Proper Service Rifles

[John25]

I had this really silly idea this afternoon whilst driving to Plymouth.

Thinking about my lovely Smellie this morning, wobbling me in a couple of V bulls at 600x

I thought, I wonder how many FBUK members there are who have similar rifles and don't compete?

How many would like to shoot say, McQueen at 200x, 300x?

A not too serious competition, rifles 'as issued' iron sights, no slings, Proper service shooting.

We would need about ten to fifteen competitors to,have a really fun day.

So, who'se up for it?

Smellie McQueen anybody?

stgeo

[bobbob]

I nominate bnz

Obviously dependant on dates.

[John25]

Later in the year, I think?

Autumn time, give me time to draw up a course of fire, nothing to strenuous.

No offence to the shooters with those short black things, I'm talking about them old guns with bits of wood and them bits of bent metal you have to yank back and forth, you know er, bolts thats the thingsl


:shakeshout:

[Watcher]

Maybe. Depends on timing as I assume it will be at Bisley which is a 400 mile plus round trip.

[John25]

Doesn't have to be at Bisley. Come to think of it it could be regional.

It could even be postal!

It could be a monthly, quarterly.

As I once said in a presentation at Bisley when I joined, we are limited only by the rules of safety and our own imaginations!

'They' told me that Service Rifle would never take off, ask JMH and his mates what they think of that statement!

I will be looking into putting one on at Bisley, possibly a Saturday PM Sunday AM with travellers in mind.

stgeo

[ovenpaa]

All I have is my P14 these days and I am not sure that would count as a Service Rifle despite being .303

[John25]

My definition, if it were my choice, would be

'Any bolt action rifle, pre 1960, which was issued to the front line units of any nation (ie not special forces) 'as issued' iron sights, (not PH diopter or taget sight mods)

Your P14 would probably qualify?

Andy Duffy won the first one I ran with a Shmidt Ruben.

One fellow turned up with a Martini Henry (we agreed that the lever equated to a bolt)

I even already have a small trophy.

I would give all the profits to a charity chosen by the winner.

You know, have a 'nice' competition.

stgeo

[dave_303]

I would love to, but would be severely restricted by dates, I'm in Canterbury and my rifles are in Bristol, so it's only a few dates in the holidays that I can actually shoot

[Individual]

As an owner of a short black thing, and an occaisional civilian service rifle competitor, I'd certainly like to see more people shooting "proper service rifles".

for instance - the Methuen Cup is a great competition, and you would be very welcome. It's a great shoot, round count is only about 50-60. Historic Enfield even has its own class and (as I recall) there is usually only 1 historic team in it (may be even no teams :G ). So if you can fnd 6 like minded people - you would stand a good chance of winning it.

C'mon guys lets see what those wooden rifles can really do. :shakeshout:

[John25]

They can easily hit the V (three times in 17) at 600 with even this old (can't use the word) behind it

:shakeshout: