General News
Imperial Ammunition and Extension for Early Entry Discount
Members may be aware that there has been a greater than expected incidence of dislodged or broken extractors with certain makes of Target Rifle action when firing the 2019 batch of GGG ammunition.
Our analysis indicates that this is occurring in up to 5% of rifles compared to the expected 1% or so.
The accuracy performance of the ammunition has been described as “phenomenal”.
A significant majority of extractor problems occur during the first few shoots. If a rifle is likely to suffer extractor failure it will quickly become obvious.
The majority of the rifles affected to date have been either Barnard or RPA actions (although the majority of rifles with these actions are unaffected).
- Barnard Actions : The extractor becomes partially or completely dislodged from its seating in the bolt. A partially dislodged extractor usually jams against the adjacent internal locking lug of the action preventing withdrawal of the bolt. In most instances the problem can be rectified on the firing point and the firer is able to complete their shoot, if necessary with use of a cleaning rod to extract the fired cases.
We are developing and testing modifications to the extractor on these actions. Only one problem has been reported in rifles with modified extractors. Barnard have also been consulted.
- RPA & Paramount Actions : The majority of those affected are Quadlock actions. A few problems have occurred with Paramount and RPA 2000 actions. With these actions the extractor fails completely, however firers are still able to complete their shoot albeit requiring use of a cleaning rod to extract the fired cases
Our investigations suggest that the majority of extractor failures in these actions may be due to fatigue failure of the material often combined with previous damage to the extractor.
Extensive testing has confirmed the physical dimensions of the ammunition and components are fully compliant with CIP / SAAMI drawings. Brass hardness profile and composition also comply with the exacting NATO requirements of STANAG 2130. Pressure test results from both the manufacturer and British Proof Laboratory are all within limits.
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I have reviewed plans for the 2019 Imperial meeting and confirm the 2019 batch of GGG will be the issued ammunition for the 150th Imperial Meeting.
I am confident that by:-
(a) making modifications to Barnard extractors readily available;
(b) ensuring sufficient parts availability and on-call gunsmith capacity to address problems which may occur during the Meeting; and
(c) ensuring robust arrangements are in place for on range procedures to be followed by competitors and range staff if incidents of extractor failure occur during shoots.
any problems arising from extractor failure / difficulty and consequent inconvenience to competitors will be minimised.
Competitors who have declared Barnard actions on their entry form will be notified of the modification and gunsmiths offering the service once testing is complete. A simple replacement of the existing extractor/plunger/spring with a modified or upgraded version is required. No other modification to bolt or action body is necessary.
In the event a competitor is unable to complete their shoot due to extractor failure using the issued ammunition, the incident shall be deemed a delay and not the fault of the competitor. A partial re-shoot will usually be allowed. Amended versions of Rules 283, 284 & 298 will be published on the Secretary General’s notice board together with the procedures to be followed.
Many shooters have already shot the 2019 batch GGG and many more will do so ahead of the Meeting. We therefore believe the number of competitors affected during the critical elements of the Imperial should be relatively small and eminently manageable.
Extended deadline for early entry discount
The number of Imperial entries is well up on last year; however I understand some competitors have been awaiting an update on the extractor issue. I have therefore decided to extend the deadline for the early entry discount to midday Friday 7th June 2019.
Finally, I would like to extend my grateful thanks to John Bloomfield, Tom Rylands, Fergus Flanagan, Barnard, LEI Ltd and GGG for their diligence and support in the investigations to date.
Andrew Mercer
Group Chief Executive & Secretary General
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Competitions
Daily Posts MR, F-Class
Daily report: Match Rifle, F Class, TR
Day 1: *Mirage or Flags…. the Hopton begins*
Today saw the first shoots of the Hopton (the long range competitions shot by MR, F Class and some very keen TR shots in the GGG aggregate). With yesterday’s Any Rifle competitions seeing the Scots dominating the top end of the scores, the trend continued with Scots winning every competition today.
Starting with the Whitehead (2+15 at 1,000 and 1,100 yds), the first two details saw steady and even easy wind (relatively), with Ireland captain Gary Alexander’s 75.13v topping the 15 possibles at 1,000. Then the wind came in. With mirage in one direction, and the flags in the other, it was anyone’s guess what the wind should be on, although listening to Scot Guy Blakeney would have been your best bet with his 74.10v. Overall, Scot Ron Scaglione won with 148.19v, with special mention to top lady Zoë Woodroffe who broke her Tyro coming in 6th with 147.21v.
Moving on to the Halford (at 1,100 and 1,200) did not bring easier wind, with gusts, flags in different directions and patchy mirage. Scores were varied, with some of the usual contenders falling foul of the conditions, but all the practice at Blair Atholl seemed to have served the Scots well. Tim Kidner won with 149.20v, two points clear of his nearest contender, helped by the only 75 at 1,100.
At the end of the day this leaves the top three of the Hopton as Kidner, Scaglione and McLeod, with Zoë Woodroffe as top tyro in 5th place.
Dai Lloyd leads the F Class at present, and in the GGG aggregate, Jeremy Thompson top scored in both shoots to lead so far. The author was very upset to see quite so many TR shots beat her which she is choosing to interpret as their good shooting: well done to all!
Tomorrow sees three 2+20s so here’s hoping we last it through the heat.
Day 2
As we predicted and feared yesterday, the heat today was even more challenging, with many competitors feeling a slight sizzle on their shooting mats when they got down in position. Today’s challenged us with three 2+20s (Cottesloe, Wimbledon and Armourers) which tested out the MR and F Class communities’ water intake, stamina and wind reading.
Shooters were faced with windy conditions and a tricky mirage, sometimes having to place their bets on one or the other, or just having to trust their best instincts. Many found themselves making bold calls for the fun of it, sometimes finding that it paid off and many walking off with a final V, and that they’d managed to hit the target. Even seasoned shooters have learnt fresh lessons today: your trigger must be attached for your shoot to go well. Wearing underwear is advised in case you split your shorts.
By lunch time, one shooter complained of winding sights the wrong way for a magpie. Everyone else kept quiet about having achieved that feat without even attempting to change sights. And not just once.
After yesterday’s live streaming, John Pugsley continued to entertain his fellow shooters with his perfect elocution and delicate touches with a hammer (upgraded from yesterday’s bolt).
All shooters today made sure that they got full value for their entry fees by using the whole target and a good number of outers and magpies reassured the NRA that the white stickers are still worth purchasing in large quantities.
And now, the scores: Tim Kidner holds first place with 577.65vs with Rob Lygoe OBE chasing with 577.53vs. In the Armourers Kidner was once again victorious, with Si Whitby only one point and one V behind.
Finally, congratulations to CURA’s Will Johnson and Ian Thomson of NRC of S for breaking their Tyros!
Stayed tuned for the news from tomorrow’s Edge and the FW Jones.
Day 3: Life on the Edge
Bisley continues to enjoy a scorching season, with MR and F Class shooters continuing to battle it out for the glory of winning the Hopton aggregate. Today’s 40 shot competition saw George Barnard winning with a 196.22, with usual contenders Lygoe and Tremlett hot on his heels with 195 (quite literally as the ground was baking). Also of note with a 195 is newcomer Buchanan who seems to have taken to Match Rifle rather well. We are however missing Mike Baillie Hamilton adding to the competition at the top. We look forward to seeing whether Buchanan or Baillie Hamilton will prevail. These high scores see a change in the Hopton leaderboard, with Rob Lygoe stealthily out manouvering Tim Kidner who slipped to second place. Top English, Scottish and Irish shots feature in the top 10, but the Welsh should never be underestimated when Wednesday’s Elcho comes around.
This afternoon saw eight teams in the F.W.Jones, with the Hopton Supper Club trouncing the competiton, even beating the inaugural MR ladies team. The HSC president, Mr D. St. Ubbington was unavailable for comment as he was busy celebrating by looking for food scraps underneath the table. Otherwise, the drinks reception was enjoyed by all; thanks to HPS for the prizes at the drinks reception and congratulations to all those honest MR shots who owned up to their misses and hits to count.
As usual, it appears the Hopton will be decided by Albert, who doesn’t give second chances to get things right. Tune in tomorrow for final results.
Day 4: The Albert (the one that keeps you humble)
The day that many Hopton competitors dread, with the lack of sighters and the fear of not being early enough to guarantee getting the left hand slot of the target.
This year’s Albert brought many challenges. Even the best shots were forced to use their first shots as genuine sighters, learning that the flags were, just for a change, telling fibs. Apparently an outer for your first to count doesn’t help your stress level. Luckily the second detail learnt this lesson, with many using their partners as a sneaky (if unknown) pilot shot.
We were blessed with slightly less burning heat today, though the first detail at 1100 did have to shoot under some ominous black clouds, bringing with them even more difficult wind and a lack of mirage to provide any aid. It also left many on the second detail wishing (unnecessarily) that they hadn’t left their wet weather kit in the club house.
During the 1100 first detail, yesterday’s front runner Rob Lygoe looked suitably relaxed, though the writer understands that this is often one of the added bonuses of back-gunning; while you face a serious abs workout with each shot, you can at least lie down in between. This detail also saw the star crossed lovers, Rob and Nick Tremlett, squadded together, though it did not come to blows over who would be taking home the trophies.
Shout out to Fergus Flanagan who, with some new kit, has managed to include most national colours of the Elcho: navy, green, red, but seems to have overlooked that he actually shoots for the azure and white Scots.
In actual news, Mike Buchanan has emerged victorious in the Hopton, with Tim Kidner coming second and Nick Tremlett coming third.
Now we just await the Elcho team announcements and the match tomorrow. However, with five Scots coming in the top ten of the Hopton, England (who have triumphed for the last five years) better watch their backs.
Stay tuned for the results once the Pimms has worn off. Or maybe even more enjoyably if it hasn’t.
Day 5: The Elcho…
As readers may have guessed, the Pimms yesterday at prize-giving was indeed very efficacious, hence the delay of this post.
The Elcho, the high point of the Hopton, and the day that everyone was waiting for, with team captains keeping every shooter guessing until Tuesday evening about whether they would get the chance to represent their country.
Shooting at a 1000 yards proved that it was going to be a tight run contest, with V-bulls popping up here, there and everywhere. England came off top at 1000 yards, but only four points ahead of Scotland. Katherine Lightbown, as the first disabled shooter to shoot the Elcho in its 153 years, came off with the highest Welsh score of 75.9. This was however trumped by Si Whitby’s fantastic score of 75.13.
1100 tested the nations’ best even more as the wind picked up, and the register keepers couldn’t find a flat bit of grass for their chairs to ensure they did not fall off them and disrupt the shoot. Teams saw their scores fall across the board, making it an even tighter contest when they returned to 1200. We also saw a nail biting race between father and daughter team Mike and Sophie Wentges, with Sophie coming off with only one more point than her dad at 1100, with Mike beating her in Vs.
At 1200, the shooters continued to keep the gathering crowds guessing, with England being only one point ahead when the last firers got down onto the point. Special mention needs to go to Mike Barlow who, despite a firing pin malfunction, returned to shooting and scored a V on his first shot back. However, despite all this drama on the other firing points, it soon became clear that England would once again reign victorious, holding onto the Elcho Shield for the sixth year running. And, with Mike Judge matching Nick Tremlett’s overall score of 221.27, Nick better keep a close eye on his captain’s hat…
Message 12 from this writer and look forward to seeing you all down at Bisley for next year’s Hopton!
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