BFTO shooters do well at this year’s NRA Imperial meeting
Background.
Each year, shooters both military and civilian including cadets, descend on Bisley camp for approximately 4 weeks to compete in the Imperial. The meeting itself dates back to Victorian times and was initially held on Wimbledon Common. Queen Victoria opened the first meeting in 1860 by firing the first shot. (The gun used is in the NRA offices). The Imperial is open to the King’s or Queen’s dominions across the world.
The BFTO contingent were mainly involved with the McQueen discipline from which our own miniature DBR computerised set up, was derived. The McQueen discipline is shot in the first week of the Imperial with the final on Sunday afternoon being seen as the blue riband event of the week and draws quite a crowd.
History
During world war one. The British troops were getting demoralised by the success of the German snipers. It is thought that the McQueen discipline was one of the training aids developed by the British to improve their sniping and snap shooting capabilities. Originally, papier-mâché heads were stuck on sticks. Todays target is a geometric design.
Format – McQueen A – Sniper
A target wall about 3 Metres in length, similar to that of a castle battlement is placed at 300 Yards from the firing line. In the wall are numerous holes and apertures. Two sighting shots are taken on a separate target to sight the rifle in.
An A4 sized target on a long stick is raised from the butts into one of the apertures and held there for 3 seconds. The shooter has to acquire and shoot in those 3 seconds.
There is then a 10 to 20 second delay before the process is repeated.
Ten shots are taken each worth up to 5 points. If a “Vee Bull” is hit then the shooter is awarded an extra credit, so the top score obtainable is a 50:10v ie 10 vee bulls scored.
The McQueen target board
During the week, shooters can pay for as many goes as they like or can afford, to try to qualify for the final. To qualify for the final a shooter must score a 50:10v and then immediately repeat the score.
There are a few classes in the McQueen but the greatest honour, is to win the issued rifle where the shooter is given one of two issued rifles and ammunition to shoot with. Thus the shooter has to familiarise themselves with one or both guns to make the final. The issued rifles are supplied by Accuracy International and nominated red and blue. Whilst during the week you can elect to shoot either one. In the final you may draw the other !!!
So, to this year’s competition with 58 entrants
The weather varied all week from torrential downpours, blazing hot sun, and erratic winds.
Andy Fry recorded a 50:8v
Tim Offen recorded a 50:9v
Stuart Woods qualified for the final in the rain with successive 50:10v’s
The Final
3 competitors had qualified for the final over the week.
Stuart had reached the final in the last 3 years and was once again up against his nemesis. In addition, the 3rd finalist was a serviceman.
The nail-biting scene was set, with the draw seeing last year’s finalists going head to head.
Stuart in action during the final
Stuart’s opponent scored a 43:4v
Stuart scored a 50:6v way to go Stuart !!!, putting to bed the previous years of coming second to this shooter.
Now for the final shooter on his own………………….
In with a score of 50:7v he beats Stuart to Gold by one vee bull.
Amazing result Stuart !!!!
Stuart receiving his silver medal from the founder and co director of Accuracy International Rifles
Final BFTO placings
Stuart wins the silver medal, the NRA silver bar.
Tim in joint 12th position
Andy in Joint 19th position
But it is not over, the boys also figured in the McQueen “Any rifle”- class F where you can use your own rifle and ammunition.
Results (52 competitors)
Tim Offen in joint 4th place in the final 50:10v
Dave Lloyd joint 4th place in the final 50:10v
Andy Fry 16th place with 50.9
Stuart Woods 28th place 50.8
Tim also competed in other classes of the McQueen and was placed as follows.
McQueen B (Target) =4th with a 50.10 and an annoying single flyer on the tie shoot for a 50.9
McQueen D (sporting) = 3rd with a 48.5
McQueen E (Open Sniper) = 10th with a 50.10 and a 50.9 tie.
What a great result and great skill shown the BFTO boys. The club should be proud of their achievements, with most of the boys having their roots in air rifle shooting.
Roll on next year and I think Stuart needs a bigger house to put all those medals in !!!
Regards BFTO