 was the last to hit the ether early in March. So there are at least 4 shoots to report on – I’ll do my best. There was no shoot in March ‘cause the Federal Shoot at Canberra is Easter and that was early April this year. Next was 25-26 April at Cooyal (I wasn’t there for that one), followed by 23-24 May at Nioka (nor that one either). I did get to the June Cooyal shoot on 27-28. We do have some details of the shoots, which we will present in the usual ‘Shot to Bitz’ section. Overflow from this section will be continued in ‘Bison Tales’. Reason number one for lack of newsletter, was all about technology – bah! Computers, internet, smart (and ‘not-so-smart’) phones, email, text, ’ebooks, wi-fi, Bluetooth …………. whoah !!! boy am I over it. “Nothing wrong with my Mac laptop” , I said, “just a bit slow, so maybe I’ll get that computer guy to put in a new SSD” (that’s Solid State Drive for all you dumkoffs). Replace the aging HDD “Spinning Disc” hard drive which came with my Mac Laptop about a century ago. Long story, but after stuffing around for the better part of a month he handed me back the laptop and a separate hard drive with my files on it, and said “I can’t fix it” and left me to it. I’m still devising reprisals. Anyhow, I went to my son-in-law cap (and laptop) in hand and he fixed it. Now it’s too bloody fast and I can’t keep up. So that’s what buggered up the first of the missing newsletters. And as a wise man once said to me “No matter what concerns you have at work, at play, or whatever, your family comes first.” And that was the second reason for the delays. It seems to me that on a daily basis, us old farts are confronted with new and interesting challenges; some are doable with some experience, ingenuity and diligence and some others are way too confronting to even contemplate. Be nice to yourself.

I’m back (for a while at least) !!!.……..…….. S/f

Newsletter of the Buffalo Rifle Association of Australia Issue 26 – Mar-Jun ’15

2

THE POSSE CONTACTS: President: Gary Vandersluis Mobile: 0418 270 968 Secretary/Treasurer: Bill Sherman Mobile: 0418 257 330 Captain: Jim Skyrm Website: www.buffalorifles.com.au Publicity: Paul Radin Email: info@buffalorifles.com.au Committee: Brendan Sforcina Post: PO Box 700, Mona Vale NSW 2103  

  2  

SHOT TO BITZ Federal Shoot – Canberra 5-6 April The match was shot on paper targets at 1000 yds, 800 yds, 600 yds, 400 yds and 300 yds (off-hand). Scoring was 3 points for a target hit on white, 5 points for the black centre and 8 points for the orange ‘bull’. There were 5 sighters (if required) and 10 scoring shots per distance. Detailed results as follows; Highlights are high scores for the distance

NAME

100

0 y

800

y

600

y

400

y

300

y

TOTAL

1 Ken 31 48 46 48 44 217

2 Brad 26 39 48 58 44 215

3 Jim 30 42 52 52 38 214

4 Gary 32 42 40 48 46 208

5 Dan 19 29 52 52 52 204

6 Paul R 40 25 46 50 39 200

7 Paul Mc 35 39 42 46 35 197

8 Bill 17 37 46 dnf 41 141 dnf

Of significant note was Brads magnificent 6 ‘bulls-eyes’ 1 x 600, 1 x 800 and 4 x 400 – nice one mate! Dan had 3, Ken had 2, Jim had 2 & Bill, Paul R and Gary had one each.

ANZAC Shoot - Cooyal 25-26 April The main match for the weekend was the Mini Quigley – a match shot at the distances and scored in the same way as the Montana Quigley Match that BRAA Members have regularly attended. That meant shooting at 800; 600; 530; 405; 417 yards plus 350 offhand.

The only concession was two practice shots before the scoring series of eight rounds at each distance. There are no practice shots in the Montana Quigley.

Scores were simple – you hit or you missed. Saturday shooting was in almost perfect conditions but the Sunday distances were shot in heavy wind with overcast skies. Targets got smaller as the shooters got closer with the two 400 distances being shot at a 600mm diamond.

Top scorer was Gavin Dignam who managed a 42 (out of 48) with two ‘possibles’, both in lousy conditions on Sunday morning. Great shooting that would have been enough to make the top 10 at the Montana Quigley. And, Gavin, Luke Dignam and Gary Vandersluis will be trying to do just that when they go to US in a few weeks time.

Runner up was Brad Skyrm with 33 and 3rd Andrew Tuft with 30.

The side match was changed to reflect Anzac Day. Using a wartime 303 Rifle 10 rounds were shot on paper at 300 yards. Open sights were used and the winner – who had never used a 303 before – was Luke Dignam with 41 (max 50). It wasn’t Brad’s weekend as he was runner up with 40 points in this match as well. Ken Brown placed 3rd with 39.

Saturday evening dinner, courtesy of Andrew Tuft and Kristy Comb was Silverside and white sauce over veggies and mash, followed by fruitcake pudding with custard and cream. Yum.

We also had a good display of wartime memorabilia including shell cases, pictures and bits and pieces from the Somme battlefield. Kristy brought a couple of WW2 hand grenades including a Japanese one picked up by her Father at Milne Bay after it landed behind him and did not explode! Bill Sherman bought an artillery shell case engraved with the place where it was fired – Zonnebeke during the 3rd Battle of Ypres as the 1st and 2nd Anzac Corps advanced on Passchendaele while Andrew and Kristy had photos and souvenirs from a trip to the Somme and the Normandy Coast.

It was a top weekend and congratulations again to our winners, particularly to Gavin. And best wishes to all of the Group going to Montana. We will be cheering for you.

  3  

ON THE LINE Note! The following dates and arrangements are subject to change from time to time depending on prevailing conditions etc. Every effort will be made by your Committee to advise any changes well prior to the event. It is also advisable to check this calendar with each issue of “On Target”

CALENDAR 2015 Jan. 24/25 Cooyal “B” 7,5,3+9 s/e Muzzle Loaders Feb. 21/22 Cooyal “P” 8,6,4+10 s/e Shotgun April 5/6 Canberra “P” s/e (4th) SSAA Silhouette tbc April 25/26 Cooyal “B” Mini Quigley s/e Quigley Bucket May 23/24 Nioka “B” ‘Champagne Shoot’ s/e .22 rifle June 27/28 Cooyal “P” 7,6,4+10 s/e Lever Rifle July 25/26 Cooyal “P” 6,5,4+7 s/e Shotgun Aug. 22/23 Cooyal “B” 8,6,3+10 s/e Lever Rifle Sept. 19/20 Nioka Billy Dixon+AGM s/e .22 rifle Oct. 24/25 Cooyal “P” 8,7,6+9 s/e Pistol tba Nov. 28/29 Cooyal “B” 6,5,3+9 s/e Shotgun Dec. No match. Note! In each match;

• “B” means shot on buffalo plate • “P” means shot on paper targets • the ‘numbers’ are (hundred) yards. • the match will be shot in that order • ‘+’ separates Sat & Sun • “s/e” means side event (duh!).

NEXT SHOOT COOYAL Range on 25 – 26 July Paper target. SET-UP & PRACTICE We can always use some assistance with set-up so if you can be there on Friday arvo, please lend a hand. There will be some opportunity for practice after set-up, but only under strict range rules. LOCATION Who doesn’t know where Cooyal is ??? If you don’t, you should bloody well be ashamed of yourself! If you get this newsletter monthly then WHY haven’t you been to one of our shoots??? No excuses, come along and have some fun – that’s what we’re here for, shoot smokeless if you like. THE MATCH We will be shooting on paper target(s) on Sat at 600y, 500y and 400yd (in that order) and 700y on Sunday morning. Scoring will be 3 for target hit on white, 5 for target hit on black and 8 for the orange ‘bull’. COSTS Range fees are $30 payable on signing in at the range. A cooked breakfast and lunch will be available on the range for $5 each on Sat and Sun. subject to your advice of attendance one week prior to the event. If arriving on Friday you will need to bring your own lunch. Dinner will be available at the Cooyal Pub on Friday night or bring your own to the range. Sat night will be the CHRISTMAS IN JULY event. Details later in this bulletin.

ANZAC nosh – YUM!! ⇒⇒⇒⇒

1

ACCOMMODATION Usual accommodation is on the range; bunkhouse, camping, caravanning, etc. Also the Cooyal Pub Ph. 6373 5353 offers a range of accommodation and Yarrawonga Cedar Cottages are close by yarrawongacottages.com.au. There are many other alternative ‘digs’ in the Mudgee area.

SIDE EVENT SHOTGUN! Bring your shotties for a bit of fun after the main match. If you don’t have one – no matter, there will be plenty there to try your hand at the clays. Bring your own shells if you have them. COMING UP Christmas in July at Cooyal Bunkhouse on the 25th

• Cost will be around $20 per head for 3 courses. • An antipasto share platter as a starter • Roast meat(s) probably lamb and/or pork • Veggie sides • Dessert • Kris Kringle (Everyone brings a wrapped gift to the

value of $5. Put it in the middle and everybody takes one. If you don’t bring a gift you don’t get to draw.)

• Bill will run a Quiz. He was thinking of 2 teams and prizes for the winning team.

Should be a great weekend – don’t miss it!

Cooyal Buffalo Grazing on a Misty June Morn

2

  4      

BISON TALES Nioka Shoot – 23rd and 24th May Well at least I got the score sheet, but alas, no text, no pics, Not much at all really, but you have to take what you can get in this business!

NAME

100

0 y

900

y

800

y

600

y

300

y

TOTAL

1 Brad 24 30 24 30 12 120

2 Gavin 18 27 27 21 24 117

3 Jim 21 27 30 30 9 117

4 H/Hans 21 27 27 24 15 114

5 Luke 15 24 24 30 9 102

6 Gary 21 24 27 21 9 102

COOYAL Shoot – 27th and 28th June The scheduled shoot was abandoned due to work being carried out on the clubhouse hot water system (thanks Brad). Accordingly we could only shoot from the 600 mound down. In addition a failed camera spotting system hampered the spotter/scorers. As a result only ‘hits’ were recorded, they not being able to discern the ‘heart’ hits on the Saturday. This resulted in very close scores from everybody on the Saturday, forecasting a close result for the match.

So what to do? We decided to shoot on the small diamond target at 600 yds on the Sunday and record 5 for a hit. The scores were as follows;

NAME

600

y

5

00y

4

00 y

6

00 y

TOTAL

1 Paul R 9 9 9 40 67

2 Jim 9 9 10 20 48

3 Brendan 5 6 10 15 36

4 Kristy 9 6 9 5 29

5 Paul Mc 4 2 9 5 20

6 Mike 9 - - - 9 dnf

Winners always grinning

GUNSMITH Pistol Grip Conversion For those who have a straight grip rifle and wanted more control & consistency, the following conversion might be an option to consider. One member did just that with his 50/90 Shiloh which now has an English Walnut trigger plate mounted pistol grip. This conversion grip is similar to the Shiloh option but without the return postage to Montana. Rodney, local gunsmith at Custom 37 of Tamworth did the work and made a fine job of it. …………………. Pics by Gavin