Bedfordshire Smallbore Shooting Association

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

Entries for the winter 2022/23 25yd competition close on the 12th September with the first round to be shot by the 1oth October. Further details and entry form may be found here.

Initial indications were that the entries for this meeting would be fairly low; therefore it was decided to amalgamate the entries into a single class and run two parallel competitions: one based on straight gun score the second based on the MacRae handicap system. To ensure the prizes were distributed widely, competitors could only win one prize, with the Gun Score contest taking priority.

In the event, a number of locals who were participating in the Dewar Trials at the Appleton Range on the Saturday and were therefore doubtful if they could also make an appearance at Bedford on the Sunday, were able to attend; making a reasonably healthy field of 16 prone and 4 benchrest shooters.

The weather forecast was for sunny intervals and a ‘fresh breeze’; the latter appears to be a bit of a misnomer, meaning a wind of 19-24 mph (Wind Force 5) in which ‘Small trees in leaf begin to sway’. Judging by the ‘sway’ of the larger trees neighbouring the range the gusts were somewhat stronger. The wind flags were as helpful as usual, appearing to be randomly pointing in any and all directions. The challenge of the conditions resulted in no ‘possibles’ being achieved and only four ’99s’ at 100 yds.

The winners were:

Grand Slam (60 @ 100 yd) Gun Score Competition

Grand Slam (60 @ 100 yd) MacRae Handicap Competition

Benchrest (60 @100 yds) Gun Score only

Optional Shoot (40 @ 50m) Gun Score Competition

Optional Shoot (40 @ 50m) MacRae Handicap Competition

Full results may be found here.

The mysteries of the MacRae handicap system are explained here.

Detailed results of the 2022 County Championships may be found here.
The winners table is:-

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.

Numbers for the shoot were slightly low, with 24 competing, therefore the 50m Grand Prix competition was shot in two classes, X, and A, B & C combined. The combined A, B & C class was scored on the MacRae handicap system.

Prize winners were:
X Class

A, B & C Class

Benchrest (Single Class)

The Optional 100yd 40 Shot Competition Shot was also shot in two classes, X, and A, B & C combined, prize winners were:

X Class

A, B & C Class

Optional competition prizes were in wine.

Full results may be found here.

The mysteries of the MacRae handicap system are explained here.

The County Championships consist of Individual and Team Competitions at both Short Range (25yd) and Long Range (50m & 100yds) in 3 classes. Either or both championships may be entered.

Classes

A – Average 96.5 and over
B – Average 94.6 to 96.4
C – Average 94.5 and under

Short range championship.

To be shot locally to Postal Competition rules. The course of fire  for all classers  is 4 x 10 shots at 25 yds using 2510BM targets. Cards need not be shot in a single session and may be shot concurrently with Beds League cards. All cards must be returned to the scorer by 12pm on the 7th June.

Long range championship

To be shot at the Bedford Range on the 12th June commencing at 1.00pm.

Course of fire will be:
40 shots at each distance for Classes A (Average 96.5 and over) & B (Average 94.6 to 96.4);
20 shots at each  distance for Class C ( Average 94.5 and under).

Team, Junior, Veterans and Super-Veterans competitions will be shot concurrent with the equivalent championship.

Entries should be submitted through your Club. Full details, including entry fees, may be found here.

If are resident in Bedfordshire but not a member of a Bedfordshire based Club, then you may still enter as an individual, please contact B Cox, BSSA Match Secretary for entry. Contact details may be found here.

Entries Close 28th May.

Note: This is a Confined meeting, open only to those who reside in the County of Bedfordshire.

The Six Counties Match is an annual shoulder-to-shoulder match featuring teams from the six counties that make up the Eastern Region: Essex, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk & Suffolk.

The Counties take turns to organiser the match and, in times past, each County would host the match at its County Range. Unfortunately, in the current era, the only range in the Eastern Region large enough to hold this event is the Doug Mottram Range at Yaxley (Norman Cross), which is run by Cambridgeshire.  This year’s event was therefore organised by Bedfordshire but hosted by Cambridgeshire.

Usually the current format is for each County to be represented by two teams of eight (A & B). The A teams compete for the  Eastern Region Team Trophy; whilst the B teams compete for the appropriately named B Team Cup. Each competitor shooting a double-Dewar course (40 shots at 50m, 40 shots at 100yds).

In deference to Covid-19, to reduce the numbers at the gathering, this years event was reduced to the A teams only. Unfortunately, due to other commitments, Hertfordshire could not raise a team. In addition, Suffolk had two team members withdraw at the last moment and hence were reduced to a team of six. The contest was therefore amended to take the best 6 scores for each team.

The day proved sunny and dry, but the Met office ‘moderate breeze’ was both chilly and unpredictable, both in strength and direction. Tight groups were therefore in unusually short supply, there were just two ‘tons’ scored, both at 50m and both by Mrs WF of Bedfordshire. The spread in the fall of  shot did however make the scorers task somewhat easier than normal.

Despite the weather, the contest was close at the top, with Cambridgeshire and Essex both amassing totals of 4509 (out of a possible 4800). The tie was decided on the better scores at 100yds, giving the following result:

The medal for the best individual score was won by Ms VM, of Norfolk, with a score of 758 ex 800 (Note. This medal can only be one once by any individual).

Full results may be found here.

Next years event will be organised by Suffolk, with Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Norfolk following.

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 three years.
CLASSES A – C determined by entry.

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.

Entries close 14^th May (Late entries may be considered if space at the range permits).

*** Entry extended until 18th May ***
*** Email Stevebeadle1960@hotmail.co.uk to enter***

There was a good turnout for the first outdoor open of the year, with 31 competitors for the English Match, with 12 competing in ‘X’ Class.
The organisers had arranged some pleasant spring like weather – sunny, warm and a light, but fickle, wind.

English Match prize winners were:

The Benchrest competion, shot in a single class, was won by A Campbell with a score of 589 with 3X’s.

Optional 40 Shot Competition prize winners were:

All prizes were in wine.

Full results for both competitions may be found here.

Round 6 of the Frostbite League was shot on the 13 February.  The weather stay dry for most of the shoot, but there was an annoying wind fishtailing down (across and up) the range.  Results were:

League Result
The overall league position in each class is determined by the aggregate handicap score from the competitors best five rounds. The Class winners were:

A Class: Neil Day
B Class: Mrs Susan Day
C Class: No award – no competitor completed five rounds.

Full results for the league may be found here. (Note: The sole Benchrest shooter was participating as a ‘test event’ and was not an official part of the league. It is the BSSA aspiration to offer full benchrest participation in the 2022/23 league).