2022 Match Reports and Results

Asquith Cup
Rifle: Any .577 military percussion rifle. Distance: 600 and 800 yards. Aggregate of 15 shots at each distance	1 April 2022
Volunteer Trophy
Rifle: Percussion military match and military rifles. Distance: 600 yards. 15 shots	6 May 2022
Rigby Cup
Rifle: Any muzzle loading rifle. Distance: 600 yards. 15 shots	29 October 2022
Whitworth Cup
Rifle: Any Whitworth hexagonally bored muzzle loading rifle. Distance: 600 yards. 15 shots	29 October 2022
Barry Custance-Baker Cup (900 yard Championship)
Rifle: Any muzzle loading rifle. Distance 900 yards. 15 shots	7 May 2022
1000 yard Championship
Rifle: Any muzzle loading rifle. Distance: 1,000 yards. 30 shots	11 June 2022
Metford Trophy
Rifle: Any muzzle loading rifle Distance: 1,000, 1,100 and 1,200 yards. Aggregate of 15 shots at each distance	6/7 August 2022
The Hepsworth Medal
Rifle: Any muzzle loading rifle Distance: 1,200 yards. 15 shots (Fired concurrently with the Metford Trophy)	7 August 2022

Rigby Cup and Whitworth Cup 2022

Very mild conditions for the time of year – and dry! Early morning mist did create a hazy sight picture, not helped by the calm initial conditions and lingering smoke. As the day brightened and range flags dried from overnight rain, they became more responsive to the playful wind that picked up through the day. The Rigby Cup was extremely close scoring at the top, with Henrie van Koot taking first place. The Whitworth Cup (for hexagonally bored rifles) had a more decisive win by John Whittaker.

Link: Rigby Cup and Whitworth Cup Results

Metford Trophy 2022

Well, the photographs of the weekend at Bisley look beautiful. Clear blue skies and a delight to be out..... when the shooting was finished. On the other hand, the hot weather, changeable strength head wind (that merrily switched between 4 o’clock and 8 o’clock at the most inopportune moment) and an entertaining mirage, made for difficult shooting conditions! 

John Whittaker took the lead in the 1000 yard stage of the match, closely followed by Taco van der Vlist and Rob Groot. John’s lead was overtaken by Alan Beck with a magnificent 57.2 at 1100 yards (that won Alan the Karl Bailey Trophy). At 1200 yards conditions had reached their most changeable! John was top scorer at this distance (winning the Hepsworth Medal) resulting in an astonishingly close finish. His final aggregate score of 121.5 was just three v-bulls ahead of Alan. Taco maintained a consistent shoot and took third place.

Link: Metford Trophy Results

1000 yard Championships 2022

The Branch 1000 yard Championships is fired over two details (morning and afternoon) with a 30 shot course of fire. The bright sunshine on Bisley’s Stickledown Range on Saturday 11 June was from time to time broken by cloud, giving quite a varied sight picture. Additional variety was provided by the playful wind – gusting, dropping off, changing direction. On a positive side it remained dry! Long range muzzle loading is all about learning, and the day gave plenty of opportunity for that. Master of the class was John Whittaker with a convincing win, followed by Alan Beck and David Minshall.

It was good to see our friends from France, the Netherlands, Jersey and throughout the UK.

Link: 1000 yard Championship Results

Volunteer Trophy and B.C. Baker Cup 2022

Friday 6 May was the Branch competition for the Volunteer Trophy. The match comprises 15 shoots fired at 600 yards with a muzzle loading military target rifle. A military two point sling is the only permitted support. The match is a rare opportunity to compete using these rifles in their original form with open sights - many have later fitted aperture rear sights, but under the match conditions such sights not permitted. Original and reproduction rifles were used.

Stickledown Range at Bisley was the venue for the Branch 900 yard Championship for the B.C. Baker Cup on Saturday 7 May. The match comprised 15 shots with target rifles. Original rifles seen were Gibbs-Metford and Rigby muzzle loading match rifles. Reproductions were a mix of custom built rifles and the popular Pedersoli Gibbs. A slightly dull day, with bright spells and a shower as the first and second details were swapping around. The wind was variable enough to keep shooters entertained!

Link: Volunteer Trophy and B.C. Baker Cup 2022 Results

Asquith Cup 2022

A strong and bitingly cold wind greeted shooters at Bisley on 1 April for the Asquith Cup. The match comprises 15 shots at each distance, 600 & 800 yards, with and .577 military percussion muzzle loading rifle. All shooting is prone with a two-point military sling the only permitted support.

Link: Asquith Cup Results