.303 advice

[ovenpaa]

I would say 3" is very acceptable with a service rifle and I was very happy to get twice that with my 1915 SMLE and often saw 10" groups with open sights and my old eyes. Best service rifle we owned was Christel's PE Sniper that would shoot 1.5" groups off a rest at 100 metres.

This is where the 6.5x55 Swedish Mauser owners post ridiculously small groups....

[Dougan]

No pressure then :) I'll be using a 1944 Lithgo with a good barrel, from a rest (so no excuses there), but with open v sights at 200 yds - so weather dependant, I'd be very happy with 10".

It's a shame they don't shoot the McQueen in other classes (i.e. pre 1945) - It'd be a great excuse to get a PE or Mauser to go with the SMLE.

[ovenpaa]

But there is a Pre45 action class McQueen

[Dougan]

What meeting/s is this held? - I've looked in the GR&P, and at last years' Phoenix and Trafalgar results...but can only find 1 class - any rifle...?

[ovenpaa]

After I wrote this I thought about it an had a look... I am convinced there have been Pre45 McQueen competitions at Bisley within the last two or three years but I cannot find any details, hopefully an NRA type will be able to answer and either confirm what I said or tell me I am cracking up!

Closest I have shot recently was a 'Two Type' competition at 200 yards last year with my 4(T) course of fire (From memory) was:

One target with 5 exposures in 30 seconds
Pause 30 seconds
One exposure 30 seconds with 5 shots

So a maximum of ten shots over 90 seconds at a politically corrected version of a Huns head.

This is why I like shooting in Denmark, the first time I produced a Huns head the range manager and his oppo identified it on the spot and were delighted I was shooting at it. My Danish course of fire is 3 second exposures with a 5 second pause across a 15m wide field of view. normally 20-30 shots. I shoot it at 600m and the target usually appears from behind a grassy bank at the top of the mantlet, as if the Hun was peeping through. I say 20-30 shots as it depends how quickly the Viking gets bored with being showered with grass and sand.

I shoot mine at 600m

[Dougan]

I like the sound of that course of fire at 600 yrds - like agony snaps, but on a much grander scale :) need a bloody good rifle for it though...do you use your A1

As far as I know there is only 1 class (any rifle)for the McQueen at the major meetings. But as putting scopes on Gallery rifles has become so popular, the NRA have created an 'open sights only' class (can't remember which meeting/s) for gallery. Maybe if enough people said they'd shoot in the class, the NRA would run a 'pre 45' McQueen...the Trafalgar would be the perfect meeting for it, as most of the classic guys are at the 200 yds on Century, right next to where they run the McQueen....

I would say a 4(T) would be ideal for the class :mrgreen:

[ovenpaa]

Yes, I use an AI/AE with a 4-16 S&B 'scope on it and a home made cheek piece. The poor thing is getting quite shot out now but still seems able to hold it's own out to 1000 yards.

[Dougan]

I've just looked up AI/AE to make sure ("A1"..I knew what I meant :lol: ) - Very nice, and very functional ...so that's how people get so many 'x bulls' when they shoot the McQueen :) . I think they rent out something similar for people to use when they run the McQeen at Bisley....might have a go for fun next time....

[ovenpaa]

Scroll down a bit and you will see mine with my cheek piece.

http://www.full-bore.co.uk/viewtopic.ph ... onal#p7808

Of all my rifles this one is the one I feel most comfortable with, I have probably put 4-5k rounds through it (I would need top check the logbooks) it feels like a well worn glove and works for me. It is predictable and reliable, the 'scope in cm/clicks is intuitive and I can feed it anything that fits without worry.

I have been asked on occasion if I not afford the 'real thing' and been told it is not a real AI. It might not be the most accurate rifle in the house but it is always going to be my favourite.

McQueen shooting like everything has changed and I think that the spirit of the competition is lost to some, I feel it should be shot with the correct targets and in a military or equivalent calibre but I have seen some people turn up with 6mmBR chambered rifles with full F Open type front rests. To me it does not feel right and I will continue to use my AI for McQueen comps for the foreseeable future inter spaced with something historic but of the same ilk.

[Dougan]

Very nice - that'd be just the job

I agree about the McQueen - I've thought about having a go (as I like 'snaps'), but there's not much point without a decent 'sniper type' rifle. Why not even have a 'pre 45, issue sights' class (without the 2.5" x bull :!: ).

I know you love your rifle, but I bet it won't be too long until you have one of those huge F class beasts, with a scope you bought second hand from NASA