Bell Target Elite

[markmac]

Does a national competition exist?

What gear are the top lads and lasses using?

Is it really a competetive sport - or just an excuse to talk about classic air rifles and have a pint ?

constructive answers only please

Don't know if it is any of the above but I love it and is the most fun I have had with an air rifle in a long time.

[Pastor]

I know very little about it but it seems (to me) to be based around the Midlands. It looks a whole lot of fun though

[zooma]

Does a national competition exist?

What gear are the top lads and lasses using?

Is it really a competetive sport - or just an excuse to talk about classic air rifles and have a pint ?

constructive answers only please

Don't know if it is any of the above but I love it and is the most fun I have had with an air rifle in a long time.

Take a look at the bell target thread - you may find it interesting.

I am trying to get a new series running based around classic match rifles but to include and encourage all non CO2 and PCP rifles to take part.

This keeps it interesting and affordable as well as generating some interesting chat about older rifles, and at the same time bringing a lot of them back out of the cupboard and onto the range.

[markmac]

Hi Bob, we shoot classic 10m air rifles at our Bell Target club but was just wondering if anyone uses the latest offerings from the 10m world for BT - We shoot for fun and the banter but some people get ultra competetive and may think a classic rifle is holding them back

[zooma]

Hi Bob, we shoot classic 10m air rifles at our Bell Target club but was just wondering if anyone uses the latest offerings from the 10m world for BT - We shoot for fun and the banter but some people get ultra competetive and may think a classic rifle is holding them back

Most classic rifles have more potential than the shooter - and buying a more expensive PCP rifle with similar accuracy may have other benefits (?) - but the rifle is not likely to be "holding them back" from being a better 6 yard Bell Target hero.

[markmac]

Possibly the only benefits of the modern rifles for BT is rifle fit and balance as they are multi adjustable.

Agree accuracy on the classic rifles is superb for BT so no real advantage by using a modern pcp.

I know that 10m competition is a totally different animal altogether and the ease of cocking/reloading over a 60 shot match makes the PCP very attractive - less tiring. The lock time is also meant to be quicker so probably more forgiving of poor technique or trigger control when releasing the shot.

There is also the "pose value" of a modern rifle

"OOOOOOOHHH Isn't it shiny"

[thimblehouse]

There is no national competition at present that last one happened in the 1970's under NARPA.
Rules about dress and rifles depend on the league rules you shooting in.
Yes some leagues allow and useer new target rifles.

My club has some Brocock target rifles (made at correct power) for ourselves.
Gun Power Edge. AA 400MPR. Fein P70. Ansultz 8000
Then theres the little older ones Fein 600/601/602
Then the real springers Walther LGR, Fein 300s/300. Original 75.

If fact if the power is right 6/7 ft lbs anything goes.
Just no lenses allowed. All use diopter sights.

Your welcome anytime and please email me with any questions.

[markmac]

Thanks Thimblehouse for the reply.

Does your club employ score rankings for "average score" using the 5.1 score for a clean bull? ,such as

Average 28.7+ = Expert
Average 28+ = A Grade
Average 27+ = B Grade
Average 26+ = C Grade
Average < 26 = Novice

[BobSki]

Bell target, alongside its 6yd bulls-eye target cousin was a brilliant sport back in the 60's/70's and early 80's. The matches were shot at 6yds, free standing with no part of the shooter or his/her clothing being allowed to touch any table, wall or other object. It was usually shot in pubs and clubs almost like darts matches, except that there would be a removeable partition wall, usually about 6ft high used to create a sterile area between the target and the shooter. Usually teams of 6 were involved being organised in leagues and divisions along the lines of football.

Matches would be held at home and away venues once a week starting around 7pm in the evening. Each team would shoot man for man (5 shots each person) in the case of card targets, these would be scored by the two team captains as the match progressed, for Bell target the face plate would be painted and/or bell reset after each shot and the score recorded. Everyone knew exactly how the match was progressing. After each team had shot, there would e a break during which sandwiches provided by the home team would be consumed and cordial banter before the second half commenced and the match finally concluded. As well as the team matches, once a year there would be an indiviual championship, where the guys and girls would fight it out to see who would take the honours. At the end of the season, there would be an annual Dinner & Dance during which the trophies would be presented. It used to be a wonderful social occasion and it was a shame it all seemed to disapear. There used to be the Rugby and District League, Hinckly and Nuneaton, Warwick, Northampton Bell Target League and many others. It was very well supported in and around the midlands. Every year at R.A.F Cosford there was a National/international championship.

If you guys manage to get this back up and running as it was in its hay-day, you will doing the shooting world a great service and creating a lot of fun for shooters.

[thimblehouse]

Bell target, alongside its 6yd bulls-eye target cousin was a brilliant sport back in the 60's/70's and early 80's. The matches were shot at 6yds, free standing with no part of the shooter or his/her clothing being allowed to touch any table, wall or other object. It was usually shot in pubs and clubs almost like darts matches, except that there would be a removeable partition wall, usually about 6ft high used to create a sterile area between the target and the shooter. Usually teams of 6 were involved being organised in leagues and divisions along the lines of football.

Matches would be held at home and away venues once a week starting around 7pm in the evening. Each team would shoot man for man (5 shots each person) in the case of card targets, these would be scored by the two team captains as the match progressed, for Bell target the face plate would be painted and/or bell reset after each shot and the score recorded. Everyone knew exactly how the match was progressing. After each team had shot, there would e a break during which sandwiches provided by the home team would be consumed and cordial banter before the second half commenced and the match finally concluded. As well as the team matches, once a year there would be an indiviual championship, where the guys and girls would fight it out to see who would take the honours. At the end of the season, there would be an annual Dinner & Dance during which the trophies would be presented. It used to be a wonderful social occasion and it was a shame it all seemed to disapear. There used to be the Rugby and District League, Hinckly and Nuneaton, Warwick, Northampton Bell Target League and many others. It was very well supported in and around the midlands. Every year at R.A.F Cosford there was a National/international championship.

If you guys manage to get this back up and running as it was in its hay-day, you will doing the shooting world a great service and creating a lot of fun for shooters.

Slowly a steadily its starting tp grow and my lot have help clubs set up in various parts of the country. As for back to the hay day there are a lot of problems, the national bodies dont want to know as as for finding a venue amajor battle. A couple of corrections. Most matches would start closer to 8pm some clubs had a pre match practice that started earlier. Most Bell matches had 6 scoring shots. Paper yes was 5 as there was no more room for the sixth diagram. Very few clubs used the partition system so spectators and shooters could see what was going on. The Hinckly and Northampton are still going and the Warwick is still there but no longer does Bell.

There are still a number of leagues still going see belltarget.com

[thimblehouse]

Thanks Thimblehouse for the reply.

Does your club employ score rankings for "average score" using the 5.1 score for a clean bull? ,such as

Average 28.7+ = Expert
Average 28+ = A Grade
Average 27+ = B Grade
Average 26+ = C Grade
Average < 26 = Novice

The Birmingham league does not use the 5.1 scoreing system.
As for grade yes we use shooters averages for some competitions but that about its.
The forcoming Shrewbury open shoot has classes based on averages.
Plus see http://www.belltarget.com/competition-rules.php