This section of the website focuses on the sport. Included here is information on the targets we shoot at, how they are marked, the equipment we use and details about the sport itself (in the individual and team aspects). You can also read about the most important individual and team competitions we shoot in.
 Getting into and out of shooting jackets is not easy! |
 Range Officers control the firing point. |
The highest possible score is 5 points, if the shot is in the inner-most ring, it is called a 'V-Bull'. The number of 'V-Bulls' are counted up separately and shown after a score. So for example, a ten-shot competition has a highest possible score (HPS) of 50.10.
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| Hit 1 Point |
Outer 2 Points |
Magpie 3 Points |
Inner 4 Points |
Bull 5 Points |
V-Bull |
Whilst the shooters and coaches on the firing point are concentrating on the shooting, they could not compete without the markers at the far end of the range. In the USA, the shooters take it in turns to go down to the butts and mark the targets, however in Canada and the UK we rely on professional paid markers.
Markers stand in a long concrete gallery, some 8 feet below ground level, open to the elements on one side but covered by a concrete parapet. They hear the crack of the bullet passing overhead and see the splash in the sandbank opposite. Looking up, (hopefully), a tiny shot hole has appeared in the paper target. The target is then pulled down and a small spotting disk inserted into the hole. Along the bottom of the target, the scoring panel indicates the value of the shot. (See the targets page to understand the scoring system). The old hole is patched up and the target is raised for the next shot. Those back on the firing point can then see where the shot has gone on the target.
When necessary, messages are sent down to the butts from the firing point by radio. If you watch on the firing point, you will often hear the shouting of cryptic messages - below we have included a list to help you understand the most common ones:
| 1 - Firing about to commence 2 - No spotting disc visible 3 - Spotting disc disagrees with scoring panel 4 - Shot has been fired please check the target 5 - Challenge for higher score 7 - Miss has been signalled, challenge for a hit |
9 - Markers or shooter are slow 10 - Shooting has finished 11 - Suspected wrong shot hole has been patched 12 - Stand easy, pause in shooting 14 - Suspected another shot on target, please look |
First a little history. Target Rifle shooting has experienced a lot of change over the last 30 years, and, as with most sports, seen an ever-increasing standard at all levels. Scores that seemed superhuman then are now commonplace. Several factors have contributed to this, the first step change in standard came with the development of rifles specifically designed for Target Rifle shooting. Most notably the early 70s saw the advent of the 4 lug front locking bolt, the Swing or SIN action, designed by George Swenson. Variants of this design are now used by 95% of top level shooters in the country.
Probably more significant has been the improvement in ammunition. Until fairly recently all major competition in UK was shot using factory loaded ammunition, almost exclusively from Radway Green (RG), using a 144 grain bullet. However, ammunition quality was variable and often not good enough to allow consistent accurate shooting at the longest range - 1000 yards. Many of us remember having a 'compensating' Enfield No.4 rifle specifically for long range to reduce the effect of this variation. The quality of RG improve after incorporating a new design using a bullet of 155 grains about a decade ago. Other premium quality loads also became available and it is now possible, in reasonable weather, to shoot bull sized groups at 1200 yards with a target rifle, unheard of 20 years ago. The most recent development is the move to Swiss made RUAG ammunition at the Imperial Meeting, Target Rifle's premier championships at Bisley. Using a 155 grain Sierra bullet, this ammunition is even more consistent. However, in the majority of overseas championships hand-loading is allowed. In the UK this was the preserve of a few mavericks as it is largely not permitted in competition, but allows the most accurate bullet.
This then poses a quandary for any GB teams competing abroad. What ammunition to use when the majority of the team's domestic shooting experience comes from the use of factory-loaded ammunition. In a team of 20 there may be only 3 or 4 who have the knowledge and experience of developing and loading ammunition. Whilst they may be able to manufacture enough for their own needs while away, it is not a practical proposition for them to load for the whole team. A quick calculation of the time required to make the requirement of about 20,000 needed for a team gives a figure of about 150 hours, or 4 working weeks. Difficult unless you happen to be clinically unhinged!
