Thread: Another practical shooting test for Hunters

Not much that I am aware of in your area, other than Cheltenham - but that is mostly static prone shooting.

Active service rifle group in Wellington (Upper Hutt), and several field/hunting/prs type shoots in Taranaki.

If you are on Facebook look at Taranaki Long Range Shooters page, as well as Gillice Practical Rifle Events

Service Rifle is I think the best all-round measure of basic shooting skills. I know my general shooting skills increased markedly when I changed from F-class to Service Rifle. Having said that, the positions are well defined and the time limits generally on the slower side.

If you want to push yourself, try one of the field/hunter type comps. Much higher time pressure, and often severely compromised shooting positions, so you need to use a bit more noggin-power to figure out a plan.

Originally Posted by ebf

Not much that I am aware of in your area, other than Cheltenham - but that is mostly static prone shooting.

Active service rifle group in Wellington (Upper Hutt), and several field/hunting/prs type shoots in Taranaki.

If you are on Facebook look at Taranaki Long Range Shooters page, as well as Gillice Practical Rifle Events

Service Rifle is I think the best all-round measure of basic shooting skills. I know my general shooting skills increased markedly when I changed from F-class to Service Rifle. Having said that, the positions are well defined and the time limits generally on the slower side.

If you want to push yourself, try one of the field/hunter type comps. Much higher time pressure, and often severely compromised shooting positions, so you need to use a bit more noggin-power to figure out a plan.

You're right, civilian service rifle matches tend toward generous time limits and lack of rapid movement, but they will never change I think, not enough new/younger shooters joining to initiate any progress toward similarity with military rifle matches.

I went to Cheltenham once for a look but didn't think f-class/nra style was for me, although they have occasional practice days and electronic targetry to use, I don't think they allow changing target type for practice. I might give it a go as its the only range with 300m or more around here.

I quit fb some time ago, the downside is that there are many shooting groups on there and I miss out on a bit of news. While I was working in chch I attended a couple of shoots with the canterbury long range group which was enjoyable, and I intended to get to taranaki once I had a suitable long range rifle, but my 7mm project is still sitting in the safe unfinished.

Just farm access would be great, somewhere to put targets out to 300 and get some practice in, otherwise its book a range and drive to waiouru.

Where are these Gillice events?

Originally Posted by -BW-

You're right, civilian service rifle matches tend toward generous time limits and lack of rapid movement, but they will never change I think, not enough new/younger shooters joining to initiate any progress toward similarity with military rifle matches.

haha, you really need to get out more ! there have been massive changes to "civilian" service rifle matches over the last 12 months. We shot against (and beat) the military teams until a about year ago when Cindy took our AR15s...

Competing at Waiouru was always fun, and a great source of brass if you picked up after the Army or Air Force teams

Originally Posted by -BW-

Where are these Gillice events?

all over the north island : Tarata and Ahititi outside New Plymouth, venue just south of Waiouru, Tokoroa shooting complex.

Originally Posted by ebf

haha, you really need to get out more ! there have been massive changes to "civilian" service rifle matches over the last 12 months. We shot against (and beat) the military teams until a about year ago when Cindy took our AR15s...

Competing at Waiouru was always fun, and a great source of brass if you picked up after the Army or Air Force teams



all over the north island : Tarata and Ahititi outside New Plymouth, venue just south of Waiouru, Tokoroa shooting complex.

Ah I see we must have met before. I was part of that 4 man team, and we only lost by the narrowest of margins, I have the scores around somewhere.. from memory we placed 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th, and you guys placed 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th, Jason winning? It was close! I was 6th I think.
I have been to the nationals for the last 3 years in a row, and the matches haven’t changed that I can see, and still key differences from the army matches. So maybe they changed back before that?

So Tentman, whats your take on those results? Were you there competing?

Originally Posted by -BW-

I have been to the nationals for the last 3 years in a row, and the matches haven’t changed that I can see, and still key differences from the army matches. So maybe they changed back before that?

I meant the introduction of "modern service" class. The belt was on offer for that class this year - before COVID put a stop to all fun... It has created an avenue for a lot more people to get involved in the same style of shooting, but without very specific firearm requirements. Anyone with a 223 hunting type rifle and 3-9 scope can now compete. It would be great to see some of the army teams join in (don't see the civy teams getting access to LMT MARS etc any-day soon), who knows, maybe one day we will be let back onto Waiouru ?

A couple of the mil guys still shooting in "classic class" with their own Enfield, P14s etc.