The 2016 SSAA Queensland Lever Action State Championships were held at the SSAA Inglewood Branch in South West Queensland in early September, with several interstate competitors in attendance from Western Australia and New South Wales. The Queensland contingent were from across the state, hailing from Townsville and Bowen in the north as well as the Fraser Coast and naturally there was good support from the local region.

Saturday was the Classic Calibre match using traditional lever-action centrefire rifles with open sights. The course of fire is set to replicate traditional hunting with many animal contour targets over various distances using assorted shooting positions from the field. The Queensland Classic Calibre title was claimed by New South Wales’ Jim Buckley, who carried off gold followed closely by WA competitor Steve Hurley, who secured silver while Darren Moy, from the Fraser Coast, landed bronze.

The Queensland Open Lever Action match was held on Sunday with the competitors lining up using a variety of rifles from centrefires to .22LR and .22 Magnums. Peep sights are allowed in this match so there is much more accuracy with higher scores the norm. The match has a combination of events with precision targets and some traditional categories using animal contour targets all contested over a variety of distances. WA shooter Hurley won the gold ahead of NSW pair Buckley, who took silver, and Jim Ellis, who collected bronze.

The Veteran Class was again well represented and as everyone grows older it continues to swell. It is also pleasing to see several new faces taking part and giving it a go along with female competitors. All grades from C to AAA in both Classic and Open were represented.

With all but a few competing in both the Classic Match and the Open, the overall 2-Gun Champion was well contested. It ended in another success for Hurley, from Albany, WA. Silver went to Buckley, from Sydney and bronze to Queensland’s Moy.

A huge thank you must go to the members of SSAA Inglewood for all the effort in preparation for the Championships and their hospitality during the weekend. The hard work behind the scenes doesn’t go unnoticed and the helpers all deserve a huge pat on the back.