International Rimfire Benchrest Championships
21-22 November 2009

Both days of the International Rimfire Benchrest Championships at Dairyville in New South Wales were rather hot and humid with the fairly typical wind behaviour of erratic with periods of consistent direction. By adapting to the conditions, the eventual winner recovered from a moderate start to break the three-target record and establish a new six-target benchmark.

Peter Fleming from Moonee threw down the gauntlet on Saturday and led Relay A with 247.11. The following five places were won by Mitchell Tallar (246.8), Bill Jupp (246.11), Tom Hodgson (246.12), John Radford (244.8) and Peter Armstrong (243.11).

In Relay B, Jupp, Armstrong, Murray Hicks, Barry Hilzinger and Tallar all shot 247, with the placings changing to Tallar (493.20), Jupp (492.20) and Hicks (491.23). Radford (488.15) and Fleming (487.18) were going well too and could easily see the leaders.

Saturday’s final target was shot in slightly worse wind conditions, but the visitors were getting the hang of it or made better ammunition decisions in the hot conditions. Whatever it was, Armstrong won Relay C with 247.14, from Hicks (246.13) and Bill Collaros (246.9). Mark Brown (245.11), Hilzinger (245.10) and Mitchell Tallar Sr (245.7) followed the front runners.

The final results for day one necessitated the use of the centrals count to split the podium finishers. The winner was Armstrong on 737.38, from Hicks on 737.36 and Jupp on 737.31. Tallar (736.33) and Hilzinger (736.30) were keen to learn from the odd mistake and make amends on the Sunday.

Sunday morning seemed a bit hotter and Relay A began in stronger breezes than Saturday. Fleming again shot well on 247.11, as did Alan Smith on 247.13, but Tallar (249.14) had the early edge on Radford (248.15) and Armstrong (248.11). These results put junior marksman Tallar on the same points overall as the very experienced Armstrong and only two centrals behind.

The changing winds became stronger but were more consistent. John Cook was ahead with 246.9 from Mark Brown (246.12), Radford (246.13), John Patzwald (247.16) and Tallar (242.13), allowing the leader to relax a little and enjoy a comforting lead.

Stuart Elliot eventually found the good ammunition for the conditions to win the final relay with a loss of just one point. Although a bit late, he was pleased to learn his scope was not faulty.

Chris Tyne was next on 247.12, with Armstrong on 247.10 and more than enough points to earn a deserved and comfortable win. Bailey, who had been neck-and-neck all day with Radford, maintained his form, while his rival for top local lost the plot a bit right near the end.

The Sunday podium scores were Armstrong on 743.34, Alan Smith on 734.41 and Brown on 734.40, with Cook (733.31) and Bailey (733.30) following.

By combining the Saturday and Sunday scores, the National International Rimfire Benchrest Championship was decided out of a possible of 1500.15. Armstrong’s winning score of 1480.72 set a new Australian record and his Sunday tally of 743.34 will, if ratified, break the old record.

Thanks go to Parabellum Imports who kindly donated some cleaning rods and other handy items that were won by the shooters whose number was randomly drawn from the hat during the medal presentations.