Isle of Man Easter Shooting Festival - Anyone going?

IRLConor

The Isle of Man Easter Shooting Festival runs from Good Friday to Easter Sunday and is a large collection of shooting events run to a very high standard. The selection of matches is quite broad:

Rifle Events

• ISSF Prone 60 shot
• ISSF 3 position (3x40) (Men)
• ISSF 3 position (3x20) (Women)
• Sporting Rifle
• Service Rifle
• ISSF Air Rifle

Pistol Events

• Police Pistol matches
• Service Pistol match
• ISSF Centre Fire Pistol match
• ISSF Standard Pistol match
• ISSF Sport Pistol match
• Black Powder pistol match
• 9mm pistol match
• NRA1500 match
• Practical Pistol
• ISSF Air Pistol

Further information (and all the bits of paperwork you'll need) can be found at the website: http://www.isleofmanshooting.com/easter/

The closing date for entries is the 27th March.

IRLConor

I'm off to the Isle of Man Easter Shooting Festival with It wasn't me! and another shooter from DURC. Is anyone else here planning on going?

There are teams of 2 and 4 for the 50m prone rifle competitions, anyone want to fill a spot and make a team (and two pairs)?

It wasn't me!

I've to try not to embarrass meself over there now.

FLOYDSTER

I'm going too!!;),we'll have to get out for a beer!!

FLOYDSTER

There should be a crowd from the North as its one of the Qualification shoots towards Commonwealth Games!;)

IRLConor

FLOYDSTER wrote: »

I'm going too!!;),we'll have to get out for a beer!!

I don't think you'll have any trouble on that front.

jwshooter

IRLConor wrote: »

I don't think you'll have any trouble on that front.

what competitions are you guys entered into so we can keep a eye on you ,no pressure now

IRLConor

jwshooter wrote: »

what competitions are you guys entered into so we can keep a eye on you ,no pressure now

I (and It wasn't me!) will be entered in the 50m prone rifle competitions (competitions 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). I presume FLOYDSTER will be in those too. It looks like a lot of competitions, but it's only two matches worth. Most of the competitions are concurrent.

FLOYDSTER

Yip!;), I was going to shoot 3P also, but need to get my finger out and get some hard training in!:rolleyes:

jwshooter

IRLConor wrote: »

I (and It wasn't me!) will be entered in the 50m prone rifle competitions (competitions 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). I presume FLOYDSTER will be in those too. It looks like a lot of competitions, but it's only two matches worth. Most of the competitions are concurrent.

best of luck guys, take some pics of your targets and the grounds ,

noting like a big competition to focus the mind.

now to the odds ,i have spoken to IWM so i will have to have 10 on him .

It wasn't me!

jwshooter wrote: »

best of luck guys, take some pics of your targets and the grounds ,

noting like a big competition to focus the mind.

now to the odds ,i have spoken to IWM so i will have to have 10 on him .

You'd want to get good, long odds there jw. Honestly, if I can post above 570 in the matches I'll be thrilled. I'll be pleased if I'm on the first page of the results.

Be good to see you over there Floydster; new rifle broken in yet?

FLOYDSTER

Rifle is getting there!;), I need to get some serious trainning in though!, too much work at the minute and not enough free time!:(

Sparks

One thing about the sinclair range - it is probably the best range in the IONA region for 50m, but bring an electric blanket and a plugboard (they have powerpoints on each firing point). I've shot in Fassaroe in the middle of january with two inches of ice on the ponds, I've shot in Rathdrum in the depths of winter, I've even shot in DRC in the middle of a gale - and Sinclair remains the single coldest experience of my life. I have never been that close to hypothermia before. I laughed at a local girl who was shooting under an electric blanket there that day. I stopped when I had to stop halfway though the match because I couldn't feel my arms or legs.
Seriously. It's quite cold.

IRLConor

jwshooter wrote: »

best of luck guys, take some pics of your targets and the grounds ,

Definitely will do.

There's some pictures of the range here: http://www.isleofmanshooting.com/facilities/picindex.shtml

jwshooter wrote: »

now to the odds ,i have spoken to IWM so i will have to have 10 on him .

I'm sure we can come up with odds that would be suitable.

It wasn't me!

IRLConor wrote: »

I'm sure we can come up with odds that would be suitable.

It's just a question of how many zero's.

ina

I'l look forward to seeing you all at Easter then!

Ref comments on the temperature at Sinclair - we have a supply of duvets if required, but Easter is quite late this year and we have ordered some sunshine (keeping fingers and everything else crossed).

Honestly though, Sinclair isn't the coldest range on the Island - the clay ground at Blue Point is pretty close to the sea, and the Pistol range is half way up the mountain.

See you in a few weeks and please don't forget to send a copy of your FAC with the entry forms!

Ina

jwshooter

IRLConor wrote: »

Definitely will do.

There's some pictures of the range here: http://www.isleofmanshooting.com/facilities/picindex.shtml



I'm sure we can come up with odds that would be suitable.

electric blankets ,you hardy feckers do you have them turned on nite or max.
try skins winter range, there well worth the money also for you guys there tight on the mussels and a close fit .
too much clothes is a problem with gun fit i will always were long johns clay shooting in winter , skins even two pairs . electric blankets

IRLConor

jwshooter wrote: »

electric blankets ,you hardy feckers do you have them turned on nite or max.
try skins winter range, there well worth the money also for you guys there tight on the mussels and a close fit .
too much clothes is a problem with gun fit i will always were long johns clay shooting in winter , skins even two pairs . electric blankets

Don't worry jw, we're not all as soft as Sparks.

(I will be packing my thermal shooting underwear though.)

Sparks

electric blankets ,you hardy feckers do you have them turned on nite or max.

Like I said before jw, if I wanted a deeply manly experience, I'd go drinking in the George
If you cannot feel your legs, something's generally wrong

jwshooter

just hope lads your not sharing the same blanket.:D

IRLConor

jwshooter wrote: »

just hope lads your not sharing the same blanket.:D

Nah, the other two lads are lefties, they'd be kicking me all through the match. They can get their own blanket.

Kryten

Sounds fantastic. Is it possible to bring our own equipment from Ireland? Apparently the ferry company allows firearms locked securly in a car, but is the Dublin ferry a car ferry?

Just thinking out loud at the moment. Kids on Mid Term, wife wanting to get away, and me wanting to do an international competition.

Sparks

Yup, that's how we always did it. Doesn't seem to work out much cheaper than flying there, but having the car is handy.

IRLConor

Kryten wrote: »

Sounds fantastic. Is it possible to bring our own equipment from Ireland? Apparently the ferry company allows firearms locked securly in a car, but is the Dublin ferry a car ferry?

The first sailing of the season from Dublin is on Good Friday and the Snaefell will be the ferry used. It's a small car ferry; a catamaran.

You can take firearms but you can't take ammunition. Ammunition can only be taken on the slow boat from Heysham in the UK.

Kryten wrote: »

Just thinking out loud at the moment. Kids on Mid Term, wife wanting to get away, and me wanting to do an international competition.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Sparks wrote: »

Yup, that's how we always did it. Doesn't seem to work out much cheaper than flying there, but having the car is handy.

I don't think it's possible to fly. The only airline flying from here to there is Aer Arann and they completely prohibit firearms.

It wasn't me!

Kryten, you can source ammunition over there, the paperwork is simple enough, so it's thunderbirds are go from what I can see. Entry deadline is tomorrow week, the 27th, so got to get cracking! Hope to see you over there, we'll swing up to the pistol range and have a gander.

Sparks

IRLConor wrote: »

I don't think it's possible to fly. The only airline flying from here to there is Aer Arann and they completely prohibit firearms.

I'm mixing up Kryten and Floydster
Aer Arann prohibit firearms, but I know you could fly from Belfast Airport to Douglas a few years back. Which doesn't mean it couldn't have changed I suppose

sbw

IRLConor wrote: »

The first sailing of the season from Dublin is on Good Friday and the Snaefell will be the ferry used. It's a small car ferry; a catamaran.

I've learned two things here. 1) That there's more folks than I expected coming over and 2) that they're renamed the Seacat.

I've not entered any team comps yet, if you'd like an extra body.

IRLConor

sbw wrote: »

I've not entered any team comps yet, if you'd like an extra body.

Dibs!

My outdoor 50m average (according to the rules on the entry form) is 572. That work for you?

sbw

IRLConor wrote: »

Dibs!

My outdoor 50m average (according to the rules on the entry form) is 572. That work for you?

Coolabule. I'll enter us for the Saturday and Sunday pairs.

It wasn't me!

Insanely fast turnaround from the Isle of Man constabulary on the temporary permit. Seriously impressive. Our own boys, while generally admirable, could take a lesson in sheer efficiency.

Looking forward to the match now. Due to further jiggery-pokery with jacket, I'll be borrowing one, so need to do some tweaking of details when I get there, and ferry paperwork is going in the fax machine tomorrow, but we're set at this stage. Should be good.

You decide to go in the end Kryten? Look forward to seeing anyone else going over as well. We'll try get photos of the match, the range, and targets (if there are any worth seeing ) and post them here.

IRLConor

I'm back home after a lovely weekend's shooting. I didn't do too well, scoring a 574 and a 565 in the two matches I shot. Good practice though; the Sinclair range is a fantastic facility.

Good news on the pistol side of things though. There was a great crowd from Ireland and they cleaned up, winning a pile of medals. I don't have the details to hand but at least one Irish shooter went home with 5 medals!

The competitions ran like clockwork thanks to excellent organisation from the Isle of Man shooters. Everything from handling the paperwork to meeting us at the ferry to running the competition to (most importantly ) providing food at the range was done to a standard I've never seen before. A professional organisation with scores of paid employees couldn't have done a better job.

I'll follow up with photos and more detailed results later.

It wasn't me!

The weekend was great. My scores were awful, but looking through the scope, the mirage could be crazy, and it was an important learning experience for those of us who went. Congratulations to FLOYDSTER as well for putting in two solid scores and, I believe, qualifying for the Commonwealth Games.

The event was unbelievable. I must thank the organisers for being so incredibly accommodating. we were met coming off the ferry and the guns were secured in the armoury, where we didn't have to worry about them for the whole weekend. On leaving, they were brought to the ferry for us. It was so, so easy and a great experience.

On the pistol front, mister Ahern should have a photo of a proud Irish fullbore pistol shooter with five international level medals in his in-tray in the morning. Well done to all the pistol shooters who performed so well. They were a credit to the country on the trip.

FLOYDSTER

Great weekend!!, and, Dave I only shot two C. Games qualifying scores!;), still a long way to go!!:D

It was great to see some of you guys travelling over to a larger event!!;), I'm sure your heads are full of new ideas and maybe you'll be able to stump up some more peeps for the next one!!;)

It wasn't me!

FLOYDSTER wrote: »

Great weekend!!, and, Dave I only shot two C. Games qualifying scores!;), still a long way to go!!:D

I'd take two qualifying scores for two matches. Well done.

It was great to see some of you guys travelling over to a larger event!!;), I'm sure your heads are full of new ideas and maybe you'll be able to stump up some more peeps for the next one!!;)

I definitely have plenty of ideas to be getting on with, got to write them down now. We'll hopefully have a good team for next year. Seeing an event on that scale was inspiring.

It wasn't me!

The trip over was lovely. A nice sunset got us off to a good start.


Nothing we have here in terms of ranges compares with the quality of the Sinclair Range. It's fantastic.




I didn't notice the cold personally, but others seemed to be playing it safe.


The array of beautiful kit on display was fantastic. This particular lovely lefty example probably cost north of six grand.


Conditions were very pleasant for the shoot.


Team DURC were having some fun as well. Scores weren't spectacular, but we'll have it next time.




It wasn't just prone either.


Being consummately battered by tiny sixteen year old girls from the north whose rifles are bigger than them is a sobering experience...


The finals were a very interesting experience. The fact that they had enough female shooters to justify a final for them was a novelty as far as we were concerned.


Finally, here's FLOYDSTER on his way to the 590 which qualified him for the Commonwealth Games. Congratulations to him, hope it goes well.

toshiba1

Well Done to all. Great to see full bore pistol dioing so well. Great pictures

FLOYDSTER

Results can be found here..................

http://www.isleofmanshooting.com/easter/results2009.shtml

It wasn't me!

FLOYDSTER wrote: »

Results can be found here..................

http://www.isleofmanshooting.com/easter/results2009.shtml

I left those out to avoid embarrassing myself.

FLOYDSTER

It wasn't me! wrote: »

I left those out to avoid embarrassing myself.

LOL!!!:D

Bit of a rant first!!(nothing to do with the Southern guys!!)

I attended the Ballymena RPC shoot on Saturday and have to say I was really dissapointed with the turn out up here as the N.I team had squad training arranged for the same day!:rolleyes:
I think a match would have been more benefical than throwing lead down the range training!, and as it wasnt a qualifing match any tweaks/adjustments needed could have been made while under match conditions!

Anyway!, now a bit of better news!(for me!!), I shot - 195-198-199 = 592
Lets hope the wheels dont fall off!!:eek: :D:D

It wasn't me!

FLOYDSTER wrote: »

LOL!!!:D

Bit of a rant first!!(nothing to do with the Southern guys!!)

I attended the Ballymena RPC shoot on Saturday and have to say I was really dissapointed with the turn out up here as the N.I team had squad training arranged for the same day!:rolleyes:
I think a match would have been more benefical than throwing lead down the range training!, and as it wasnt a qualifing match any tweaks/adjustments needed could have been made while under match conditions!

Anyway!, now a bit of better news!(for me!!), I shot - 195-198-199 = 592
Lets hope the wheels dont fall off!!:eek: :D:D

Excellent stuff, consistently up in the 590's now. Let's see what happens when the new rifle is fully tweaked and the barrel's run in! Got some European holiay plans for next year then?

FLOYDSTER

It wasn't me! wrote: »

Excellent stuff, consistently up in the 590's now. Let's see what happens when the new rifle is fully tweaked and the barrel's run in! Got some European holiay plans for next year then?

LOL!!, I'm off to Plzen(Czech Republic) in a couple of weeks to shoot there!;), really looking forward to see what the range is like as I see from last years results some very high scores!
Always nice to see a different range on a different country!

It wasn't me!

Let us know how you get on and how you find the experience. Good to see your results are consistently high.