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Nationals at Trentham this week. Unless I am mistaken I believe Mike Collings has won this prestigious competition for the fifth time. The competion is shot over ranges from 300 yds thru to 1000yards. The cartidge is restricted to .308WIN and bullet weight limit of 156grains. Attached is a pic of Mike's 900yard target. Note the precise elevations of shots. No scopes, just heavy barrel, apeture sights, shooting jacket and sling. No other support allowed.Attachment 241503
Woow i wouldnt want to be running away from him,good shooting.
Yes, and proves the capabilities of the good old 308.
I know it's target shooting but how many of us could do that with a scoped rifle, bipod, rear bag or all the other stuff at our disposal?
I was right behind helping with the scoring as he shot. Yes, Mike is a legend, calm beyond belief and his wind-reading ability is exceptional.
That picture is a scorer's best interpretation as they look through a spotting scope but it gives a good idea. The inner (V bull) circle on the real target is 250 diam on "longs" targets. The patches on that facsimile plot are for the benefit of spectators and not to scale. The plot patches are about 12mm diam
V is near 1 moa and X is half moa.
Well if I've ever seen a damn near perfect waterline. Hats off to Mike for excellent prep, load development and marksmanship
Here is Mike after winning the Belt two years ago. He was about to be chaired off the range with a piper leading as is the custom
Attachment 241531
Greetings,
I skimmed through the list of past winners and Mike was not the only Collings family member to win the belt.
NDM.
Yes. His wife Di has won it once and Brian Carter more than once I think. All three are dtalwarts of the Te Puke Rifle Club.
His father Dinny was a really prominent Wgtn Gunsmith and general stalwart of NRA shooting. I think Mike's brother Ross won the Belt one year.
Mike's wife Diane has won the Belt three times, the first as a 21yr old (before she married Mike) if I recall correctly.
Overall, a shooting dynasty
Greetings,Quote:
Originally Posted by 6x47
I remember Diane winning the Belt the first time. That must have put a few noses out of joint. Mike seems to have recovered quicker than most.
GPM.
Yes. I must correct my memorised winners.
This is Mikes 4TH win. Dianne Collings has won it 3 times, as has Brian Carter, 3 times.
That is a remarkable record for the Te Puke club. All are long time members of Te Puke Club.
Was she Dianne Blaymire before she married?
Yes.
No more 303? Certainly long way from an old smle.Quote:
Originally Posted by 6x47
Cool I was C grade at Trentham. Shooting in the Army team in 81 and watched her, win, I think. I still struggle with reading the wind. Fine If I'm being coached. Good memoriesQuote:
Originally Posted by Woody
.303 was shot on the Saturday prior as an additional match. Mike won that as well. Those are my dots on his target, it is an interpretation but none the less he held good waterline. You only have so long to peer through the spotting scope get the position of the marker and stick it on the board. Then it disapears and is replaced with the next shot. He was shooting quite quickly, I think he laid them down in about 6 minutes.Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokeyJason
We had 10 representatives from the Te Puke club, about a 30% attendance rate. Not bad for our size. We picked up prizes and close 2nds in a number of other events as well.
It was Mike's 4th win of the Ballinger Belt.
He's one 3 Queens #1 badges & now his 1st Kings #1 badge.
He's also one 3 Queens #1 badges in Australia.
Top shooter and top person.
Almost always has time for a chat and is willing to help people out with their (rifle) issues.
He & Di are a top couple.
The full set of results for the 2024 NRANZ Nationals can be found on the NRANZ website.
http://https://www.nranz.org.nz/resu...kings-meeting/
That URL needs correcting at the start
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That’s very impressive stuff indeed….bullet holes dont lie ….well done and congrats!!!
Try this:
https//www.nranz.org.nz/results-2/event-reports/2024-national-kings-meeting/
Watching that match and seeing the scoring dots as you placed them was amazing. Never shot on a range that had wind directions and let-offs happen as fast as Trentham. There was a lot of WTF moments! :omg:Quote:
Originally Posted by johnd
How many times did Din win it ?
Of course Ian Ballinger was the first to win it 3 times which is why it has his name in it.
Dinny won it once- 1977
