DARTMOOR MARKSMEN NEWSLETTER Issue
No.1
Introduction
Welcome to our first
newsletter..! This is intended as a means of communication
between members, as well as a way of letting you know what’s
going on, and what needs doing..! We want you to
contribute as much as possible; eg, if you violently disagree
with a review, or see something in the papers that concerns
our sport, please get in touch. At present, “Gus,” (aka
Richard Guscott) is acting editor, please contact him.
(Details under “Useful Info,” at the end.)
What’s on?
1. We have just
completed our second “Fun Shoot.,” which concentrated on paper
targets. Results are in the zero range. Suggestions for
further such events welcome.
2. It is proposed
that we extend the zero range to accommodate more shooters.
This may be done this year, and is the first stage of a more
extensive improvement of club facilities.
3. Setting up of a
chemical loo, primarily for the ladies, in an elegant
structure built behind the zero range. This will hopefully
encourage more lady members.
4. Longer term, we
are hosting a SWEFTA shoot in October, which is a three line
whip for as many people to help with and take part in as
possible.
5. Please feel free
to take the mower, strimmer, grease, string and paint out at
any time..!
6. Why don’t you have
a go on the club ladder competitions? See in the zero range.
Congratulations…
... to Sharon and Martyn Vincent on the birth of their
son Michael - 8lb 8oz
Who’s Who?
Jon Quelch… Jon
is our Secretary, and deals with membership. He shoots Field
Target at AA level, (the top grade), and won last year’s
SWEFTA championship with a Daystate Mk3. This year he is using
an AirArms EV2, with a Deben scope.
He has a young family,
who are taking increasing amounts of his time..!
Webmaster's note - Jon has since stood down and been
superseded by Gus
Dan Howley…
Dan has just joined, he shoots a Harrier X2 for HFT, but has
just bought an EV2 with a “Big Nikko” scope, so the FT boys
had better look out..!
He holds the club
record for the most continuous visits, seven days in a row…
“keen, or what?”
Around the circuit
We are about half way
through the SWEFTA shoots, see the notice in the zero range
for a timetable. The FT class seems to be wide open at this
stage. Gus is currently lying third in the HFT competition,
and is also doing well with his trusty “springer,” but he is
likely to be overtaken by Dave Golby, who has shot
fewer competitions.
Watch this space as
the tussle develops..!
Next competition is at
North Petherwin on Sun. 10th July.
If you haven’t shot
outside the club before, come along and try your luck.
Tip of the Month
Is your eye in the
right place? (It’s usual to have one each side of your
nose..!)
Close your eyes, put
the rifle to your shoulder, settle your cheek on the stock,
and aim roughly at the sky, (away from the Sun!) Open your
eye.. You should have a perfect view through your scope, with
no rings, or shadows, etc. If not, the fore and aft position
is the first thing to check, as this controls eye relief. You
will need the scope further forward if you shoot prone a lot,
so it may be a compromise. Check the mounts you are using on
your scope, as they obviously influence the height above the
bore line. Ideally, they should be as low as possible, but the
front bell of the scope, and any parallax adjustment must be
clear of the barrel. The vertical position is also controlled
by the butt plate, which fits into your shoulder. You can buy
adjustable ones. Hardest of all to adjust is the sidewise
position of your cheek on the butt’s comb or cheek-piece. Some
stocks have a “rolling comb,” which is shaped so that moving
your cheek vertically also moves it sideways. Some people pad
the stock out, or shave wood away.(eek..!) Target stocks, of
course, are fully adjustable. A well fitting stock is one of
the most important aids to shooting accurately, and
consistently.
Kit reviews
AirArms S200… For some time this
gun has been regarded as the ideal entry level PCP, but this
position is under challenge from some other rifles, which are
just coming onto the market. It is ideal for the younger
shooter, or a lady who prefers a lighter gun. It’s stock,
while not the most beautiful, is ambidextrous. It is very
accurate and reliable. The Mk1 had a detachable cylinder. The
Mk2 is fixed, but is more “plasticy.” A target stock is
available, as is a 10 shot retro fit magazine, which has to be
fitted and set up properly. Criticisms, low shot count, about
50 in .177, trigger could be better., but good for the money.
Cost new, around £250.
AGS Swat 4-16X56… A popular
scope, with a lot for your money, free sunshade, flip-up
covers and a life-time guarantee, but check with the supplier
first. Optics are good for the price, as is the sidewheel
parallax, but 16X mag is not high enough for accurate
rangefinding. Large objective lens is good for hunting at
dusk, and an illuminated reticule version is available. As it
has a 30mm tube, make sure you get the right mounts.
Criticisms… Not a “true” mildot reticule. A better quality,
simpler 40mm objective scope will give as good as, or better
performance for about the same money. The short depth of field
makes it less suitable for UKAHFT competitions.
Cost new, around £220.
For Sale and Wanted
Falcon FN19 Raptor .177
Mint condition, 7 months old, nicely figured beech stock,
Hawke 3-9X40 scope, 2 magazines, gunslip, pellets.
£300 ono Craig Hart 07708 490143
BSA Platinum 10-50X60 FT Scope
Excellent optics, complete with
sunshade and Butler Creek covers
£250 ono. Martyn Vincent 01752
(This scope is the original
design behind the highly popular “Big Nikko,” by Nikko
Sterling. Ed.)
Some Acronyms
BFTA… British
Field Target Association..
www.airgunshed.co.uk. Governing body behind FT.
SWEFTA… South
West England Field Target Association.
www.swefta.co.uk. Local division of BFTA, organises
shoots, we belong to it!
UKAHFT… United
Kingdom Association for Hunter Field Target
www.ukahft.co.uk. National organisation for HFT, do not
confuse with BFTA, they have different rules.
BASA… British
Airgun Shooters’ Association
www.airgunshooting.org. Organisation for airgunners in
general, membership includes 3rd Party insurance if
you don’t belong to a club.
BASC… British
Association for Shooting and Conservation.
www.basc.org.uk. Covers shooting in general, and as such,
has more political “clout” than the BASA.
FT... Field
Target. Described as either; “the Formula One of target
shooting, requiring ice-cold nerves, and an empathy between
shooter and rifle.”
.... or; “ a load of
anal retentives, with more money than sense.”
HFT… Hunter
Field Target. “ getting target shooting back on the ground,
(literally..! Ed.), and making it available to the ordinary
man.”
.... or; “a load of
wannabe Rambos in cammo, who shouldn’t be allowed in decent
company.”
( only joking guys..!
Ed)
Useful information
Jon Quelch 01752
348242 or jon.quelch@virgin.net
Richard “Gus” Guscott
01579 363287 or
gwylan@rgus.fsnet.co.uk
Webmaster's note - these email addresses are inactive as an
anti-spam measure
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