2015 Calgary Vintage Battle Rifle Event Details
OThis year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, with V-E Day on May 8, 1945 and V-J day on September 2 of that year.
100 years ago Canadian troops were still embroiled in the Great War, and on April 22, 2015, on the front lines near Ypres, they found themselves facing a horrific new weapon of war, as poison gas was used for the first time in that conflict.
To acknowledge and honour these significant contributions to our history, we’re holding our third annual vintage battle rifle shoot
This year’s event will once again take place on the Alberta Fullbore Rifle Association (AFRA) 900-metre range at the Alberta Provincial Rifle Association (APRA) Homestead shooting facility west of Calgary and will follow closely the set-up from previous years’ events.
Prizes will be awarded but a big focus of this event is to just hang out, have some fun, talk about our rifles, and maybe let others try out a vintage battle rifle they’ve not experienced before.
This two-day event will take place
July 18 and 19.
Space is limited, so pre-registration is recommended.
Outline of event:
Saturday, July 18 – Sighting In
- Range opens at 8:00 a.m. for registration. Registration closes at 9 a.m.
- 9:00 a.m.: welcome, program outline and orientation – including target marking as all shooters will need to take a turn at the butts
- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: sighting-in @ 100 metres. 10 rounds. Deliberate fire, prone. Range will be available for shooters to sight in their rifles at 100 metres. Targets will be marked for shooters
- 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.: lunch and continued battle rifle conversation/show and shine
- 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: 200-metre fun shoot. 10 rounds. Deliberate fire, prone
- 3:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.: clean-up
NOTE: Time and capacity willing, participants can bring and sight-in a second rifle on Saturday. Participants will have to select the one rifle they will shoot on the Sunday.
All shooting is under the control of an RSO.
Sunday, July 19 – Shoot For Score
- Range opens at 8:00 a.m. for registration. Registration closes at 9 a.m.
- 9:00 a.m.: welcome – day plan
- 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: 100-metre shoot.
- 10:30 a.m. – noon – 200-metre shoot
- Noon – 1:00 p.m.: Lunch
- 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.: 300/400-metre shoot (dependent on range condition)
- 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.: clean-up, scoring, prizes and bull session
Course of fire – Sunday:
A couple of twists this year.
100-metre
“The Mad Two Minutes”
- From the standing position, with shouldered/slung arms (empty/proved safe), facing away from the firing line
- Turn to face target and move to the prone position.
- Rifles to be loaded by charger/stripper clip only when shooter is prone and rifle pointed down-range
- Shooter has two minutes to fire 10 rounds. Target will be scored only at completion of 10 rounds
- No sighters
200-metre
- Two convertible sighters and 10 on score (individual shots will be marked). Deliberate fire, starting from prone position
- Rifles to be empty until RSO signifies start of time
- 10 rounds to be shot in 10 minutes
300/400-metre
- Two convertible sighters and 10 on score (individual shots will be marked). Deliberate fire, starting from prone position
- Rifles to be empty until RSO signifies start of time
- 10 rounds to be shot in 10 minutes
Notes: All shooting is from the prone position. Front rests may be used. No rear rests
Divisions:
- Vintage battle rifle: 1945 or earlier – battle sights
- Vintage battle rifle: 1945 or earlier – scoped/diopter/target sights (original issue-type scope or diopters, any vintage target sight)
- Modern (post-1945) battle rifle, semi-auto (SKS up to AR or similar) – any sight
Equipment required:
- rifle(s)
- safety flag
- ammunition
- spotting scope
- shooting mat
- hearing protection
- eye protection
Notes/FAQ:
- Cost: $25/shooter
- Food and beverage: Bring your own lunch, snacks and water
- Hats, folding chair, sunscreen and bug repellant recommended
- You’ll need 100 rounds per rifle for the shoot, but if you can, and are willing, bring some extra ammo to let someone else have a go at a rifle they’ve perhaps not had a chance to shoot, or see, before
- Registration open to any shooter. You do not need to be a member of the APRA or any of its Steward groups to participate
To register:
Send me a PM providing the following information:
Name:
Phone number:
Email address:
Rifles you’ll be bringing/shooting and the class they’ll be shot in:
I'll provide details for submission of payment (EMT)
Location:
Alberta Provincial Rifle Association – Homestead Range
Located in the foothills of the Rockies, 45 minutes west of Calgary.
Alberta Fullbore Rifle Association – 900-metre range
(watch for signs)
