Thread: Field Target Shooting Competition

As some of you may realize I have been running field target shooting competitions for a few NZDA branches over the last couple of years. I thought I would put together a post on here just explaining what they are. I am putting this here in the hope that others may get keen and put together their own field shoots.

The basic premise for a field target shoot is to get the competitors off a flat range. I have heard it described as the closest we can get to hunting without animals and within the safety rules.

There are two basic field target shoot formats – long range and short range. The long range ones are a little more common these days (Gunslinger challenges, Hangawera Sniper Shoot, etc…)and in my experience they are not too difficult to set up once you have a suitable property to run one on. Short range field shoots (run under the format I use) are much more difficult to set up. This is mainly to do with one of the fundamental rules I have in place for my shoots. This rule is “The competitor may employ any shooting position they wish along with any shooting aid/support they are happy to carry as long as they can physically touch the marked shooting position”.

This rule allows the shooter a huge degree of freedom to shoot however they wish to – I aim not to have to tell competitors “This target shall be shot from the sitting position”. Within this rule i try very hard to set targets and shoot positions such to force competitors to think about what position they will use. I must admit a sense of satisfaction when a competitor hurries to a shoot location only to have to fumble round trying to work out a good solid shooting position where they can see they target.

I also use time limit on stages to force the competitor into motion. I like to convince myself that by allowing a first shot to be untimed means inexperienced shooters can focus on their first shot. In reality i find myself struggling to focus on the first shot when i know i will have to hurry up and reload to fire the second one!

Anyways if someone has a property that would be will ing host a field shoot (.22LR, short range center fire or long range center fire) then feel free to get in touch. My set up is easily transportable (within driving distance anyway). If anyone has a field target shoot coming up i would be keen to come along if i could.

A few photos taken at various shoots:
.22LR field shoot - under a time limit - yes girls are more than welcome!


.22LR field shoot - myself carrying all the gear i needed for the day.


.22LR field shoot - improvised position.


.22LR field shoot


Short range center fire field shoot - Steep uphill sitting.


Short range center fire field shoot - standing.


Short range center fire field shoot - great for a lefty!


Short range center fire field shoot - Ready, set, ... Go!


Short range center fire field shoot - 360m with a .223... hit!


Short range center fire field shoot - Time limits suck!


Short range center fire field shoot - Taihape!


Short range center fire field shoot - Someone a few might know.


Short range center fire field shoot - Tree hugger!


Short range center fire field shoot - Are those ear muffs just for show or what!

Bloody good stuff Gillie. I would like to attend one sometime. If your old man is shooting especially.

Good stuff Simon , it is great to see you growing the skills of shooters with these events .Sadly I couldnt hit a hill standing with my rifle and can barley hold it up lol -look forward to shooting with you again at Hungas.You must attend the next Tekapo Gunslinger -the 260 will hit most targets !

Next field shoot won't be for a while R93. November i think, then at least one in December and another in January. Unless of course someone comes up with a property willing to host another shoot in the mean time The old man shoots in most of the field shoots. In fact i have to have a real good day to beat him, particularly in the .22LR field shoots. I'll keep in touch though.

Thanks Brian, and you are allowed to use a rifle other than your .284 Tekapo would be a lot of fun, i get the impression its a big boys toys play ground though and more to the point given target sizes i don't think my .260 would be that competitive at the longer distances.

One may have big boys toys but that doesnt guarrantee a hit LOL i CAN CONTEST TO THAT !!!
There are 2 ranges long and real long - upto 1km and upto 1760y either is fun .Personally next time I am going down lighter and that will include the rifle although still in .284 .At 2500 ft your 140gr will travel further and will hit if you pick the wind -I must admit I was confused down there in the mountain area thinking shit was coming from there when it was coming from a different direction and strength -just gotta get used to different terrain at great distances .Were having a shoot this weekend in Auckland I have organized -you think I can get more than a handful of shooters -hell no????? youre doin well with yours

Yep, you sure have it right there Brian. Money don't equal hits It is certainly entertaining though! With the field shoots i am running i have a bit of trouble keeping people away. I need to come up with a way of orgainising a shoot that can get a few people through without taking all day!

Sounds like there may be a practical shooting for hunters training / have a go day coming up that i will be involved in.
Ranges will vary from 100m to about 600m. Each person will sort out them selves what instruction / pointers they want to listen to and what distances they want to have a go at. Will give a few guys a chance to come along and see how their rifle shoots at the maximum range they are comfortable with. I know several guys who just want to see where their bush rifle shoots at 200m.
Will also give a few guys a chance to try their hunting rifles out at a little bit of distance. Demonstrate that it is not all about knowing how much elevation to hold. Show them that having an accurate rifle doesn't mean they can automatically hit at distance i.e. some skill on their behalf is also required.

Should be an entertaining day. Still have to sort the details though.

Good work Gillie

I'd be keen to do something like this over our way unfortunately we don't even have access to a Flat Range let alone a property where one could set up a course of fire like this.

All you need is a bit of space that you can shoot in safely. .22LR shoot only takes a small space, we shoot in a little gully with some trees and a creek in it. The .22LR shoot i can set up in about an hour or two with a couple of helpers.
The center fire shoots take a bit more space and a bit more time to setup but just to get people shooting then all you need is a flat farm track, enough for some shooters to setup and some distance out in front. The targets don't need to be on flat ground and they are all easily man portable. normally setup a centerfire shoot on a saturday afternoon (3-4 hours if i haven't seen the lay of the land before) and then shoot it on the Sunday. My partner has family in Hawkes Bay so if you can find a spot i'd be keen to come over.

I recognise one particular good looking fella in the photos! For those of you that havnt had a go it is great fun and with time limits and different shooting positions is a real challenge to get consistent hits.
Thanks for a great day Gillie and looking forward to your next trip to Taihape if you will have us!

Aparticulary good looking bloke you say Andy -I just cannot remmember being there ????

With the weather looking good this coming weekend i was hoping to get across your way Andy.

And you just recommend a date for a shoot and i'll see if i'm free. September is pretty much out for me now as well as November. Second weekend in December would be great for a shoot in Taihape again. .22LR for the kids (and the big kids), centerfire competition or just a blat at some targets, short/medium/long range i don't mind!

what better way to hone shooting skills

I have a .22LR field shoot coming up in New Plymouth on Sunday the 2nd of December. If you are keen to come along then get in touch.

Super cool Gillie!

I read the article in guns and amo i think were the local nzda were doing this in Taihape it looked excellent! did you run that Gille? Im gonna pm you to come to Ruahine.