Waitakere Smallbore Rifle Club

Hi Everyone,

Well if it rains it is relentless. Or was yesterday and night. Not many turned up. One I know has Covid. And another has the Flu. Bad night to be out and about so most stayed home.

I found my hi viz jacket I acquired from my previous employer, as did every one else when the firm closed its manufacturing plant, in 2008.

However it came off my shoulders when I retrieved my rifle from the back seat. Didn't notice and it got sopping.

On Monday afternoon the Shop Steward Ian went down to get back into gear and zero his rifle. Alas the door wouldn't open. He rang Bruce at his work. He then rang me to report he couldn't get in.

I heard the noise of him trying to get the door to move. He gave up and went home. I duly contacted the ATC squadron who used the range to see if there was any known skulduggery. All sort of scenarios went through my head.

Did someone lock it from inside and jump out the window?? That's a bit far fetched. Some how the inside bolt must have moved across into the keeper ( is that the right word?)

I texted Bruce and suggested he get hold of a ladder and force entry through a window.

An hour later Bruce sent me a text...All fixed..See you tomorrow night.  So what was the guts. The inside bolt had caught on the keeper thing....  Someone must have ...could have...or a young fulla did juggle the inside bolt so a shutting of the door would shake the bolt into the whatever its called.     It may have been like that for a while through no fault of anyone.  Anyway Bruce decided on the shoulder charge ,,,and whalla...  the door opened.  

The Shop Steward felt a bit embarrassed at this news.  So I put his mind at ease when I said Bruce weighs over 100 kg where as you...only weigh 70 kg...if that.

With Mark SAS not opening up these days Ian and No Mat Matt opened up. Ken did the targets and the squad sheets, and targets...or was it a combination of the three.

With MOC Chris also not there with the dreaded Covid, Ken got the cups and sugar and biscuits out. Bruce made the cuppa and No Mat Matt did the cleaning up. Sorry once again Chris from Howick/Auckland we have left the cups in the rack. Though half of  those were from the Sporting Rifle Club from Monday night.

With Ian back after his absence with the Flu, I have loaded a couple of new shooters on to him. Arun and Akshay.    

 On Sunday when we have the next have a go day / practice ...yes this Sunday at the range...Ian will be there from 8.30am till around half ten ..11. 

So I have Kun going down there say half nine.... for Ian to set him up with the rifle and sling.  When Akshay is back from holidays...Uni student... Ian will be his coach. Akshay needs a proper setting up. 

Bruce is Michelle’s coach.   She wants to shoot at our Open. So Bruce if you can ......

I don’t know if Arun will be ready for that ?

So tomorrow night is the next interclub at Auckland. Some of our club members might take a plate to help Auckland. If you do then we might be excused for not putting the cups away last night.  Sunday is the HAGD and practice. I will be there to have a practice..with a bigger front ring...on my rifle. Last chance for me.  I have to shoot the Club Teams double. Went down last night and shot a bit better than the last two efforts. 94.2 and 94.4. If i get a reasonable sight picture it usually goes in the 10/inner.   Or was it just luck??

On Monday night there will be a working bee at the range starting at 7.00pm Though I suspect the two engineers will get there early.....for the butts.

As well John my Lone Wolf...will be in charge of giving the rifles a clean. No Mat Mat has volunteered. I did say I would be a starter but now I'm piking out.. So if others can come and help and be part of the team it will be appreciated.

Next Tuesday is the next leg of the Club Champs.

The other day I had a ring from someone who said he is a grandson ...or was it great grandson of Andy Bain.   I think that was his first name.  Anyway this guy said the Andy Bain  was a foundation member of the Mt Richmond Club...yonks ago.

He had a whole lot of paraphernalia from his grand father/great grand father. He wanted to know if someone from that club could accept all his old gear. Was it old rifles, hat, jacket, ?    I got hold of Geoff Voice as he is a trustee of the old Mt Richmond club.

How did shooters go tonight. Well I saw both Bruce and Ken shoot a couple of good cards in their usual doubles. I think Bruce's effort was the best I've seen him shoot since I rejoined the club in 2011.

I see that Matt has bought a new shooting jacket....which leaves another club jacket for the use of. He suggested it might do with a repair mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Anyone a good tailor?

So for the really keen ones...next weekend and early next week..will see 3 there and back driving efforts again.

Lawrence

Article added: Wednesday 06 July 2022