I was sat behind a friends stepson who eventually came 31st, unbeknown to me the chap three targets up who appeared to have tight group on the score marker for the public to see was the eventual winner and was chaired off the range. 

A quick intro into the Kings Prize; it is shot in three stages.

Stage 1 is 2 sighters and 7 to count at 300, 500 & 600 yards. There were 800 competitors and only the first 150 get through to stage 2.

Stage 2 is the same as stage 1 but you have 10 shots to count and only the first 100 get through to shoot in the final.

Stage 3 (The final) 2 sighters and 15 to count at 900 yards followed by the same at 1000 yards.

And some random images from the day:

The army clubhouse on the right, the winner usually gets a rousing cheer as he or she passes, those who didn't make the final are often "well watered" on the verandah at his stage!

Her mother helped her mark "daddy's" score.

The Kenyan's are a strong presence here every year.

 

One of the "serving" entrants, the army club had 4 members in the final this year.

 

I was sat somewhere behind the golf buggies wondering when to leave to beat the traffic. 

Angus and his tube gun, I think I counted two being used in the final this year. 

Taken during the late night celebrations in the Canadian Pavilion, the winner is chaired round the camp and the last visit of the night is the Canadian pavilion to fire the cannon. 

It’s tough to hang with the guys and gals of the US Army and USMC Marksmanship Units.  They are in a league of their own.  I’ve shot with Brandon a few times and wondered how he does it.  

Thanks for the pictures Mick. I see a number of Creedmoor shooting coats.  The rifles appear to be “Match Rifles” from what I can see. 

Geoff the Creedmoor jackets; or more particularly the type that tighten up when you pull the straps were at one time banned by the NRA (UK) overhear. 

My guess is that the weight of overseas competitors who shoot around the world made the ruling look a bit silly, and think of the politics if you banned a complete team for wearing the "wrong" jackets!

I'm not sure when the rule changed but I'm glad it did.

The term, "Match Rifle", has a completely different connotation in Commonwealth shooting, or more particularly between Australia & the UK and to a lesser extant Canada?

The discipline allows the competitor to shoot prone supported or supine, the use of scopes (no maximum power) and Galilean sights are also allowed.

Once described as the creme da la creme of shooting it was traditionally patronised by the aristocracy and senior members of the armed services, during the inter war years it was also used to gauge experiments of the .303 MkVII round using different propellant's.

These were taken in the week before the target rifle events, all images courtesy of Paul Deach who is the NRA media photographer.

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/BBBBBBCShooting" rel="nofollow - Facebook

I hope the link works?? 

The link  works fine, takes you to the top of the page.

You'll need a F/B logon & password to open it.

This match has come a long way from the days when it was shot with the Service Rifle.  

Geoff, yes exactly that. 

You can also find hand stops from the 1970's that have a bent wire rest incorporated into them, pretty sure I still have one somewhere.

They don't work too well on the concrete firing point we have at Talladega!

I still use one!

Parker Hale made them in two sizes; you could also choose whether you wanted one with the fork covered in "celluloid" so it didn't scratch the wood. 

The early Mk V plastic oil bottles are also described in the nomenclature of the day as being made of celluloid. 

I believe this is about 5.30am the next morning. 

Great photo! 

If the "men in blazers" were still alive I suspect they might be choking over their G & T's that evening.

Brandon seems to have gone down well amongst the natives although there have been a couple of pi55 taking messages going around, I sent one myself to a sick friend telling him who had won...no class whatsoever! wearing a baseball cap in the hallowed chair... etc etc

If we cant laugh at ourselves in defeat who can we laugh at? 

I do have some feelings in this regard, which I'll share on a PM!

You could easily fabricate a concrete adapter, (for concrete, not of concrete) for you old rowlock stand. A bit of 2X2, or 2X4 depending on nationality with a center hole drilled & a an oval piece of wood such as I use for may ammo holders & add rubber feet for the deluxe version!

I think the "celluloid oil bottles" described are the clear(ish) yellow "plastic" ones?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWFqvr2tZ1E" rel="nofollow - HM the King's Prize Final 2025

Excellent, thanks.

Whats with the field-expedient "drapes" over the breech area? Anti-mirage or what.

That must take incredible concentration to win the Prize. 

It would be a dream just to hit the target at that distance on Bisley's hallowed ground!

Chaz, both mirage and I think a wet weather cover for the breech?

The loading port on modern target rifles is actually very small so I'm not entirely convinced about the weather aspect.

The commentator remarked on fine weather; those of us behind the rope thought it was going to pee down at one point!

When shooting a SR"b" match I always have an "old school" piece of toweling to cover the receiver opening on my No.4's.