However the weekend didn't all go to plan! (what plans ever go o plan?) On Friday evening I was preparing the equipment, and noticed the the trigger on my No4Mk1 was now a single pull and under 1.2 Kg. At the previous competition it was 2 stage and passed the 1.35 kg minimum; with an actual figure of around 1.5 on my electronic gauge. So at 9 o'clock in the evening I'm in the workshop and inspecting the trigger mechanism. I didn't find anything odd with the trigger and sear contact, so decided to fit a new cocking piece, which gives a 2.2Kg trigger. It requires further investigation, but at the previous competition I was very happy with the trigger, it was very consistent.

So up at 5 am because it's 2 and a quarter hour drive to Chinon. I'm shooting this rifle at 9.30.

So it's a lovely warm sunny day, the first of 5 practice shots, was not even on the paper! sh*t! I am a bit lower and get the top edge of the paper, well outside the 1 circle. I managed to get it into the black but below centre with the remaining 3 shots. I ended up with 133/200 (a 62 then 71). So not great, but better than some 25th out of 44 competitors.

Next was the No1MkIII* modified bolt action, the rifle was set up as per the previous event, i(n which I had my best score to date with it). But as with the no4, it shot really high on the target. I made adjustments during the 5 practice shots and ended up a bit low and not really happy. The result was poor compared to the previous round, at 122/200 (54 then a 68). The last target had a horizontal line of impacts through the lower part of the 7 and 8 ring, virtually no elevation change on these, but obviously my error on the sideways drift. I had two shots missing from 20 fired, which is odd because I didn't think I was that far out.

I would not that looking at other targets will on the firing line; others were also shooting high during practice. Obviously the lack of pratice (once since May 2024) is showing up in the results.

Despite the results we enjoyed our day. My wife also found the No4Mk1/2 was shooting high as well.

The .22 was a little better with a 169/200 (91 prone and 78 standing), but still not the best that the rifle can do.

Hopefully we can make the time for more practice this year and also gather some proper adjustment data for Chinon, which is very bright and has regular mirage when sunny. Unlike Dreux range which is indoor and poor light. 

I will be looking at the No4 rifle again to check the fore end fit etc and adjust the trigger weight.

It’s odd that you all had high sighter shots? These are not electronic targets, are they? 

The elevation change was evident on all three of our rifles, as well as other competitor's. I think I must have upset the No4mk1 when removing the trigger guard. Because it was way off, but the other two, I assume it may be due to the lighting conditions, very bright sunshine and 20°C higher temperature than at the previous round.

I will inspect the rifles this weekend, if I get time.