Big Game Rifle Queensland Championships Wrap

By Royce Wilson

SSAA Ipswich hosted a successful Big Game Rifle state championships during the weekend of October 21 and 22 at its Ripley Range on the iconic Stewartdale property in southeast Queensland.

Despite the bucketing rain on the first day of the event, the competitors’ enthusiasm remained undampened, with 17 shooters vying for the title – including two from Charters Towers, one from NSW and another from Victoria.

Everything from Zulu War-era Martini-Henry action rifles through to modern elephant-stoppers in .500 Jeffery calibre was on the firing line, with the Black Powder Express, Double Gun and Nitro rifle events proving especially popular with participants and observers alike.

Ted Rogers took out the aggregate trophy across all events to be named overall champion, with Mark Savage in second place and Graeme Wright in third.

Hayden Beling won the junior aggregate championship and the popular Double Rifle championship perpetual trophy was won by Mark Savage, with second place going to Graeme Wright and Mark Hibbert collecting third place.

The Black Powder perpetual trophy went to Graeme Wright, with second place going to Les Bennell and Hayden Beling coming in third.

The African Plains Rifle championship was won by SSAA Townsville member Mark McQuillan, with Richard Horne in second place and Mark Hibbert coming third.

SSAA Ipswich member Richard Horne won the Classic Cartridge championship, followed by Mark Savage in second place and third place going to Mark Hibbert.

Rook & Rabbit rifle’s champion place went to Mark Hibbert, with Paul Moody and Mark McQuillan in second and third place respectively.

First place in Pot Rifle went to Mark Hibbert, with Richard Horne in second and Gary Beling in third place.

State discipline chairman Ted Rogers said despite a few logistical hiccups and unco-operative weather, the event had gone well. “It was a good turn-up and while sadly Saturday’s weather was not great, Sunday’s was a lot better. We had some very good shooting and there was a great range of guns on the firing line across the weekend.”

Mr Rogers said, “Big Game Rifle is for people who want to carry on the spirit and history of traditional firearms and want the challenge and enjoyment of shooting heavy-calibre guns.”

For more information on Big Game Rifle in Queensland, visit the SSAA Queensland website, email [email protected] or call discipline chairman Ted Rogers on 0427 067 652.