OzFclass

To all you F-Open shooters who won't be at the Vic Queens, once again you're going have to endure my ramblings from the coal-face. The best way of avoiding it would have been to get away from your computer for a few days, and come to Bendigo!

Weathers going to warm tomorrow, and warming up further. I'm going to try to keep my ammo cool as it may shoot above its sweet spot if it gets too hot. I'm not expecting many to turn up for the Syme - only know of 4 so far. But that's fine - we can get some practice in for the big one - that Lawton barrel for the F-Open winner is going to make us all try a little harder.

Catch you tomorrow night.

Alan

Waiting

Waiting, waiting!!!!
I checked out the VRA website, the first days scores are there.

Cheers,

Wayne

Hello from Bendigo, after day 1 of the leadup. As I feared, just 4 in the leadup - more about that later.

Paul Read used the same 6x47 barrel from last year on a new Lawton action and half-finished stock, Gary Hunt used a 6BR as did Rod Mahon. I was using my trusty 6.5-284.

Well today was Rod Mahon's day - he went exceptionally well, dropping only 8 points over the 3 ranges. I had a good day, finishing 3 points behind Rod. To be fair to Paul and Gary, they got caught in a very bad fishtail at 600yds that had them going into the 7 and 8 rings, so it was a reminder that apart from anything else, luck can play a major role in this game.

RESULTS HERE

As you'll have seen we all got 99 at the 300yds. I shot first and was pretty pleased with myself, only to see all the others do the same. Rod actually had 9 Xs on with one shot to go then dropped the last, giving him 99 and last place for the range !

Now about the numbers. I believe there will at least 5 more coming to the Queens on Saturday, which is good. However, I heard from the VRA today, that unless they are assured of better F-Open numbers for the Syme next year, they won't run it. I'm not going to try to lecture anyone on their obligations, because no-one is obliged in any way. But just realise that next year they will probably be asking for early entries, and refunding entries if there aren't enough. Hopefully, some of the newer F-Open shooters will be up to Queens standard by then which will help.

Catch you again tomorrow night. I'm waiting to see if Paul's new 7mm comes out. It has been reported to be doing very good groups.

Alan

Well done all should be in for a good comp go the 7mm's
Alan there seems to be a poor turn out of bendigo club FO members Is there a reason for this??
Will they also be cutting C Grade ???

My impression of the general reason for low numbers is getting the time off work to shoot the weekdays, or in some cases, being able to afford the time off. I think its relevant that there is a lower percentage of retirees shooting F-Open than the other classes here in Vic.

I hope the 7mm goes well too (but not too well ).

Alan

Bailey charlie, retiree, not yet. Who are the retirees in F open???

Wayne

G'Day all,
most SSAA FO shooters are at portland this weekend shooting BR.

Personally, I'm recovering from a a chest infection and hospital visit as a result so i'm not fit to even sit down to shoot!



hopefully i'll see some of you at Easter at Glenrowan.......

Cheerio Ned

Hello again from Bendigo,

The Syme is done and won, and thanks to a good day at the longs today, I managed to take home the bacon. Pushing me at every range was Rod Mahon using a 6BR - are you reading this Chris Burdett? Paul Read used today to test the new 7mm, and while it showed patches of very good elevation, it still needs some sorting. Gary was battling away with another 6BR which simply wasn't grouping as well as Rod's.

SYME RESULTS

A few of the Queens only shooters turned up this afternoon - Wayne McFarlane, Geoff Miners (NSW) and Shane Quaintmere are here and ready for the Queens tomorrow morning. I believe Paul McCarthy and Bill Siegloff will be here also. And hopefully one or two more?

Tomorrow night's report may be late - my good wife (and chief motivator) Margaret will be arriving by train tomorrow night expecting to be dined out in style. What could be more stylish than dinner with a dozen very respectable shooters at a local ale house?

Catch you later.

Alan

Thanx Al
good luck to everybody 2 morrow

Hello again,

I decided to get this done early - have a few minutes to spare. The additional shooters in the Queens were as expected and no more. Paul McCarthy is using a 6 Dasher based on a new Lawton action, Geoff Miners has a 6.5x55, Bill Siegloff a 6 Dasher, Wayne MacFarlane a 284 Win, and Shane Quaintmere a 6x47Lapua. Paul Read has gone back to his 6x47, and I expect him to use it right through.

Weather got quite hot over the course of the day, wind was light and occasionally tricky with plenty of mirage. The two Pauls did best, dropping just 8 points over the day, and having a shoot-off for daily agg. They were equal after the fifth shot, then Chopper won with a 10 to Paul McC's 9.

There are 3 others very close, Shane, myself and Bill. I keep saying this but anyone within a bull's roar of the lead at the end of the shorts has a chance of making up enough ground at the longs, which are two 900s and a 1000, all on the new 1000 target.

Rod Mahon made up for his last shot 9 at 300yds in the Syme with his first 100 score at 300yds today. 100s are not easy (this is the only one at the Queens so far) so no doubt he'll be smiling about that for a few days.

TODAY'S RESULTS
So that's about all - its a good competition and the winner could come from anywhere at this stage.

Back tomorrow night

Alan

Looks like its going to be a very close comp
Looking forward to sundays results
Cheers
RB

Hello again from Bendigo,

Another very hot day at the range. Winds were light but tricky most of the time. The F-Open field has spread out a little, with only the top 4 having any reasonable chance of winning now. I had a good day, which brought me up to be 1 in front of Paul Read, who went well again. Bill Siegloff and Geoff Miners also went well. Paul McCarthy had something happen at 900yds that we all hate - a 10 followed by a miss. He would have been well in contention but for that - rotten luck Paul.

PROGRESSIVE RESULTS

So its just 900 and 1000 to go in the morning. And the new 1000 target is a real challenge compared with last year, so this match may go down to the wire - maybe even a shootoff !!

I will definitely be late posting tomorrow night - it is a 4.5hr drive home.

Catch you then.

Alan

What has happened to shooting 700 & 800 yards in the VRA Queens these days.

Probably to hard Ken