Rigby and Whitworth Cup matches - Metford Trophy final results

Sharp rain showers punctuated the days shooting, changing to a longer spell of torrential rain towards the end of the day. Despite conditions almost everyone got to shoot. The winners of the Rigby Cup and Whitworth Cup, John Whittaker and Henrie van Koot respectively, each shot outstanding scores and achieved their win by a comfortable margin. 

On Friday 27 October the MLAGB held their 900 and 1000 yard Championships, postponed in August. This enabled the Branch to complete the Metford Trophy match, the 1000 yard scores being shot concurrently with the MLAGB Championship.

Link: Rigby Cup, Whitworth Cup, Metford Trophy results

For Branch competition results and record scores see the 'Competitions' page

Metford Trophy 2023 (interim results)

Storm Antoni hit the UK on Saturday 5 August, with strong winds and heavy rain throughout the day. This resulted in the MLAGB 900 and 1000 yard matches being postponed. The 1000 yard stage of the Metford Trophy is fired concurrently with the MLAGB match. LRR have therefore made their Friday 27 October practice day available to the MLAGB, and the 900 and 1000 yard matches will be re-scheduled for then.

Rain abated on Sunday 6 August, and the day was generally bright and clear. The fresh headwind continued in a playful manner though, making for some testing conditions. Two shooters showed some mastery of the wind and tussled for top placing at both 1100 and 1200 yards. John Whittaker in the end just managing to finish ahead of Mike Hall at each distance. The interim results for the Metford Trophy follow, and will be concluded on 27 October with the 1000 yard stage.

Entries this year were down a little, in part due to clash of this match with the MLAIC European Championships, in which some members from the UK, France and Netherlands were competing.

Link: Metford Trophy (interim results)

1000 yard Championships 2023

The Branch 1000 yard Championships is fired over two details (morning and afternoon) with a 30 shot course of fire. It’s a testing enough discipline for muzzle loading rifle, but with temperatures soaring above 30 degC it became a gruelling experience. Most found the morning conditions a little easier, and Mike Hall got off to an especially good start. The afternoon temperatures were higher and the wind a little more playful, but Mike continued to shoot well. John Whittaker was however on fine form, in the end beating Mike by just one point overall. The two were well ahead of the other shooters, leaving Paul Wolpe and David Minshall to resolve third place, the bronze medal going to Paul, one point ahead of David.

There was a reduced entry to this event compared to previous years, in part due our French members having another major event on the same weekend. It was however good to see friends from the Netherlands, Jersey and throughout the UK.

Link: 1000 yard Championship Results

Volunteer Trophy and B.C. Baker Cup 2023

Brief showers punctuated the Volunteer Trophy match at 600 yards on the afternoon of Friday 5 May, but all who entered were able to complete their detail. The competition is fired with open sighted muzzle loading rifles, and will usually see a mix of .451 military target rifles and .577 Enfield rifles. While the Parker-Hale 'Volunteer' is a popular choice, it is also nice to see some original military match rifles of the early 1860s on the range.

Sunday morning (7 May) was the Branch match for the B.C. Baker Cup and  was fired in dull but dry conditions. This event is for muzzle loading match rifles. It was good to see the very close-run match for the top scores of the day.

Friday morning members enjoyed a 500 yard practice, and Sunday afternoon 1000 yard practice (in the only sun of the weekend!). Saturday was the MLAGB National 500 yard Championships, in which members also competed.

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

Asquith Cup 2023

The first match of the season was the ‘Asquith Cup,’ held at Bisley on Friday 31 March 2023. A testing enough match in good conditions, being fired with the military muzzle loading rifle at 600 & 800 yards, but the showery weather and brisk wind made it quite challenging! Sadly conditions deteriorated during the 800 yard shooting, with scope stands being blown over and heavy rain. Not all entrants were able to complete their detail.

Only a small number of Branch members competed in this match for military muzzle loading rifles. Some took opportunity to use the range time for training with muzzle loading match rifles.

Link: Asquith Cup Results

2023 Entry Forms

The Long Range Rifles (LRR) Branch of the MLAGB coordinate their events with the MLAGB series of mid and long range National Rifle Championship matches, at Bisley. The MLAGB events are open to members of the association, and MLAGB members are also eligible to join LRR.

Entry forms for the matches, March to August, have been circulated to Branch members. They can also be downloaded from this web site. To avoid disappointment please pay particular attention to the return by dates. 

The season kicks off with the LRR Branch Asquith Cup Match - a challenging aggregate of 15 shots at each distance, 600 & 800 yards, with the Enfield rifle. The same weekend is the MLAGB 200 and 300 yard National Rifle Championship matches for Enfield rifle and target rifle.

200 and 300 yards are great distances for an introduction to long range shooting. For those already shooting Enfield and/or target rifle at 100m, then you likely already have all the equipment to shoot at these extended distances. We use experienced markers and have people on the firing point who can assist new comers. Any queries on long range shooting contact the Branch (link at top of the page).

Calendar of Events 2023

A full calendar of Branch events has been planned for 2023, and as usual it is fitted around the MLAGB series of mid and long range National Rifle Championship matches. Practice dates have also been booked such that in most cases there will be 3 days of shooting available (Friday-Sunday). The calendar can be viewed on line and a pdf version can also be downloaded. Good shooting in 2023!

The MLAIC have recently published the official invitation to the 13th MLAIC Long Range World Championships from 27th August – 2nd September 2023, Várpalota-Veszprém, Hungary. 

LRR Branch member Alan Beck has been appointed the Great Britain team captain, and team places are open to all whom have a proven track record in mid and long range shooting.