Metford Trophy (2025)

The Metford Trophy was first competed for in 1992. This is, where possible, an aggregate competition fired at 1000, 1100 & 1200 yards. This year bookings at Bisley for 1100 & 1200 yards were not available to suit the Branch calendar. Rather than forgo the competition it was changed to the aggregate of 15 shots at each distance, 900 & 1000 yards.

Whilst the dry weather was welcomed, conditions were testing! Hot and humid throughout the weekend, the brightening morning of Sunday 24 August saw an increasingly entertaining mirage, albeit with fairly consistent wind. While light cloud cover in the afternoon, reduced the mirage somewhat, the wind became more changeable. All very challenging!

After the 900 yard detail there was a clear lead held by four. The same shooters maintained consistency at 1000 yards, resulting in a win for Alan Beck by just one v-bull, ahead of John Whittaker. Rob Groot and David Minshall jostled for third place, with Rob taking the bronze medal by 2 points.

Members also enjoyed a practice day at 300 & 600 yards on Friday and competed in the MLAGB National 900 & 1000 yard Championships on Saturday.

Link: Metford Trophy Results

Volunteer Trophy and 1,000 yard Championships

Once again, we were welcomed to Bisley with a fine weekend (9-11 May) of sunshine and dry weather. While it did get somewhat warm in the afternoons, it was the playful wind conditions, particularly on Saturday for the 1,000 yard Championship, that created the most difficulty!

The Volunteer Trophy (600 yards) is fired with open sighted muzzle loading rifles, and will usually see a mix of .451 military target rifles and .577 Enfield rifles, both original and reproductions. Whilst countback had to be used to separate Gary Evans and John Whittaker for 2nd and 3rd place respectively, there was a clear winner! Rob Groot fired an outstanding score of 60 x 75 for 1st place, and in so doing setting a new Branch record score for this event. Well done, Rob!

The 1,000 yard Championship had an international feel to it, with shooters from the UK, Jersey, France and the Netherlands competing. Alan Beck’s consistent shooting won out on the day, taking first place just ahead of John Whittaker. Third place was close run, with David Minshall just taking the placing by 1 point.

Besides the Branch competitions, members enjoyed a 600 yard practice on Friday afternoon, and competed in the MLAGB 500 yard Rifle Championships on Sunday.

Link: Volunteer Trophy and 1,000 yard Championships Results

LRR @ Bisley, April 2025

Friday 4 April – Sunday 6 April members of the Branch enjoyed three days of unbroken sunshine (yes, you read that right!) at Bisley. Saturday was the MLAGB 300 yard Rifle Championship for Enfield rifle and target rifle, and the Branch arranged a day of practice either side of the match – 900 and 1,000 yards on Friday and 600 and 1,000 yards on Sunday. 

Despite the sunshine, mornings were still cool, and there was a fresh wind all weekend. The warming afternoons did see the mirage getting more prevalent, and some unwanted stronger wind gusts. For the first shoot of the year it was nice to be able to get on the range and enjoy some long range training, with members shooting primarily muzzle loading rifle, plus some black powder cartridge rifle. Nice too, getting the first of the MLAGB series of mid and long matches for the year underway.

Research Press has published a selection of photos from the weekend.