I must be getting old. Quantico and Camp Perry

[Rod]

A few days ago I caught up with an old mate who I hadn’t seen for years. An old mate from my service match, rifle competition days. Pre 1996 when we had M14’s , AR15’s and other fine service rifles.
Anyway, today he sent me a few photos….and boy has that bought back some memories.

This photo was taken on my first trip overseas …’93.

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The good ol US of A …. What a bloody great time that was. Quantico and then to the Holy Grail

Rod

[deerhunter338mag]

Nothing Like old memories to look back on.

[SPEEDY]

Ah back in the days when you could buy an SKS for $90 and they threw in a tin of that horrible smelling Chinese ammo for it.

[Gamsjagd]

I was speaking to a friend of mine about the Kings Match in Canberra, I have not shot it since 2011.

[Rod]

I was speaking to a friend of mine about the Kings Match in Canberra, I have not shot it since 2011.

In 2011 the match would have been the “Queen’s Prize” the first “Kings Prize “ in over 70 years should be held next year. Seems strange that she has passed.

I’ve shot in a few Queens (Service Rifle) over the years, NSWRA, QRA, and ANRA. Even managed to win one with an M14.

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I really do miss the competition. They were great matches to participate in.

Rod

[Rod]

Ah back in the days when you could buy an SKS for $90 and they threw in a tin of that horrible smelling Chinese ammo for it.

They were cheaper than a Stirling.22 rimfire and if you bought ammunition by the crate it worked out at about 3 cents a shot

Surprisingly that cheap surplus ammunition was fairly accurate. I owned several SKS’s and a few more SKK’s , who didn’t, and they were all capable of sub 3” groups at 100 meters. Some even went as good as 2” or thereabouts. Not that I bench rested them much

Rod

[Rod]

Nothing Like old memories to look back on.

Another of the photos Gordy sent me. Possibly taken at Malabar in Sydney at a Queen’s. I’m the one putting on the jacket

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Competitions in Australia were minuscule compared to Camp Perry. 120 shooters for a big match in Australia and if I’m not mistaken I reckon up to 200 shooters on the line for a detail at Camp Perry. What an absolute amazing place

And, the ranges at Quantico were maintained better than most golf courses


I’m bored

Rod

[Gamsjagd]

Canberra Kings match was in November. He is one of the chairs and helps to run the match.

I shot the Queens in 2011.

[Rod]

Canberra Kings match was in November. He is one of the chairs and helps to run the match.

I shot the Queens in 2011.

[SPEEDY]

Ah back in the days when you could buy an SKS for $90 and they threw in a tin of that horrible smelling Chinese ammo for it.

They were cheaper than a Stirling.22 rimfire and if you bought ammunition by the crate it worked out at about 3 cents a shot

Surprisingly that cheap surplus ammunition was fairly accurate. I owned several SKS’s and a few more SKK’s , who didn’t, and they were all capable of sub 3” groups at 100 meters. Some even went as good as 2” or thereabouts. Not that I bench rested them much

Rod

They were so cheap and the ammunition so corrosive that we used to shoot them till they were little more then scrap then buy a new one.
It took a while to figure out that you had to scrub them with a bucket of soapy water instead of just giving them a pull through.
I must have owned a dozen sks and skk rifles growing up.

[Chamois71]

Nothing quite like being on the line at Perry with 200 M1 Garands during prone rapid!

[Chamois71]

Circa 2017

[Rod]

Circa 2017

Bloody oath

From 1993

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I was using one of these beauties

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Working in the butts was a very social thing when I was there, smoking cigars , telling stories and wondering in amazement at some of the scores being shot.

Rod

[Rod]

When we were at Quantico we took a drive to this legendary place

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Rod

[John0313]

Ahh, the good old days! Those shooting service rifle (or “Highpower” as we called it back then) now can’t believe that the matches at Quantico were so well attended that we would fill up range 4, and the overflow went to Range 3 - all 4 relays! I think we had more shooting at the Mid-Atlantic Match back then than now shoot the Nationals. Very sad.