COMPETITIONS FOR HISTORIC RIFLES, DURING THE FIRST WEEKEND OF THE NSRA AUGUST MEETING.
Entries for these competitions may be made in advance on the entry form or, subject to range availability, on the range on the day of shooting.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Recognising the growth of interest in so-called “Miniature Rifles” in the major “Historic Arms Meetings” at Bisley, the NRA Historic Arms Resource Centre Centre (regrettably now functionally defunct) set up a “Miniature Rifle Postal League” which is still in existence. As a formal link between the NRA and the NSRA some experimental Courses of Fire were set up during the 1996 NSRA August Meeting. These are what has now developed into the “SMRC Meeting” which is a permanent feature of the NSRA August Meeting.
The “Historic Arms” movement is characterized by strong emphasis upon two main principles:-
• the “spirit of the original” in all its aspects – firearms, accessories and procedures; and
• “accessibility”: this means that due regard is given to ensuring that for the majority there is no perceived requirement for specialised (and therefore costly?) equipment to achieve success. Certain readily-available (= cheaper!) rifles are deemed to be eligible in certain Matches to encourage participation.
The principle of “Multiple Entry with different Firearms” commonly applied means that it is possible, say, for a collector/shooter of Greener .22 Martinis to use every one of the collection – making it worthwhile to travel a distance for just one Match.
In contrast to most other Historic Arms Meetings, firers are classified according to prowess, so that all levels of ability have the opportunity for success. The Courses of Fire are simple, ammunition is cheap, suitable firearms are frequently available on free loan, entry fees are the cheapest at Bisley, Skilled Shot certificates are within the grasp of a Club Shooter and the camaraderie on the Firing Point is well to the fore.
In other words, the SMRC Meeting is intended for someone to PARTICIPATE, rather than COMPETE -- to have an enjoyable and economical shoot without the pressures of “serious competition”, although IF someone is determined to win something then there are Awards available.
Over the years the SMRC Meeting has developed from a few Prone matches for old .22” Target Rifles to a flexible Programme for
• a wide variety of Rifle types -- Target, Sporting and Military – including replicas and copies
• time-lined historical Periods, based on a simplified HBSA system
• a range of sights – iron and optical
• Prone, Offhand (Standing) and new for 2010 Standing Supported positions
• .22Rimfire and Centrefire “Gallery Rifle” calibres
and developments are still planned for the future.
Please find attached the Rules & Regs & Match List for this meeting, now in its 15th year, and also a table indicating what one can shoot.
We would be very grateful if you would forward this as widely as possible to
encourage attendance. DON'T FORGET that every entry (at £4) includes a
free "ticket" for a draw for a Savage-Stevens "Favorite" .22 rifle -- ideal for Historic Arms or for young shooters,
PLEASE NOTE
It is getting harder and harder to find volunteers to assist with the running of this meeting - -keeping costs to a minimum. If you can help -- even for 1/2 a day -- please contact Richard on 07802 831073 or e-mail richard.collins at hotmail.co.uk
BTW, there is plenty cheap accommodation available at the South London RC for the duration of the SMRC / NSRA Meeting -- -contact me for details (Jim Hallam, Chairman)
