Dear Editor,
With the current W.I. Full-bore Shooting competition in progress, I thought that with the help of my friend Neville Denny retired local, international Shooter and Coach it would be useful to give your readers an insight into this unknown sport.
There are some sports which are described as a non-spectator one and Rifle Shooting is among those so classified. It had its beginning some 140 years ago and was located at Thomas Lands. Block and individual membership was allowed to both the Army (B.G. Volunteers) and Police. Today membership is open but you have to satisfy background checks along with a recommendation but it is advised that you first join the Small Bore range which is a good training ground before elevation to the full bore.
The current range at Timehri was first occupied by the U.S.A during W.W. 2 and abandoned with their departure. After a long hiatus it was acclaimed local shooter Mohamed Ali who was instrumental in re-building the Timehri range. It is administered by the Army.
The sport has been completely transformed with better quality ammunition 762 X 51 calibre; and weapons-barrels, new action and triggers, stock-fibre glass and other types- tailor made for grip and finger position.
What are the characteristics towards good shooting? First it is physical- mental control, probably the highest. Good vision, co-ordination, stamina, a cool and disciplined personality.
Second a personal good weapon along with the accessories viz shooting jacket, telescope etc. Third it’s experience which comes from practice and competition.
It requires finding a comfortable shooting position i.e. lining up the weapon’s back sights and the foresight on the target, breathing and holding for the discharge of the bullet with a smooth and undisturbed action like putting a billiard ball into the pocket –we call it follow through.
And there are natural conditions like -wind, rain, heat (mirage) bedding or lying down on an even not too soft surface. The ability to adjust under all these conditions by interpreting them during the shoot comes from constant practice.
The scoring is done where the shots are identified by the bullet holes on the target.
The dimensions for a V.Bull at 300yds are diameter 2.5ins and Ordinary Bull 5 ins whereas at 1000 yds it is 10 ins V.Bull and 20 ins Bull. The highest point (6) is within the V.Bull i.e. an inner bull and the outer bull circumference is 5 points.
In the next outer circle it’s called an inner and that is four points-the other one is a Magpie for 3 points and outside the black circle on the white of the target is an outer for two points- a miss is zero. Or a shot on another person’s target two sighters per range previously not counted are allowed today with the shooter opting to have them scored especially if maximum points are attained and foregoing the last two shots. This is communicated to your partner during the shoot at each range.
If there is a tie there is a shoot out to determine the overall winner using the V inner bull system for elimination.
It should be noted that there are no telescopic sights attached to the weapon as the telescope is used for viewing the results on the target as well as weather conditions.
With an individual shoot there is no coaching each shooter is on his own whilst for the team shoot (eight shooters) coaching is allowed. The shooter is guided by the coach as he assures him whether it was a good shot which will allow the coach to make adjustments for wind, mirage, etc.
Every territory has their own peculiar natural conditions which are known to the locals and at times by visitors. Bisley described as the Mecca of Rifle Shooting is probably the most difficult for bleak and windy weather conditions along with a sizeable number of shooters on 100 targets with three to a target at one time.
The sport is a costly one and highly disciplined with great emphasis on safety but it is a sport for all ages and no gender bias.
All of us have excelled in some way with reminders of medals, trophies but those early members would always remember Van Diamond’s shop at Soesdyke as the De-Hydration Water Hole for mauby, potato balls and lots of pepper (hope Carl Chung in Florida reads this).
I have been asked to note the contributions over the years from the Presidents of the Association (Chief of Staff) and Guyana (both administrations), sponsors and others including the media especially print without all such support the association would not have been able to successfully host and attend competitions abroad.
Congrats to Guyana for winning the individual shoot and here is hoping a repeat for the Team Competition.
Yours faithfully,
V.O.Patrick
