O12.2021

Page 1

ISSUE 32

SAPRF Combined Provincial, National Shoot Eager shooters brave two days’ bad weather

at Darling Steel Valley

Send IT, ELR Shooting 2 October

Africa Level IV Handgun Championship

Newcomer stuns with second place

373 competitors, 23 squads, 7 countries

Arms & Wildlife: Reader Giveaway Vortex IMPACT®Laser Rangefinder 1000

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Truvelo CMS .338 Lapua The CMS .338 Lapua is designed as a precision rifle for long range targeting. Together with the Truvelo proven barrel and action design, the combination of calibre and the ammunition used, results in accurate shooting up to 1800m. Design features include a foldable stock, fully adjustable recoil assembly, adjustable grip, stanag picatinny rails and removable bipod. In addition to this, various fore-end lengths are available. DESCRIPTION Model Bipod Calibre Action Type Magazine Capacity Barrel length Overall length Height Width Number of Rifling Locking Weight Ammunition Accuracy Effective Range Temperature Range Adjustable Cheek Piece Silencer Stock Provision for Night Vision Attachment Provision for Thermal Imaging Attachment

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STANDARD RIFLE: Muzzle Brake, Operators Manual [English], 2 x 5 Shot Magazines OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES: • Telescopic Sight • Night Vision Equipment • Extractor Kit: Extractor, Extractor Pin, Extractor Spring • Firing Pin Kit: Firing Pin, Firing Pin Spring • Measurement Gauges: Headspacing Gauges [Go & No-Go] F/P/P • Shooting Mat • Drag / Carry Bag • Carry Case • Anti Mirrage Band

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Stanag Picatinny Rail

Adjustable Cheek Piece and Impact Modi ied Outer Cover

Foldable Stock

Impact Modi ied Outer Cover

Muzzle Brake 60% Recoil Reduction (Silencer optional)

Truvelo Match Grade Fluted 26” / 28" Barrel

Detachable 5 Round Magazine

Rear Picatinny Rail for Optional Mono Pod

Adjustable Bipod

Trigger Safety & Ambidextrous Magazine Release Adjustable Form Fitted Grip

Fully Adjustable Recoil Assembly

t: +27 (0) 11 314 1405/8 f: +27 (0) 11 203 1848 e: armoury@truvelo.co.za www.truvelo.co.za PO Box 14183, Lyttelton, 0140, South Africa The Company reserves the right to revise this publication and its content without notice. Information is for reference only and does not constitute a commitment on the part of the manufacturer.


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TECHNICAL DATA MAGNIFICATION x Ø OBJECTIVE: 6-24X50 ZOOM RETICLE: 10 RETICLES FIELD OF VIEW AT 100M/ YDS: 1.1° at 6X – 3.2° at 24X WEIGHT GR/OZ: 780gr – 27.5 OZ LENGTH MM/INCHES: 399mm •15.7” EYE RELIEF MM/INCHES: 83,8 at 6X • 76.2 at 24x EXIT PUPIL MM: 90 at 6X •82 at 24X

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POWER/OBJECTIVE LENS: 3-24X56 ZOOM TUBE DIAMETER: 30mm RETICLE: Illuminated Fine Crosshair EXIT PUPIL: 7.8 AT 3X • 2.3 AT 24X EYE RELIEF: 96M – 3.77” AT 3X • 94M – 3.27” AT 24X F.O.V. @ 100 YARDS/METERS: 11.4M – 37.6FT AT 3X • 1.4M – 4.8FT AT 24X LENGTH: 381MM – 15” WEIGHT: 765G – 25.69OZ CLICK VALUE @ 100 YARDS: 1/8 M.O.A. ADJUSTING RANGE AT 100M/YDS: 1.77M – 70” MOUNTING LENGTH: 165MM – 6.4”

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1


CONTENTS DECEMBER 2021 ISSUE 32 4

From the Editor’s Desk

5

CONTACT US Contributors, Photo Credits SUBSCRIBE Online: Go to https://ontargetafrica.zinioapps.com/shop

SPORTS SHOOTING MATCHES 6

6

Send IT, ELR Shooting match on 2 October

10

South African Precision Rifle Federation (SAPRF) combined provincial and national match 23 to 24 October, Darling, Western Cape

KING OF 1 MILE SA 2021 AND KING OF 2 MILE SA 2021 16

Brendan Fike from Impact Xtreme Shooting gives the perspective of hosting an international ELR event of this magnitude

28

Helber SA sponsored main prizes for the winners of the KO1M SA and KO2M SA 2021

30

Statistics and the Rifle Equipment List

42

Send IT, ELR’s desire to promote and grow sports-shooting in general brought out the best in the Western Cape competitors

46

SHOOTER PROFILES: Truvelo Specialised Manufacturing: Short profiles about each of their competitors

48

SHOOTER PROFILES: The international Ukraine team came as competitors, competed as competitors, and left as part of the South African ELR shooting community

52

Turner Wilkinson regales the significance of these two internationally recognised events as he puts his Ascalon from Dutch Long Arms in .338 Lapua Magnum into action.

54

The new scoring system as detailed by Gustavo F. Ruiz from Argentina

56

The Africa Level IV Handgun Championship was the first of three selection matches for the Handgun World Shoot XIX to be hosted in Thailand from 27 November 2022

PRODUCT 56

66

Multipurpose lubricant FOSPRO enhances weapon cleaning

66

Tommy Glover gives insight into locally-available components for shotgun reloading

67

The 1911 Pistol

READER GIVE-AWAY

2

59

Arms and Wildlife; Win a Vortex IMPACT® Laser Rangefinder 1000

65

Hi-Tek-Lube Supercoat bullet coating: Stand a change to receive up to 3 samples of FREE coating products

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


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from the editor’s desk With a full long-range shooting calendar leading up to October 2021, the extreme long-range community that had entered the King of 1 Mile South Africa (KO1M SA) and King of 2 Miles South Africa (KO2M SA) headed to the Karoo King of the Plains Shooting Range in the Northern Cape to compete in the third such competition from 28 to 30 October, with weighing in and the zeroing day being 27 October. The international competitors from Ukraine had headed to South Africa from Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv, Ukraine, while our regional competitor from Namibia was also making ready. As this is the third year that On Target Africa magazine has been fortunate to be the official publication for KO2M SA, nothing could have prepared us for the excitement and camaraderie that we all enjoyed at the event. Join us as we bring you various contributions, with the main feature article and all the statistics supplied by Brendan Fike from Impact Xtreme Shooting. We invited our newfound ELR friends from Ukraine to submit a brief profile of each of them. Charl Gous from Send IT, ELR and KO1M SA 2021 title winner found time in his busy work schedule to contribute as well. Everyone had many memorable moments, as did I. Ben Jager, a spectator at the 2020 KO1M SA and KO2M SA event, did so again this year. Ben, we are sure you will end up competing in 2022! Dawie De Villiers needed just a little coaxing to ask the match director on the qualifying day of KO2M SA to compete – and he did. The only ELR Ukraine official shirt was presented to me by the Kraken

4

Team, complete with a little speech, in English, as a gesture of their thanks and appreciation to me being ‘Mom’ during their short stay. With many of this issue’s pages dedicated to King, several shooting disciplines were competing in their final matches. Competitor Adrian Luppnow from Port Elizabeth reports on the Africa Level IV Handgun Championship hosted by the North West Practical Shooting Association (NWPSA) at the Frontier shooting range in Stilfontein from 22 to 24 October. October saw a few Gautengers travel to the South African Precision Rifle Federation (SAPRF) combined provincial and national shoot held at the Darling Steel Valley competition shooting range from 23 to 24 October. Greg Sykes not only competed in this two-day match, but all the while had to keep in the back of his mind that the match was to be memorialised in print. One of the joys of bringing all of these pages together is that we have shooters who are actively competing across several sports-shooting disciplines also writing for the magazine. Their common desire is to grow sports-shooting in South Africa. Earlier on in September, the Durbanville Shooting Club held its successful Shooting Festival. Among the many lively stalls and exhibits and shooting ranges, I had the good fortune to watch the presentation by Arnold Beneke on ‘The 1911 Pistol’. I found it sufficiently interesting, especially since we were surrounded by the knife makers who were

exhibiting at the festival, to reproduce it in article form in this edition. Tommy Glover and I made brief contact during a shotgun match at KSSC, Cape Town in 2018, and now we communicate via intense cellphone conversations, brimming with facts and product knowledge, to bring you all the news about the Hi-Tek powder coating products from Australia. Tommy gives us a glimpse into ‘Why reload for shotgun’. Tommy is based in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga and is in daily contact with shotgun and handgun reloaders throughout South Africa. Edition 32 is our fifth anniversary since On Target Africa magazine made its first appearance on 4 December 2017. My sincere thanks to everyone who has been involved over the years. I hope that you have enjoyed the magazine as much as I do in following sports-shooting and capturing all of the events in print. Social media is a reality that publishers have embraced, and online interactive flipmag formats are enjoying strong growth. In time, we are evaluating bringing the online version to the e-commerce store of the Arms and Wildlife App. For those taking a break and possibly travelling during the holiday season, please journey safely. As always, we welcome your feedback Happy reading!

Publishing Editor Email: louise@ontargetafrica.co.za

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


contact us General enquiries: +27 (0) 76 290 0517 P O Box 15302, Vlaeberg, 8018 Cape Town, South Africa Website: www.ontargetafrica.co.za Publisher: Editor: Art Director: Advertising Sales:

CONTRIBUTORS Adrian Luppnow Arnold Beneke Tommy Glover Brendan Fike Greg Sykes Charl Gous Jaco Heyns Jan Combrinck Zach Badenhorst Gustavo F. Ruiz Volodymyr Bondarenko

On Target Africa (Pty) Ltd Louise Taylor Email: editor@ontargetafrica.co.za Sonja Louw sales@ontargetafrica.co.za | 076 290 0517

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The content in ON TARGET AFRICA magazine is for informative purposes only. ON TARGET AFRICA assumes no liability or responsibility for any inaccurate, delayed or incomplete information, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon. The information contained about each individual, association, club, event, organization, product or piece equipment has been provided by the same. The opinions expressed in each article are the opinions of its author, and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of ON TARGET AFRICA magazine. Therefore ON TARGET AFRICA magazine assumes no responsibility for any opinions expressed in its articles. Comments in the form of Letters to the editor are welcome, but should be on-topic and well-expressed. Abusive, anti-social or off topic comments will not be printed. Any content in this magazine can only be reproduced in any form whatsoever with the express written permission of the editor. COPYRIGHT ©Copyright ON TARGET AFRICA. All copyright, both nationally and internationally all material, content, articles, images are held in ON TARGET AFRICA. No reproduction of any nature is permitted without prior consent of the owner. The publishers, editor and editorial staff accept no responsibility for the content of the articles as well as the content of the advertisements. INDEMNITY ON TARGET AFRICA, its owners, members and staff hereby advise that partaking in any activities, and handling any equipment advertised in, or written about in this publication, involve risk, potential injury or death to oneself or others. Great care and professional advice must be taken when carrying out these activities. ON TARGET AFRICA, it’s owners members and staff, cannot accept any responsibility or liability for any damage to personal property, including, but not limited to loss, financial loss, injury or death. PHOTOGRAPHS & ARTICLES Submissions of photographs and articles are welcome. However, it will be deemed that submission shall be a warranty that they are original and do not infringe on the copyright of others. ADVERTISEMENT DESIGNS Designs made for clients are exactly as per their instructions. The designers or ON TARGET AFRICA cannot take any responsibility or liabiltiy for material depicted or context implied as instructed by client.

Issue 19

5


The Send IT squad, ready to take on Darling Steel Valley and its tricky conditions

Flintstones & Noodhulp Topguns braving the cold

Charl Gous, match director

Group 1 - Loodgooiers, AVO, Weekend Warriors, 40 degrees, ICBM & Team 260

Send IT,

Distance in meters Range 1 Range 2 Range 3 Range 4

ELR Match Feedback

Target A

1258

1395

1427

1538

Target B

1349

1539

1560

1690

Target C

1467

1651

1855

1765

By Charl Gous Send IT hosts four ELR events a year. On 2 October the penultimate match for 2021 was scheduled. We deliberately diarise the matches for the summer months to avoid the usual wet Cape Town winters, but were out of luck this time. The evening before the match, a severe cold front hit the West Coast, dumping heavy rain on the range and bringing gale force winds with it. 6

It was clear that match day would not be a great shooting day. However, at 7:30 the troops lined up, smiling and energetic to take on the range and make hits – a day that most people would have preferred to stay in their pyjamas sipping coffee in bed. Danie du Preez made the most of these difficult conditions and secured first place in the individual category, supported by a full score on Range 1. Newcomer Pieter Swart surprised everyone with his secondplace individual performance. His

partner had fallen ill and he had to compete without the benefit of a spotter and the learnings from his teammate’s DOPE. Michael Hitchcock put in a credible performance to secure third place. Weekend Warriors took gold in the team division and delivered another consistent performance. Bernard Eksteen placed fourth in the individual rankings, supported by his teammate and father Pieter Eksteen in seventh, locking out the top of the score board.

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


Range 4

Range 3

Range 2

Range 1

SEND IT, ELR Shooting - 2 Oct 2021 Team Name Loodgooiers Kobus Beukes Loodgooiers Tony Ingram AVO DJ Van Zyl* AVO Danie du Preez WEEKEND WARRIORS PIETER EKSTEEN WEEKEND WARRIORS BERNARD EKSTEEN 40 degrees Heinz Petersen 40 degrees Pieter Meyer ICBM Jan Rabie ICBM Wayne Bird Team 260 Dawie de Villiers Team 260 John Justus Boomsticks Elton Burger Boomsticks Tiaan Vermeulen Red Indian Moshin Red Indian James Devine H208 Louis van Zyl H208 Johann van Zyl* Team BWV Thinus Geldenhuys Team BWV Nico Geldenhuys Son of a Gun Trevern Haasbroek Son of a Gun Gerhardt Haasbroek Noodhulp Topguns Herman Maree Noodhulp Topguns James Preyser Kudu Johan Kuhn Kudu Fritz de Jager 3% TACTICAL BERNARD KOTZE 3% TACTICAL Ivan Fourie Team Boetas Michael Hitchcock Team Boetas Charl Gous* Buffalo Boys Gareth Holtman Buffalo Boys Greg Holtman Flintstones Barend Verster Flintstones Sanet Verster Hit-Men Pieter Swart Hit-Men Erik Marais Durbie Snipers Deon Fabel Durbie Snipers Paul OConnor PRC's Kayla Brink PRC's Izak Hanekom Team Hornady Loutjie Hanekom Team Hornady Hendrie Brink* * Range Officer

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

DJ van Zyl and “Spikkels” - 375 CheyTac Kobus Beukes taking aim with his Sako TRG 338 LM

Pieter Meyer with a custom built 37 XC

Bernard Eksteen scoping the range with his 375 CheyTac Victrix rifle

Tiaan Vermeulen at his first Send IT match

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Johan Kuhn having a go at the 1855m target

Michael Hitchcock working the Surgeon action

Herman Maree from Noodhulp Topguns

Ivan Fourie and Bernard Kotze

Paul OConnor enjoying the Send IT range

Deon Fabel making good progress at ELR

Sanet Verster from team “Flintstones”

Danie du Preez with his improved Tubb rifle

Pieter Meyer - experiencing Cape Town wind

Individual Results: Top 10 - 2 October 2021

Team Results: Top 10 - 2 October 2021 Nr.

Shooters

Team

TOTAL

Hit %

Nr.

Shooter

Team name

TOTAL

Hit %

1

Bernard & Pieter Eksteen

Weekend Warriors

39 310

39%

1

Danie du Preez

AVO

28 992

54%

2

Danie du Preez & DJ van Zyl

AVO

38 883

38%

2

Pieter Swart

Hit-Men

26 831

50%

3

Charl Gous & Michael Hitchcock

Team Boetas

33 427

34%

3

Michael Hitchcock

Team Boetas

22 583

46%

4

Bernard Kotze & Ivan Fourie

3% Tactical

29 991

30%

4

Bernard Eksteen

Weekend Warriors

22 053

43%

5

Izak Hanekom & Kayla Brink

PRC's

27 326

27%

5

Ivan Fourie

3% Tactical

20 596

43%

6

Erik Marais & Pieter Swart

Hit-Men

26 834

25%

6

Izak Hanekom

PRC's

19 007

36%

7

Kobus Beukes & Tony Ingram

Loodgooiers

26 036

29%

7

Pieter Eksteen

Weekend Warriors

17 257

36%

8

Hendrie Brink & Loutjie Hanekom

Team Hornady

23 202

23%

8

Loutjie Hanekom

Team Hornady

16 443

32%

9

Jan Rabie & Wayne Bird

ICBM

20 456

21%

9

Kobus Beukes

Loodgooiers

13 557

32%

10

Pieter Meyer & Heinz Pieterson

40 degrees

18 285

20%

10

Tiaan Vermeulen

Boomsticks

12 625

25%

Send IT, ELR Shooting - event dates 2022 Date Venue 5 February Darling, Western Cape 2022 27 - 30 April Send IT ULTRA 2022 Hanover, Northern Cape 1 October Darling, Western Cape 2022 5 November Darling, Western Cape 2022

Pieter Eksteen, first placed team member - Weekend Warriors

8

Team Boetas, third placed team and Michael Hitchcock third placed individual

Send IT, ELR Shooting - Rimfire ELR event dates 2022 Date Venue 12 March PEKS Range, Wellington 2022 3 September PEKS Range, Wellington 2022

Team AVO (Danie du Preez and DJ van Zyl) was placed second in the team division, supported by Danie’s stunning first place individual performance. Bronze went to Team Boetas, made up of Charl Gous and Michael Hitchcock. Anyone in need of additional information can contact myself on 083 4696 181. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, and find the link on our page to join the Send IT, ELR Shooting Telegram group where all communication is posted. Until next time, get ready to … Send IT! DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32



The howling wind battering the rain against my window woke me up at three o’clock in the morning. Turning on the outside light, I saw sheets of water bucketing down, causing my spirits to plunge. Surely we won’t be able to shoot in this weather? Well, as from past experience, I knew that further sleep would evade me, so I got up and, after a cup of coffee, began preparing my gear in the hopes that the storm would pass.

The storm did eventually abate. By the time we all had arrived on the competition shooting range of Hendrie Brink, known as the Darling Steel Valley, the storm had moved inland. While there was still a light drizzle, this would certainly not keep the eager participants of the Western Cape national PRS competition from competing. The SAPRF committee had decided to combine a provincial and national

SAPRF COMBINED PROVINCIAL AND NATIONAL SHOOT

23rd and 24th October 2021

By Greg Sykes

shoot. Competitors could opt to shoot the first day and log their scores for the provincial series or stay on and shoot the second day to make up the national match. The first day’s shoot consisted of ten stages of eight shots each, with a further six stages planned for day two. After the customary briefing, Covid-19 compliance talk and sighting in, no time was lost and the competitors headed off to their various stages. With this only being my fifth PRS shoot to date, and still having a lot to learn about the sport, I was super excited to be squadded with three of the top PRS shooters in the country. Garth Olivier, Schalk Jacobs and Le Riche Coetzer are well-known in PRS circles, and are usually found right at the top of the ranking boards. Together with them were fellow .308 Win shooters Yvette Van der Westhuizen and Neville Koudstaal making up our six-person squad.

Hendrie Brink (‘Die baas van die plaas’) welcoming all and giving a safety briefing.

10

It was also really nice to see Rob Ramsden at the shoot. Rob is the person who brought PRS shooting out from the USA and established it in South Africa. He has also almost singlehandedly gotten the complete international precision rifle federation going, and is still driving it hard with more and more countries signing up

on a monthly basis. It is through Rob’s efforts that the first international PRS competition is scheduled for August 2022. Our first stage was a rooftop. However, unlike a conventional rooftop stage, here we had to shoot from the side of the roof, moving position after four shots. The angle of the roof made getting into a stable position very difficult. Adding to the challenge, the first plate was a paltry 800 m away, with the second much smaller plate at 480 m. Le Riche was up first and made it look eas have bothered, as it never moved. Le Riche made short work of piledriving all eight plates, with time to spare. Garth and Schalk followed suit, putting more and more pressure on the rest of us to perform. When my turn came, the adrenaline was pumping, as I didn’t want to make a poor showing in front of these guys. On my first shot, I underestimated the wind blowing in from the ocean 10 km away. Luckily for me, I managed to just catch sight of a bit of wet earth being tossed into the air on the right of the target. As my rifle recovered from the recoil, I corrected and nailed the second shot. Okay, try to be smooth, I told myself as I transitioned to the closer target. Hold left edge … Squeeze … MISS.

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


Zero range

Arnold Van Zyl making use of a puff bag to add stability to a very unstable shooting position.

Bremer Visser getting down low on the cable reel.

Rob Ramsden getting as stable as possible with both feet off the ground.

What? I was sure I had done everything right. Realisation hit like a speeding bus when I looked at my turret and saw it still firmly set for the 800 m target. A quick dial-down to the 480 m setting, and this time the shot was rewarded by a solid returning clang a second after the shot. MOVE, DIAL, SHOOT, SHOOT, DIAL, SHOOT, SHOOT. It all went past in a blur and, before realising it, all eight shots were done and the range officer was instructing me to make safe and install the chamber flag. WOW, what a rush!

got down to the shooting. Some of the more notable were Stage 5, ‘The Cascades’, where there were three phone poles buried vertically in the ground and cut off at 45°.

This type of shooting, where you have to keep so many things straight and still try to get stable and break the trigger well, all while under a time pressure of two minutes per stage, is what makes precision rifle such an addictive sport.

Here it did not matter what size you were, as one of them would either be way too high if you were of a smaller stature, or way too low for comfort if you were tall. Topping the stage off was a 20 cm gong at close to 300 m. The 45° cut-off made it difficult to get the rifle stable. A shooter had to shoot two shots from each pole, moving between them. Here my hat goes off to Yvette Van der Westhuizen. On the tallest pole, she had to stand on tiptoe, with the rifle stock right on the tip of her shoulder and stretching just to see through the scope, but she still managed to hammer the gongs.

The rest of the day’s stages were a mix of traditional PRS positional stages with a few good twists thrown in. Hendrie must have spent a lot of time and effort thinking up stages that, at first glance, looked easy, but which had a nasty surprise when you actually

Other stages included shooting from two different size cable spools, a traditional tank trap of course with a twist of an extended arm on one side that prevented you putting too much pressure on it or else it would tip, and shooting from various positions on a

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

Yvette van der Westhuizen

Neville Koudstaal

rocky outcrop, as well as shooting from a fallen log that was too high to go prone and low enough to force you into a difficult kneeling position. Stage 7 was a bit of a nightmare. I think I must buy Hendrie a four-pound hammer, as the fence post he assembled was way too wobbly. Here shooters had to change positions

11


Perry De Gouveia thought outside the box and used a dual bipod system to give him stability.

twice and shoot at four different distances. It was interesting to watch the top shooters deploy a carbon fibre tripod as a rear support and rely on that stability to overcome the less stable front rest. Even so, the tiny 10 cm gong at over 200 m made it a challenge for the best shooters.

bipods, effectively giving him a very stable shooting platform. The rest of us who didn’t think outside of the box bled points here.

I had the opportunity to play around with Garth’s tripod while waiting between stages, and was really impressed at just how stable such a long tripod can be. Apparently, there are now a number of local importers of carbon fibre tripods offering them at very reasonable prices. (Another item to add to my wish list!)

Due to pauses while the occasional rain came through, we finished fairly late on the Saturday afternoon. After a quick bite to eat, Hendrie announced the provincial section winners, and a tired bunch of shooters headed off to clean and oil equipment and to relax and regain their strength for the final day’s shooting.

Moving up towards the starting venue, we got to the stage named the ‘Luv Bug’. Here we had to shoot from four different positons on an old Baja bug. In typical Hendrie fashion, he added a twist, as on the middle position you had to have both feet off the ground and on the slider bars of the bug.

Sunday morning dawned with the most beautiful sunrise over the Darling mountains, and I was early at the range. On the way I stopped alongside the dirt road to watch a family of kudu browsing in the bush alongside a small river valley. While kudu are not really Western Cape animals, they do thrive here in small numbers when introduced, and the Groote Post wine farm has established a very nice game camp.

The final stage on day one was interesting. Here Hendrie had assembled three 50 cm diameter water pipes in a rough ‘U’ shape. Only the bipod of the rifle was allowed to touch the pipes, and no other bag or part. While not in our squad, Perry De Gouveia came up with a very innovative solution by using twin

Most of us shot from conventional positions such as Rob Ramsden.

It is interesting to note that the kudu have been migrating naturally from the Eastern Cape by following river courses through the barren Karoo. Free-roaming kudu have been spotted just north of Worcester, a mere 100 km from Cape Town. Who knows, maybe soon we will be hunting kudu in our own backyard instead of travelling hundreds of kilometres to the Eastern Cape.

Arriving at the venue, I could feel a cool breeze from the south east. This wind, which had picked up late the previous evening, now cleared the last clouds away. This sounded like good news, but those of us from the Cape know what the South Easter would hold in Andre Symington engaging the long-range gong, which can just be seen above the cultivated field in store for us later. the top right of the photo.

12

Day two’s six stages were more long-range still, with a mix of positional shooting. Our squad started on Stage 5, ‘The Bluegum’, with me being the first shooter on the line. Here we had to shoot from four different positions on an old fallendown bluegum tree, with all shots at a 724 m target. I was lucky to see the fall of my first shot, which was just low and left of the plate. Making a holdover correction, I managed to hit with the next seven shots. At the third position, being a lefthanded shooter meant I had to be further right than the righthanded shooters, and ended up knee-deep in a pool of water that had accumulated from the previous day’s rain. Such is the fun of precision rifle shooting! The following stage, aptly known as ‘The Viper’, was definitely poisonous. Many shooters, myself included, left the stage despondent. It was relatively easy targets, but the support was a set of hunting sticks that none of us were familiar with. Most of us spent more time adjusting and manoeuvring the sticks than shooting. Those competitors who got the knack of using the sticks quickly made good points on this stage. Heading up the hill after ‘The Viper’, we were rewarded with the most spectacular view across Hendrie’s farm. It is truly a breathtakingly beautiful place. We shot a prone stage here. By now the wind had picked up, making for some tricky shooting conditions. So, too, at the next stage, which was also a prone stage perched on a rock, did the wind make its presence felt. My wind meter read of 6 m/s, gusting up to 7.5 m/s, with the wind coming from 2 o’clock. Bracketing the wind reading, I set 6.5 m/s into my Applied Ballistics app, and was quite horrified

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32



Schalk Jacobs, top shooter and all-round nice guy, sponsored a beautiful loading block from APW.

Jano Brink shooting from the rock. Note the Riton scope on his rifle, a very good but relatively unknown scope in South Africa.

to see I needed to hold off the 930 m gong by a full 1.6 m. Holding steady, I broke the shot and saw the splash a good half metre on the downwind side of the plate. Wow, even with that aggressive hold it was not enough. Making a mental correction, the following shot was rewarded by a flashing red light on the side of the gong. A nice hit! I transitioned across to the second set of gongs at 740 m but, like a rookie, did not take into account that I had moved a good 60°, so that now the wind was straight into my face. Of course, I was suitably punished by a miss far right of the plate.

Ruan Zeeman, Hendrik Nel, Andre Symington, Patrick Capes, Jano Brink, our range officer and Bremer Visser pose for a happy photo after finishing the difficult ‘H’ (Hornady) stage.

Other memorable stages were ‘Tipping the Balance’, where you had your rifle in a sling and first had to pack stones in a bucket until it lifted the rifle off the ground before you could shoot. Here I cleaned up at the stage and was very chuffed with myself. The next stage was called ‘H’ for Hornady. Hendrie is the owner of Guns and Bows in Cape Town, an official importer of all of Hornady products. On this stage, a wellbalanced rifle and good heavy bag helped with stability. Some shooters opted to deploy a tripod here, but with having to move four times and adjust between shots, it took up too much time and ended up putting the shooter under time pressure. By twelve o’clock the last shot had echoed across the valley. We all gathered for a super burger and chips and a quick prizegiving. While waiting for the results, I learnt about the misfortune of one of the shooters. On the last shot of his initial stage, his rifle had a problem and he was unable to sort it out. This would have effectively ended his day’s shooting but then Mohsin Tajbhai stepped in and offered not only to loan the shooter his rifle and ammunition, but also would not hear about any compensation for it.

Hendrik Nel showing good form on the side of the rooftop.

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DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


Such is the wonderful sportsmanship that we have in precision rifle. As is typical of the shooting gods, the shooter with the loaned rifle went ahead and pipped Mo in the final results. Well done, Mo! It is great to see such an unselfish gesture and good camaraderie. The final results were: Open Class First place: Garth Olivier Second place: Le Riche Coetzer Third place: Schalk Jacobs

Hendrie Brink and Greg Sykes

Factory Class First place: Rob Ramsden Second place: Perry Gouveia Tactical/Limited Class First place: Greg Sykes Second place: Yvette van der Westhuizen Third place: Neville Koudstaal Schalk Jacobs donated a couple of his super reloading products that he manufactures under the APW brand name as lucky draw prizes. After two days of hard shooting, I headed home with a stiff and sore body but an energised soul. What a great sport that we are privileged to take part in! If you are interested, please go to the SAPRF webpage and get hold of your local area contact person. There are many exciting development shoots planned, as well as the 22 long rifle shoots, which are a great way to enter the sport. Visit: https://www. precisionrifle.co.za/. SAPRF arranges and runs shooting events from club shoots where new shooters can get coaching tips from the experienced guys to provincial shoots for the more competitive

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

Match Director – Hendrie Brink at Prizegiving

shooters and then the national series where the shooters who take the sport very seriously can compete. Here there is a chance to earn national colours and to represent your country in shooting.

Range Officers, Nardus Jordaan, Hercu Bothma and Jaco Joubert with match director, Hendrie Brink

The PR22 series is designed to be training shoots. Due to the nonexistent recoil and very low noise signature of the .22 long rifle cartridge, these are the absolutely perfect occasion to bring younger or new shooters. As the sport grows, the PR22 shoots will also start to have a higher profile, with plans afoot to even hold international .22 events. It is a great low-cost entry to the sport, as a standard .22 rifle with a reasonable scope can hold its own against any of the top-end rifles. Get out there, be safe, have fun and hopefully we can meet up at a future match.

Yvette van der Westhuizen

15


KO1M SA AND KO2M SA 2021: FROM THE HOST’S PERSPECTIVE By Brendan Fike

It is quite surreal to think almost a year has passed since the last King event in Clarens from 19 to 21 November 2020, where Roche van der Walt and Ruan Ellis were crowned as King of 1 Mile South Africa (KO1M SA) and King of 2 Miles South Africa (KO2M SA) respectively. The official results are below: 2020 KING OF 1 MILE SOUTH AFRICA – RESULTS SUMMARY

Spotter

Qualification

Finals

Total

Royal

CBG

Score

Score

Score

Title

Rank

Shooter

1

Roche van der Walt Ruan Ellis

2571

15 405

27 357

42 762

KING

2

Charl Gous

Pieter Eksteen

0

13 569

22 573

36 142

PRINCE

3

Jaco Heyns

Jan Combrinck

0

15 246

16 163

31 409

DUKE

4

DJ van Zyl

Pieter Eksteen

0

9 769

19 216

28 985

5

Andries Möller

Hermé Smit

0

14 989

10 164

25 153

6

Hendrie Brink

DJ van Zyl

0

10 343

8 323

18 666

7

Steven van Niekerk

Floyd Morrison

0

10 590

5 948

16 538

8

Chris Badenhorst

Johan Dormehl

0

9 890

6 612

16 502

9

Ruan Ellis

Hermé Smit

0

11 780

2 022

13 802

10

Warren Ross-Allen

Tielman de Villiers

0

10 377

0

10 377

2020 KING OF 2 MILES SOUTH AFRICA – RESULTS SUMMARY Qualification

Finals

Total

Royal

Rank

Shooter

Spotter

CBG

Score

Score

Score

Title

1

Ruan Ellis

Hermé Smit

0

31 087

0

31 087

KING

2

Jan Combrinck

Jaco Heyns

0

22 341

0

22 341

PRINCE

3

Danie du Preez

DJ van Zyl

0

17 860

0

17 860

DUKE

4

Roche van der Walt Ruan Ellis

0

16 464

0

16 464

5

Jan van der Walt

Hermé Smit

0

14 030

0

14 030

6

Warren Britnell

Etienne de Beer

0

12 319

0

12 319

7

Charl Gous

Pieter Eksteen

0

10 292

0

10 292

8

Shaun Flink

Brendan Fike

0

9 436

0

9 436

9

Pierre Reyneke

Hermé Smit

0

9 366

0

9 366

10

Brendan Fike

DJ van Zyl

0

8 580

0

8 580

Impact Xtreme Shooting is the sole endorsed host for KO1M SA and KO2M SA. So, what is Impact Xtreme Shooting, and how did it start? Brendan Fike and Jaco Heyns established Impact Xtreme Shooting in 2018 as a platform to kickstart the growth of Extreme Long Range (ELR) shooting in South Africa. They held the inaugural King of 2 km (KO2KM) event at Bokpoort Cowboy Ranch in November 2018, a first for South Africa. Shooters from all over the

16

country packed into Bokpoort to try their hand at this crazy +2 000 m event. Post-Bokpoort saw the ELR Scene in South Africa literally exploding. In 2019 there were more Impact Xtreme Shooting events like the Master of 2 km+ (MO2KM+) event at Moreson Ranch and participation at MO2KM in France. We undertook this trip mainly to show fellow South Africans that we can compete with the best in the world. Our hope was to grow an

annual group of South African shooters to compete in these international ELR competitions. Despite the 2020 and 2021 Covid-19 restrictions, the South African ELR scene now has multiple ELR events planned throughout the year, like Send It, ELR Shooting, Truvelo Precision Series, Brothers Arms Precision Series, Peregrine ELR Shoots, Impact Xtreme Shooting and some others. Impact Xtreme Shooting currently comprises Brendan Fike, Graeme Warrack, Liezl Meyer, Janrich Abraham, Zeldine Abraham, Shaun Flink, Arthur Coleby and Malcolm Warrack. Our focus now is to strengthen ties with other competing countries and to grow the King in South Africa into a larger, more competitive annual multinational event. Networking is key, which we learnt quickly in France in 2019. Having international shooters participate here will strengthen our local industry and open up many more opportunities. A different perspective We decided this year to focus on the perspective of the event organiser or host so you can experience the many challenges that must be dealt with. Hosting an event is really all about planning and problem-solving. We have also included some interesting shooter age/origin demographic analytics, year-on-year growth of the King in South Africa, including all the scoresheets, equipment lists and a bird’s-eye view of the overall event costs. We have three years’ worth of event infrastructure, so keep in mind that the costs indicated under Section 2 in the

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


Targets surveyed by Jesper Scheelke from J. Scheelke & Associates

2021 RANGE CERTIFICATE SURVEYED BY J. SCHEELKE & ASSOCIATES TARGET

TARGET

TARG SIZE

#

COLOUR

MOA

METERS HORIZONTAL

YARDS SLOPE

ANGLE

HORIZONTAL

SLOPE

Degrees

-1.9

KO1M SA QUALIFICATION Cold Bore

WHITE

0.98 x 0.98

1049,89

1050,44

1148,17

1148,78

Target 1

YELLOW

1.7 x 2.0

600,00

600,62

656,16

656,84

-2.6

Target 2

BLUE

1.7 x 2.1

800,75

801,32

875,71

876,33

-2.6

Target 3

PINK

1.8 x 1.8

999,61

1000,16

1093,19

1093,79

-1.9

Target 4

GREEN

1.7 x 1.7

1149,83

1150,37

1257,47

1258,06

-1.7

-1.7

KO1M SA FINALS Target 5

WHITE

1.4 x 1.9

1249,96

1250,48

1366,97

1367,54

Target 6

PINK

1.4 x 1.8

1499,58

1500,09

1639,96

1640,51

-1.5

Target 7

GREEN

1.4 x 1.9

1619,94

1620,42

1771,59

1772,12

-1.4

2021 RANGE CERTIFICATE SURVEYED BY J. SCHEELKE & ASSOCIATES TARGET

TARGET

TARG SIZE

#

COLOUR

MOA

METERS HORIZONTAL

YARDS SLOPE

ANGLE

HORIZONTAL

SLOPE

Degrees

KO2M SA QUALIFICATION Cold Bore

WHITE

1.1 x 1.1

1450,24

1450,86

1586,00

1586,68

-1.7

Target 1

YELLOW

1.5 x 2.0

1400,23

1400,86

1531,31

1532,00

-1.7

Target 2

BLUE

1.4 x 1.9

1660,23

1660,81

1815,64

1816,29

-1.5

Target 3

PINK

1.4 x 1.7

2000,32

2000,88

2187,57

2188,18

-1.3

Target 4

GREEN

1.4 x 1.7

2256,75

2257,31

2468,01

2468,62

-1.3

KO2M SA FINALS Target 5

WHITE

1.3 x 1.6

2500,40

2500,94

2734,47

2735,07

-1.2

Target 6

PINK

1.3 x 1.6

2854,46

2854,99

3121,68

3122,26

-1.2

Target 7

GREEN

1.3 x 1.6

3271,62

3272,15

3577,89

3578,47

-1.2

Khoisan Karoo Conservancy 2021 Event Expenses spreadsheet were mostly incurred additionally. We hope a glimpse into the behind-thescenes world of running an ELR event of this magnitude will help you appreciate the immense stress and personal expense involved.

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

The 2021 King was held at a new venue in the Northern Cape. The Khoisan Karoo Conservancy is a vast area of 8 000 ha dedicated to the conservation of the local fauna and flora. This area falls within the Great Karoo, a semi-desert region spanning

more than 400 000 km2, stretching over the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape provinces. For comparison, this area is larger than Germany. The Great Karoo is our version of the Australian Outback or North America’s Chihuahuan Desert. Characterised by extensive open

17


2018 KING OF 2 km @ BOKPOORT

2019 MASTER OF 2 km @ MORESON RANCH

Rank

Shooter

Score

Rank

Shooter

Score

1

Ruan Ellis

1 041

1

Brendan Fike

176 883

2

Estian Grobler

1 028

2

Tielman de Villiers

124 841

3

Shaun Flink

1 027

3

Gary Meyer

86 834

4

Chrisjan Diedericks

1 008

4

Kobus Westraad

74 142

5

Marco Oberholzer

608

5

Stephan Swanepoel

60 531

6

Johan Jansen

607

6

Marius van Schalkwyk

55 103

7

Gary Meyer

606

7

Adrienne Postma

37 733

8

Brendan Fike

595

8

Jaco Nell

23 030

9

Anton Klackers

587

9

Jaco Heyns (snr)

0

10

Van Zyl Wait/Marius Genade 285

10

Marco Oberholzer

0

2019 MASTER OF 2 km IN FRANCE – RESULTS SUMMARY Qualification

Finals

Total

Nationality

Royal

even marked out the 3 600 m and 4 000 m targets for future world record attempts. We soon decided that the KO1M SA would be shot from Shooting Position 2 and the KO2M SA from Shooting Position 4. Bullet splash At that stage PC had a backhoe piling sand heaps at each target location to provide a backstop and to identify the target positions. However, later when testing the range for bullet splash, we quickly discovered that it was not easy to see bullet splash on the backstops during certain times of the day due to shadow.

Rank

Shooter

CBG

Score

Score

Score

Country

Title

1

Bruno Put

0

38 581

18 690

57 271

France

KING

2

Yevhen Hordiienko

0

33 307 21 805

55 112

Ukraine

PRINCE

3

Pierre Favre

0

39 447 3 115

42 562

France

DUKE

4

Petrus Cosmin Oprean

0

40 476 0

40 476

Romania

5

Stéphane Ratel

0

39 851

0

39 851

France

6

Jean Michel Balatre

0

25 731

12 460

38 191

France

7

Ales Zakelj

1

29 639 0

29 639

Slovakia

8

Brendan Fike

0

26 050 3 115

29 165

South Africa

It was far easier to see the dust splash in the open plain at any distance. We decided to can the backstop idea and rather place targets in the flat plain without any backstop. At medium distances this worked well, but we would have to test it at 2 500 m onwards to ensure the shooting team could see the splash.

9

Yannick Lethiec

1

26 461

0

26 461

France

Elevated shooting positions

10

Cyril Chedanne

0

24 614

0

24 614

France

The next visit to New Holme was 15 to 16 June 2021. It was bitterly cold and refreshing all at the same time. In terms of the layout and infrastructure, we required the shooting positions to be elevated to prevent ground mirage blurring one’s vision. Secondly, it would provide shooters with a far better view of the target area without having to contend with the Karoo bushes and steekgras obscuring the view.

plains bordered by dolerite-capped mountains, the San word ‘Karoo’ means ‘Land of Great Thirst’. This venue is pretty much central between Johannesburg and Cape Town, and is accessed by the N1 highway. It is far more accessible by road from the Eastern Cape, Free State and especially the Western Cape. The hope was that it would attract more shooters from the latter province, as these shooters are highly regarded as being among the best and most skilled in South Africa. New Holme Nature Lodge The landowners are PC and Mariska Ferreira based at the main lodge, namely New Holme Nature Lodge. New Holme is a popular wedding venue, birders paradise and nature lovers’ retreat. It also hosts the annual Colesberg Equestrian Endurance ride and the Lazy Hippo Mountain bike stage race. A firm guest favourite is the ‘Shy Five’ night drive, which focuses on rarely-seen nocturnal animals such as the aardvark, aardwolf, bat-eared fox, porcupine and blackfooted cat.

18

The Send It, ELR shooting team had started working with PC to establish an ELR range on the farm. PC saw a future synergy with his current business model. Soon a professional land surveyor was on-site to survey five new shooting positions and an array of targets for a new shooting range subsequently named the Karoo King of the Plains Shooting Range. Perfect distances After the 2020 King event at the beautiful Clarens location, it was clear this venue was perfectly suited to the KO1M SA and MO2KM distances. However, for the KO2M SA finals, the targets had to be placed in precarious positions, which made spotting impacts very difficult, if not nigh impossible. We had to find another range that allowed the impacts to be more easily seen by shooters and spotters alike. After speaking to Charl Gous, we decided to scope out the venue. Our first visit to New Holme was on 23 May 2021. PC gave us a grand tour of the farm and we exchanged ideas over the next few days. During this trip we

A cleared flat parking area would facilitate the arrival and departure of vehicles throughout the day. Permanent toilets with running water and wash basins were highest on the list of requirements, which included a braai area and a marquee for the food, cold beverages and barista coffee facilities. This would also shelter people during the hot sunny days or in the unlikely event of any rainstorms (much more about that later.) Access road The fact that the ground was very rocky had to be taken into consideration, as the tent support points would have to be jackhammered into the underlying rock. The tent supplier assured us that

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


KAROO King of the Plains Shooting Range at

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the tent would withstand 85 km/h gale-force winds. Particular attention was paid to the access road. The existing road’s approach angle was from in front of the shooting positions, which for obvious safety reasons wouldn’t suffice. Rather, a new access road was needed that did not approach from in front of any of the shooting points. This would allow for safe arrival and departure throughout the day. Daily catering requirements were discussed, and it was also decided that B&Bs in the vicinity would be approached by PC and his team to ensure there was sufficient capacity to handle the unprecedented ‘Great Trek’ of ELR shooters into the area. Great excitement There was great excitement among the ELR community after we posted on social media that the 2021 online event registration would open at 19:00 29 on June 2021. Our online registration website www.impactxs. co.za was tested in advance. Here we provided all the necessary documents for download, namely match rules, indemnity/liability waiver, event information, international shooter information and, lastly, the Covid-19 match procedures. We opened the event registration only six or seven minutes late, and boy were we surprised to see 15 to 18 registrations received within the first hour. Registration requires an equipment list to be filled out for analytics purposes, plus it’s also a requirement when we send the event results to KO2M in the US. These lists are being completed half-heartedly by some. For example, under scope, some just put the brand instead of the full details. In the calibre column, some enter 30cal or 300. Now there are probably 50 variants of the 30cal. Equipment-list headache This makes for unnecessary work for the organisers as we must now privately contact the shooters to request the information. We will have to rule in future that registrations will only be accepted if complete and accurate information is provided. This does require some effort on the shooter’s part, but we should all know our own equipment. We please ask that you work with us on this. The registrations continued to pour in. The Covid-19 travel restrictions had South Africa red-listed right up until a few weeks before the event. This

20

International competitors

layer of complexity. There would need to be five more target stands, five more MagnetoSpeed T1000 indicators, 20 more rubber straps and 20 more stainless steel bolts and nuts. But the biggest outlay would be four more camera systems.

Yevhen Hordiienko had been chatting to us for quite some time about attending the event. We first met Yevhen, also known on social media as John Gordey, and his teammate Dmytro Hnidin in 2019 at the MO2KM in France. There they took second place, so we already knew this team would be a strong contender.

These were just the field changes. What about the changes up at the shooting point? Everything else would need to be doubled up as well: Scorers, spotters, third umpires, range officers, camera feed Wi-Fi receivers, network video recorders (NVR), flat screen monitors, audible hit indicators and power supplies.

Added to this was the Ukrainian Kraken Team, made up of Volodymyr Bondarenko and Volodymyr Bilyk, which shoot ELR and F-Class. At present, they are part of the team who took part in Ukraine’s 2021 F-Class championships. It was also very nice to welcome registrations from our neighbours in Namibia. We have been trying to tempt our ELR brothers out the desert to come and shoot with us for some time now, and finally to our delight Charles Cook was able to take the bait.

Bigger and better

meant that the US, South America, Canada, the UK and most of Europe could not travel to South Africa for sports activities. However, we were very glad to receive four registrations from Ukraine and one from Namibia.

Call for registration to be reopened

Every year the event gets bigger and bigger, so we end up spending all of the registration fees on infrastructure, with the deficit coming out of our own pockets. After each event we tell each other that next year we will cover all of the event expenses from the registration fees. However, one must remember that an event like this needs generous prize sponsors. We have always been fortunate enough to be well supported by our local firearm industry. Just as essential are cash or infrastructure sponsors.

Registrations for the KO1M SA event quickly filled up. We capped it at 55 shooters, as we cannot handle more than this number on a single range in daylight hours. Last year, 40-odd shooters took us until 14:30, so we knew we could safely slip in another ten as the absolute limit. However, we were inundated with requests to reopen registration.

We were blessed with generous sponsors this year. Special thanks to cash sponsors FAR Diesel Power Services, Kopano Auctioneers, Edgar Doubell, Kallie Muller of Multech, GoFresh Café and PC Ferreira. This year we had a gross deficit of R87 228,29. After taking into account the cash donations, the nett deficit was about R30 000.

How could we accommodate more shooters in a single day? At first we thought of using both shooting points simultaneously with one sequence of targets, whereby the first shooter would start and after he had completed T1 and progressed to T2, the second shooter would engage T1. Not a perfect solution, as some shoot quicker than others, and should a shooter not progress past T1, the other shooter would be left waiting. After speaking to Warren Britnell at the CMH shoot, we realised we had no option but to double up on the Qualification Day targets so both ranges could shoot simultaneously and independently of each other.

Out of love, and out of pocket

It seems simple Now it seems simple, doesn’t it? Just get another five targets and all is good. Actually, no. This added another

So, for those who think that there is money in hosting events like this, think again. We do this willingly, generally at our own expense, and always for the love of the sport. We try to keep the registration fees as low as possible to encourage more competitors to participate, as we are aware of the expenses that shooters accrue in terms of travel, accommodation and meals. We visited PC and family once again from 22 to 25 September 2021. We dropped off 80% of the targets and generally inspected the progress of all the infrastructure for the upcoming event. Some time was spent looking for a suitable zeroing range, and we finally decided on the farm airstrip. This was the flattest piece of ground, with no vegetation in the way to bar prone shooting.

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


Target surveying The main reason for the visit was to accompany professional land surveyor Jesper Scheelke from J. Scheelke & Associates to assist him with the target surveying. After receiving all the required target distances, Jesper plotted the correct positions on his GNSS system software. We spent the better part of a day-and-a-half surveying all the required points. At each point, we knocked in a marker standard with an aluminium tag containing the pin details. All the elevated shooting positions were marked, as well as all the target positions from 600 m to 4 000 m. Two days in the hot African sun is tiring, yet very satisfying once it was all done and dusted and Jesper was able to send us an official range certificate. Generally, the range card has many columns with distances corrected to sea level or local beacon. However, the only ones we are interested in are the distance from the shooting positions to the targets in metres and yards showing horizontal distance and slope distance with incline/decline angle. On target The additional targets required were drawn up in CAD and sent off to our contact Ricardo at Macsteel. The closer targets we made from 12 mm VRN500, decreasing to 10 mm and 6 mm respectively for the targets furthest away from the shooter. The lead time was five to seven days, which meant we would get the plates far in advance of the event, allowing us to complete the painting and target preparation. Two weeks went by, and I enquired where the steel was. The metalworkers’ union had downed tools at Macsteel over a wage dispute. Nobody knew when the strike would end. We did manage to source other suppliers that could manufacture immediately, but at a 40% mark-up. This was due to us having to buy the VRN500 steel sheets and transport them to a laser profiling company to cut to size and make the hanging bolt holes. Two sets of delivery fees were included. We had no choice but to go with this, as time was not on our side. Storage unit fire due to riots Also, the recent riots in the Durban area had left our storage unit destroyed by fire and the building condemned. Unfortunately, this was where we had stored our gazebos and

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branded banners, etc. The beautiful co-branded gazebos donated by Ballistic Beast Precision the previous year, along with a whole range of other event equipment, was up in smoke, worth an estimated R40 000. We had to replace this at our own cost as the insurance claim was ongoing and would not be resolved in time. Anyway, in the weeks leading up to the event, we loaded the hired trailer and the SUV until we couldn’t load it anymore. We had a barista coffee machine, packed freezer, diesel genset, tables, cases and cases of cold drinks and event equipment. Somehow we got it all in. We left Hillcrest at 02:30 on Monday 25 October 2021, picking up Arthur Coleby on the way past Howick. We arrived at New Holme around 11:30 to be met by Janrich and Zeldine Abraham. Bad weather arising After a delicious lunch prepared by Mariska Ferreira, we spent the afternoon assessing what still had to be done. The weather forecast was inclement for the next few days. Not what we wanted, but we had no control over it. Concerned shooters phoned, while we also had some last-minute cancellations. The marquee, parking and judges’ area behind the shooting points had been cleared. The new access road had been completed. The braai had been built and already tested. Farm staff were still busy completing some of the target structures. Some were not facing the shooting points correctly and had to be realigned. We dropped off the steel targets at the correct positions to be hung the following day. There had also been some challenges in completing the ablution facilities, and thus alternative arrangements had to be made. Picture perfect Our regular videographer also could not make the event at the last minute. PC recommended Johanette van Heerden Middelburg. She quickly came onboard. One must remember this was the inaugural event at the Karoo King of the Plains Shooting Range. Obviously, infrastructure will be upgraded over time. Keep in mind that this costs money, and plenty of it. PC had been so accommodating throughout the setup of the range infrastructure and during all the planning and negotiations. I would like to thank him

for being an absolute pleasure to work with. PC funded all of the permanent range infrastructure; the total cost is now close to or just over the R200 000 mark.

This was the inaugural event at the Karoo King of the Plains Shooting Range Zeroing range The following day was spent hanging targets and preparing the zeroing range. Graeme and Malcolm Warrack arrived and commenced setting up the areas around the shooting points. This included judges’ tables, gazebos and power supply cabling. The generators were dropped off as far away as possible so as to minimise the noise. While the men were in the field, Liezl and Zeldine prepared the lodge for the following day’s registration and weigh-in. There were welcome packs to be filled with sponsored items, event and target information and other Impact Xtreme branded items, including patches, water bottles and pens. A trip had to be made into Hanover to collect diesel for the Genset and ice for GoFresh’s drinks menu. By Tuesday evening, a lot of progress had been made. Weighing in Wednesday 27 October 2021 was upon us. Shooters arrived throughout the day. Each rifle setup was weighed to ensure it conformed to the weight limitations of each event. The rifle is weighed in ready-to-shoot configuration, including the bipod. The only additional piece of equipment that gets weighed for the KO2M SA rifles is any elevation device like a Charlie Tarac or a Nightforce wedge prism. The 2021 maximum weight for the KO1M SA was 13,6 kg and 18,14 kg for the KO2M SA. Shooter equipment was checked versus what had been registered so as to keep the equipment list accurate. Some rifle setups were just over the limit, and shooters had to start removing non-essential parts to make the weight limit. Some shooters removed the cheek piece, recoil absorber and length of pull sections, while others removed rifle weights added for more controllability.

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Don’t remove the muzzle brake The last thing one wants to remove is the muzzle brake. I saw this at the KO2M in Raton, New Mexico, a few years back. The poor fella tried to withstand the recoil punishment of his large calibre, which was not conducive to achieving good results. Soon the zeroing range was packed and shots could be heard in the distance. The last member of the Impact Team, Shaun Flink, arrived and had brought the remaining new targets with him from Johannesburg, which we went to hang. The marquee could be seen looming over the shooting range from afar. We had asked the tent installers to jackhammer two holes into the underlying rock for us, one at each shooting point. A long pole would be inserted into these holes to carry our Wi-Fi camera omnidirectional receivers. This would ensure we had good clear camera feed from the target cameras. Dark and grey Suddenly the sky got very dark and grey as an afternoon thunderstorm moved in. This put an end to our plans to fully set up the KO1M SA qualification course. We were going to set up all the cameras, test the

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feedback to the shooting point and leave them in position overnight. The target indicators were also to be installed and left overnight. We also wanted to drop off the twenty-four 50 kg bags at the targets. These bags have a dual role: To protect the cameras from bullets and shrapnel, and to assist the shooters to identify the various targets. The sacks are spray-painted with bright luminous colours visible from afar. These are colour-coded according to the range card target identifiers. BUT the rain changed all of these plans. Not only was it unwise to leave the electronic equipment out in the rain overnight, we quickly found out that the soil contained a lot of clay. Wet and slippery This meant that when it got wet, it got very slippery. We could feel the vehicles starting to slip and slide in 4x4 mode, so we decided to rather come back early the following morning to complete these tasks, as hopefully it would have had time to dry out. To our dismay, it rained very hard that evening. We posted the shooting order for the following day and crossed our fingers in the hope that the rain would stop.

We headed off into the muddy unknown Well, the rain did not stop until early that morning. We were up at 03:30, loading GoFresh Café’s equipment into the vehicles and onto the trailers, all of which still had to be set up under the marquee. The rain had also prevented us from accomplishing this the previous day. We were fighting against time to get everything ready before the morning briefing. The roads were muddy, and by the time we got up to the shooting range, there was mud everywhere. The trailer had been offloaded and the generator started up to power the site, and so we headed off into the muddy unknown. Janrich the Iron Man We decided that it was safer to travel with two vehicles in case one got stuck. We headed down to the targets, loaded the 24 sacks and distributed them three per target. We were thankful to have Janrich with us. This man is as strong as an ox and lifted those heavy bags as if it was his day job. The rest of us moaned and groaned as we moved the bags in pairs, while Janrich ran circles around us.

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Eight cameras and transmitters were laid out; all grass and bush obstructing the camera’s view was cleared. Ten MagnetoSpeed target indicators were installed, aligned and tested. We noticed that the newer Gen 2 target indicators all seemed to have a reset time delay. However, they were all on default settings and normal sensitivity. We didn’t have time to waste figuring this out, so we rather installed the older target indicators, which triggered every time we tested them. Camera, action! The next job was to communicate with Graeme, who had set up the camera receivers and the two NVRs. We had a few cameras that did not want to establish a link, due to something inside the camera box that had come lose during the bouncy 4x4 ride in the mud. After establishing a link, Graeme would tell us how to orientate the camera to provide the best view and angle of each target. What a stressful job, rushing against time to make the announced briefing time. We were back at the shooting position 40 minutes late. However, considering the challenges we faced, I think we did very well. The KO1M SA qualification course of fire was ready. We noticed the camera system was hanging, and eventually diagnosed bad power quality from the farm’s 10 kVA petrol generator. It was either the frequency or voltage that was out of limits for the sensitive electronics. I connected the power to my vehicle’s inverter system, which resolved the issue, but meant the car had to run idling for most of the day. Course of fire Feeling rather guilty at arriving back late at the shooting position, it was nice to see everyone grabbing a barista coffee with breakfast, with excited chatter in the air. The morning briefing was held at the marquee, where we covered the important range and competition rules. The course of fire was as follows:

number of allowable scoring shots, you receive zero points for that target, but are allowed to proceed to the next target, where you can score once again. The shooter’s course of fire is suspended either by time or the number of rounds fired. Both ranges would be run independently of each other. There were two targets at each distance, ten metres apart. The left shooting position would engage the left target and the right shooting position would engage the right target. The left shooting position hits would be indicated by a brass bell, while the right shooting position hits would be indicated by an electric audible alarm sound. We would like to thank Bernard Classen & Louise Fouche from Helber for sponsoring the use of two brand new Maven spotting scopes on tripods. The clarity is phenomenal and these proved invaluable to our team.

The opening shots of the 2021 KO1M SA were by W Cape shooters Shots fired The opening shots of the 2021 KO1M SA were from Western Cape shooters. Louis van Zyl opened the left range, while Charl Gous opened the right range. Initially 84 shooters had registered for the KO1M SA. However, taking into account the cancellations, we had a field of 69 shooters for the day. It’s normal to work on a percentage of total registrations to estimate how many shooters will arrive and actually compete. We had a 18% cancellation rate, which meant our turnout for the KO1M SA was 82%.

The day started off well, and we enjoyed some super shooting performances. But, alas, the weather had other ideas. Rain squall after squall rolled in and soon the earth was drenched. Shooting continued while the targets were clearly visible. However, we had to halt the shoot on a few occasions as the targets were not visible. You can imagine how miserable this situation was, but everyone’s spirits remained high. During the rainy periods, everyone huddled under the gazebos and patiently waited it out. Everything was cold and wet, yet every shooter was able to complete their course of fire. 4x4 vs. clay There was no way we would be able to set up for the following day’s KO2M qualification. The ground was too wet and our vehicles would get stuck. Low-range 4x4 with diff lock is no match for this clayey soil. Janrich and Arthur went to fetch the cameras, as we had to dry them out and recharge the batteries overnight. They almost got stuck doing this, so our call was the only one we could have made under the circumstances. We would have to repeat the morning’s early start again in the hope that the rain would subside overnight, allowing the soil to dry out somewhat. It was our best chance, as the sand in the KO2M SA course was way worse after two days of soaking rain.

Oom Johann was an inspiration to all of us Johann van Zyl topped the day’s rankings, followed by his son Louis. What a special moment! Taking into consideration that Johann is the most senior competitor this year at 75, what a fine example to us all, and what a

Q Only 1 shot is fired at the cold bore gong Q 5 scoring shots on T1 Q 3 scoring shots on T2, T3 and T4 Q Maximum 15-round count in a 9-minute time limit Q Hit to advance system The latter means you must hit the target in order to advance to the next target. If you hit the target after the

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remarkable competitor. We take our hats off to you, Oom Johann. You inspire us all, even while you gave most of us a good hiding. Peak performances Other great performances were from Charl Gous, Michael Hitchcock, Gary Meyer, Yevhen Hordiienko and Elton Burger, ensuring they all sailed into the KO1M SA finals. The tiny 0.95 x 0.95 MOA cold bore target was hit by the likes of Volodymyr Bondarenko, Warren Britnell, Bernard Eksteen, Floyd Morrison, Sakkie Oosthuizen and Warwick du Preez. One issue we picked up on was that we had to continually remind shooters to use their eyewear. Some arrived on the line without it. It’s a requirement for the King events globally, and I fully support safety. We cannot afford to have an accident, especially if the shooter was not wearing adequate safety eyewear. In the first instance, it would be very unfortunate for a shooter to be left blinded or to suffer fatal wounds should his rifle explode near his face. Eyewear is mandatory Secondly, it would attract negative publicity for the King event, its hosts and the shooting community in general. Look at the Kentucky Ballistics 50BMG rifle failure, which almost cost Scott De Shields Jnr his life. His eyewear literally played a pivotal role in him being able to survive that terrible accident. So, please practice with your eyewear until it becomes second nature. We will be stricter on this in 2022. Back at the lodge, there were scores to be updated in the official scoring system. Hit challenges were assessed and the official scores released later that evening. The Top 15 KO1M SA finalists were announced, and it would indeed prove to be a highly competitive finale. The cameras and target indicators were dried out and all the batteries put on charge. Exhausted, it was straight to bed after a warm shower, as the following day’s 04:00 wakeup call was not far away. Mud, mud and more mud The rain did abate somewhat overnight. The following morning we had to repeat the rushed range set up all over again. The only exception this time was that we were familiar with the muddy conditions awaiting us. It all started off fine. We collected the sacks from the KO1M SA ranges and had to

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move two targets across to the KO2M SA qualification range. It started raining again and the already saturated ground quickly became impossible to navigate. We hit a wet saturated sandy bog and the vehicle just slumped down. Low-range 4x4 with diff lock was once again powerless. Perhaps without the trailer we would have been able to get free, but unfortunately a heavily laden trailer just pulls you down deeper into the bog. The front and rear tyres of the vehicle had accumulated a mass of wet clay in front of and behind each wheel, which had to be dug out with a spade. Moving forward, one saw the ground just collapse under the weight of the tyre, and the whole process commenced again. Bogged down After 45 minutes we managed to get free and back onto the road, but we had to return through the bog on the way back to the shooting point. So, another exciting time was envisaged. Instead of trying to use the treacherous new road that branched off the old established road, we carried the camera equipment to the targets and took the empty sacks and rather filled them at the target location. We managed to get the two furthest target cameras working, but not the two closest ones. Later analysis indicated that the receiver angle was not perfect. As we were running out of time, we had to forget about the two cameras that were not working. The official spotters, along with the T1000 target indicator, would determine hits and misses on the closer two targets. It was mentioned in the briefing that the official spotter’s call was final. The KO2M SA course of fire was the same as the previous day, with the exception that the targets were further. Seeing is believing After the briefing, the range was opened and the first shots broke the Karoo silence. A total of 46 KO2M SA shooters participated in this year’s event, a 77% increase over 2020. During the latter part of the day, some rain squalls rolled through the Karoo flats, making it impossible to see the targets. We had to stop the shooters’ time and wait until the rainstorm had passed before starting the clock again. You can imagine how difficult the wet ground made it to see the last two target impacts.

Nonetheless, an unbeatable round by Michael Hitchcock put him in top position for the day, with a points tally almost double that of the secondplaced competitor. Exceptional shooting by Shaun Flink, Ivan Fourie and Charl Gous ensured their places in the finals line-up. It was great to see so many newcomers participating in the KO2M SA event. Congratulations to Michael Hitchcock and Jaco Heyns, the only two competitors to hit the KO2M SA cold bore target. Two vehicles stuck The cameras and target indicators were collected later that afternoon. Even though the weather had cleared up and the sun was out, the Karoo flats were still saturated and the ground extremely soft. We decided to try collect the sandbags and set up the complete KO2M finals course. We knew the ground was soft, but thought it was worth the try. Well, it wasn’t long before we had two vehicles stuck in the mud. The sun was setting, and digging vehicles out of the mud in the dark didn’t appeal. While we waited for PC to come to the rescue, we decided it was worth trying to get the vehicles out if we could. We unhitched my trailer and tried everything in our power to nurse the vehicle out. We deflated the tyre pressure to 0.8 bar and dug the mud out with our hands. Give us a break! Eventually after an hour we successfully freed my vehicle. We then pulled Graeme’s pickup out of the mud, followed by the trailer. It was clear that we would not make it to the KO2M finals targets, and would have to do so early the following morning after allowing the ground time to dry out in the mild windy conditions. We were just not winning. Arriving back at the lodge, there were great celebrations and the music was blaring. The cameras were dried out and the batteries put back on charge. We had captured all the scores during the day on the official scoring spreadsheet, minimising the work in the evening. However, seeing as we had additional shooters enter the KO2M SA at the last minute, the sheet would not allow me to add them, as the random sequence draw had already been activated the previous evening. This is an anti-tampering feature built into the official scoring system. It meant that we had to recreate the entire sheet from scratch

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and recapture the score and hit sheets again. Top 10 KO2M SA finalists The Top 10 KO2M SA finalist names were released, with the finals shoot order exactly according to the ranking of the qualifications. So, all the effort during the day capturing scores had been a futile exercise. Another late night ensued. The wake-up alarm came way, way too soon. But it was go-time, as we had both KO1M SA and KO2M SA to complete. Back out in the dark, we powered through the rough, muddy sections of the roads en route to the three KO2M SA finals targets. We went to set up the KO2M SA target first and then the other two in reverse sequence. We initially had problems establishing a link back to the receiver, but the culprit seemed once again to be the poor genset supply. So, it was back to using the vehicle’s inverter and idling the car for most of the day so as to prevent its battery from going flat. Oh well, we do what we have to so that the shoot can go on! Drought, what drought? I need to digress here. When deciding on the event date, we asked PC to confirm which month of the year they had the most chance of rain. He replied that it was in December. Coupled with the fact that the area was in the throes of a long debilitating drought, they had only received an insignificant amount of rain earlier in 2021. A suitable venue for the King, where spotting one’s misses is the name of the game in ELR.

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For three years’ running we had proven to be the rainmakers.

pole 300 mm above the ground. A thumbs-up to our Match Director Graeme for making this difficult call. We all wanted that to have been an impact, but this proves why the camera systems are mandatory and essential for this type of shooting.

The dry, dusty, sparsely covered semi-desert offered perfect splash to the shooter and his spotter after each shot. We even tested this out past two miles, and saw every shot from a 300 Norma Magnum. October seemed to be a safe month, devoid of any rain. Wrong! The very dates we chose would turn out to be when more rain fell than the area had received in years. For three years’ running we had proven to be the rainmakers.

The only shooter to get a confirmed scoring hit that day was Jaco Heyns, who impacted T5 on his fourth shot with his 33XC. Congratulations, Jaco!

Finals formats

The KO1M SA finals could commence. In contrast to the previous wet and muddy days, it was nice and hot. Johann van Zyl opened the range, followed by his son Louis. There were solid performances again from Charl Gous, Dmytro Hnidin, Yevhen Hordiienko and Shaun Flink. It was nice to hear the cheering and general excitement among the spectators. As quickly as it had started, it was over.

Unfortunately, the ground was still wet and saturated, which would make spotting ELR impacts very difficult, if not impossible. Both finals formats are the same, the only difference being the target distances. The format was as follows: Q 5 scoring shots each on T5, T6 and T7 Q Maximum 15-round count in a 10-minute time limit Q Hit to advance system Michael Hitchcock was first up on the line. We all got very excited when we saw the T1000 MagnetoSpeed light up on the 2 500 m target. However, the camera did not indicate any impacts. Upon physical inspection, we found no impacts on the target. There were some holes through the upright poles and a ricochet had impacted the left

The cameras, target indicators and sandbags were moved from the KO2M SA finals range and re-established at the KO1M SA finals Targets T5, T6, T7. Once again, we struggled to get a link to the receiver, but after it was moved to another position, we got a full signal from all three cameras.

Kings, Princes and Dukes Our team split up to collect all the cameras, indicators and sandbags. The rest of the team headed back to the lodge to set up the prizegiving. The scoresheets were all captured and the 2021 Kings, Princes and Dukes awaited to be announced. The prizegiving went off well, with lots of smiles and banter. The results were as follows:

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2021 KO1M South Africa King: Charl Gous Prince: Dmytro Hnidin Duke: Yevhen Hordiienko Cold Bore: Volodymyr Bondarenko

2021 KO2M South Africa King: Michael Hitchcock Prince: Shaun Flink Duke: Ivan Fourie Cold Bore: Michael Hitchcock The following day was spent packing up and getting ready for the long trip home. We left late Sunday afternoon, as packing up took a long time as we were so exhausted. A big thank you to the Impact Xtreme Team. Each and every one of you are key to the ongoing success of these events. Thank you to our sponsors We would like to thank our sponsors for the generous prize table spread. A special mention to Hendrie Brink from Guns & Bows. Your support of the King events, along with Hornady, is much appreciated. Another special thank you to Bernard and Louise from Helber for their generous support, together with Maven and TacomHQ. Andrew Whysall and the Whylo Distributors team, together with Kahles and Callie from Multech and Warren and Natasha Britnell from Gun Warrior, thank you to you all for helping with the spotting and scoring.

CHARL GOUS & MICHAEL HITCHCOCK Truvelo Specialised Manufacturing; Ben and Louis, Legionnaire; Pierre, Tubbgun; Gerrie de Beer, Sudami; Philip and Jakobus, Matoska; Ivan Fourie and Bernard Kotze, 3% Tactical; Geno, Ballistic Adventures; Valjean, Advanced Tactical; Leon Henrico, Ballistic Beast; PC, New Holme; Edgar Doubell; FAR Diesel Power Services and Kopano Auctioneers. Also, a very special mention to Louise Taylor from On Target Africa magazine. I can speak on behalf of Impact Xtreme and the South African shooting industry that your dedication to supporting our sport is amazing. We see and appreciate all you do for us. We are proud to have you as the official KO2M SA media partner.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the following: Petro van Niekerk and team,

DMYTRO HNIDIN, YEVHEN HORDIIENKO, BRENDAN FIKE

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SHAUN FLINK WITH BRENDAN FIKE

VOLODYMYR BILYK & VOLODYMYR BONDARENKO

BERNARD KOTZE & IVAN FOURIE

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Helber is still a small, dedicated company in the industry. We have brought a lot of great brands to our customers, with a lot of success stories. We love what we do, and enjoy partaking in the ELR and ULR competitions ourselves. Our brands Maven, Talley, TacomHQ, ABR, and Titan, to only mention a few, are solely distributed in SA by Helber. We also manufacture our own brand of silencers, muzzle brakes and custom industry related parts that have been tested and found to be on par with the top ranges. We took part in the 2020 KO1M SA and KO2M SA competition; and loved it so much that we decided to take part again this year and ended up sponsoring prizes for the KO1M SA and KO2M SA winners. The vibe at this event is always a winner. Everyone doing what they love while taking on the challenges that nature throws at you.

Bernard Classen Helber 072 241 1439 bernard@helber.co.za www.helber.co.za

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FIFTY CALIBER SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION - OFFICIAL KO2M/KO1M SCORING SYSTEM 2021 KING OF 1 MILE IN SOUTH AFRICA

CLASSIFICATIONS - DAY ONE & DAY TWO CBG 1149 Shooter

1

5

Target 2 (yards) 876 1 2 3

Target 3 (yards) 1094 1 2 3

Target 4 (yards) Bonus Multipliers 1258 Time Seg CBG T1 T2 T3 T4 1 2 3

Ranking

Day

1 2 3

1 1 1

JOHANN VAN ZYL LOUIS VAN ZYL CHARL GOUS

LOUIS VAN ZYL JOHANN VAN ZYL MICHAEL HITCHCOCK

0 0 0

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

134 97 49

0 0 0

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK GARY MEYER YEVHEN HORDIIENKO ELTON BURGER JOHN JUSTUS JAN COMBRINCK DMYTRO HNIDIN PIETER EKSTEEN V BONDARENKO HERMAN MAREE WARREN BRITNELL SHAUN FLINK TREVERN HAASBROEK LOUTJIE HANEKOM BERNARD EKSTEEN DWAYNE CRONJE BAREND VERSTER DANIE DU PREEZ VOLODYMYR BILYK BERNARD KOTZE DJ VAN ZYL FLIP TAIT W TURNER WILKINSON NATASHA BRITNELL JON HAMLET DAWIE DE VILLIERS ADRIENNE POSTMA JAMES PREYSER STEVEN VAN NIEKERK CHARLES LOOTS ARTHUR COLEBY IVAN FOURIE SCHALK JACOBS WALTER CAPES FLOYD MORRISON

CHARL GOUS RUAN ELLIS DMYTRO HNIDIN (NO SPOTTER) DAWIE DE VILLIERS JACO HEYNS YEVHEN HORDIIENKO BERNARD EKSTEEN VOLODYMYR BILYK JAMES PREYSER NATASHA BRITNELL BRENDAN FIKE GERHARDT HAASBROEK IZAK HANEKOM PIETER EKSTEEN LEON AVENANT SANET VERSTER DJ VAN ZYL V BONDARENKO IVAN FOURIE DANIE DU PREEZ STEVEN VAN NIEKERK PIETER MEYER WARREN BRITNELL JAKOBUS ACKERMANN JOHN JUSTUS SUSAN POSTMA HERMAN MAREE FLOYD MORRISON WARWICK DU PREEZ JON HAMLET BERNARD KOTZE SAKKIE OOSTHUIZEN PATRICK CAPES STEVEN VAN NIEKERK

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1

1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0

1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0

1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0

1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 -

1 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

1 0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 -

44 64 78 116 136 22 55 65 67 68 0 10 122 139 0 36 113 104 81 133 53 102 27 65 1 0 5 13 66 0 0 36 118 147 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2392 0 2392 0 0 0 2392 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2392

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Spotter

Target 1 (yards) 657 2 3 4

Score Class

15 12 12 12 15 12 12 12 15 12 12 12

18 099 18 062 18 014

15 15 3 11 6 15 15 15 13 10 11 15 6 10 15 13 13 10 11 15 15 7 15 12 1 15 15 12 10 6 8 7 15 14 14

16 869 15 751 14 629 14 571 13 878 13 714 13 565 13 474 13 259 13 051 12 860 12 850 12 609 12 434 12 383 12 257 11 014 10 791 10 516 10 509 10 397 10 309 10 136 9 961 9 750 9 390 8 926 8 754 8 627 8 466 8 229 7 631 7 331 7 194 6 890

8 12 7 12 7 5 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 9 8 3 12 7 12 3 9 12 7 8 12 12 12 7 12 8 12 12 12 12 0

12 12 12 12 9 12 7 12 12 9 12 12 12 12 12 12 7 7 8 7 3 9 9 9 5 8 3 7 8 8 8 3 3 3 5

12 8 12 7 12 8 8 4 0 7 0 3 5 5 0 7 4 7 3 7 7 3 3 3 7 0 3 3 0 3 0 3 0 0 0

31


32

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


FIFTY CALIBER SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION - OFFICIAL KO2M/KO1M SCORING SYSTEM 2021 KING OF 2 MILES IN SOUTH AFRICA

CLASSIFICATIONS - DAY ONE & DAY TWO CBG 1587 Shooter

Spotter

5

Target 2 (yards) 1816 1 2 3

Target 3 (yards) 2188 1 2 3

Target 4 (yards) Bonus Multipliers 2469 Time Seg CBG T1 T2 T3 T4 1 2 3

Score Class

Ranking

Day

1 2 3

1 1 1

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK SHAUN FLINK IVAN FOURIE

CHARL GOUS BRENDAN FIKE BERNARD KOTZE

1 0 0

1 1 0

0 1 0

1 1 1

0 1 1

1 0 1

1 1 0

1 1 1

1 1 0

1 0 1

1 0 0

0 0 1

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0 0

4462 9 12 9 0 14 12 0 0 6 4 8

0 0 0

40 899 25 586 22 989

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

CHARL GOUS ELTON BURGER JACO HEYNS THINUS GELDENHUYS BERNANRD KOTZE TURNER WILKINSON CHARLES LOOTS ISAK HANEKOM ADRIENNE POSTMA BERNARD EKSTEEN PIETER MEYER EUGENE VAN HEERDEN STEVEN VAN NIEKERK RUAN ELLIS EDGAR DOUBELL LOUISE FOUCHE JANRICH ABRAHAM BERTUS KRUGER PINE LOUW WARWICK DU PREEZ DANIE DU PREEZ JOHAN KARSTEN LOUIS VAN ZYL PHILIP MULLER HENDRIE BRINK BRENDAN FIKE WARREN BRITNELL DAVID GOMES GERHARDT HAASBROEK HENK RYKAART PIETER EKSTEEN DESMOND WELLEN DJ VAN ZYL DAWIE DE VILLIERS

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK SCHALK JACOBS RUAN ELLIS JOHN MATTHEU IVAN FOURIE PIETER MEYER WARWICK DU PREEZ LOUITJIE HANEKOM SUSAN POSTMA PIETER EKSTEEN TURNER WILKINSON DAVID GOMES FLOYD MORRISON JACO HEYNS PINE LOUW BERNARD CLASSEN GARY MEYER JOHAN KARSTEN EDGAR DOUBELL CHARLES LOOTS DJ VAN ZYL JAN COMBRINCK JOHANN VAN ZYL HENK RYKAART KAYLA BRINK SHAUN FLINK NATASHA BRITNELL EUGENE VAN HEERDEN TREVERN HAASBROEK PHILIP MULLER BERNARD EKSTEEN BAREND DE LANGE DANIE DU PREEZ WARREN BRITNELL

0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

0 0 -

0 0 -

0 -

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 4462 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

17 613 13 480 12 796 11 668 10 001 9 279 7 501 6 667 6 633 5 834 5 000 5 000 4 639 3 334 2 500 2 500 1 667 833 833 833 833 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

1

Target 1 (yards) 1532 2 3 4

10 12 10 14 12 0 9 8 1 7 6 6 0 4 3 3 2 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

8 3 0 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

33


FIFTY CALIBER SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION - OFFICIAL KO2M/KO1M SCORING SYSTEM 2021 KING OF 1 MILE IN SOUTH AFRICA

FINALS CBG 100 Shooter

Spotter

1

Target 1 (yards) 1368 2 3 4

Target 2 (yards) 1641 2 3 4

Target 3 (yards) 1772 2 3 4

Bonus Multipliers Time Seg CBG T1 T2 T3

Score Finals

Ranking

Day

5

1

5

1

1 2 3

1 1 1

CHARL GOUS DMYTRO HNIDIN YEVHEN HORDIIENKO

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK YEVHEN HORDIIENKO DMYTRO HNIDIN

0 0 0

1 0 1

1 0 0

1 1 1

1 0 0

1 0 1

1 0 1

1 0 0

1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1

0 1 0

0 1 0

1 0 0

1 1 0

5 1 1 0

224 205 0

0 0 0

15 15 6 3 6 12 9 11 0

31 184 21 196 16 500

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

SHAUN FLINK MICHAEL HITCHCOCK ELTON BURGER V BONDARENKO GARY MEYER PIETER EKSTEEN JOHN JUSTUS HERMAN MAREE JOHANN VAN ZYL LOUIS VAN ZYL JAN COMBRINCK WARREN BRITNELL

BRENDAN FIKE CHARL GOUS (NO SPOTTER) VOLODYMYR BILYK RUAN ELLIS BERNARD EKSTEEN DAWIE DE VILLIERS JAMES PREYSER LOUIS VAN ZYL JOHANN VAN ZYL JACO HEYNS NATASHA BRITNELL

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0

0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 -

0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 -

0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 -

1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 -

0 1 1 1 0 0 1 0 -

1 0 0 0 0 0 -

1 0 1 0 0 0 -

1 0 1 1 1 0 -

0 1 1 0 0 -

0 1 0 0 1 -

0 0 117 0 0 0 0 107 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 1 0 9 0 5 12 10 0 0 4 0

15 173 10 193 12 127 12 506 6 666 8 569 8 033 8 859 0 0 2 678 0

2 10 1 1 7 2 0 1 0 0 0 0

12 0 10 5 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0

FIFTY CALIBER SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION - OFFICIAL KO2M/KO1M SCORING SYSTEM 2021 KING OF 1 MILE IN SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY & PERFORMANCE METRICS CLASSIFICATIONS CBG Score Ranking

Day

1 2 3

1 1 1

CHARL GOUS DMYTRO HNIDIN YEVHEN HORDIIENKO

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK YEVHEN HORDIIENKO DMYTRO HNIDIN

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

SHAUN FLINK MICHAEL HITCHCOCK ELTON BURGER V BONDARENKO GARY MEYER PIETER EKSTEEN JOHN JUSTUS HERMAN MAREE JOHANN VAN ZYL LOUIS VAN ZYL JAN COMBRINCK WARREN BRITNELL TREVERN HAASBROEK LOUTJIE HANEKOM BERNARD EKSTEEN DWAYNE CRONJE BAREND VERSTER DANIE DU PREEZ VOLODYMYR BILYK BERNARD KOTZE DJ VAN ZYL FLIP TAIT W TURNER WILKINSON NATASHA BRITNELL JON HAMLET DAWIE DE VILLIERS

BRENDAN FIKE CHARL GOUS (NO SPOTTER) VOLODYMYR BILYK RUAN ELLIS BERNARD EKSTEEN DAWIE DE VILLIERS JAMES PREYSER LOUIS VAN ZYL JOHANN VAN ZYL JACO HEYNS NATASHA BRITNELL GERHARDT HAASBROEK IZAK HANEKOM PIETER EKSTEEN LEON AVENANT SANET VERSTER DJ VAN ZYL V BONDARENKO IVAN FOURIE DANIE DU PREEZ STEVEN VAN NIEKERK PIETER MEYER WARREN BRITNELL JAKOBUS ACKERMANN JOHN JUSTUS

34

Shooter

CBG

FINALS Score

Final Score

Royal Title KING PRINCE

Standardized Metrics Rank POTA

Spotter 0 0 0

18 014 13 565 14 629

0 0 0

31 184 21 196 16 500

49 198 34 761 31 129

0 0 0 2 392 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 392 0 0 2 392 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

12 850 16 869 14 571 13 259 15 751 13 474 13 878 13 051 18 099 18 062 13 714 12 860 12 609 12 434 12 383 12 257 11 014 10 791 10 516 10 509 10 397 10 309 10 136 9 961 9 750 9 390

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

15 173 10 193 12 127 12 506 6 666 8 569 8 033 8 859 0 0 2 678 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

28 023 27 062 26 697 25 765 22 418 22 043 21 911 21 910 18 099 18 062 16 392 12 860 12 609 12 434 12 383 12 257 11 014 10 791 10 516 10 509 10 397 10 309 10 136 9 961 9 750 9 390

DUKE

4,0 3,0 2,0

379,0% 238,0% 204,4%

2,0 2,0 2,0 2,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0

174,1% 164,7% 160,0% 152,0% 119,2% 115,6% 114,3% 113,2% 77,0% 76,6% 60,3% 25,8% 23,3% 21,6% 21,1% 19,9% 7,7% 5,5% 2,8% 2,8% 1,7% 0,8% -0,9% -2,6% -4,6% -8,2%

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


FIFTY CALIBER SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION - OFFICIAL KO2M/KO1M SCORING SYSTEM 2021 KING OF 2 MILES IN SOUTH AFRICA

FINALS CBG 100 Shooter

Spotter

1

Target 1 (yards) 2735 2 3 4

Target 2 (yards) 3122 2 3 4

Target 3 (yards) 3578 2 3 4

Bonus Multipliers Time Seg CBG T1 T2 T3

Score Finals

Ranking

Day

5

1

5

1

1 2 3

1 1 1

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK SHAUN FLINK IVAN FOURIE

CHARL GOUS BRENDAN FIKE BERNARD KOTZE

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

5 -

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

0 0 0

4 5 6 7 8 9 10

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

CHARL GOUS ELTON BURGER JACO HEYNS THINUS GELDENHUYS BERNANRD KOTZE TURNER WILKINSON CHARLES LOOTS

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK SCHALK JACOBS RUAN ELLIS JOHN MATTHEU IVAN FOURIE PIETER MEYER WARWICK DU PREEZ

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 1 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 -

0 -

0 -

0 -

0 -

-

-

-

-

-

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 2 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 5 169 0 0 0 0

FIFTY CALIBER SHOOTERS ASSOCIATION - OFFICIAL KO2M/KO1M SCORING SYSTEM 2021 KING OF 2 MILES IN SOUTH AFRICA

SUMMARY & PERFORMANCE METRICS CLASSIFICATIONS CBG Score Shooter

FINALS CBG Score

Final Score

Royal Title KING PRINCE

Ranking

Day

1 2 3

1 1 1

MICHAEL HITCHCOCK SHAUN FLINK IVAN FOURIE

CHARL GOUS BRENDAN FIKE BERNARD KOTZE

4 462 0 0

40 899 25 586 22 989

0 0 0

0 0 0

40 899 25 586 22 989

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

JACO HEYNS CHARL GOUS ELTON BURGER THINUS GELDENHUYS BERNARD KOTZE TURNER WILKINSON CHARLES LOOTS ISAK HANEKOM ADRIENNE POSTMA BERNARD EKSTEEN PIETER MEYER EUGENE VAN HEERDEN STEVEN VAN NIEKERK RUAN ELLIS EDGAR DOUBELL LOUISE FOUCHE JANRICH ABRAHAM BERTUS KRUGER PINE LOUW WARWICK DU PREEZ DANIE DU PREEZ JOHAN KARSTEN LOUIS VAN ZYL PHILIP MULLER HENDRIE BRINK

RUAN ELLIS MICHAEL HITCHCOCK SCHALK JACOBS JOHN MATTHEU IVAN FOURIE PIETER MEYER WARWICK DU PREEZ LOUITJIE HANEKOM SUSAN POSTMA PIETER EKSTEEN TURNER WILKINSON DAVID GOMES FLOYD MORRISON JACO HEYNS PINE LOUW BERNARD CLASSEN GARY MEYER JOHAN KARSTEN EDGAR DOUBELL CHARLES LOOTS DJ VAN ZYL JAN COMBRINCK JOHANN VAN ZYL HENK RYKAART KAYLA BRINK

4 462 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

12 796 17 613 13 480 11 668 10 001 9 279 7 501 6 667 6 633 5 834 5 000 5 000 4 639 3 334 2 500 2 500 1 667 833 833 833 833 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

5 169 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

17 965 17 613 13 480 11 668 10 001 9 279 7 501 6 667 6 633 5 834 5 000 5 000 4 639 3 334 2 500 2 500 1 667 833 833 833 833 0 0 0 0

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

Standardized Metrics Rank POTA

Spotter

DUKE

4,0 2,0 2,0

739,6% 425,3% 372,0%

2,0 2,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 0,0 -1,0 -1,0 -1,0 -1,0

268,8% 261,6% 176,7% 139,5% 105,3% 90,5% 54,0% 36,9% 36,2% 19,8% 2,7% 2,7% -4,8% -31,6% -48,7% -48,7% -65,8% -82,9% -82,9% -82,9% -82,9% -100,0% -100,0% -100,0% -100,0%

35


Keep pushing your long-range limits with the Trijicon Tenmile® Specifically designed for refined shooters, all Tenmile models ensure accuracy and precision at extreme distances, letting you choose the focal plane and reticle design you trust the most. You can also expect proven Trijicon durability and clarity.

1

Pinpoint accuracy at extreme distances

2

Exposed elevation adjusters with zero stop for repeatable dialing

3

Outstanding quality lenses for clear sight picture in low light

4

Durable, all-weather protection you can trust in the middle of nowhere

5

Red and green illuminated reticles for any-light

Features and Benefits A

G

Easy-Focus Eyepiece individual prescription.

B BRe-Positionable H

Accommodates different shooting

light transmission, true detail and color, with zero distortion.

Ultra Durable for Ensured Reliability

J

Optimal Flexibility DGenerous windage and elevation

K

adjustment for maximum total travel. D

“Both-Eyes-Open” Shooting Illuminated reticles provide a clear aiming point that draws the shooter’s eye for fast engagement.

Ruggedized design engineered to withstand extreme conditions and tested to military standards and protocols.

C

Edge-to-Edge Clarity Fully multi-coated, broadband, anti-

30mm and 34mm tube sizes offer increased durability and adjuster range.

ADiopter accommodates the shooter’s

C

I

Increased Adjuster Range

Pinpoint Aiming in Any Condition Precise milling and holdover reticles

E

User-selectable LED brightness settings with an “off” in between each setting to adapt to any environment.

C

plane for ensured accuracy.

B A

E FQuick & Easy Adjustments

D

Crisp, precise, windage/elevation adjusters require no tools and are designed to prevent accidental shift. F

H I

J

Purpose-Driven Design K

F

fast, intuitive adjustments. E

G


HERE’S TO CARRYING OUT MORE THAN YOU CARRY IN.

Every Trijicon Tenmile® long-range riflescope follows in the footsteps of our most proven, battle-tested products. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a Trijicon riflescope. Expect absolute precision at extended ranges, brilliant clarity from sunup to sundown, and extreme durability you can trust in the middle of nowhere. Get your tag ready.

®

Trijicon Tenmile

MODELS : 3 - 18 X 44 / 4 - 24 X 50 / 4.5 - 30 X 56 5 - 25 X 50 / 5 - 50 X 56 / 6 - 24 X 50

The Science of Brilliant ® At Trijicon, we are bound by a commitment to industry-leading research, design, and testing to seek innovative aiming solutions that constantly redefine “brilliant.” That’s why every Trijicon riflescope design is tested to the procedures below.

.

CONTACT US FOR YOUR NEAREST DEALER Tel : 012 329 4116 I e-mail : sales@ecmtech.co.za

37


2021 KO1M SOUTH AFRICA - EQUIPMENT LIST

SHOOTER

EVENT

CALIBRE

1

Adrienne Postma

KO1M SA

338LM

RIFLE MASS

BARREL

BULLET

BRASS

POWDER

STOCK or CHASSIS

ACTION

(LBS)

BULLET BRAND

18,73

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

BRAND

H Retumbo Chassis: Cadex Defence

LENGTH TWIST

Sako

24"

10

Savage

Savage

30"

9

K98

Musgrave

28"

10

2

Alan Hewetson

KO1M SA

338LM

19,84

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

3

Arthur Coleby

KO1M SA

300H&H

20,72

Berger

215gr Hybrid Target

PMP

4

Barend de Lange

KO1M SA

300WM

18,95

Hornady

225gr ELD-M

Norma

Hodgedon

Chassis: Accuracy Intl

Rem700

Truvelo

26"

10

5

Barend Verster

KO1M SA

7mm Prac

23,14

Berger

190gr LRHT

Norma

VV N570

Stock: Laminate

Mauser

Bartlein

31"

9

H IMR7828 Chassi: Gun Warrior Gen6

6

Bernard Classen

KO1M SA

8.3Buzz

29,76

Titan

229.9gr

RCC

VV 20N29

Chassis: Helber

Sabi

Helber Tacom

30"

8

7

Bernard Eksteen

KO1M SA

338LM AI

25,57

Hornady

300gr A-Tip

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Custom

Remington

Hart

30"

9,3

8

Bernard Kotze

KO1M SA

338LM

29,76

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Krieger

31"

10

9

Bertus Kruger

KO1M SA

338LM AI

18,95

Lapua

300gr Scenar

Lapua

VV N570

Chassi: Barrett

Mojet

Mojet

28"

10

10

Brendan Fike

KO1M SA

338LM

22,93

Berger

300gr OTM

Peterson

H Retumbo

Chassis: Truvelo CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

32"

10

11

Charl Gous

KO1M SA

338LM AI

29,54

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Ballistic Beast

Surgeon

Krieger

32"

9.3

12

Charles Loots

KO1M SA

338LM

21,60

Berger

300gr Elite Hunter

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Sako

26"

10

13

Danie du Preez

KO1M SA

300NM

29,1

Hornady

230gr A-Tip

Peterson

H H1000

Chassis: Tubb

Tubb

Schneider

28"

8

14

David Gomes

KO1M SA

338LM

26,23

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT

Savage

Savage

30"

9.25

15

David Jacobus Naude

KO1M SA

6.5CM

14,99

Lapua

139gr Scenar

Lapua

H IMR4350

Chassis: S C Small Arms TSP X

Remington

Remington

24"

8

16

Dawie de Villiers

KO1M SA

260AI

20,72

Berger

156gr EOL

Lapua

VV N560

Stock: H-S Precision

Savage

Sneeuberge

28"

8

17

Desmond Wellen

KO1M SA

308Win

15,65

Berger

155gr Hybrid Target

Lapua

Somchem S335

Chassis: Truvelo CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

26"

12

18

DJ van Zyl

KO1M SA

338LM AI

22,04

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Norma

VV N570

Stock: Custom

RSA

Krieger

32"

10

19

Dmytro Hnidin

KO1M SA

338LM

24,48

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: Accuracy Intl

Accuracy intl

DIArms

31"

9

20

Dwayne Cronje

KO1M SA

6.5CM

25,57

Hornady

135gr A-Tip

Lapua

VV N550

Chassis: Magpul Pro-L

Remingtom

Remington

28"

8

21

Edgar Doubell

KO1M SA

6.5x55

16,75

Hornady

135gr A-Tip

Lapua

Reloader 26

Stock: Mcmillan A5

Win Mod70

Bartlein

28"

8

22

Elton Burger

KO1M SA

338LM

25,35

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Sako

27.5"

10

23

Etienne JV Rensburg

KO1M SA

6.5CM

18,51

Lapua

139gr Scenar

Lapua

VV N550

Chassis: STG Invictus

Howa

Howa

24"

8

24

Eugene van Heerden

KO1M SA

338LM

26,89

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT

Savage

Savage

30"

9.25

25

Flip Tait

KO1M SA

300WM

22,70

Titan

203gr

Norma

H Retumbo

Stock: Custom

Sako

Eagle

29"

9

26

Floyd Morrison

KO1M SA

300WM

29,10

Titan

203gr

Norma

H Retumbo

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Eagle

29"

9

27

Gary Meyer

KO1M SA

338LM

26,89

Berger

300gr Elite Hunter

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Sako

Bartlein

32"

9.35

28

Hendrie Brink

KO1M SA

338LM

29,98

Hornady

300gr A-Tip

Hornady

H Retumbo

Chassis: Ruger RPR

Ruger

Ruger

26"

9

29

Henk Rykaart

KO1M SA

6.5CM

21,38

Lapua

139gr Scenar

Lapua

VV N550

Chassis: AIM Alpha

Howa

Howa

24"

8

30

Herman Maree

KO1M SA

7SAUM

22,70

Hornady

190gr A-Tip

Peterson

H H4831SC

Chassis: Victrix

Victrix

Victrix

31"

8.5

31

Ivan Fourie

KO1M SA

300SS

25,13

Berger

245gr EOL

ADG

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT ESS

Remington

Krieger

32"

9

32

Izak Hanekom

KO1M SA

300PRC

21,82

Hornady

250gr A-Tip

Hornady

H Retumbo

Chassis: Ruger RPR

Ruger

Ruger

26"

9

33

Jaco Heyns

KO1M SA

33XC

28,66

Berger

300gr OTM

Peterson

H Retumbo

Chassis: Truvelo CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

33"

10

34

James Preyser

KO1M SA

7SAUM

23,14

Berger

190gr LRHT

Norma

H H4831SC

Victrix

Victrix

Benchmark

30"

8.5

35

Jan Combrinck

KO1M SA

338LM

25,57

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: Truvelo CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

32"

10

36

Johann van Zyl

KO1M SA

300WSM

23,14

Berger

215gr Hybrid Target

Norma

VV N560

Stock: Custom

RSA

Walther

31"

9

37

John Justus

KO1M SA

260AI

16,31

Berger

156gr EOL

Lapua

VV N560

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Tikka

Krieger

28"

8

38

Jon Hamlet

KO1M SA

338LM

18,29

Peregrine

Rangemaster

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Accuracy Intl AX

Remington

Remington

27.5"

10

39

Karl van Eck

KO1M SA

338LM

24,25

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Savage

Savage

26"

9

40

Kayla Brink

KO1M SA

300PRC

27,33

Hornady

250gr A-Tip

Hornady

H Retumbo

Chassis: Ruger RPR

Ruger

Ruger

26"

9

41

Leon Avenant

KO1M SA

6.5CM

21,16

Hornady

140gr ELD-M

Lapua

Somchem S365

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Howa

Howa

24"

8

42

Liezl Meyer

KO1M SA

284Sh

24,69

Berger

190gr LRHT

Norma

VV N565

Stock: McMillan

Bat

Bartlein

31"

8.5

43

Louis van Zyl

KO1M SA

300WSM

26,67

Berger

215gr Hybrid Target

Norma

VV N560

Stock: Custom

RSA

Musgrave

32"

9

44

Louise Fouche

KO1M SA

8.3Buzz

29,98

Titan

229.9gr

RCC

VV N170

Chassis: Helber

Sabi

Helber Tacom

30

9

45

Loutjie Hanekom

KO1M SA

338LM

19,40

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H IMR7977

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Walther

31"

10

46

Michael Hitchcock

KO1M SA

338LM AI

29,76

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Ballistic Beast

Surgeon

Krieger

32"

9

47

Natasha Britnell

KO1M SA

7WSM

19,18

Lapua

180gr Scenar

Norma

VV N565

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Howa

Krieger

29"

9

48

Patrick Capes

KO1M SA

300WSM

16,53

Hornady

208gr ELD-M

Norma

VV N560

Chassis: MDT XRS

Savage

Savage

25"

10

49

Phillip Müller

KO1M SA

338LM

26,67

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT

Savage

Savage

30"

9

50

Pieter Eksteen

KO1M SA

300NM

24,47

Hornady

230gr A-Tip

Norma

VV N570

Stock: Custom

Barnard

Walther

30"

9

51

Pieter Meyer

KO1M SA

260Rem

22,70

Peregrine

120gr GRM

Lapua

Reloader 16

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Savage

Savage

26"

8

52

Pine Louw

KO1M SA

300WM

16,75

Hornady

230gr A-Tip

Norma

H H1000

Stock: Custom

Win Mod70

Bartlein

30"

9

53

Ruan Ellis

KO1M SA

30SS

23,58

Berger

245gr EOL

ADG

H H1000

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Howa

Howa

27"

9

54

Sakkie Oosthuizen

KO1M SA

7SAUM

20,06

Hornady

180gr ELD-M

Norma

VV N560

Stock: Mcmillan A5

Remingtom

Krieger

28"

9

55

Sanet Verster

KO1M SA

260 Term

18,51

Berger

153.5gr LRHT

Norma

VV N565

Stock: Laminate

Sako 85

Sako

23.5"

8

56

Schalk Jacobs

KO1M SA

338LM

29,54

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: KRG Whisky3

Sako

Sako

27"

10

57

Shaun Flink

KO1M SA

300NMI

27,99

Berger

245gr EOL

Peterson

VV N565

Stock: Mcmillan

BAT CTH

Bartlein

31"

9

58

Steven van Niekerk

KO1M SA

300WM

29,98

Hornady

225gr ELD-M

Norma

H Retumbo

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Remington

Krieger

29"

9

59

Thinus Geldenhuys

KO1M SA

338LM

18,95

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako

Sako

Sako

27"

9

60

Trevern Haasbroek

KO1M SA

338LM

23,36

Berger

300gr OTM

Norma

VV N570

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Sako

Sako

27"

10

38

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


MUZZLE SHOOTER

ANGULAR

SCOPE

EVENT DEVICE

MODEL VORTEX RAZOR

1

Adrienne Postma

KO1M SA

Brake

RETICLE

TRIGGER

BIPOD

BALLISTIC SOLVER

ELECTRONICS

CHRONOGRAPH

Sako

Sako

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

UNIT Mil

2

Alan Hewetson

KO1M SA

Brake

KAHLES 624i

SKMR3

Mil

Savage

AccuTac

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

3

Arthur Coleby

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Timney

AccuTac

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

4

Barend de Lange

KO1M SA

Brake

VORTEX RAZOR

EBR7C

Mil

Remington

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

5

Barend Verster

KO1M SA

Suppressor

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Timney

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

6

Bernard Classen

KO1M SA

Brake

Maven RS4

CFR-1

Mil

Triggertech

Helber

Strelok+AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

7

Bernard Eksteen

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Jewel

PRES

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

8

Bernard Kotze

KO1M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT2

Mil

Sako

Atlas

Strelok

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

9

Bertus Kruger

KO1M SA

Brake

KAHLES 624i

MRi

Mil

Barrett

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

10

Brendan Fike

KO1M SA

Brake

S&B PMII

H37

Mil

Bix n Andy

Phoenix

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

11

Charl Gous

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Jewell

Phoenix

Shooter

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

12

Charles Loots

KO1M SA

Suppressor

KAHLES 525i

SKMR3

Mil

Sako

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

13

Danie du Preez

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

Mil-C

Mil

Tubb T7T

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

14

David Gomes

KO1M SA

Brake

TRIJICON ACCUPOWER

MOA

MOA

Savage

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

15

David Jacobus Naude

KO1M SA

Brake

VORTEX DIAMONDBACK TACTICAL

EBR2C

MOA

Remington

Atlas

Strelok

Weatherflow

Magnetospeed

16

Dawie de Villiers

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Rifle Basics

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

17

Desmond Wellen

KO1M SA

None

VORTEX RAZOR

MOA

MOA

Thor

Truvelo

-

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

18

DJ van Zyl

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

RSA

Custom

AB

Kestrel

19

Dmytro Hnidin

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

Mil-R

Mil

Accuracy Intl

Cadex

AB

Kestrel

-

20

Dwayne Cronje

KO1M SA

Suppressor

KAHLES 525i

SKMR4

Mil

Bix n Andy

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

21

Edgar Doubell

KO1M SA

Brake

Athlon Ares

APR1

Mil

Jewell

Atlas

AB

Kestrel/Fortrex

Labradar

22

Elton Burger

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Sako

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Labradar

23

Etienne JV Rensburg

KO1M SA

Brake

Vector

VPA-2

Mil

Howa

F-Class

Strelok

Weatherflow

Magnetospeed

24

Eugene van Heerden

KO1M SA

Brake

TRIJICON ACCUPOWER

MOA

MOA

Savage

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

25

Flip Tait

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Sako

F-Class

Strelok

-

-

26

Floyd Morrison

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Sako

F-Class

Strelok

-

-

27

Gary Meyer

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Sako

Phoenix

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

28

Hendrie Brink

KO1M SA

Brake

Riton X7 Conquer

PSR

Mil

Timney

UTG

Hornady4DOF

Kestrel

-

29

Henk Rykaart

KO1M SA

Brake

VORTEX STRIKE EAGLE

EBRC

Mil

Howa

UTG

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

30

Herman Maree

KO1M SA

Suppressor

KAHLES 525i

SKMR4

Mil

Victrix

F-Class

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

31

Ivan Fourie

KO1M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT2

Mil

Bix n Andy

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

32

Izak Hanekom

KO1M SA

Brake

Leica PRS

L-PRB

Mil

Jard

UTG

Hornady 4DOF

-

Magnetospeed

33

Jaco Heyns

KO1M SA

Brake

IOR Valdada

X1 Xtreme

Mil

Timney

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

34

James Preyser

KO1M SA

Suppressor

ZCO 527

MPCT3

Mil

Victrix

F-Class

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

35

Jan Combrinck

KO1M SA

Brake

IOR Valdada

X1 Xtreme

Mil

Thor

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

36

Johann van Zyl

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Bold

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

37

John Justus

KO1M SA

Brake

KAHLES 525i

SKMR3

Mil

Triggertech

Atlas

Strelok

Kestrel

-

38

Jon Hamlet

KO1M SA

Suppressor

IOR Recon

TMR

Mil

Remington

Harris

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

39

Karl van Eck

KO1M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT1

Mil

Savage

AccuTac

Strelok

Weatherflow

Magnetospeed

40

Kayla Brink

KO1M SA

Brake

Riton X7 Conquer

PSR

Mil

Timney

UTG

Hornady 4DOF

Kestrel

-

41

Leon Avenant

KO1M SA

Suppressor

DELTA STRYKER

DR1

Mil

Howa

Custom

Strelok

-

Magnetospeed

42

Liezl Meyer

KO1M SA

Brake

S&B PMII

P4LF

Mil

Bix n Andy

Phoenix

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

43

Louis van Zyl

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Davis

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

44

Louise Fouche

KO1M SA

Brake

Maven RS4

CFR-1

Mil

Triggertech

Helber

Strelok+AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

45

Loutjie Hanekom

KO1M SA

Suppressor

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Sako

UTG

Strelok

-

Magnetospeed

46

Michael Hitchcock

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Jewel

Custom

Shooter

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

47

Natasha Britnell

KO1M SA

Suppressor

VORTEX RAZOR

EBR7C

Mil

Rifle Basics

Atlas

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

48

Patrick Capes

KO1M SA

Brake

KAHLES 624i

SKMR3

Mil

Savage

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

49

Phillip Müller

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Savage

Phoenix

Strelok

-

LabRadar

50

Pieter Eksteen

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Barnard

PRES

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

51

Pieter Meyer

KO1M SA

Brake

Vector Continental

VCT-34FFP

Mil

Savage

AccuTac

Strelok

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

52

Pine Louw

KO1M SA

Brake

Athlon Ares

APR1

Mil

Jewell

Harris

Horus

Kestrel

-

53

Ruan Ellis

KO1M SA

Suppressor

ZCO 420

MPCT2

Mil

Howa

Phoenix

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

54

Sakkie Oosthuizen

KO1M SA

None

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Bix n Andy

Phoenix

Shooter

-

LabRadar

55

Sanet Verster

KO1M SA

Suppressor

VORTEX STRIKE EAGLE

EBR7C

MOA

Sako

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

56

Schalk Jacobs

KO1M SA

Brake

VORTEX RAZOR

EBR-2C

Mil

Sako

F-Class

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

57

Shaun Flink

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Bix n Andy

Phoenix

Strelok

Kestrel

LabRadar

58

Steven van Niekerk

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Timney

F-Class

Strelok

-

LabRadar

59

Thinus Geldenhuys

KO1M SA

Brake

SWAROVSKI X5

BRH

MOA

Sako

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

60

Trevern Haasbroek

KO1M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT2

Mil

Sako

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

39


2021 KO2M SOUTH AFRICA - EQUIPMENT LIST

2021 KO2M SA -ƫEQUIPMENTƫ LISTƫƫƫcontinued

61

SHOOTER

EVENT

CALIBRE

Volodymyr Bilyk

KO1M SA

338LM

RIFLE MASS

BARREL

BULLET

BRASS

POWDER

STOCK or CHASSIS

ACTION

(LBS)

BULLET BRAND

26,45

Hornady

300gr A-Tip

Lapua

VV N165

Chassis: Ruger RPR

Ruger

Brux

BRAND

LENGTH TWIST 28"

9

62 Volodymyr Bondarenko

KO1M SA

338LM

24,91

Hornady

300gr A-Tip

Lapua

VV N165

Chassis: Ruger RPR

Ruger

Ruger

26"

9,3

63

Walter Capes

KO1M SA

300WM

19,18

Hornady

225gr ELD-M

Norma

VV N570

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Sako

Sako

28"

10

64

Warren Britnell

KO1M SA

300PRC

20,5

Berger

230gr Hybrid Target

Lapua

H H1000

Chassis: Gun Warrior

Howa

Sneeuberg

28"

9

65

Warwick du Preez

KO1M SA

300WM

26,23

Hornady

230gr A-Tip

Norma

H Retumbo

Stock: GRS

Tikka

Krieger

32"

8

66 William Turner Wilkinson

KO1M SA

338LM

27,33

Peregrine

275gr GRM

Peterson

Ascalon

Walther

32"

9

67

Yevhen Hordiienko

KO1M SA

338LM

24,47

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

H Retumbo

H Retumbo Chassis: Dutch Long Arms Chassis: Accuracy Intl

Accuracy intl

DIArms

31"

9

68

Zach Badenhorst

KO1M SA

338LM

23,81

Lapua

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: Truvelo CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

28"

10

69

Zeldine Abraham

KO1M SA

300RUM

25,13

Hornady

250gr A-Tips

Norma

H Retumbo

Stock: Skaapboer

Howa

Accugun

29"

8

SHOOTER

EVENT

CALIBRE

RIFLE MASS (LBS)

BULLET BRAND

BULLET

BRASS

POWDER

STOCK or CHASSIS

ACTION

BARREL BRAND

LENGTH TWIST

1

Adrienne Postma

KO2M SA

338LM

19,84

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Sako

24"

10

2

Bernard Classen

KO2M SA

8.3Buzz

31,52

TITAN

229.9gr

RCC

VV 20N29

Chassis: Helber

Sabi

Helber Tacom

30"

8

3

Bernard Eksteen

KO2M SA

9.5x77

39,46

Peregrine

350gr GRM

Peterson

VV N570

Chassis: Victrix

Victrix

Walther

30"

10

4

Bernard Kotze

KO2M SA

338LM

29,76

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Krieger

31"

10

5

Bertus Kruger

KO2M SA

338LM AI

18,95

Lapua

300gr Scenar

Lapua

VV N570

Chassi: Barrett

Mojet

Mojet

28"

10

6

Brendan Fike

KO2M SA

338LM

26,89

Berger

300gr Elite Hunter

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: GUN WARRIOR

Sako

Bartlein

32"

9.35

7

Charl Gous

KO2M SA

375ST

29,32

Sus-tac

365gr

Peterson

VV 24N41

Chassis: Dolphin

Barnard

Krieger

32"

10

8

Charles Loots

KO2M SA

338LM

22,48

Berger

300gr Elite Hunter

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Sako

26"

10

9

Danie du Preez

KO2M SA

37XC

37,91

Warner

361gr Flatline

Peterson

H H1000

Chassis: Tubb

Tubb

Schneider

33"

9

10

David Gomes

KO2M SA

50BMG

33,95

Peregrine

750gr GRM

Lapua

H US869

Chassis: TRUVELO CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

28"

15

11

Dawie de Villiers

KO2M SA

260AI

20,72

Berger

156gr EOL

Lapua

VV N560

Stock: H-S Precision

Savage

Sneeuberge

28"

8

Chassis: TRUVELO CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

29"

15

Stock: Ballistic Beast

Barnard

Krieger

36"

8

12

Desmond Wellen

KO2M SA

50BMG

31,08

Peregrine

750gr GRM

Hornady

Somchem B12.7

13

DJ van Zyl

KO2M SA

9.5x77

36,59

Cutting Edge

427gr

Peterson

VV 24N41

14

Edgar Doubell

KO2M SA

9.5x77

28,66

Sus-tac

365gr

Peterson

H Retumbo

Chassis: Custom

Custom

Krieger

32"

10

15

Elton Burger

KO2M SA

338LM

25,35

HORNADY

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

VV N570

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Sako

27.5"

10

16

Eugene van Heerden

KO2M SA

338LM

26,89

HORNADY

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT

Savage

Savage

30"

9.25

17

Floyd Morrison

KO2M SA

300WM

29,10

TITAN

203gr

Norma

H Retumbo

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Eagle

29"

9

Prime

VV 20N29

18

Gerhardt Haasbroek

KO2M SA

50BMG

39,90

Peregrine

750gr GRM

19

Hendrie Brink

KO2M SA

338LM

30,86

Hornady

300gr A-Tip

20

Henk Rykaart

KO2M SA

338LM

26,23

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT

21

Ivan Fourie

KO2M SA

300SS

25,13

Berger

245gr EOL

ADG

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT ESS

22

Izak Hanekom

KO2M SA

338LM

19,40

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H IMR7977

Stock: Sako TRG

Sako

Walther

31"

10

23

Jaco Heyns

KO2M SA

33XC

28,66

Berger

300gr OTM

Peterson

Truvelo

Truvelo

33"

10

24

Jakobus Ackermann

KO2M SA

338LM

20,06

Lapua

300gr Scenar

ADG

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT

Savage

Savage

30"

9

25

Janrich Abraham

KO2M SA

338Enabler

33,95

Berger

300gr OTM

Peterson

Reloader 50

Chassis: Accugun

Accugun

Accugun

30"

8

26

Jan Combrinck

KO2M SA

338LM

25,57

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

27

Johan Karsten

KO2M SA

300WM

39,90

Hornady

212gr ELD-M

ADG

28

Jon Hamlet

KO2M SA

338LM

18,29

Peregrine

Rangemaster

29

Kayla Brink

KO2M SA

300PRC

28,21

Hornady

250gr A-Tip

HORNADY H Retumbo

Chassis: Steyr

Steyr

Steyr

35.4"

15

Chassis: RUGER PRP

Ruger

Ruger

26"

9

Savage

Savage

30"

9

Remington

Krieger

32"

9

H Retumbo Chassis: TRUVELO CMS

H Retumbo Chassis: TRUVELO CMS

Truvelo

Truvelo

32"

10

Retumbo

Stock: JRS

Custom

Custom

32"

9.5

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Accuracy Intl AX

Remington

Remington

27.5"

10

Hornady

H Retumbo

Chassis: RUGER RPR

Ruger

Ruger

26"

9

30

Louis van Zyl

KO2M SA

300WSM

26,67

Berger

215gr Hybrid Target

Norma

VV N560

Stock: Custom

RSA

Musgrave

32"

9

31

Louise Fouche

KO2M SA

8.3Buzz

32,84

Titan

229.9gr

RCC

VV N170

Chassis: HELBER

Sabi

HELBER TACOM

30

9

32

Michael Hitchcock

KO2M SA

338LM AI

31,52

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Ballistic Beast

Surgeon

Krieger

32"

9

33

Phillip Müller

KO2M SA

338LM

26,67

Hornady

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

H Retumbo

Chassis: MDT

Savage

Savage

30"

9

34

Pieter Eksteen

KO2M SA

338LM AI

26,45

Hornady

300gr A-Tip

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: Custom

Remington

Hart

30"

9,3

35

Pieter Meyer

KO2M SA

37XC

36,81

Peregrine

420gr GRM

RCC

H Retumbo

Chassis: GI Gunsmith

GI Gunsmith

Krieger

32.75"

9

36

Pine Louw

KO2M SA

300WM

16,75

Hornady

230gr A-Tip

Norma

H H1000

Stock: Custom

Win Mod70

Bartlein

30"

9

37

Ruan Ellis

KO2M SA

338Edge

27,11

Berger

300gr OTM

ADG

H H1000

Chassis: GUN WARRIOR

Ruger

Bartlein

31"

10

38

Schalk Jacobs

KO2M SA

338LM

29,54

Berger

300gr OTM

Lapua

VV N570

Chassis: KRG Whisky3

Sako

Sako

27"

10

VV N565

Stock: Mcmillan

BAT CTH

Bartlein

31"

9

Remington

Krieger

29"

9

39

Shaun Flink

KO2M SA

300NMI

33,51

Berger

245gr EOL

Peterson

40

Steven van Niekerk

KO2M SA

300WM

29,98

Hornady

225gr ELD-M

Norma

H Retumbo Chassis: GUN WARRIOR

41

Thinus Geldenhuys

KO2M SA

9.5x77

37,91

Berger

379gr

Peterson

VV 24N41

Stock: Victrix

Victrix

Victrix

38"

8

42

Warren Britnell

KO2M SA

338LM

22,7

Berger

300gr OTM

Peterson

VV N570

Chassis: GUN WARRIOR

Savage

Savage

26"

9

43

Warwick du Preez

KO2M SA

300WM

26,89

Hornady

230gr A-Tip

Norma

H Retumbo

Stock: GRS

KO2M SA

338LM

27,33

Peregrine

275gr GRM

Peterson

44 William Turner Wilkinson 45

Willie Viljoen

KO2M SA

37XC

21,6

Peregrine

410gr GRM

Peterson

46

Zach Badenhorst

KO2M SA

338LM

23,81

Lapua

285gr ELD-M

Lapua

40

H Retumbo Chassis: Dutch Long Arms H IMR7977

Chassis: Tubb

H Retumbo Chassis: TRUVELO CMS

Tikka

Krieger

32"

8

Ascalon

Walther

32"

9

Tubb

Schneider

33"

8

Truvelo

Truvelo

28"

10

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


MUZZLE SHOOTER

ANGULAR

SCOPE

TRIGGER

BIPOD

BALLISTIC SOLVER

ELECTRONICS

CHRONOGRAPH

Jard

Cadex

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

Mil

Jard

Molotgun

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

Mil

Sako

Atlas

Strelok

-

EVENT DEVICE

MODEL

RETICLE

UNIT

KO1M SA

Brake

KAHLES K525i

SKMR3

Mil

62 Volodymyr Bondarenko

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

Tremor 3

63

KO1M SA

Brake

IOR Valdada

MP-8 Xtreme

61

Volodymyr Bilyk

Walter Capes

64

Warren Britnell

KO1M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT2

Mil

Howa

Cyke Pod

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

65

Warwick du Preez

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

Mil-XT

MOA

Tikka

Dolphin

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

66

William Turner Wilkinson

KO1M SA

Brake

VORTEX RAZOR

Tremor3

Mil

Bix n Andy

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

Magnetospeed

67

Yevhen Hordiienko

KO1M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

Mil-R

Mil

Accuracy Intl

Cadex

AB

Kestrel

-

68

Zach Badenhorst

KO1M SA

Brake

TRIJICON ACCUPOWER

MIL

Mil

Thor

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

69

Zeldine Abraham

KO1M SA

Brake

Lynx LX3

MOA Comp

MOA

Howa

Helberg

Strelok

-

Magnetospeed

MUZZLE SHOOTER

ANGULAR

SCOPE

EVENT

TRIGGER DEVICE

MODEL

RETICLE

BIPOD

UNIT

BALLISTIC SOLVER

ELECTRONICS

ELEVATION DEVICE

CHRONOGRAPH

1

Adrienne Postma

KO2M SA

Brake

VORTEX RAZOR

MR2C

Mil

Sako

Sako

Strelok

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

LabRadar

2

Bernard Classen

KO2M SA

Brake

MAVEN RS4

CFR-1

Mil

Triggertech

HELBER

Strelok+AB

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

LabRadar

3

Bernard Eksteen

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Triggertech

PRES

AB

Kestrel

NF Wedge Prism

Magnetospeed

4

Bernard Kotze

KO2M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT2

Mil

Sako

Atlas

Strelok

Kestre+ T+V7:V37

NF Wedge Prism

Magnetospeed

5

Bertus Kruger

KO2M SA

Brake

KAHLES 624i

MRi

Mil

Barrett

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

Magnetospeed

6

Brendan Fike

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Sako

Phoenix

Strelok

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

LabRadar

MOA

Barnard

Phoenix

Shooter

Kestrel

-

Magnetospeed

Mil

Sako

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

NF Wedge Prism

Magnetospeed

7

Charl Gous

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

8

Charles Loots

KO2M SA

Suppressor

KAHLES 525i

9

Danie du Preez

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

Mil-C

Mil

Tubb T7T

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

Cold Shot Base

Magnetospeed

10

David Gomes

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Thor

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

Custom Rail

LabRadar

SKMR3

11

Dawie de Villiers

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Rifle Basics

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

Custom Rail

Magnetospeed

12

Desmond Wellen

KO2M SA

Brake

SWFA SS

MIL Quad

Mil

Thor

Truvelo

-

Kestrel

Custom Rail

-

13

DJ van Zyl

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Barnard

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Custom Rail

Magnetospeed

14

Edgar Doubell

KO2M SA

Suppressor

Athlon Ares

APR1

Mil

Jewell

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel/Fortrex

Custom Rail

Labradar

15

Elton Burger

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Sako

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

Labradar

16

Eugene van Heerden

KO2M SA

Brake

TRIJICON ACCUPOWER

MOA

MOA

Savage

Custom

Strelok

Kestrel

Custom Rail

LabRadar

17

Floyd Morrison

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Sako

F-Class

Strelok

-

-

-

18

Gerhardt Haasbroek

KO2M SA

Brake

VORTEX RAZOR

EBR7C

Mil

Steyr

Custom

AB

Kestrel

Cold Shot Base

LabRadar

19

Hendrie Brink

KO2M SA

Brake

Riton X7 Conquer

PSR

Mil

Timney

UTG

Hornady4DOF

Kestrel

Custom Rail

-

20

Henk Rykaart

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Savage

Phoenix

Strelok

Kestrel

-

LabRadar

21

Ivan Fourie

KO2M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT2

Mil

Bix n Andy

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

-

Magnetospeed

22

Izak Hanekom

KO2M SA

Suppressor

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Sako

UTG

Strelok

-

-

Magnetospeed

23

Jaco Heyns

KO2M SA

Brake

IOR Valdada

X1 Xtreme

Mil

Timney

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

-

LabRadar

24

Jakobus Ackermann

KO2M SA

Brake

IOR Valdada

SH65

Mil

Savage

Atlas

AB

-

Custom Rail

LabRadar

25

Janrich Abraham

KO2M SA

Brake

Lynx LX3

Mil

Mil

Accugun

Helberg

Strelok

-

Charlie Tarac

Magnetospeed

26

Jan Combrinck

KO2M SA

Brake

IOR Valdada

X1 Xtreme

Mil

Thor

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

-

LabRadar

27

Johan Karsten

KO2M SA

Brake

TRIJICON RS

PTR

MIL

Remington

Custom

Strelok

Weatherflow

Hyperion

Magnetospeed

28

Jon Hamlet

KO2M SA

Suppressor

IOR Recon

TMR

Mil

Remington

Harris

AB

Kestrel

Cold Shot Base

LabRadar

29

Kayla Brink

KO2M SA

Brake

Riton X7 Conquer

PSR

Mil

Timney

UTG

HORNADY 4DOF

Kestrel

Custom Rail

-

30

Louis van Zyl

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Davis

Custom

STRELOK

Kestrel

-

LabRadar

31

Louise Fouche

KO2M SA

Brake

MAVEN RS4

CFR-1

Mil

Triggertech

HELBER

Strelok+AB

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

LabRadar

32

Michael Hitchcock

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Jewel

Custom

Shooter

Kestrel

NF Wedge Prism

Magnetospeed

33

Phillip Müller

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOAR

MOA

Savage

Phoenix

STRELOK

-

-

LabRadar

34

Pieter Eksteen

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Jewel

PRES

AB

Kestrel

NF Wedge Prism

Magnetospeed

35

Pieter Meyer

KO2M SA

Brake

Valdada Recon G2

X1 Xtreme

Mil

GI Gunsmith

AccuTac

STRELOK

Kestrel

NF Wedge Prism

LabRadar

36

Pine Louw

KO2M SA

Brake

Athlon Ares

APR1

Mil

Jewell

Harris

Horus

Kestrel

Custom Rail

-

37

Ruan Ellis

KO2M SA

Brake

DELTA STRYKER

DLR-1

Mil

Ruger

Phoenix

STRELOK

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

LabRadar

38

Schalk Jacobs

KO2M SA

Brake

VORTEX RAZOR

EBR-2C

Mil

Sako

F-Class

AB

Kestrel

-

LabRadar

39

Shaun Flink

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Bix n Andy

Phoenix

STRELOK

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

LabRadar

40

Steven van Niekerk

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

MOART

MOA

Timney

F-Class

STRELOK

-

-

LabRadar

41

Thinus Geldenhuys

KO2M SA

Brake

KAHLES 525i

SKMR4

MOA

Victrix

Rome

AB

Kestrel

Charlie Tarac

Magnetospeed

42

Warren Britnell

KO2M SA

Brake

ZCO 527

MPCT2

Mil

Savage

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

-

LabRadar

43

Warwick du Preez

KO2M SA

Brake

Nightforce ATACR

Mil-XT

MOA

Tikka

Dolphin

AB

Kestrel

NF Wedge Prism

Magnetospeed

44

William Turner Wilkinson

KO2M SA

Brake

VORTEX RAZOR

Tremor3

Mil

Bix n Andy

Atlas

AB

Kestrel

HYPERION

Magnetospeed

45

Willie Viljoen

KO2M SA

Brake

Valdada Recon G2

X1 Xtreme

Mil

Tubb

Tubb

STRELOK

Kestrel

-

Magnetospeed

46

Zach Badenhorst

KO2M SA

Brake

TRIJICON ACCUPOWER

MIL

Mil

Thor

Phoenix

AB

Kestrel

LabRadar

LabRadar

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

41


Send IT, ELR Shooting

The King trip By Charl Gous

Send IT, ELR Shooting was established in 2019 by a group of friends with a passion for extreme long range (ELR) shooting, and the desire to promote and grow sportsshooting in general. Since then, this ELR model has found substantial support and growth in participation from enthusiasts, and is now recognised as a credible, yet challenging, ELR sports-shooting format.

from up-country needed to travel more than 1 000 km to participate in a Send IT match in Cape Town, for example.

The match format at Send IT ELR events is designed to test a shooter’s ability over four courses, with a low shot count per target. This additional pressure means every attempt counts, as the shooter does not have the luxury of walking shots to the target.

Journey to Hanover Early in 2020, before the advent of Covid-19, we travelled to Hanover to meet up with Leon Henrico from Ballistic Beast Precision SA. The purpose of the trip was to collect a new rifle that Leon had painstakingly assembled with the help of Chris Diedericks.

The range is set from about 1 km to 2 km, with two MOA targets at each distance, covering four courses with three targets each. At each course, the shooter fires two shots at Targets 1 and 2 and three on Target 3, for a total of seven shots. Each match participant shoots a total of 28 shots on a match day. The Send IT format broadly resembles a qualifying round of the internationally-recognised King of 2 Miles (KO2M) match, the major difference being the shot count and that the shooter has four attempts over the day relative to a single opportunity to engage targets. Let’s clarify the above statement. Qualifying round At KO2M SA, the qualifying round for the two-mile match consists of a range set up between 1.4 km to 2.2 km. Each shooter fires 15 shots at five targets, consisting of one attempt at a cold bore target, five shots at Target 2, and three each at Targets 3 to 5. Given these similarities, a Send IT ELR match is the perfect environment to prepare for a KO2M SA competition. Send IT was grappling with the idea of hosting a competition accessible at a national level. The biggest obstacle was the size of the country and the fact that match participants

42

We needed a more central location. It was our view that we also needed more cohesive engagement from ELR shooters across the country to promote healthy competition – similar to what is witnessed in other sports-shooting disciplines. It was time to make it happen!

At Khoisan Karoo Conservancy, we were introduced to PC Ferreira, the owner of the property. PC is an entrepreneurial individual who loves hosting large groups of people for an event at his guest lodge. As an added advantage, the kitchen is highly rated and offers a traditional Karoo dining experience.

This would prove to be the largest KO1M SA and KO2M SA match to date It was around one of these fabulous meals that the idea to host a Send IT match in Hanover was conceptualised. Hanover is in the middle of South Africa, ensuring that Cape Town and Johannesburg based shooters needed to travel roughly the same distance to compete. As an additional bonus, shooters from the Eastern and Northern Cape, as well as the Free State, would find the location easily accessible. Things moved swiftly From here on things moved swiftly. The range was scoped out by Ivan Fourie and subsequently visited by Send IT team members DJ van Zyl and Pieter Eksteen to make final adjustments. A quantity surveyor was

appointed to verify all distances and shooting platforms were constructed for the comfort of match participants. To enable PC to get a better return on his investment, it was suggested that the range be opened to other match organisers and specialists wishing to conduct firearm-related training. Brendan Fike from Impact Xtreme Shooting saw the value in the work PC had done, and decided to host the 2021 KO1M SA and KO2M SA match at this new venue. With a few minor adjustments, the range was set up to accommodate both formats. As entries poured in for KO1M SA and KO2M SA, it was clear that there was going to be a strong contingent of Western Cape shooters, something lacking in previous years. The idea of having a more central location for ELR matches was paying dividends, as this would prove to be the largest KO1M SA and KO2M SA match to date! The King experience The Impact Xtreme team once again hosted a world-class event that continues to grow in popularity as local ELR enthusiasts embrace the concept of an internationallyaccredited sports-shooting format to test their skill level. From the Western Cape, 31 shooters made their way up to Hanover, about 700 km from Cape Town.

Highly capable shooters from Ukraine joined the fray At such events, there is always friendly competition between regions. This time was no different, as the Capetonians set out to bring the trophies home. However, at this match we had to deal with very capable shooters from Ukraine joining the fray. My lifelong friend and teammate Michael Hitchcock (aka ‘Team Boetas’), managed just that, and was crowned the King of 2 Miles South Africa, a feat he accomplished by a considerable margin. In addition, Charl Gous secured the King of 1 Mile South Africa title. Both trophies were heading back home, along with Ivan Fourie’s third-place trophy in the two-mile division. The Western Cape could not have asked for a better outcome! Beautiful memories However, it is easy to focus on these achievements, and many will view it

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


as the highlight of the trip. But there are so many other beautiful memories and noteworthy statistics to be taken from this event. Personally, the moment that brought tears to my eyes was no doubt watching fatherand-son team ‘Uncle’ Johann van Zyl and Louis van Zyl compete in the qualifying round of KO1M SA. Louis kicked off the day’s proceedings, hitting all of the targets bar the cold bore challenge; pretty much a full score that secured his position in the finals. Oom Johann was scheduled to shoot late in the afternoon and, after some ominous weather pulled in, looked to have the odds stacked against him. Soon a thunderous cloudburst interrupted the match as a heavy downpour obstructed our view of the targets. Oom Johann, the most senior competitor at the match, was due to shoot just after this heavy rain had descended. He calmly followed up Louis’s stellar performance by hitting all of the targets, bar the cold bore challenge. He did it in record time, too, and was top of the tables when the scores were released that evening. Loving bond Let’s put this into perspective. Oom Johann is 75 years old. Just imagine sharing such a moment with your dad! It was absolutely wonderful to witness this beautiful showcase of brilliant marksmanship, teamwork and a loving bond between father and son. Congratulations to both of you! In terms of numbers, the Western Cape dominated the match attendance. From 74 individual competitors, 31 were from the Western Cape, four from Ukraine, one from Namibia and the balance (38) from the rest of the country. The Western Cape region has a vibrant long-range and ELR community, with

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

numerous events on the annual programme organised by Send IT, ELR Shooting, Xtreme Steel Shooting South Africa (XSSSA) and the Noodhulp team on the West Coast. Furthermore, a culture of knowledgesharing and teamwork has been embraced by the Capetonians, and in our view is a major driving force behind these excellent attendance figures and ultimately the good results achieved.

A culture of knowledgesharing and teamwork is embraced Making the Western Cape proud When analysing the results of the Capetonians, in the KO1M SA match, eight Western Cape shooters made it to the final 15. When all was done and dusted and the final scores calculated, five secured a spot in the top ten, while 13 Capetonians were in the top 20. A wonderful achievement! Similarly, when analysing the KO2M SA match data, six Western Cape shooters advanced to the final ten, with Michael taking first place and Ivan securing third – both from the Western Cape. Ivan only decided to take part in the KO2M SA event the evening before. Congratulations to both Ivan and Michael! Send IT 2022 event dates & details Next year will be another busy year for the Send IT team, with six events planned. There will be three ELR matches at Darling Steel Valley and two .22LR ELR competitions at PEKS Range near Wellington in the Western Cape. However, we expect the highlight of 2022 to be the first Send IT ULTRA match and ELR seminar at the newly-built Hanover range. The ULTRA four-day event will consist of a two-day seminar and a two-day match. For this event, we have

arranged an international expert in the field of ELR shooting. He is a founding member of the world’s largest and most prominent ELR franchise, and will visit South Africa to share his vast knowledge. As a sneak peak, the presenter is a renowned firearm author and weapons expert, a 50BMG World Champion, Master Sniper Instructor and, to top it off, has been awarded a 1st Dan black belt. We anticipate to release full details of this event in January 2022 through the regular Send IT communication channels. We would like to thank the shooters who have supported Send IT’s events this past year, and in particular our hosts Hendrie Brink and Pieter Eksteen, who meticulously prepare the ranges where we compete. Anyone in need of additional information can contact myself on 083 4696 181. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and find the link on our page to join the Send IT, ELR Shooting Telegram group, where all communication is posted. Until next time, get ready to … Send IT!

Send IT, ELR Shooting - event dates 2022 Date Venue 5 February 2022 Darling, Western Cape Send IT ULTRA 27 - 30 April 2022 Hanover, Northern Cape 1 October 2022 Darling, Western Cape 5 November 2022

Darling, Western Cape

Send IT, ELR Shooting - Rimfire ELR event dates 2022 Date Venue 12 March 2022 PEKS Range, Wellington 3 September 2022

PEKS Range, Wellington

43


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As you would expect from Delta, The optics are superb. The 9X magnification is just right – you find targets at long range and still hold steady to aim the laser. The objective is 45mm, providing wonderful transmission and sharp detail – ideal for clarity of the target against its surroundings. The laser display has variable brightness to adjust for conditions and for preference. Delta knows their customers and these binoculars are built for real use. It has

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DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

45


My ELR Journey Since 2016 By

Jaco Heyns

What a journey, I must say! It started in 2015 when I met a guy who shot a Truvelo CMS 50BMG on my farm at what was then a crazy distance of 1 000 m, and right then and there I was hooked. Shortly after, and following loads of research into precision rifles, I decided to buy a Truvelo CMS .338LM. The reason was simple. Truvelo is a local weapons manufacturer, so parts are always available, and should there be a problem with the rifle, they sort it out on home soil, whereas with other big names you are always going to wait for imports that cost an arm and a leg. So, I started shooting long-range. I was not too successful at the outset due to two main factors. Number one was that I lacked knowledge and, number two, we did not have a wide selection of well-branded components like we have today. In the course of my long-range

46

development, I met up with Brendan Fike. We shot together and chased the dream of going even further. It was not long until we hosted our first event out of our own pocket. This was to help a local farmer raise funds to get through a tough season. Right there we started our ELR journey. We got invited to France for the Master and KO2M series, and placed eighth team in the world at that time. And that’s how KO2M SA started. Brendan and the Impact team hosted the first KO2M SA event in 2019, which I attended. I was also not too successful at this event because I changed from a 338LM to a 33xc. It was the same struggle with a lack of components. Importers of Hodgdon powders neglect us ELR shooters, who require good single-based h50BMG powder most of the time. But nonetheless it was a new beast to tame. In 2020, due to Covid-19 and all the attendant restrictions, it was

impossible to practice, and I did not get any good data nor testing. I did not even know if we were going to have a KO2M SA in 2020. About three months prior to the event, Impact announced that it was indeed happening. We started testing and shortened the barrel of the 33xc for the type of powder that we had to test, as the Alliant series powder had become available. It was not the best, but was all I had to work with. I competed in the KO1M SA and KO2M SA events. The KO1M SA qualifier went smoothly, especially with my new Gun Warrior BEAST brake. An awesome piece of kit, I must say. In the qualifier I noticed that the rounds didn’t group on plate. Something was up, but hey, hits are hits. On Day 2, I went for the KO2M SA qualifier and missed every single shot. I just said to myself that I must be doing something wrong. I cleaned the barrel and checked the grouping. It did not look good, but there was

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Ruan Ellis My KO1M SA and KO2M SA journey started four years ago. Since the first time that I saw the KO2M event in the US, I was hooked on the idea of shooting way beyond any distance that I thought I was capable of. I soon discovered that it’s not as simple as dialling elevation and wind ... There are so many factors to consider to make a shot at these distances. The amount of precision and consistency needed to make accurate shots at two miles is absolutely mindboggling. That is the main reason for my love of the sport ... Precision and Accuracy are my passion, and a big part of my career.

Jaco Heyns nothing I could do. On Day 3, I managed to make the finals of the KO1M SA event. It was the same as the previous day. The gun did not group, but I managed to hit some plates and ended up taking an unexpected third place in the finals. After some more testing in February 2021, Truvelo Specialised Manufacturing checked out my rifle and found some minor problems that were fixed, after which it was back to testing. I am proud to represent the Truvelo team! It took hard work and dedication to get to where I am today. It has been a long journey since 2015. But that’s just the way world of ELR works. It takes time, dedication, experience and good sportsmanship to compete in this class of shooting. Good luck, and may you all continue to shoot straight!

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My first ELR competition was the very first KO2KM 2018. I was fortunate enough to finish first. I couldn’t compete in the very first KO2M due to unforeseen circumstances. I made sure that I wouldn’t miss the next one. I was blessed to finish first at the second KO2M SA event in November 2020. I have learnt so many things from all of the great competitors during these few years of shooting ELR events. I am constantly improving my game to ensure I will always bring my ‘A game’ to every competition. Congratulations to all the competitors who competed in the KO2M SA and KO1M SA 2021!

Jan Combrinck

Zach Badenhorst

2018

I entered my very first KO1M SA and KO2M SA in 2020 in Clarens in the Free State. I had no idea what to expect, having only heard that there would be competitors from other countries. So, the pressure began to build up right from the start.

Q Hosted the first ‘Melkman’ Q Achieved target in Peregrine’s KO2M SA with the third shot Q Third: Truvelo Major Class #2 Q Seventh: MO2M SA

2019 Q First: Truvelo Major Class #3 Q First: ‘Melkman’ competition Q Fourth: ELR South Africa Q First: Truvelo Major #4 Q Truvelo Series Winner in Major Q KO1M SA 2020: 15th Q KO2M SA 2020: 2nd

I only entered the KO1M SA, but unfortunately did not make it all the way to the finals due to a malfunction at the qualifiers. The KO1M SA and KO2M SA 2021 was very welcome, as it promised new beginnings for all. Especially for me, it was an opportunity to hold Truvelo’s name high!

Technical Specifications Q .338 Lapua Magnum Truvelo CMS Q 28” barrel; 1/10 twist Q Hornady ELD Match 285 gr bullets Q Hodgdon Retumbo powder Q Lapua cases

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Team Ukraine on the Zero Range

SHOOTER PROFILES:

TEAM UKRAINE

Dmytro Hnidin Hometown: Kyiv, Ukraine I started shooting in 2010 with a .338 calibre. I met Yevhen Hordiienko, and in 2019 we went to France for the Master of 2 km tournament, where we took second place. I participated as a spotter. The next year we decided to shoot together. We registered for the tournament in France, but it was postponed due to Covid-19. When Brendan Fike announced that there would be a King of 1 Mile tournament in South Africa, we registered together. Now I was a shooter and Yevhen a spotter. I was lucky to take second place in KO1M SA, and Yevhen took third place. I enjoyed the tournament very much.

There were very strong shooters. We also plan to enter and participate in KO1M SA 2022.

The rifle: Model: Accuracy International AX-MC 338LM Calibre: 338 Lapua Magnum Barrel: Bartlein 31”, twist 1:9 (DIarms) Scope: Nightforce ATACR 7-35, reticle MIL-R Bullet: Berger 300 gr Brass: Lapua Powder: Retumbo Bipod: Cadex Falcon Bipod Muzzle Brake: Lufa (Ukraine) Balcalc: Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics. Spotting Scope: Swarovski STR 80

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Yevhen Hordiienko (John Gordey) Home town: Kyiv, Ukraine I began to shoot Extreme Long Range (ELR) in early 2018. I started out with a 338 Lapua Magnum. I decided to follow the path of ELR because I like to make calculations, think about each shot and determine appropriate solutions. The first time I meet Brendan Fike was in France at the Master of 2 KM competition. However, it was difficult for me to converse properly with him as my English is not what I want it to be, and I couldn’t discuss any topics that were of interest to me. We ended up using sign language and an iPhone translation app. We competed with Brendan in the finals, where I was lucky to get second place. Now it’s time to highlight my

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good friend who helps me at many competitions, namely Dmytro Hnidin, known simply as Dima. He is my spotter and instructor. A big part of winning an ELR competition is the guy that stays on the spotting scope. He was also my spotter at KO1M SA. In ELR, I like the fact that you don’t need to run with a rifle, as with PRS. You have time to be prone on the ground and think. There is an overwhelming sense of achievement seeing the bullet strike a steel target at a far distance. From the beginning, I have competed with only one rifle, an Accuracy International AX-MC 338LM. I have never changed my rifle. It’s like being in a marriage. This year my AI was rebarreled by Ukrainian gunsmith DIarms. It’s a young engineering works established in 2021 that has already produced 80 rifles, and all of them have performed well. Despite my old barrel with 3 700 rounds to date still having some life in it yet, I changed it because I wanted to try something new. My rifle never broke. I can honestly say I fully believe in it. I’m left-handed and shooting with a rifle for right-handed shooters, but it is very convenient to load the cartridge when the one hand is holding the rifle The South African competition was not an easy ride. European competitions are less restrictive to compete in. But my friends and I managed to deal with this. Many people helped us with our travel arrangements, from Ukrainian Customs to the Embassy of Ukraine in South Africa and many others. Also, a special thanks to Louise Taylor from On Target Africa magazine.

My rifle: Model: accuracy International AX-MC 338LM Caliber: 338 Lapua Magnum Barrel: Bartlein 31”, twist 1:9 (DIarms) Scope: Nightforce ATACR 7-35, reticle MIL-R Bullet: Berger 300 gr Brass: Lapua Powder: Retumbo Bipod: Cadex Falcon Bipod Muzzle Brake: Lufa (Ukraine) Balcalc: Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics. Spotting Scope: Swarovski STR 80 Fact Box DIarms, Dekabrystiv St 178, Vasylkiv Kiev, Oblast, Ukraine, 08606

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Volodymyr Bondarenko (Bond) Home town: Kyiv, Ukraine Kraken Team My shooting journey began in early 2018. My friend and future teammate Volodymyr Gorn took me to the shooting range and gave me one of his rifles to try. I remember this rifle, a semi-automatic 223 Remington. I soon realised that I loved the experience. My first rifle was a Savage MSR 15 Recon gas-gun. I also met two other future teammates, Nikita and Maksym. I began to shoot and slowly improved my skills. My first competition was a PRS match. I was impressed with the range, organisation and community. I continued to learn and tried to shoot better and farther. My Savage helped me with this. I was getting continuous impacts at 600 m to 800 m with factory ammunition (GGG 69 gr). However, at a distance of around 1 km, I realised that 223 was not the proper choice. So, I started talking to my friends about a bolt rifle, and selected a Tikka T3x TAC A1. Gunsmith Maksym says that Finnish rifles are very good, and I believed him. And after all these years, I still love my Tikka. It was chambered in 6.5 Creedmoor, which was new for our country at the time. It is an awesome calibre. I was able to shoot at 1 200 to 1 300 m and get impacts. This led me to the path of reloading, assisted by Maksym from the outset. He recommended buying some cartridges from a brass manufacturer. At this point, I was confident enough to ask him for advice. At that time, I was concentrated on our Ukrainian middle range competitions like PRS and ‘Steel Marmot’, with ranges between 300 m to 900 m. My first medal was second place in the Ibis Steel Challenge competition. It was a great event that I recall as if it was yesterday. Unfortunately, my Tikka gave up the ghost after a season,

2 000 rounds and a barrel later. It’s not easy to rebarrel a rifle in Ukraine. At that time, only two companies were able to do this. While waiting in the queue, I shot another 500 rounds, which was the end of my barrel. My choice was a Krieger barrel 30” (actually 29.7”) 1:7.5 twist in 6.5 Creedmoor. This was a custom barrel that allowed me to shoot heavier bullets. During 2019, my friends continuously invited me to F-Class competitions, but that didn’t interest me. After I changed my barrel, they finally persuaded me to participate. This saw me begin another part of my shooting journey, namely Long Range and, ultimately, ELR. I met Volodymyr Bilyk (Voyna), future teammate, good friend and spotter, and Dmitri Hnidin. In Spring 2020, I learnt about the Ukrainian Long-Range Competition, a Long Range Shooting Challenge held in Rovno (LRSC) in Summer. Me and my friends decided to participate. I should go a step back, and mention that when my Tikka died, me and my friend Voyna acquired two rifles in .338 calibre. So, we started to train for ELR. A huge thank you to Dmytro Hnidin, who helped us learn how to shoot properly and hold a rifle. LRSC was a good competition, but I had mixed feelings. Firstly, I won the Light class with my Tikka in 6.5 Creedmoor, but secondly I did not even qualify with the Ruger. I think that was a turning point, as the competition revealed that Magnum rifles are in another league. Preparation in shooting with Magnum is also different. Here my ELR journey began. I finetuned my Ruger and switched trigger and bolt handle and added a Nightforce ATACR 7-35. I also started to reload ammunition. I began to practice with my .338 Lapua Magnum in different wind conditions and on different shooting ranges. In Autumn 2020, me and friends decided to form a team. Actually, our team was forged

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much earlier, as we were shooting together and helping each other in competitions and in real life. We chose the name Kraken Team, which is a funny story. Our teammate Nikita had just received his new rifle from the gunsmith and the first thing he wanted to shoot was Creighton Audette’s Ladder Test. But he forgot the proper name and began calling it the Kraken test. So, our team name was an easy choice to make. In 2021, the King of 1 Mile Ukraine was announced. All our teammates decided to participate, including myself and spotter Volodymyr Bilyk. We trained a lot for the tournament. It was a historic day for the Ukraine shooting community and for our team. We not only won the competition, but clinched the top three places. At this event I meet Eduardo, who gave me a few good tips. After this win, we start to look internationally. Like my friend says, ELR shooting is a bug that bites. I fully agree. So, our first decision was France. We hoped that it would be an

Volodymyr Bilyk (Voyna) Home town: Kyiv, Ukraine Kraken Team Extreme Long Range (ELR) shooting began for me during discussions with my friend and teammate Volodymyr Bondarenko (Bond). Let’s try shoot farther then we can, and what do we need for this? We decided to acquire a rifle in a bigger calibre and decided on a .338 Lapua Magnum. We started to analyse our market for what was available. There were some Savages, Surgeons and Cadex rifles. It was in late autumn 2019 when local arms distributor Stvol announced its latest arrivals. One of the new rifles was the Ruger RPR in 338LM. There were only five of these rifles in our country at that time. It was love at first sight. We reserved 50

easy ride as at least it was the same continent, and our friends were there earlier. However, due to Covid-19 limitations, the French embassy said: “Sorry guys, not this time.” Even before France, I had started to watch KO1M competitions videos from other countries. Some of these were from South Africa. We decided to register for the Romanian and South African KO1M. The Romanian competition was ultimately postponed. So, we travelled to South Africa. It was an amazing journey. I met new people and made new friends. I personally met Louise and Brendan, who helped us a lot. I think that without them our journey would not have been possible. The local weather was really variable, from rain to sun and from calm to 15 to 16 mps wind on the second day alone. We don’t have such heavy wind in our country, but we do have frequent rain and sunshine. However, we were ready, and even became experts at mirage reading, which changes the actual target place you see in the scope. Ukraine was

two, arranged for the appropriate documentation, and bought them. Before my Ruger RPR, I had a Remington 700 SS 5R in .308 calibre. It was a good rifle, and I even managed to shoot a 1.5 litre cooldrink at 1 000 m with my first shot. However, Ruger RPR and Long Range is another level, I think. It’s like Formula 1, but in shooting. Shooting long distances requires maximum concentration in all details. My friend Bond often remarks: “There are no inconsiderable things in long-range shooting. All are important.” The shooter should combine all pieces of the puzzle to make for a good shoot. These pieces are everything from good ammunition to a good rifle, wind, mirage and the shooter him or herself. Only if everything works as it should will you get a result.

placed 2nd, Dmitri Hnidin, followed by Yevhen Hordiienko 3rd place in KO1M SA 2021 and the Cold Bore Cup in the KO1M SA was awarded to Volodymyr Bondarenko. It was a pleasure to be part of this event in South Africa.

My rifle: Model: Ruger RPR Caliber: 338 Lapua Magnum Barrel: Factory barrel 26”, twist 1:9.375 Scope: Nightforce ATACR 7-35, reticle Tremor 3 Bullet: Hornady A-TIP 300 Gr Brass: Lapua Powder: Retumbo Bipod: Accu-Tac HD-50 Muzzle Brake: Terminator Balcalc: Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics. Spotting Scope: Swarovski STR 65 (huge thanks to Andrey Kuznetsov for Scope)

We registered for the South Africa competition after my teammate Volodymyr Bondarenko and I managed to achieve 1st and 3rd at the Ukrainian King of 1 Mile.

My rifle: Model: Ruger Precision Rifle Magnum Caliber: 338 Lapua Magnum Barrel: Brux, twist 1:9 (Delta Technics) Scope: Kahles K525i 5-25x56, reticle SKMR3 Bullet: Hornady 300 Gr A-Tip Brass: Lapua Powder: Retumbo Bipod: Cadex Falcon Bipod Balcalc: Kestrel 5700 Elite with Applied Ballistics.

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E X PA N D YO U R L I M I T S

K525i DLR – Dynamic Long Range Unparalleled in precision and ergonomics, the K525i is now available as DLR variant optimized for the fast action nature of dynamic long range competitions.

NE W 5-25x56i

Extended field of view, easy to read clicks, throw lever and parallax spinner.

1 Tetford Circle, La Lucia Ridge, Durban 4051, South Africa. Telephone +27 (0)31 584 8088, www.whylo.co.za

kahles.at 51


KO1M SA and KO2M SA 2021 There are many different shooting formats in the fast-growing sport of long-range shooting. All of these formats are exciting and fun to shoot. ‘The King’, however, be it the King of 1 Mile South Africa (KO1M SA) or King of 2 Miles South Africa (KO2M SA) format, is undoubtedly the most prestigious event on the South African shooting calendar. This is primarily because it is an internationally recognised format, with international competitors attending despite Covid-19. The challenge of pitting yourself against skilled marksmen from other countries adds another dimension to the sport. Needless to say, with the prospect of having my brand new Ascalon from Dutch Long Arms in .338 Lapua Magnum available, I was as excited as a kid in a sweet shop! My rifle is fitted

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with a 32” Walther Barrel and the twist is 1:10. My scope is mounted on the “Hyperion TAC” scope mount. This adjustable scope mount, another brainchild of my good friend Pim de Waard, is adjustable from 0 to 210 MOA (60 MRAD). The Hyperion TAC can be adjusted on the fly (without removing it from the rifle). My scope of choice is the Vortex Razor Gen II 4.5-27x56 with a Horus Tremor III reticle and was courteously supplied by Whylo Distributors, the official agents of Vortex Optic’s in South Africa.

The King is SA’s most prestigious shooting event. With my rifle arriving a mere week-anda-half before D-Day, I was in a rush against time. A load had to be found and DOPE gathered, all while the clock ticked relentlessly. The proudly South

African Peregrine Glider Range Master (GRM) bullets have stood me in good stead in different shooting formats, even while shooting ridiculously small calibres at remarkably long ranges: A 6 mm SLR (97 gr Peregrine GRM) and 6.5 CM (120 gr and 125 gr Peregrine GRM) at 2 000 m and a standard .223 Rem at 1 Mile (54 gr Peregrine GRM). Bullet of choice As such, my chosen bullet for my .338 Lapua Magnum was the 275 gr Peregrine GRM. Alliwyn Oberholster from Peregrine personally measured the chamber and tweaked the bullet to ensure optimal performance. I left the factory with a few handfuls of bullets and the promise that, as soon as we had the data from the initial testing, he would produce the bullets I needed for final testing and the match itself. My next challenge was to secure the correct powders, so I commenced

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testing. At this point I have to single out Jaco Heyns from Team Truvelo for his suggestions. Jaco knows the .338 LM well and, based on his information, I managed to get to a good load in a short space of time. Rudi Barnard from Brothers Arms went out of his way to locate the propellant I needed. Karoo King of the Plains range Due to the crippling restrictions of firearm regulations on sportsmen and hunters (which are plainly ridiculous, as this has no impact on illegal firearms), the gathering of ballistic data was a challenge. However, my teammate Pieter Meyer and I arrived amidst great excitement and with high hopes at The Karoo King of the Plains shooting range just outside Hanover in the Northern Cape in time for the “weigh in” and matches commencing on 28th October to 30th October 2021

The new ELR range at the Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve promises to be the perfect venue for LR and ELR competitions alike. The conditions and climate are favourable to host matches, as the low rainfall and dryness normally produces good ‘splash’ – ideal for spotting purposes. A total of six shooting points were constructed, each with a level concrete floor to ensure the perfect shooting platform. Ideal shooting points The size of the shooting points was ideal, as it offered generous space, while a standard gazebo fits perfectly on top. The Karoo King of the Plains shooting range is conveniently located for national competitions, as geographically it is smack in the middle of the country and equally accessible to all shooters. The venue forms part of the greater Khoisan Karoo Conservancy. A variety of accommodation options are available, from fully catered accommodation to comfortable self-catering units and value-for-money camping options, all conveniently situated close to the range.

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Gong range Note that the range is available should individuals, groups and clubs wish to organise private shoots, training courses, competitions and practice sessions prior to big events. The venue will also shortly have a full range of standard gongs available. Frames or hangers for the gongs have already been constructed. The ‘King’ is an international format. Both the KO1M SA and KO2M SA variants have qualifying rounds, followed (normally on the next day) by the final. Here only the top ten to Fifteen (15) shooters compete, the exact number depending on attendance. This year 15 shooters competed in the KO1M SA finals (out of almost 80 entries), while ten competed in the KO2M SA finals (40 entries). Qualifying round The qualifying round consists of a ‘cold bore’ shot at a dedicated target, followed by five shots on Target 1 and three shots each on Targets 2 to 4, for a total of 15 shots. In the final, there are only three scoring targets (no cold bore target), and shooters engage each target with five shots for a total of 15 shots. Ranges vary from from 600m to just over 1 Mile (1609m) for the 1 Mile format and between 1200m to just beyond 2 Miles (3218m), in the 2 Mile event. For people not in the know, hits on the further targets score a higher value than those on shorter distances. First-shot hits on a particular target also score higher than second- and thirdshot hits, as well as fourth- and fifthshot hits where applicable. The principle of ‘hit to advance’ applies, meaning further targets can only be engaged once the previous target has been hit. Rain and strong wind A competitor stops shooting when he/ she either runs out of ammunition (15 shots completed), or when his/her time is up (nine minutes for the qualifier and ten minutes for the final). Despite the challenges posed by the uncharacteristic rainstorms and strong winds, organisers Impact Xtreme Shooting and Brendan Fike and his team hosted a magnificent shoot. Only once you have been a host and match director will you realise and appreciate what they managed to achieve. With almost 80 entries, the KO1M SA event was shot on the Thursday. Two adjacent shooting points and two sets of identical targets were engaged.

Kudos to the referees, officials and scorers for keeping everything under control and flowing smoothly. The wind gusted up to 30 miles an hour and wet fields (hence poor splash) challenged competitors, but despite a late afternoon thunderstorm, the match was completed on the day. Difficult to detect splash On Friday morning the KO2M SA competitors were met by cool weather and a wet range. The wind returned to challenge the field, making splash difficult to detect. Shooters used two shooting points to ensure good flow (while the one shooter was shooting, the next could get ready without disturbing him/her).

The special camaraderie of this group of long-range shooters. One set of gongs was used, and even though the hit percentage was low, the competitors enjoyed themselves. First up on the Saturday morning were the KO2M SA finalists. Despite almost perfect conditions (moderate winds, cool temperatures and perfect light), the wet range still hindered the ability to see splash. The field battled valiantly, but very few hits were recorded. I was fortunate to compete in both events. Considering the limited time to prepare, I was pleased to achieve 26th place in the KO1M SA and 9th place in the KO2M SA event, and am already looking forward to next year’s event! Special camaraderie The prizegiving and dinner was a grand affair, and the camaraderie of this special group of long-range fanatics was great to experience. Special thanks to my friend and teammate Pieter Meyer for his wind calls and encouragement. Last, but by no means least, a big round of applause to all of the finalists and their spotters, especially the guys making it to the podium, as well as the organisers, for a great match at this wonderful venue. www.khoisankaroo.co.za www.dutchlongarms.com Turner is the owner of Wilkinson Shooting Solutions and presents LR courses. Turner can be contacted on wilkinson.wt@gmail.com for more information.

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New scoring formula for KO1M and KO2M matches By Gustavo F. Ruiz – rev. September/2020 1) The new formula

3) Distance Units

Based on the simplicity of the old formula, while keeping the resulting curve to follow the same progression (acceleration), the following new scoring formula has been adopted in order to fix the problem associated with using the old one in the KO1M match.

While this or any other scoring formula is not unitspecific, it’s recommended to use

Where Dist is the distance to the target in Yards

Score = Int((Dist * ((Dist + 100) / 1500)) / 2) Mathematically, the curve of the new formula is a power law, but it can be linearized by making a simple logarithmic transformation of the form: Ln(P) = Ln(A) + B * Ln(Dist) where, Dist is the distance to the target, P is the score and both A and B are constants.

2) Comparison between the Old and New formulas

YARDS in order to establish a common scoring system among all countries hosting KO1M and KO2M matches. Not having a common distance unit is a bad practice that will only create unrelated scores thus negating the possibility of a standard way to measure a team’s performance across a worldwide audience. Not adopting a standardized formula with a common distance unit is not desirable for all countries, regardless of the official distance unit. Since KO2M started in the USA, the new formula’s distance unit is YARDS. The following chart illustrates how scoring is affected when using YARDS or METERS

The chart considers single hits, without taking into consideration the hit multipliers.

Distance 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400 2600 2800 3000 3200 3400

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Old Formula New Formula 0 -63 -95 -95 -63 0 95 222 381 571 794 1048 1333 1651 2000 2381 2794 3238

0 20 66 140 240 366 520 700 906 1140 1400 1686 2000 2340 2706 3100 3520 3966

Absolute Difference 0 83 161 235 303 366 425 478 525 569 606 638 667 689 706 719 726 728

4) The concept of the new formula The design of this formula is based on the following criteria: a. It is mathematically robust, therefore does not exhibit the problems of the old formula with shorter distances. b. The regression curve yields a R value of 0.999 which demonstrates that the constants have been the result of a calculation and not an arbitrary choice. c. The correlation at any distance, whether low, intermediate or high, is perfect. d. It is a universal formula, since it can be applied to any desired distance, without any restriction. e. It is correlated to the reality of ballistic performance in terms of the Probability of Impact at different distances, in a proportionate and logical way. f. Consequently, the value of the score is fair at any distance, since it follows a progression comparable to the increase in ballistic dispersion.

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Africa Level IV Handgun Championship By Adrian Luppnow

The Africa Level IV Handgun Championship was hosted by the North West Practical Shooting Association (NWPSA) at the Frontier shooting range in Stilfontein from 22 to 24 October. Due to be hosted in July, the match had to be postponed due to Covid-19. The match consisted of 24 stages and 412 rounds. The setup was four long stages, each comprising 32 rounds, eight medium stages comprising between 14 and 24 rounds, and 12 small stages comprising between nine and 12 rounds. All competitors arriving at the range on each day of competition were required to wear masks, sanitise their hands, observe social distancing, complete a Covid-19 declaration form

and have their temperature recorded. The range was divided into three separate areas, each comprising eight stages. Competitors were required to enter either through Gate A, B or C, depending on which area they would be competing in for the day. This was to ease congestion at any one entry point, in line with Covid-19 protocols, which had to be adhered to before access to the range was permitted. As part of the initial stage briefing, Range Officers reminded all competitors to wear face masks and maintain social distancing while conducting their stage walk through. The Range Official operating the scoring device was the only person permitted to touch it so as to limit contact. All competitors received a goody bag containing a protein bar, bottle of water, Würth lanyard, a bar of handmade soap, a tin of Q gun lubricant, an Africa Level IV Handgun Championship branded range towel and an Africa Level IV Handgun Championship branded bottle of wine.

The pre-match for Range Officers and Match Officials took place from 19 to 21 October. Competitors completed ten stages on 19 October, ten stages on 20 October and four stages on 21 October, while the main match consisted of eight stages per day. A total of 373 competitors made up the 23 squads in the match. Competitors came from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Germany, Kenya, Greece and Norway. A total of 13 competitors from the Eastern Province and the Port Elizabeth Rifle & Pistol Club (PERPC) travelled to Stilfontein to compete. The match began at 07:00 on Friday with an equipment check. No prematch registration and equipment check was permitted as at past events. This was in order to comply fully with Covid-19 regulations. Eight rounds of ammunition were sealed in an envelope to be checked on the chronograph stage, which was conducted after competitors completed Stage 12. Friday greeted competitors with rain and thunder, but the rain subsided early in the morning and Day 1 turned out to be cool and very pleasant. Saturday and Sunday were both pleasant, with clear weather and sunshine. A big thank you to the match organisers and the maintenance team on the range, who did an outstanding job on Friday by covering muddy areas with crushed stone to ensure safe conditions for all competitors. Any breakages in stage equipment were repaired efficiently so the match could continue without delay.

Squad 3

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Stage 7

Johan Otto engaging targets from under the Cooper Tunnel with a CZ Shadow 2

Stage 3: A long stage of 32 rounds, with 16 IPSC targets and two IPSC no-shoot targets. Competitors could begin the stage anywhere in the demarcated area, hands interlaced on head. The firearm was placed on top of one of two tables and all magazines placed on one or both tables. Upon the audible start signal, the competitor had to retrieve their firearm to engage targets around barricades and through apertures in the barricades. Being right - or left-handed dictated on which side of the demarcated area the competitor would begin the stage. Stage 7: A short stage of 11 rounds, with three IPSC targets and five IPSC poppers. The competitor could begin the stage anywhere in the demarcated area. Competitors had to move through a Cooper Tunnel to engage all targets and complete the stage. According to IPSC handgun Rule 2.2.5: “Cooper Tunnels – Are tunnels DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

Stage 10

Yvonne Naude kicking open the door at Stage 5

comprised of braced uprights supporting loose overhead materials (e.g., wooden slats), which may fall off when inadvertently dislodged by competitors”. IPSC handgun Rule 10.2.5 states: “In a Cooper tunnel, a competitor who disturbs one or more pieces of the overhead material will receive 1 procedural penalty for each piece of overhead material which falls”. Physically disabled competitors who could not move through the Cooper Tunnel to engage all targets were given the option to complete the stage with the wooden slats removed. IPSC handgun Rule 10.2.10 applies here: “Special penalty: A competitor unable to fully execute any part of a course of fire due to incapacity or injury may, prior to making his attempt at the course of fire, request that the Range Master apply a penalty in lieu of the stated course requirement.”

Stage 10: A long stage of 32 rounds, with 14 IPSC targets, one IPSC popper, three IPSC metal plates and five IPSC no-shoot targets. The competitor began the stage with both heels touching the marked area ‘A’. Opening a steel door activated a swinging and a bobber target. The door had to be opened with force so as to stay open, or the door would close while the competitor was engaging targets through the doorway. Many competitors preferred to move to the right-hand side of the stage to open the door and engage targets, before moving to their left to engage targets through apertures in the barricades, while other competitors chose to engage targets through apertures in the barricades to the left-hand side of the stage, before completing the stage by opening the door and engaging the bobbing and swinging targets. Neither option appeared

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Philip Breytenbach on Stage 21 with a CZ Shadow

Trevor Marsh engaging targets with his CZ Shadow 2

James Simon moving to a new position with finger off the trigger.

Yvonne Naude engaging an IPSC target covered with a no-shoot target

Andy Charalambous engaging a swinging target at Stage 19

more advantageous, but rather seemed to be a personal choice. Stage 15: A short stage comprising nine rounds, with three IPSC poppers, three IPSC targets and two IPSC no-shoot targets. The competitor began the stage seated in a boat with both hands on their knees. The firearm and all magazines were placed on a table in front of the competitor. IPSC popper IP3 activated moving targets IT1 and IT2, which remained visible, but would disappear behind steel hardcover. Physically disabled competitors could engage the targets from demarcated area ‘A’ behind the boat, in which

58

Squad 6 handing over the screw award after Stage 19

case IPSC handgun Rule 10.2.10 ‘Special penalty’ applied. The stage appeared simple, but the competitor’s timing on the two swinging targets had to be perfect, or time was wasted while waiting for the swinging target to reappear from behind the steel hardcover. Stage 24: A short stage comprising nine rounds, with four IPSC targets and one IPSC popper. The competitor began the stage lying on their back on a bed, arms by their sides, with head facing down range. Handgun and all magazines were placed on a table on the left- or right-hand side of the bed. Upon the audible signal, the

competitor had to get off the bed, retrieve their firearm, insert a magazine and load the hand gun before engaging all targets. The IPSC popper activated a moving target partially covered by a IPSC no-shoot target. Competitors were permitted to remove their shooting belts containing their holster and magazine pouches to facilitate lying on the bed. Upon completing the stage, the competitor could store their handgun in a bag while under Range Officer instruction. The competitor could then leave the stage and make their way to a safety area to re-holster their firearm.

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32





Reaaz Munga starting Stage 3 with hands on head, fingers interlaced

Trevor Marsh doing a magazine change on the move

Squad 12

Some squads had a screw as a ‘floating trophy’ for the competitor who made the biggest mistake on a stage. The screw would then be awarded to another competitor who made the biggest mistake on the following stage. Great fun was had awarding the screw, and many competitors took extra care in completing a stage so as not to be on the receiving end.

range after the match and provisional results were called final. The Africa Level IV Handgun Championship was the first of three selection matches for the Handgun World Shoot XIX to be hosted in Thailand from 27 November 2022. The previous selection matches did not count due to the Covid-19 lockdown and the delay of the handgun world shoot XIX from 2021 to 2022.

The official match scoring program for IPSC sanctioned matches is the Windows Match Scoring System (WinMSS) used during the Africa Level IV Handgun Championship match. The scoring devices are linked to a server that updates the scoring system as scores are captured. Connectivity from the scoring devices to the server was slow at times, which caused delays and much frustration while waiting for the system to update before the following competitor could complete the stage.

[Editor’s Note: The next South African Championship Level 3 National was hosted by the NWPSA at the Frontier Shooting range in Stilfontein from 4 to 5 December 2021. This was the second selection match for the national Protea team to represent South Africa at the IPSC Handgun World Shoot XIX in Thailand.]

Upon concluding the match, the scheduled prizegiving was changed to an awards ceremony held on the

62

Open Division 1.

Thomas Montgomery

2.

Grant Hulley

3.

Nazeem Khan

Standard Division 1.

Garrett-John Evans

2.

JC Potgieter

3.

Keith Rolls

Production Division 1.

Navarre Muller

2.

Thomas Affleck

3.

Jacques Grobler

Production Optics Division 1.

Dylan Henstock

2.

Werner Beukes

3.

Wanda Zama

Classic Division 1.

Ian van der Bank

2.

Albert Wessels

3.

Fabian Scott

Image Credits: Adrian Luppnow Africa Level IV Handgun Championship

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


60 Hendrik Potgieter Road, Florida North, Gauteng, South Africa. Telephone: +27 (0) 11472 1721/2 E-Mail: sales@powderkeg.co.za www.powderkeg.co.za

63



bullet coating

These 9 mm round-nose nominally 124 gr bullets are now ready to be loaded.

Hi-Tek-Lube Supercoat

READER GIVE-AWAY Hi-Tek-Lube are giving away Free coating products to all who apply, via email to either Tommy Glover or to Joe Ban. To receive up to 3 samples of FREE coating products, once per month, for six (6) months, as a hobbyist or commercial caster e-mail either of them with the following details:

Required Details: First name:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Last name: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Please complete the details where the courier can safely deliver to you: Daytime: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Weekday:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Street Address:. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....................................................................................................................................

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Are you a hobbyist? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Are you a commercial caster? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Contact Cell number: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Email: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . NOTE: Each application for free products at end of a month, requires new applications to be completed. Either Tommy Glover or Joe Ban will communicate directly with you. Email: Tommy Glover - compishot@gmail.com Email: Joe Ban - jandmspecializedproducts@gmail.com South Africa contact details Mr Tommy Glover Compi-Shot Manufacturer in Emalahleni Local Municipality Mpumalanga

Web: https://compi-shot.business.site/ Email: compishot@gmail.com Cell: 071 295 6804

The equipment and materials used for applying the coating. The tray is a brick ventilator, available from a hardware store, but a homemade works as well.

Loaded 9 mm rounds as used in the tests.

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

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hy reload l d for f your shotgun? h ? Why By Tommy Gloverr

This is a question I get asked quite often. The answer is, in essence, the same as for rifle and pistol. Apart from the cost-saving aspect, each shotgun performs differently with different ammunition. Internal dimensions differ and so do barrel lengths. This affects how the shot will perform both pattern and speed wise. For this reason, I prefer to reload my shot shells to perform at their best out of the gun I am using. Not all factory shot shells are created equal. Some factory shells are truly better than others, but come at a considerably higher price. The components used determine where a shot shell stand compared to others. To us reloaders, there are quality components available to match, if not exceed, the top brand shot shells available.

Here’s a look at locally-available components: Wads are available from a variety of sources and most gunshops have some stock. I prefer to use

locally-produced wads from Wads SA. They only produce three sizes in 12 ga at the moment, but this covers most popular weights (24 g, 28 g and 32 g). The Wads SA wads work great for most hunting and sports-shooting 12 ga loads. I have loaded all three weights in different shot sizes and have not found any plastic fouling in my barrels. Powder is also available from most gunshops, and there are quite a few manufactures to choose from. Primers are also available from your local gunshop. (Both powder and primers might become scarce as world demand for these components increases.) Shot is available from various suppliers, mostly homemade dripped shot with differing quality. The most important quality of bird shot is the hardness and roundness of the shot. Second is the coating or lubrication. Shot deforms when shot. The harder the shot, the less it will deform, and the better it holds its pattern. The

rounder the ball, the truer it will travel through the air. These qualities are supported by the lubrication or coating of the shot. You need lubrication when loading shot shells so that the exact same charge drops into your wadded shell each time. But also, as the shot travels down the barrel, they rub against each other. Here the lubrication reduces the stress on the individual shot. The coating also protects the lead from oxidation that could result in clumping of the shot if stored for long periods. Clumping leads to dangerously over-pressurised loads. By reloading your own shot shells, you can fit the load not only to your application, but also your gun: Wider pattern out of the same choke tube or a tighter pattern out of a cylinder bore. Buck and slug shells at less than half the factory price. Not to mention the feeling of hitting a target that you previously could not. Contact: Tommy Glover | CompiShot Email: compishot@gmail.com

FOSPRO enhances weapon cleaning FOSPRO is a special oil with specific qualities that are beneficial to any weapon. Cleaning a weapon is absolutely critical to the durability and preservation of that weapon. Using FOSPRO with your current selection of oils can only enhance the cleaning ritual. Some of the key benefits include:

Anti-static: Once used to clean your equipment, FOSPRO leaves a protective layer on the surface. Due to its anti-static nature, no sand or dust particles, etc. will stick to your equipment.

Moisture/water repellant: Once applied, prolonged storage of the equipment is ensured and will remain rust free.

Lubricant: FOSPRO has high penetrating properties to assist in reducing contact resistance, which translates into less wear and tear on all moving parts.

Corrosion protection: FOSPRO provides effective protection against corrosion. Should you use your equipment in wet weather, applying FOSPRO immediately thereafter will prevent the equipment from rusting.

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Effective carbon remover: FOSPRO removes carbon instantaneously and effectively, leaving a protective moisture-repellent layer behind, protecting the cleaned equipment against corrosion. Non-water-based oil: Being a nonwater based oil, FOSPRO assists in the removal of any existing rust from surfaces and protects the area thereafter. It can even be used to release rusted bolts or pins.

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


This is a summary of the presentation Arnold Beneke was invited to present at the Durbanville Shooting Club when they held their Shooting Festival on 18th September 2021.

Kongsberg Pistol

The 1911

Pistol The M1911 pistol originated in the late 1890s as the result of a search for a suitable self-loading (or semi-automatic) pistol to replace the variety of revolvers then in service. At the end of 1899 and the beginning of 1900, a test of selfloading pistols was conducted, including entries from Mauser (the C96 ‘Broomhandle’), Mannlicher (the M1894) and Colt (the M1900). This led to a purchase of 1 000 DWM Luger pistols, chambered in 7.65 mm, a bottlenecked cartridge. During field trials, these ran into some problems, especially with stopping power. Other governments had made similar complaints. Consequently, DWM produced an enlarged version of the round, the 9 19 mm Parabellum, a necked-up version of the 7.65 mm round. Fifty of these were tested as well by the US Army in 1903. American units fighting Moro guerrillas during the Philippine–American War using the then-standard Colt M1892 revolver, the .38 Long Colt, found it to be unsuitable for the rigors of jungle warfare, particularly in terms of stopping power, as the Moros had high battle morale and often used drugs to inhibit the sensation of pain. The US Army briefly reverted to using the M1873 single-action revolver in .45 Colt calibre, which had been standard during the late 19th century; the heavier bullet was found to be more effective against charging tribesmen. The problems prompted Chief of Ordnance General William Crozier to authorise further testing for a new service pistol. 1906 trials Following the 1904 ThompsonLaGarde pistol round effectiveness tests, Colonel John T. Thompson stated that the new pistol “should not be of less than .45 calibre”, and would preferably be semi-automatic in operation. This led to the 1906 trials of pistols from six firearm manufacturers, namely Colt, Bergmann, Deutsche

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32

Waffen und Munitionsfabriken (DWM), Savage Arms Company, Knoble, Webley and White-Merrill. Of the six designs submitted, three were eliminated early on, leaving only the Savage, Colt and DWM designs chambered in the new .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge. These three still had issues that needed correction, but only Colt and Savage resubmitted their designs. There is some debate over the reasons for DWM’s withdrawal. DWM design Some say they felt there was bias, and that the DWM design was being used primarily as a “whipping boy” for the Savage and Colt pistols, though this does not fit well with the earlier 1900 purchase of the DWM design over the Colt and Steyr entries. In any case, a series of field tests was held from 1907 to 1911 to decide between the Savage and Colt designs. Both designs were improved between each testing over their initial entries, leading up to the final test before adoption. Among the areas of success for the Colt was a test at the end of 1910, attended by its designer, John Browning. Six thousand rounds were fired from a single pistol over the course of two days. When the gun began to grow hot, it was simply immersed in water to cool it. The Colt gun passed with no reported malfunctions, while the Savage designs had 37.

Browning’s basic M1911 design has seen little change Basic principle Browning’s basic M1911 design has seen very little change throughout its production life. The basic principle of the pistol is recoil operation. As the expanding combustion gases force the bullet down the barrel, they give reverse momentum to the slide and

John Moses Browning barrel, which are locked together during this portion of the firing cycle. After the bullet has left the barrel, the slide and barrel continue rearward for a short distance. At this point, a link pivots the rear of the barrel down, out of locking recesses in the slide, and the barrel is stopped by making contact with the lower barrel lugs against the frame’s vertical impact surface. As the slide continues rearward, a claw extractor pulls the spent casing from the firing chamber and an ejector strikes the rear of the case, pivoting it out and away from the pistol through the ejection port. The slide stops and is then propelled forward by a spring to strip a fresh cartridge from the magazine and feed it into the firing chamber. At the forward end of its travel, the slide locks into the barrel and is ready to fire again. Facilitates reloading However, if the fired round was the last round in the magazine, the slide will lock in the rearward position, which notifies the shooter to reload by ejecting the empty magazine and inserting a loaded magazine. It also facilitates (by being rearwards) reloading the chamber, which is accomplished by either pulling the slide back slightly and releasing, or by pushing down on the slide stop, which releases the slide to move forward under spring pressure, strip a fresh cartridge from the magazine and feed it into the firing chamber. There are no fasteners of any type in the 1911 design, except for the grip screws. The main components of the 1911 are held in place by the force of the recoil spring. The pistol can be ‘field stripped’ by partially retracting

67


the slide, removing the slide stop, and subsequently removing the barrel bushing. Full disassembly (and subsequent reassembly) of the pistol to its component parts can be accomplished using several manually removed components as tools to complete the disassembly. US Army Following its success in trials, the Colt pistol was formally adopted by the US Army on 29 March 1911, when it was designated Model of 1911, later changed to Model 1911 in 1917, and then M1911 in the mid-1920s. The M1911 was formally adopted by the US Navy and Marine Corps in 1913. The .45 ACP ‘Model of 1911 US Army’ was utilised by both US Army cavalry troops and infantry soldiers during the US’s punitive expedition into Mexico against Pancho Villa in 1916. By the beginning of 1917, a total of 68 533 M1911 pistols had been delivered to US armed forces by Colt’s Patent Firearms Manufacturing Company and the US government’s Springfield Armory. However, the need to greatly expand US military forces and the resultant surge in demand for the firearm in World War I saw the expansion of manufacture to other contractors besides Colt and Springfield Armory, including Remington-UMC and North American Arms Company of Quebec. Contracts awarded Several other manufacturers were awarded contracts to produce the M1911, including the National Cash Register Company, the Savage Arms Company, the Caron Brothers Manufacturing of Montreal, the Burroughs Adding Machine Company, Winchester Repeating Arms Company and the Lanston Monotype Company, but the signing of the Armistice resulted in the cancellation of the contracts before any pistols had been produced. The Kongsberg Colt is a nickname used for Colt M1911 pistols produced under licence by the Norwegian factory Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk. Following extensive tests through early 1914, it was finally decided in August to adopt the Colt M1911 pistol in Norway. These pistols were to replace the Nagant revolvers (7.5 mm M/1893) as the standard military sidearm in Norway. While the original pistol was known as the 1911 Colt, the designer and copyright owner was John Browning, who had licenced manufacturing in the US to Colt.

68

Norway attempted to obtain licencing through Colt, but discovered European production was through Fabrique Nationale. Norwegian manufacture So, in September 1914, Norway signed a contract with Fabrique Nationale of Belgium for manufacture. The pistol would be produced at the Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk in Norway, with the first test production in 1917. These pistols were identical to the Colt M1911, except for a minor detail on the hammer checkering. Kongsberg Våpenfabrikk was ready to commence with mass production in 1918. One significant change was now made. The slide-stop was extended down and back to make it easier to operate. This change required a cut-out in the left stock. This change had been suggested in 1916, but did not materialise on the production pistols prior to 1918. The Kongsberg Colt remained in service with the Norwegian Armed Forces until being replaced by the GLOCK P80 in 1985. World War II World War II and the years leading up to it created a great demand. During WWII, about 1.9 million units were procured by the US government for all its forces, with production being undertaken by several manufacturers, including Remington Rand (900 000 produced), Colt (400 000), Ithaca Gun Company (400 000), Union Switch & Signal (50 000) and Singer (500). New M1911A1 pistols were given a parkerised metal finish instead of bluing, and the wood grip panels were replaced with panels made from brown plastic. The M1911A1 was a favoured small arm of both the US and Allied military personnel during WWII. In particular, the pistol was prized by some British commando units and Britain’s highly covert Special Operations Executive, as well as South African commonwealth forces. Among collectors today, the Singer-produced pistols in particular are highly prized, commanding high prices even in poor condition.

Manufacturers of M1911-type pistols are growing Desert Storm After World War II, the M1911 continued to be a mainstay of the US armed forces in the Korean War and

the Vietnam War. It was used during Desert Storm by specialised US Army units and US Navy Mobile Construction Battalions (Seabees), and has seen service in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom with US Army Special Forces Groups and Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance Companies. However, by the late 1970s, the M1911A1 was acknowledged to be showing its age. Under political pressure from the US Congress to standardise on a single modern pistol design, the US Air Force ran a Joint Service Small Arms Programme to select a new semiautomatic pistol using the NATOstandard 9 mm Parabellum pistol cartridge. After trials, the Beretta 92S-1 was selected. Beretta 92F The US Army contested this result and subsequently ran its own competition in 1981, eventually leading to the official adoption of the Beretta 92F on 14 January 1985. During the Gulf War from 1990 to 1991, M1911A1s were deployed with reserve component US Army units sent to participate in Operation Desert Storm. By the early 1990s, most M1911A1s had been replaced by the Beretta M9, though a limited number remain in use by special units. Many military and law enforcement organisations in the US and other countries continue to use (often modified) M1911A1 pistols. The M1911A1 is popular among the general public globally for practical and recreational purposes. The pistol is commonly used for concealed carry, thanks in part to a single-stack magazine (which makes for a thinner pistol that is therefore easier to conceal), personal defence, target shooting and competition. Numerous aftermarket accessories allow users to customise the pistol to their liking. There are a growing number of manufacturers of M1911type pistols. The model continues to be quite popular for its reliability, simplicity and patriotic appeal. Note: Various sources of books and internet search sites were used in compiling the article.

Contact: Durbanville Shooting Club Range Physical Address: Groot Phesantekraal, Klipheuwel Road, R302 – Western Cape Web: http://www.dsk-dsc.co.za

DECEMBER 2021 • ISSUE 32


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