We all have one, we cherish it, we love to talk about it, we will tell you how neat it is and how much fun it is, but seldom get it out… mine, you ask? A Winchester model 94, made during WWII (not many civilian guns being made then). What’s yours? A Mosin Nagant? A German Mauser? A Winchester? What am I talking about? This old rifle of course, and I think we should get them out and shoot them.
On Sept 15th members of the Antwerp Conservation Club did just that, rifle match just for rifles DESIGNED before 1918 was held. Eight of us got together on that Saturday to show off our old rifles and our marksmanship.
This was a 100 yard, 40 shot, offhand match. Offhand is standing unsupported, no sling, no resting your rifle on a bench or use of a bi-pod. An offhand match is definitely a shooters match, and not a match of how much equipment do I need to be competitive.
Competitors were given 23 minutes to fire up to 3 sighter shots and then 20 shots for record. A small break was taken as we scored our targets and chatted about the match, then competitors we given 20 minutes for 20 shots to finish up shooting the 40 shot match.
The best score you could get would be a “400”, all 40 shots hitting the 10 ring. One competitor scored “deep” in the 300’s, while the rest of us averaged a score of 250.
We at the Antwerp Conservation Club hope you will come out and join us and try a rifle match, you just might be surprised how much fun these competitions are.
For more information on the matches and events we hold, please go antwerpconservationclub.com
