SSAA NSW

Sporting Shooters Association of Australia (NSW) Inc. 8 Black Powder Cartridge Rifle and Service Rifle NSW State Titles The firing of the miniature cannon of the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle and Service Rifle NSW State Titles at the Target Complex at Rankins Springs in south-western NSW on Saturday 16 to Sunday 17 August. The event was hosted by SSAA NSW Griffith Branch on their metallic silhouette range and had more than 20 competitors attend from ACT, Tasmania, Sydney, Southern Highlands and around the Riverina. Despite the downpour of much-needed rain, shooters stayed dry under the shooting shelter and two marquees erected nearby. As with all MS matches, targets are set in banks of five with competitors having two minutes to fire one shot at each target hoping to knock the steel targets off their stands for a scoring shot. The competition began with the Small Bore event where a variety .22LR single shot traditional rifles were used including Brownings, Sharps and Martinis, fitted with a variety of peep sights. Hobart shooter Justin Dittman posted a top score of 31/40 to win the match ahead of Daniel Macdonald on 29. Daniel Johnston (Leeton) and David True (ACT) tied in AAA Grade with 24/40 with Johnston prevailing in a shoot off. Con Smith (Sydney) claimed AA Grade with a 22/40, James Macdonald (Griffith) B Grade 21/40 and Reg Moore (Griffith) won the Juniors with a 20/20. In the Service Rifle Match, ex-military rifles including Lee Enfields, Swedish Mausers and Mauser 98s took on the tough task of hitting full sized MS targets set at 200, 300, 385 and 500 metres using open sights. Local shooter and last year's winner, James Macdonald, retained his title by top scoring with his .303 Lee Enfield hitting 10 targets. The feature match was the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle event where older type single shot rifles with peep sights attempt to knock MS targets set out to 500 metres with black powder cartridges. Cross sticks were used to steady the rifles at the three longest distances. The rifles are modern replicas of those used in the 1880s 'Buffalo Era' including Winchester Mod 78, Sharps and Remington Rolling Blocks. Most competitors used .45 calibre cartridges loaded with large cast bullets and lubricated with their favourite home brewed bullet lubricant. Justin Dittman stood out again, winning the event with a brilliant score of 20/40. His use of a 38/55, against the trend to larger calibres, demonstrated that this old target cartridge is just as accurate with black powder as with modern smokeless powder loads. Everyone enjoyed this annual event that was well run and supported by the Rankins Springs community. Warren Brown President, SSAA NSW Griffith Branch Miniature cannon marks the start of competition Cross sticks used in the 500 metre event

• Cover