QRA Queens..

[williada]

Tony, the only thing that tops that is riding a young horse at full gallop and they start star gazing and the next minute you are eating grass unless you draw out the riding crop and give it a couple of cuts to keep its head from wandering. By the way we have been all guilty of doing what you did. Sh*t happens. Damn I said, “Sh*t, sh*t I said damn”.

Anyway, after the severe talking you gave yourself you have redeemed yourself at 600. Well done. There’s a long way to go. Just tell yourself that 57 happened at 1000 yards in a cyclone. I’m sure by the final 1000 and you have shot well you would accept a 57 at 1000. So your job is to get 60 at 1000 when the time arises.

Alan, I wonder if the Target Magazine will be game enough to put a winner of the scope classes on the front page? David.

[AlanF]

Alan, I wonder if the Target Magazine will be game enough to put a winner of the scope classes on the front page? David.

It has actually happened (issue 56), but I reckon the editor must have been on holidays...

[macguru]

I observe that in the Queens proper there are about 123 Target Rifle ABC
AND
about 174 Scoped RIfle so I feel the writing is on the wall...... I have the greatest respect for what the lads in Camp Perry are doing but not for a single second should we accept playing second fiddle to the fullbore guys. We are equals .

[Tim N]

Hi All
Lowell Tillack some how didn't drop a shot today...Well done
I have started collecting the equipment list
Lowell used a 6-dasher (I think)
There's a surprising variety of calibers
7-08,280AI,6x47,6.5x47,6.5x55
And the usual
6 Dasher,284,284shehane,7saum
I would guess nearly all here are having a good time, with only the odd torn party dress

[ecomeat]

500 done and dusted, quite a few 60's in roughly 1 MOA right winds, with plenty of little fluctuations seeing good shooters drop 1 or 2.
Overcast, still a bit cool and most still wearing coats.
Saw Dave Reddan from Toowoomba get up with a big grin and a 60-8. Matt P with a 60-6.Bob Ped with 60-3. Will get some scores and be back.

[ecomeat]

800 yards down.
Lowell kept the perfect record intact. Davies and Paroz both shot 60-10. Bartman007 cut a 6 first sighter but a couple more snuck in mid string. He had two more to go when I left, and was up on his knees waiting out a tricky patch.
Points dropped total after 900......just the ones I have
Lowell 0
Rod 1
None on 2, unless Ray Hurley was clean.
Bob Ped, Tim Nugent, Matt, Pete Smith, on 3
I heard a whisper Craig dropped one at 800 so he would be down 4
Barry Lewis, Ben Ferrara, Meichelle Knudsen ,Julie McEwan, Stuart Braund down 5
Krake on 6. Chiew, Mincham, Bonaventura ended yesterday down 6 and have shot one 60 today so possibly also on 6

[RMc]

I observe that in the Queens proper there are about 123 Target Rifle ABC
AND
about 174 Scoped RIfle so I feel the writing is on the wall...... I have the greatest respect for what the lads in Camp Perry are doing but not for a single second should we accept playing second fiddle to the fullbore guys. We are equals .

It seems that this Queens has come up with a proven formula for increasing the overall percentage of F-Class to TR shooters
Simply send 50 of the TR shooters overseas and run a national F-Class competition before the Queens
If this can be done for each Queens then we will see similar results

[AlanF]

So, what's the weather been like? Lowell has always gone well at the shorts, but this time he's pushing right on into the longs. If he wins F-Open I'll take my hat off to him. I reckon its going to be a great contest in the morning.

[ecomeat]

You could probably describe the weather as "fluctuating winds". It was broken cloud cover for most of the day, but often an absolutely perfect, clear picture. Mirage wasn't an issue for anyone, but shifting winds with little quick pick ups and drop offs cost a lot of people one or two points. The we're lots of changes in direction in any given five minute period, but when I shot I basically didn't need more than a "minute" on, at 800 and 900 at any stage. My last shot at 800 was a 5, a full "minute" out , to give me a 59-6 after I missed the rapid direction change. When you see guys like Matt, Cam, and Mike Waites dropping 2 or 3 pts on a range you know it is far from easy.
In that context, Lowell's performance so far is all the more extraordinary.
At the NRAA Queens, his 6.5 x 284 barrel/load/combination let him down at the longs after a great result with his dasher over the first two days
This time around, he is using a brand new (his very first in this calibre ) straight 284 Winchester that he only had chambered three weeks ago. He asked a few shooters for some tips and just got on with it....so he is effectively fireforming brass, coz he only had time to break his barrel in before heading off to Belmont.
This morning at 500 yards, before Matt and Rod shot their 60-10s at 800, Lowell kept a 6 "sighter" as his first "on", and then shot 9 X's in a row for his 60-9 ! The man is in the zone. If this is what he can do while he is fireforming, then God help us when he does some load development
It seems that his first attempt, of 180 gr Hybrids " just touching" has worked OK for it's first trial
The Bartlein barrel from Craig that it's built on possibly helps as well
Showers and similar winds to today are expected for tomorrow, so it's guaranteed to be an exciting finish.

[DannyS]

Thanks for keeping us unfortunates updated. Keep up the good work and the best of luck to you. Some great scores being shot

Cheers
Danny

[Chopper]

And well done to you Eco . 4000 views, keep up the great work.

[DannyS]

We need the likes of Tony at every prize meeting. Fantastic updating of scores, calibres etc. not easily done when he is still competing at high level. Go Tony

Cheers
Danny

[DannyS]

Come on the Mexicans, Di Jonkers in FB, go for it. Phil Jonkers in F open, time to pull the finger out. Trevor Rhodes, Kay Eland, John Eland, Michael Hall, Liam Hall, Rod Mahon, Paul Murphy and the rest of the crew , go for it.

[DannyS]

Also congrats to all our VRA teams and Coachers,very well done

[RDavies]

So, what's the weather been like?

Typical Belmont. When Matt and I were shooting, the wind was steady, 60s were par for the course and 60.10s possible if you were on your toes, had a good target puller and your gear was top notch.
2 shooters later, a 59.0 would be a bloody good score.