Reece Nicholas
by senior correspondent Jennifer Martens
Since becoming a sporting shooter two years ago, a monthly highlight for 13-year-old Reece Nicholas has been receiving his SSAA Australian Shooter magazine. As a rifle shooter, Reece enjoys the magazine’s reviews and ‘how to’ articles the most. The magazine fills in the gaps between trips out bush - chasing rabbits, hares, pigs and dingoes with his dad, uncle and cousin.
Reece was introduced to the shooting sports by his father and coach, Barry Nicholas. Together, they enjoy target shooting, hunting and reloading. Reece says he particularly enjoys the satisfaction of making a good-quality round. Of course, the side benefit of reloading is saving money.
In January, Reece shot his first dingo with his dad’s .243 and is now looking forward to getting his first pig. His family has access to two properties: one close to his home town of Mackay and the other in the Central Highlands of Queensland.
The Year 8 student enjoys Field Rifle shooting, but he is most enthusiastic about Rimfire Benchrest. In May, Reece took third place in the Factory Rimfire Benchrest Postal Shoot. While he was happy with his performance, what made it all the more exciting was that he beat his dad by 14 points.
Reece’s training consists of two to three trips each month to the SSAA Queensland George Range with his father. The focus of recent sessions has been to reduce the movement of his cross-hairs during offhand shooting and to improve his patience during Benchrest shooting. Based on his recent performances in Benchrest, it seems his dedication and determination in training has paid off.
Depending on the type of shooting he’s doing, Reece uses a Lithgow single-shot, a Winchester .320-22, a Howa .243 or an old Savage Model 23C in .32-20. His favourites are the Howa and Lithgow.
As a lover of the outdoors, Reece enjoys soaking up the Australian sun on the soccer pitch or footy oval. When he’s more relaxed, he enjoys sitting on the banks of the Pioneer River where he fishes for whiting and bream or on the edges of Saint Bees Island where he angles for sweet lip and coral trout.
The outgoing SSAA member has introduced four of his school friends to the sport and they all found their first time at the range very exciting.
While much can change between now and Year 12, Reece has visions of joining either the military or the police force, both of which will allow him to put his shooting knowledge and skills to good use.
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