Bedfordshire Smallbore Shooting Association

An interesting and challenging days shooting.

A unique course of fire to commemorate the late Queen:
96 (years of life) shots at 50m (8 cards, 12 shots on each),
70 (years of reign) shots at 100yds (5 cards, 14 shots on each).
Sighting shots only on the first detail at each range.

The weather then added a further challenge, with the early morning details enjoying(?) the sunshine and temperatures hovering above the 30°C mark.  As the day progressed it became more overcast and threatening. Around the 2 o’clock detail/target change the wind got up, with some strong gusts; a concern for the 50m competitors about to start their third detail, with no sighters allowed. However, as the detail started, the wind was replaced by the rain (and thunder).  The rain stopped just as that detail ended and bright, calmer and considerably cooler conditions prevailed for the rest of the day.

The Queens Age Match (96 shots at 50m) medal winners were:

The Bench Rest medal winner was A Campbell who recorded a score of 949 with 14 Xs.
The Ladies prize was won by Mrs W Foith and the Junior by Ms T Austin.

The Queens Reign Match (70 shots at 100 yds) winners were:

All prizes for the Queens Reign Match were in bottles of wine.

Full results for both competitions may be found here.

The next BSSA Open Meeting will be the Indoor meeting, which offers both prone and airgun disciplines. This meeting is scheduled for the 13th/14th January 2024.

Also upcoming is the 2023/24 Frostbite League, six shoulder to shoulder matches, shot on Sunday mornings over the winter months at the Bedford Range. The matches alternate between 50m and 100 yds. Further details and entry form may be found here. Entries close on the 5th November and the first match is on the 12th November.

To mark the first anniversary of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II the BSSA are holding a memorial open meeting.

In honour of the late Queen, two competitions are offered:

The main competition is 96 shots (1 for each year of the Queens life) over eight cards at 50 metres, prone or bench rest.

The optional competition is 70 shots (1 for each year of the Queens reign) over five cards at 100 yards, prone only.

The main competition will consist of three 20 minute details; the optional competition will consist of two 20 minute details. In each case, sighting shot are only allowed on the first detail.

Venue: BEDFORD RIFLE CLUB RANGES, CLAPHAM ROAD, BEDFORD MK41 6EN .

To be shot in four classes:
CLASS X – National Classification, current and previous three years.
Classes A, B & C according to average.
Bench rest – Single Class

For further details, please refer to the Entry Form.

Entries are now open for the BSSA 25yd pairs competitions.

Entries for the winter 2023/24 25yd competition close on the 4th September with the first round to be shot by the 9th October. Further details and entry form may be found here.

An almost over pleasant day for the competitors, with the temperature hovering above the 30°C mark. Luckily, there was a slight breeze which took the edge off the sun’s heat, however it also provided a challenge for the competitors. There was just one ‘possible’ scored in the main 100 yard competition.

The usual BSSA suspects were joined by New Zealander Shania Harrison-Lee, who acquitted herself well at what is known as a tricky range.

The Scottish Match (60 shots at 100 yards) prize winners were:

The Bench Rest competition winner was K Sheead who recorded a score of 585 with 11 Xs.
The Ladies prize was won by Mrs W Foith and the Junior by S Bradfield

Optional 40 Shot at 50m Competition prize winners were:

All prizes for the 40 shot course were in bottles of wine.

Full results for both competitions may be found here.

The next BSSA Open Meeting is the BSSA Queen Elizabeth Memorial Shoot on the 10 September. Please note that this shoot has a unique format: 96 shots at 50m (8 cards, 12 shots on each) with optional 70 shots at 100yds (5 cards, 14 shots on each). Sighters only on the first detail at each range.

60 shots at 100 yds and optional 40 shots at 50 metres

Venue: BEDFORD RIFLE CLUB RANGES, CLAPHAM ROAD, BEDFORD MK41 6EN .

To be shot in four classes:
CLASS X – National Classification, current and previous three years.
Classes A, B & C according to entry.

Plus Benchrest (60 shot, 100yds only)

For further details of the BSSA Grand Slam, please refer to the Entry Form and Information Sheet.

Detailed results of the 2023 County Championships may be found here.
The winners table is:-

The forecast was for a pleasant spring day, it was late arriving and the first detail had to contend with a chilly overcast; thereafter the sun appeared and, other than the occasional wind flurry, pleasant shooting conditions prevailed.  The fair conditions allowed for 10 ‘possibles’ to be recorded, including an excellent one ‘clear’ detail for Mrs Beadle.

English Match prize winners were:

The Benchrest competition winner was A Campbell who recorded a score of 595 with 5 Xs.

The Ladies prize was won by Mrs W Foith, with a score of 586; and the sole Junior, Miss T Austin, recorded a score of 535. The pairing of S Cornish & R Fowke won the pairs competition with a combined score of 1172 ex 1200.

Optional 40 Shot Competition prize winners were:

All prizes for the 40 shot course were in bottles of wine.

Full results for both competitions may be found here.

The next BSSA Open Meeting is the BSSA Grand Slam, 60 shots at 100yds with optional 40 shots at 50m, to be held on the Sunday 25th June.

Venue: BEDFORD RIFLE CLUB RANGES, CLAPHAM ROAD, BEDFORD MK41 6EN .

60 SHOTS @ 50 metres, plus optional, 40 SHOTS @ 100 yards

Prone to be shot in f0ur classes:

CLASS X – National Classification, current and previous five years.
CLASSES A – C determined by entry.

Concurrent competitions for Ladies, Juniors and Pairs.

Benchrest (50m only) shot in a single class.

PRIZES:
60 shots at 50m: Cash.
40 shots at 100yds: Wine.

(All prizes accordingly to entry)

For further details of this Meeting, please refer to the Information Sheet and Entry Form.

There was a good turnout for the first BSSA outdoor open of the year, bolstered by a concurrent match between the South West and Eastern region squads, with 41 competitors for the English Match.
The organisers had arranged some pleasant weather – mild, dry, occasional sun and with little wind. The wind was fair to all, generally calm but with each squad having 2-3 minute spells of gusts. The fair conditions allowed for 11 ‘possibles’ to be recorded.

English Match prize winners were:

There was a single entrant in the Benchrest competition A Campbell who recorded a score of 587.

The Ladies prize was won by K Butler, with a score of 582; and the sole Junior, Miss T Austin, recorded a score of 517. The pairs competition resulted in a draw between the partnerships of S Harris/ M Lewis and D Swain/J Duguid.

Optional 40 Shot Competition prize winners were:

Full results for both competitions may be found here.

The next BSSA Open Meeting is the BSSA Grand Prix, 60 shots at 50m with optional 40 shots at 100yds, to be held on the Sunday 14th May.

English Match
60 SHOTS @ 50 metres, plus optional 40 SHOTS also @ 50 metres.
Ladies, Junior and Pairs competitions also available concurrent with the 60 shot prone match.

A 60 shot at 50m Benchrest competition is also available.

Date:  Sunday 19th March 2023

Venue: Bedford Range, Clapham Road, Bedford.

Closing date for entries: 13th March. Late entries may be accepted if space permits.

For further details of the BSSA English Match and Benchrest competition, please refer to the information sheet and entry form.