Thread: J M Wilkinson Shoots

I have competed the JM Wilkinson postal shoot a few times - though years ago now. Was a good format as it was just hunter class - no slings, no jackets, no heavy rifles, etc. Just you and your rifle.
I shot NZDA rimfire silhouette as well as part of the NZDA branch at the time. You get really good and your standing shooting, trigger control, and patience.

NZDA matches are, for the most part, fairly static and are based around the standard 4 unsupported shooting positions (prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing). These events are excellent at teaching and demonstrating shooting fundamentals - natural point of aim, trigger control, position fundamentals, patience, etc.

But I also agree for the most part national level NZDA shooting matches seem to be dying out. This is pretty sad really as NZDA is one of the few organisations in NZ able to take on widespread shooting training. I have not been significantly involved for a few years now so my comments are likely out of date. But i feel the NZDA matches have not "aged well" - basically they haven't moved with the shooting community. For example, most hunters will get a rest if shooting prone these days (day pack, bipod, anything really).

Look at the duckshooters clay target events, IPSC pistol shooting, Service Rifle (before the semi ban), and now the practical rifle events coming up. I think NZDA would be well served to take on a rimfire NRL22 match as a start.