No Facilities For Long Range Shooting

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30886, 20 October 1965, Page 19

No Facilities For Long Range Shooting

'T’HE performances of CanA terbury’s top .303 marksmen at national and international level have been gained under the most disadvantageous conditions. Not only is general competition limited in Canterbury, but it is almost impossible for marksmen to gain worthwhile practice at 900 yards. Only two ranges in the province, Tai Tapu and West Melton, make any pretence of offering practice at 900yds and both offer severe drawbacks because of their natural situation. Tai Tapu is situated in a gully. Far from providing wind-free shooting, which is of little value anyway, the gully formation means that

the wind bounces from side to side and this makes pinpoint accuracy almost impossible. Anyone wishing to practice long-distance shooting is likely to learn very little at this range. West Melton is worse, although its ex-posed nature at least provides a consistent wind direction. The 900yds range is partially obscured by the 600yds mound, and the card facilities are poor. This range is controlled by the Army and although, years ago, the Army Club used to hold shoots at this distance, it has not done so for some years. Having fallen into disuse, the range is not up to the best standards.

There is likely to be little change in this situation. Only a few shooters, those entering for championships, are interested in shooting at 900yds so there is not a sufficiently great demand to alter the current situation. Canterbury’s top shooters will only shoot once over 900yds before competing in the New Zealand championships. This will be in the Marlborough championships at Blenheim.

While Canterbury clubs continue to take pride in the achievements of marksmen such as V. Curtis. C. Thom, R. E. Taylor and I. Ballinger, they do little to aid them. Thom is considered to be the most brilliant .303 shot in New Zealand over short ranges. Unlike his North Island opponents, he has little chance to improve over longer distances.