NZDA BOP Peeking Wallaby Match | Baden Prentice

For a while now I have been researching a unique match suitable for our 300m rifle range based on bench rest shooting. In the USA there is a social, semi-competitive style of shooting called Groundhog Shoots. A rifle club in Pennsylvania USA has given our branch copyright permission to use their target design and match rules. As we don’t have groundhogs in New Zealand I have re-designed the targets using wallabies. A pest species that is supposedly expanding its territory in both the North and South islands. It is also a good fit size wise for the target.

This is a score shooting match that uses 3 different targets. One at 100m, one at 200m and one at 300m. Five scoring shots are fired at each distance with unlimited sighters. So you can expend as little as 15 rounds to complete the match but most shooters will use 21-24 rounds. A variety of rifles can be used from factory hunting rifles to custom rifles. Scope magnification power will be the limiting factor for some participants. A minimum of 15x power is recommended, as well as having adjustable elevation turrets (dial up).

A small group of us have been testing the match at the range. Using the data collected, we have adjusted the targets and written up the rules. We will have targets printed and hope to run our first club match on Sunday 1st May. The rules can be viewed here.

We are thinking this match will be run 4 times a year, at 3 monthly intervals. We can analyze how it runs over the first year and adjust it if necessary. Initially for the first few shoots we will limit participants to Branch members (both range ticket holders and non-range ticket holders), BOPSRA members and TPRC members.

We have had a lot of fun testing this and you might enjoy it as well. Bench rest shooting is about precision and comfort. A lot of discussion is also had at the match regarding rifles, equipment and reloading (although you do not have to reload) and shooting technique. We look forward to seeing you there.

Inquiries can be made to Baden Prentice on 027 490 8613.