Canberra Celebrates 30 years of Fly shooting
In 1990, 40 competitors ventured to Canberra to take part in the Inaugural Federal Cup 500m fly shoot. It was only fitting that the 2020 Fly Nationals be held at the SSAA Majura range in our National Capital. 97 competitors, from as far afield as Perth, McKay and Melbourne, ventured to Canberra to compete over the 3 days of the Canberra long weekend for the BRT Federal Cup, Stuart Elliot Cup and Jim McKinley cup.
Our naming rights sponsors for the BRT Federal cup, Annie and Stuart Elliot of ‘BRT Shooter Supply’ put on a magnificent table with every shooter leaving with a prize. The 1st lucky draw being a beautifully engraved March 8-80×56 rife scope.
On day 1, 83 shooters line up to contest Heavy Gun (HG). Anthony “Jacko” Bending would take 1st and the Federal cup for HG posting an incredible score of 266.4 (.4 being 4 hits on the fly), Greg “Chappo” Chapman would take 2nd (262.4) ahead of Mark Lacey for 3rd (251.5). William Bailey took out juniors over 15 and Young Beau Locke under 15.
Chappo also shot the highest scoring target with a 59.3 and Matty Riches shot a 1.07” to take the smallest group.
Day 2, would see the Light Gun competition get underway with 71 competitors. Once again it was Jacko leading the competition scoring 253.5, 2nd was Nick Argon (242.2) and Chappo 3rd (241.3). William once again took out the juniors over 15. Young Callum Grove took 1st in the under-15 and in doing so beat his Dad. (Don’t worry Dave I know too well how that feels).
Dave Zucconi, shot a 59.1 for the highest target and Anthony hall took out the smallest group with 1.643”.
After two highly competitive days, Jacko walked away victorious with the Jim McKinley cup for overall winner of the Centrefire Fly Nationals.
Once again the “Big guns” were retired and the rimfires were removed from their cases in preparation of the 200yd fly shoot. On day 3, 71 individuals shot it out for the Stuart Elliot Cup.
Fred Blacker shot a new National record for smallest group (0.827”) that helped him secure 1st place with 266.6 and walk away with the cup and a $300 dollar cash prize from Kathy Dundas of ‘No Fuss Homeloans’. Michael “Belly” Bell took 2nd (263.4) and 3rd Matty Riches (261.5). Young Callum took 1st for the junior.
Annie Elliot shot an incredible 60.4 for a new National record for highest score. That’s almost as perfect as you will ever see.
At the end of an extremely competitive weekend it was Chappo taking 1st (746.14) in the 3 gun, Belly 2nd (729.12) and Mark Lacey 3rd (720.08).
As we all know events like this don’t just happen. A big thanks must go to Dave Groves and all the Canberra team who put on such a fantastic event that I’m sure everyone will remember for some time. I would be remiss in my duties if I didn’t mention the wonderful sponsors, Russel Le Maitre of ‘Group Solutions Gunsmithing’, Kathy Dundas of ‘No Fuss Homeloans’, Ken Malgard of ‘Copperhead Projectiles’, ‘ADI Sporting Powders’ and did I mention Stuart and Annie Elliot from BRT Shooter Supplies and that beautiful March scope.
Thanks to All.
Thanks to Belly for the photos.
