Bell Target Shooting.

[zooma]

I would like to suggest shooting 5 shots twice. On an alternate basis (one Home followed by one Away team member)
A home team member starts first and then in the second set the away team starts.
This gives a fuller event and stops shooters drifting off after their set.
This could give two possabilities.
1) An over all match score
or 2) Shoot person v person 1pt for a win 1/2 for a draw then add them all together for a final team total.

As for rifle I would agree, but in reality PCP have no advantage over springers at this short distance.
Round nose pellets are definately best.

Cosford was one hell of event remember going with my Dad who was taking part.

Thanks for the suggestions, I think the alternative shooting idea is good when we have 10 shots per shooter with only 4 in a team - do you know if this was the way the Cosford Bell Target events were shot?

I took part in the NARPA events at RAF Cosford, but in the air pistol events with my Feinwerkbau Model 65, and once with my Feinwerkbau 300S as well - but to my shame I never noticed the Bell target event - but wish I had seen it.

I think the top PCP rifles have an advantage over the "modern classics" at any distance, but the reason for not wanting them to be used in our Bell target events is to give an approving "nod" to what I consider to be the "golden age" of match air rifles that I would like to keep alive at least once a week in our Bell Target event if I can.

Not only that, a good working example of any of the 300S/LGR/LGV/Anshutz250/Mod 66 and 75 can be picked up for £200 or less (sometimes a lot less) and this is the way to encourage more to join the sport and" have a go". I know that mint examples will often cost more - but not that much more - and not enough to make them an unattractive buy.

The sight of very expensive PCP match rifles ( many costing over 3 grand new) being used at 6 yards can easilly put potential newcomers off - even if a local hot shot beats them with his break barrel springer - so I think they are better kept for the serious 10 meter work they were designed for.

[thimblehouse]

To be honest I was to young to remember but can ask some of those I know who where there as well.

I shoot with a 300s and yes regulary out shoot the PCP's costing around £1800 to £2300. The prices of the 300s often surprise me most ask around £350 these days, similar price for the 600's. Not that long ago £150 was the norm for 300s.
My team will take delivery of an Air Arms 400 MPR shortly new about £750 to £800 (a gift). We will also have Gun Power Edges to use supplied courtesy of Gun Power. Plus we also have a SMK xs79, new about £100 new (fitted with diopters by us) and used by some junior members as its very light.

When doing indoor ranges at Game shows we are often asked which is the easiest always reply the 10m. They look at you mad, then after trying the Bell at 6yds and stopping them leaning on the table they then agree with us.

Some leagues have strict rules on the type of rifles ie no recoiless rifles and only open sights. In order to cover a wide range of people, in the league I shoot in, we dont have such rules. In this way it does not restrict members who think because they have an expensive rifle, they can shoot better. They can use what they have with no need to go a buy another rifle. We do however ask but dont check rifles should not exceed 7 foot pounds for simple safety over bounce back.

[zooma]

Hi Plinker,

I like the idea of Bell target shooting, but I admit I find it hard to believe your claim that shooting at 6 yards on a Bell Target is harder than shooting at 10 meters on a 10 meter paper target - it makes no sense to me at all and defies all logic.

As far as I know the "bull" on a Bell Target is 3/8" - quite a bit larger than the "bull" used on targets at 10 meters ( a comparitive pin head) - so how can the bigger target at a shorter distance with a bigger bull be harder to hit? I am guessing you are comparing these two distances when using similar rifles?

Both disciplines are shot "free standing" ( not leaning on a table as you mention), so whilst I think it is good to promote the sport of Bell Target shooting, I am not too sure about the authenticiy of comparing it with the 10 meter air rifle discipline as a more difficult target to hit.

Maybe the pressure of shooting in a Bell Target match is what you mean?.this I can understand as 10 meter rifle shooting is seldom a live team event shot in a comparitively noisey and distracting club or pub with both teams watching the shooter perform - that kind of pressure would make it harder to perform - but it would not make the bull any smaller or the distance any longer.

We are also lucky to still have a good supply of 300S rifles ( and similar types) at £200 or less and have not seen any offered at the quoted regular asking price of £350 that you mention in your reply - if they were that expensive to buy, and if 6 yard shooting is more dificult to shoot than 10 meter shooting, then I think some of the "fun" aspect of Bell Target shooting can be lost when trying to promote the sport.

Fortunately, good used working match rifles can still be bought for £200 or less, and most think hitting a 3/8 hole at 6 yards is easier than hitting a pin head at 10 meters, and are happy to tackle it with a less expensive rifle.

[thimblehouse]

You will learn. Remeber too many restrictions will put people off. The wider to coverage and appeal the better to keep the fun going. My club will have a christmas shoot shortly and replace the guns for rubber sucker ones just for fun.

[Jimlad]

Hi Plinker

I am sorry to disagree with you again, 10 metre easier than bell target? You are having a laugh! The skill required to compete even at club level at ten metre is far superior to that required in bell target. I have shot bell target and ten metre for 40 years plus, and I can guarantee you that 10 metre is a lot more difficult, there is a different pressure with bell target, but the skill required to shoot 60 shots free standing at a pin head at ten metres just don’t relate, if you find ten metre so easy maybe you should be shooting for your county/country , I think the last Gold medal score was 598/600 that is 58/60 pin heads at 10 metres, what type of scores are you recording at bell target? 3/8th” hole

Jim

[thimblehouse]

Of coarse 60 shots is harder than 6 or 10. Wrong comparison.

[Jimlad]

Hi

I stand by my statement, your quote ' When doing indoor ranges at Game shows we are often asked which is the easiest always reply the 10m. They look at you mad, then after trying the Bell at 6yds and stopping them leaning on the table they then agree with us'. even over six shots shooting at a pin head over 10 metres, or a 3/8" inch hole at 6 or 5 yards, the 10 metre will be more difficult.

With regards to the Pcp over the single stroke pneumatic, you are right in saying that many shooters can hold their own with the 300s etc against the high cost full modern match rifle, but put two equal shooters in experience and capability against each other, over a few matches and there will be only one outcome. The fit, balance, trigger, the fact there is no effort in loading will all tell, and what have Feinwerkbau been doing over the last 50 years wasting their time?

Jim