win the ‘Grand’, David had to shoot about 400 rounds consistently well, over a whole week at varying times, conditions and distances, so it really is a true test of ability. In F/TR the winner, by a long shot was the remarkable BDMP shooter Paul Eggermann. Paul had an incredible Imperial, often totally outshooting some F Class Open shooters, a most humbling experience! His V-count was only 4 points short of David Lloyd’s! The other most notable winners of the big matches were popular local man Darren Stewart, who won the F Class Open St George’s by 4 V-bulls and current GB Captain David Kent, who led from the front to win the F Class Open Queen’s. Darren and David have plenty of experience of Stickledown and clearly put that knowledge to good use.
In F/TR, the St Georges’s was won by the superb shooting of Paul Eggeman with an excellent 69.9v. While A. Burgess added to his collection of silverware by taking the Queen’s prize by four clear points.
The F Class International team match is a popular ‘end of Imperial’ match, often closely fought over between England and Scotland. However, there were insufficient Scots this year, so England had a clear run to victory over the Irish, Welsh and German teams.
Now, it would be remiss to overlook the question of targetry. The new half MOA short range targets were used. For many people, this was their first introduction to the new face. Unfortunately, the new target was not well received, mainly due to an error in the outer rings, which meant they were just half the size they ought to have been! Nevertheless, some quite remarkable scores were posted, showing the amazing accuracy levels of modern F Class rifles. Shooters will be reassured to know that the target will be withdrawn and replaced with correctly-sized rings for next year.
Trudging back and forth from Stickledown to Century and back again for two weeks, one is made aware of how many shooters rely on their cars. The busiest day of all is Wednesday, Queens 1, when everyone shoots 2 sighters and 7 to count at 300, 500 and 600 and also shoot at 900yds on Stickledown.
Some unlucky guys also get lumbered with ‘special duties’ - range officering and issuing ammo. On such days, Bisley camp can resemble the wacky races. Some fellows though have used their heads and hired golf buggies to get
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F CLASS at the IMPERIAL
around, cheaper to run than a car – and you can drive right up to the firing-point with all your heavy kit and caboodle. Again the NRA is missing a trick and could make a bob or two hiring these great little runabouts.
At the end of a day of trials and tribulations, what better way to spend the evening than in the company of like-minded folk in one of the Bisley clubs. Young and old, male and female, abled and disabled all drawn together by the daft notion of trying to hit tiny targets that are much too far away. There is more to shooting than paper-punching, the social side is often overlooked, yet one of the most pleasant aspects of shooting at Bisley is the availability of food and drink all in one place, with no need to drive off camp. You can eat, drink and be merry and wander back to your billet, talking of which, accommodation is perhaps the one sticking point of Bisley.
Good rooms can be had at the Pavilion Hotel and the St Georges’s Lodges but there is not much else of any quality, affordable and accessible to all. As always, if you’re thinking of attending the Imperial, book early to avoid disappointment!
So ended the 2011 Imperial matches and what good fun it had been – as all the Imperial matches are. Many times, it seems like one is just ‘getting the hang of it’, when it’s time to go. It is that tantalising thought that brings us back year after year. It’s your National Championships, try it sometime, you will not be disappointed.
Dess Parr shooting F Class open at the Imperial, Bisley
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