Thread: Te Puke Rifle Club

Was a choice day, thanks guys!

Good to meet a few good buggers.

Was certainly interesting shooting the .223 in those winds at 600!




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Waikato, some of that tui stuff, and a Steinie, a well balanced group.

Te Puke RC announced that we would run two Hunter class shoots, open to the shooting public this season. One has gone and the next is approaching.

Sunday, the 24th of February is the date to take note of, for the next Open Invitation Hunter-Class shoot.

There was discussion today at Club about using a Deer image overlay on our target-frames as there is software available from SMT that will put a deer target on our electronic target monitors. It was decided to give this a go for the next shoot, and see how well it is received.

Today was our Norm Stewart memorial shoot, followed by a BBQ. This competition is a knockout shoot with all shooters given a handicap to even the playing-field. It is shot Bisley style which is two shooters firing alternate shots on a single target till each has fired 10 counting shots. The highest score, including handicap, moves on up the ladder.
We had one visiting shooter today who had their first shoot with a full-bore rifle. He shoots small-bore to a high level, and had brought his own Jacket and sling, so only needed minor help to fit into one of our rifles. First shoot was a 50-3 at 600 yards and the second a 50-5 at the same range with one of our club-members looking after the wind for him. Very well done!
If anyone would like to have a go, we would like to meet you. Bring you own rifle, or you are welcome to use our club gear and ammunition. Open most Saturdays from 9-30 am.

Interestingly JWB brought along a circa 1952 BSA 30-06with a 4 power scope on top. We fired a string or two at 600 with this old beauty. Putting bullets into the bull consistently at 600 yards in 15mph crosswind was easy with this superb old hunting rifle. No bipods or sling; just over a hunting pack. I would not be at all surprised to see it again at tge February Hunter Class shoot

To help us in preparing for the event, we would appreciate those intending to attend, to book their spot by contacting our club Secretary. His name is Alan and the contact number is 021 251 2843.
Here is a link to our webpage on Sporty which has contact details and a map giving the range locationhttps://www.sporty.co.nz/tepukerifleclub.
Apparently GPS directions can have you wandering around the backroads of the Rotorua lakes! The map may be more effective.

Originally Posted by JWB

There was discussion today at Club about using a Deer image overlay on our target-frames as there is software available from SMT that will put a deer target on our electronic target monitors. It was decided to give this a go for the next shoot, and see how well it is received.

Mike has downloaded the software for this deer target, so that you are looking at a red stag on your target monitor, which also shows the scoring zone and values. He tested it after the Gisborne shoot had finished, as our targets were being used to help run their championship. You don't know if something is going to work until you try it. Well, everything worked fine as regards registering the shots and allocating their value as a hit on the deer. We now needed an overlay for our actual target frames of a deer picture to match the software picture.

Roll on a week to last Saturday, back at our home range and Mike has got a deer target overlay organized, on one of our target frames, up and ready to trial. Looks great at 300 yards. Woody and Mike do the test shooting and declare it fit for purpose. Next is 500 yards and again no problems apart from some muttering about how small it looks, and how challenging it is,as the scoring rings do not change in size as you go further back as happens on a NRANZ target. Deer don't get bigger just because you are shooting from further away!

600 yards with a changing wind moving between 1 1/2 and 5 1/2 minutes and the boys had an interesting time. That is that the wind is moving the bullet about 9 inches (23cm) in the light stuff and around 33 inches (83cm) when the breeze picked up.
The volume of the muttering seemed to follow the wind with the chorus theme of "jeeze, that's blood small" . There were even calls to put a white aiming mark on the deer to make it a bit easier, ignoring the fact that deer didn't display such a helpful aid to their demise.

The decision was made after a very considered discussion(Waikato, Speights, and DB consulted) it was decided to stick with our previous format using NRANZ targets at all three ranges, but add a deer target to the target lineup for all ranges. The course of fire will change to 6 shots at each range. 5 on the standard target followed by 1 shot at the deer target to finish the range. This last shot will be worth a bonus of up to 10 points at each of the 4 ranges.

We'll see how this is received, and look forward to seeing you all again in 6 weeks time.

Great level of initiative there JWB. Might suggest it for the Club down here.

When you say Mike, you mean Mike C?

This Sunday is the 24th, Start time is 9.30 am but shooters need to be at the range around 8.30 to enter, collect their cards and have their rifles scrutineered.
Please note that the round count for the course of fire has changed to 32 rounds required.

The forecast at the moment is for a few showers, and if that is the case then we will live with it, Not a problem! That being said , most forecasts are as reliable as a two-bob watch, and should be not be taken seriously. Expect fine and sunny or sopping wet.
See you Sunday morning

Looking forward to this Hunters Shoot

Thr club is having its first shoot of the new season this Sunday at Maniatutu rd range. All other shoots are on saturdays normally.

@Woody Are there plans for hunter shoots again this season?

As far as I know, the club is also having its AGM on Sunday between shoots. The agenda includes Hunter Class shoots, target types etc. What the club decides is not yet known but I assume sometime after Sunday they will confirm their program.

At the AGM the club decided to hold at least one Hunter Class prize shoot this season. Date to be announced.
There was some puzzlement as to why more hunters were not participating in the normal Saturday shoots on a regular basis.
Perhaps shooters do not realise that the club welcomes shooters to their regular Saturday shoots.
Ranges shot cover 300, 500 and 600 yards. Use of the Silver Mountain electronic target system means you can view on a tablet beside you on the mound, you bullet placement on the target instantly afyer firing. The screen also shows you the moa position relative the bullseye thus making windshe and elevation corrections easy. All calibers up to 300 win mag are acceptable. It is great for load dvt and proving your correct sight settings at various ranges. Hunters like myself ate not required to enter weekly competitions and in my case I just enjoy shooting 5-7 shot groups using various rifles, loads, scopes and projectiles. Very useful and lots of relaxed good fun and companionship. Exchanging ideas etc in the small clubhouse at lunchtime and end of day is always enlightening and enjoyable.
This Saturday dtsrted eith a working bee folloeed by shooting at 500 yards. In my case I fired three test groups of three different loads at that distance to verify both group tightness and poi. After lunch we spent the afternoon at casual practice at 600 yards by the club house.
Next Saturday the shooting will be at 600 yards.

600 yard shooting tomorrow.

There was some puzzlement as to why more hunters were not participating in the normal Saturday shoots on a regular basis....

I've been there to shoot on a casual basis many times, but not for a year maybe... I feel the answer is work.
I highly recommend the place, there is nothing wrong with what is on offer.
Look at who shoots often.... Considering the club is based in kiwifruit country where everyday is a work day. I don't recall anyone that shoots there from this industry.
I see retired people, and people who work mon-friday. Some people from out of town, like Rotorua or whakatane, also not in kiwifruit industry. And most don't have a young family, so regular shooting is more affordable and time more available. The average Hunter shoots a load or zero check, then good to go for a while, not many practice on a regular basis, if they have time they want to hunt.

So yes, modern jobs. (Sunday might work better, but not by much)
But highly recommend the place to spend some time, not just the lay out and ease of use, but the like minded people with friendly advice on offer. Where else do you get to talk to Olympic shooters, even compare scores with for self evaluation. There is many years of experience there. There is even a gunsmith who could take your rifle back to his work for services if you asked him.
You can get coaching too. What more could one wish for.
If I could I would be there every weekend.