Annual Fassifern Light Horse .303 Rifle Shoot
Boonah, Qld.
This .303 shoot is hosted annually by the Boonah Gun Club, and is for Gun Club members, serving and ex-military personnel. There are 3 men’s, one women’s and an encouragement trophy. Firing is from a laying or sitting supported position, and contestants have 2 minutes to fire 20 rounds.
On 18th July the Assn was represented by Mal and Mike Zimmermann and Ian Thompson. The original date set was 22nd May, but due to inclement weather was postponed. However a practice shoot was conducted which proved very enjoyable.
Contestants were an impressive contingent from the Fassifern Light Horse Detachment, Boonah Gun Club and our contingent. A couple of real .303 experts were on hand, including a gunsmith and one ARA Light Horseman who had an impressive collection of unusual .303 rifles, including a sniper’s rifle and one set up for firing volleys. They were happy to share their knowledge and kept us well entertained while waiting our turn on the firing mound.
On the day conditions were very light with variable wind, and alternating bright sunshine and cloud. For those of us with less than perfect eyesight it was a bit of a lottery, it being easier to define the target in bright sunshine.
Top scores were 168/200, 158/200 and 156/200, with our shooters Mal Zimmerman 98/200, Ian Thompson 70/200 and Mike Zimmerman 68/200. The Boonah Gun Club is looking at mid year practice shoots, and possibly other .303 competitions to which Assn members would be welcome.
The above report was compiled by Ian Thompson in 2011. Photos below.
On 18th July the Assn was represented by Mal and Mike Zimmermann and Ian Thompson. The original date set was 22nd May, but due to inclement weather was postponed. However a practice shoot was conducted which proved very enjoyable.
Contestants were an impressive contingent from the Fassifern Light Horse Detachment, Boonah Gun Club and our contingent. A couple of real .303 experts were on hand, including a gunsmith and one ARA Light Horseman who had an impressive collection of unusual .303 rifles, including a sniper’s rifle and one set up for firing volleys. They were happy to share their knowledge and kept us well entertained while waiting our turn on the firing mound.
On the day conditions were very light with variable wind, and alternating bright sunshine and cloud. For those of us with less than perfect eyesight it was a bit of a lottery, it being easier to define the target in bright sunshine.
Top scores were 168/200, 158/200 and 156/200, with our shooters Mal Zimmerman 98/200, Ian Thompson 70/200 and Mike Zimmerman 68/200. The Boonah Gun Club is looking at mid year practice shoots, and possibly other .303 competitions to which Assn members would be welcome.
The above report was compiled by Ian Thompson in 2011. Photos below.
Association Group at the Fassifern Light Horse Shoot, Boonah, 2009.
Douglas Ng, Glen O'Brien, Fran Ng, Bob Collins, Joyce McGrade, Mary-Ellen Chee, ? Jesse Chee, Mike Griffin, Phil Ainsworth, Gil Harvey-Hall.
Douglas Ng, Glen O'Brien, Fran Ng, Bob Collins, Joyce McGrade, Mary-Ellen Chee, ? Jesse Chee, Mike Griffin, Phil Ainsworth, Gil Harvey-Hall.
The following appeared in HTT Vol 106, Oct. 2017.
Annual Fassifern Light Horse Marksman Competition.
PNGVR attendees were Jes Hansford, Mal and Mike Zimmerman and myself. It was a beautiful day, light breezed no cloud. 16 shooters participated, the result being a win to the Light Horse's perennial champion Barry Hall with a score of 155.
I was second with 152. Jes received a special encouragement cup as he fired a credible score after travelling over 600km to get there. Mal was also much improved over previous shoots, and went home happy with his performance. Mike suffered from a mal-functioning rifle. The Zimmermans had driven from Silent Grove in northern NSW, and went all the way back again in the same day. What an effort!
Sadly only one lady competed in the 22 section, this being LH's Bernadette who shot a phenomenal 186.
Thank you Ian Thompson. Ian omitted to mention that he also travelled from Stradbroke Island.
Annual Fassifern Light Horse Marksman Competition.
PNGVR attendees were Jes Hansford, Mal and Mike Zimmerman and myself. It was a beautiful day, light breezed no cloud. 16 shooters participated, the result being a win to the Light Horse's perennial champion Barry Hall with a score of 155.
I was second with 152. Jes received a special encouragement cup as he fired a credible score after travelling over 600km to get there. Mal was also much improved over previous shoots, and went home happy with his performance. Mike suffered from a mal-functioning rifle. The Zimmermans had driven from Silent Grove in northern NSW, and went all the way back again in the same day. What an effort!
Sadly only one lady competed in the 22 section, this being LH's Bernadette who shot a phenomenal 186.
Thank you Ian Thompson. Ian omitted to mention that he also travelled from Stradbroke Island.
The following appeared in HTT 112 Oct. 2018
2018 Light Horse Marksmanship Competition
This historic event was once again hosted by the Boonah Gun Club at their Fassifern Shooting Complex on Sunday 29 Jul 20. It is an event for unmodified .303 SMLE rifles, fired over 100 metres at standard Olympic 50 metre targets. As we have come to expect it was a beautiful day with clear skies and light winds, marred only by a fog that was clearing as registration commenced at 0900. There was some discussion around postponement of the event until the fog had completely dispersed, but the club secretary decided the event must go on, as coping with weather conditions are an integral part of the challenge for sporting shooters. 11 shooters and a bevy of supporters and spotters attended, 7 from the Lockyer Valley Light Horse, 2 Boonah Club members, one lady shooter in the .22 class, and just one representing NGVR/PNGVR Ex Members’ Association.
Shooting commenced on time at 1000 hrs, with 3 details firing 20 rounds per shooter. Consternation erupted when a recount of Ian Thompson’s target found only 19 holes! As 17 of the 19 shots were in the black it would have been a long bow to draw to assume one shot had missed the target altogether. General opinion was that 2 bullets had passed through the same hole, but with no way to score such an assumed event, the shield denied to the NGVR/ PNGVR.
The outcome was: 1st Guy Burton from the Boonah Gun Club, 2nd Ian Thompson PNGVR, and 3rd Barry Rogers, Light Horse detachment. The encouragement prize went to Greg Jones, Light Horse. Bernadette Hall of course won the ladies’ event, with another envious score of 171. That’s very good shooting over 100 metres with a .22. Post event, there were the usual discussions around the .303 rifle and its many variations, and a Martini Henry .5 calibre rifle was made available for those brave enough to fire it.
I upheld the honour of The Regiment by hitting the target with this interesting weapon, albeit a bit far off the bull. The sun by then being well over the yardarm, the contingent retired to the conveniently located Dugandan hotel. As always, a very enjoyable day out
Thank you and, again congratulations, Ian Thompson
2018 Light Horse Marksmanship Competition
This historic event was once again hosted by the Boonah Gun Club at their Fassifern Shooting Complex on Sunday 29 Jul 20. It is an event for unmodified .303 SMLE rifles, fired over 100 metres at standard Olympic 50 metre targets. As we have come to expect it was a beautiful day with clear skies and light winds, marred only by a fog that was clearing as registration commenced at 0900. There was some discussion around postponement of the event until the fog had completely dispersed, but the club secretary decided the event must go on, as coping with weather conditions are an integral part of the challenge for sporting shooters. 11 shooters and a bevy of supporters and spotters attended, 7 from the Lockyer Valley Light Horse, 2 Boonah Club members, one lady shooter in the .22 class, and just one representing NGVR/PNGVR Ex Members’ Association.
Shooting commenced on time at 1000 hrs, with 3 details firing 20 rounds per shooter. Consternation erupted when a recount of Ian Thompson’s target found only 19 holes! As 17 of the 19 shots were in the black it would have been a long bow to draw to assume one shot had missed the target altogether. General opinion was that 2 bullets had passed through the same hole, but with no way to score such an assumed event, the shield denied to the NGVR/ PNGVR.
The outcome was: 1st Guy Burton from the Boonah Gun Club, 2nd Ian Thompson PNGVR, and 3rd Barry Rogers, Light Horse detachment. The encouragement prize went to Greg Jones, Light Horse. Bernadette Hall of course won the ladies’ event, with another envious score of 171. That’s very good shooting over 100 metres with a .22. Post event, there were the usual discussions around the .303 rifle and its many variations, and a Martini Henry .5 calibre rifle was made available for those brave enough to fire it.
I upheld the honour of The Regiment by hitting the target with this interesting weapon, albeit a bit far off the bull. The sun by then being well over the yardarm, the contingent retired to the conveniently located Dugandan hotel. As always, a very enjoyable day out
Thank you and, again congratulations, Ian Thompson
Ian Thompson kneeling 2nd from R
From HTT Vol 117 August 2019.
Annual Fassifern Light Horse Marksman Competition
Another great day out on the Boonah Rifle Range for the team representing the NGVR/PNGVR Association.303 rifle shooting team. Great weather, great company, alas no tinware for us this year. Top score was 171 by a very skilled shooter Guy Burton. The first 2 shooters were club marksmen (using peep sights). At this stage I don't know who was second, but Barry Hall (light Horse), was third. I can't shoot 171 even on a good day, so if I want to stay competitive, I will have to get myself a rifle that had peep sights as original equipment. That could be a jungle carbine, which is what I carried as a kiap, and I'm convinced they shoot just as well as a full length SMLE. These are becoming very rare and expensive, but as a nondepreciating asset I wouldn't mind spending the money for one. However, there are a number of other late WW2 rifles, full length, that had peep sights. The one Guy had looked like a N0 4.
The scariest event of the day was Bernadette Hall, who always takes out the .22 section. She fired 10 rounds .303, and if you multiply her score by 2, she would have taken 3rd place. What a girl. Unfortunately her shoulder couldn't handle 20 rounds, but if she gets a proper shooting jacket - look out.
I am in the US at present When I get home in 5 weeks’ time Steve and I will arrange for practice shoots at Belmont to see what we can do. I shot 151 at Belmont the week before under the same conditions. Can't account for what happened on the day, but it's psychological. Despite Steve constantly telling me to adjust my aim left, I continued to instinctively shoot at the point of aim I had established at Belmont, and my impact area was 80mm right of the bull. I will try spotting for myself, as I did at Belmont. It makes a bigger impression on the brain to see for yourself. At Belmont my impact area was the centre of the target. I have not touched the sights, and there was very little wind on either occasion. Just dunno.
Thank you, Ian Thompson.
Annual Fassifern Light Horse Marksman Competition
Another great day out on the Boonah Rifle Range for the team representing the NGVR/PNGVR Association.303 rifle shooting team. Great weather, great company, alas no tinware for us this year. Top score was 171 by a very skilled shooter Guy Burton. The first 2 shooters were club marksmen (using peep sights). At this stage I don't know who was second, but Barry Hall (light Horse), was third. I can't shoot 171 even on a good day, so if I want to stay competitive, I will have to get myself a rifle that had peep sights as original equipment. That could be a jungle carbine, which is what I carried as a kiap, and I'm convinced they shoot just as well as a full length SMLE. These are becoming very rare and expensive, but as a nondepreciating asset I wouldn't mind spending the money for one. However, there are a number of other late WW2 rifles, full length, that had peep sights. The one Guy had looked like a N0 4.
The scariest event of the day was Bernadette Hall, who always takes out the .22 section. She fired 10 rounds .303, and if you multiply her score by 2, she would have taken 3rd place. What a girl. Unfortunately her shoulder couldn't handle 20 rounds, but if she gets a proper shooting jacket - look out.
I am in the US at present When I get home in 5 weeks’ time Steve and I will arrange for practice shoots at Belmont to see what we can do. I shot 151 at Belmont the week before under the same conditions. Can't account for what happened on the day, but it's psychological. Despite Steve constantly telling me to adjust my aim left, I continued to instinctively shoot at the point of aim I had established at Belmont, and my impact area was 80mm right of the bull. I will try spotting for myself, as I did at Belmont. It makes a bigger impression on the brain to see for yourself. At Belmont my impact area was the centre of the target. I have not touched the sights, and there was very little wind on either occasion. Just dunno.
Thank you, Ian Thompson.
